Design Colleges in India Offering Lateral Entry Admissions

Samiksha Rautela

Updated On: May 28, 2024 03:59 PM

Want to get into a design course through lateral entry? Now it’s easy to opt for lateral entry admissions in any course, check out how in this article!

Design Lateral Entry Admissions Colleges

Candidates who want to complete their design course by entering between the courses can now easily apply through the lateral entry system. Lateral entry or side entry has become common for students who have either completed their diploma or degree in the related field to further opt for higher education. Many top design colleges in India offer lateral entry admissions such as NIFT, NID, UID and more. The admission is granted on the basis of the entrance exam conducted by the college, studio test and personal interview round. Check out more about the design course lateral entry admissions from the application process to eligibility here!

Eligibility Criteria for Lateral Entry Design Courses

Design colleges in India offering lateral entry admissions consider only students who meet all the prescribed eligibility criteria. It must be noted that the lateral entry eligibility criteria are subject to be different for multiple colleges. Check out the basic requirements below:

  • Students are required to have passed their SSE or class 10th from a recognised board.
  • Secondly, to be eligible students should have passed diploma courses of 3-4 years, which are recognised by AICTE/UGC/AIU or a State Board of Technical Education.

Or

  • Candidates are required to have completed their class 12th from a recognised board.
  • After completion of class 12th, students are required to have passed a UG Diploma program.
  • Some colleges have a prescribed upper age limit as the eligibility requirement.
  • In some institutes, the minimum aggregate marks must be secured for admission.

List of Design Colleges Offering Lateral Entry Admissions

Check the table displayed below in order to get an idea of the admission process and fee range of Design colleges in India offering lateral entry admissions to the aspirants.

College Name

Location

Admission Process

Fee Range (Total Fees in INR)

Karnavati University (KU)

Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Merit-based

7 - 9 Lakh

Pearl Academy

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Personal Interview

14 - 20 Lakh

Indian Institute of Art & Design

New Delhi, Delhi

Personal Interview and Portfolio Analysis

10 - 20 Lakh

United World Institute of Design

Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Entrance Exam

11 - 13 Lakh

LISAA School of Design

New Delhi, Delhi

Portfolio Analysis and Personal Interview

4 - 5 Lakh

Amity University

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Merit-Based

6 - 9 Lakh

CREO Valley (CREO)

Bangalore, Karnataka

Merit-Based

8 - 12 Lakh

Sanskriti University

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Merit-Based

1.26 - 1.50 Lakh

Lovely Professional University

Phagwara, Punjab

Merit-Based

2.5 - 5 Lakh

Jagannath University

Jaipur, Rajasthan Merit-Based 4 - 5 Lakh

Also Read: Fee Structure of Top Design Colleges in India

Application Process for Lateral Entry Design Courses

Refer to the application process for lateral entry design courses below:

  • Step 1 : Check out all the details on the official website of the respective college.
  • Step 2 : Search for the lateral entry application form.
  • Step 3 : Choose your desired course.
  • Step 4 : Fill out the details such as diploma course details or previous qualifying exams such as 10th/12th.
  • Step 5 : Pay the application fee (if any) and submit the form.

Pros of Lateral Entry Design Courses

Check out the pros of Lateral Entry Design Courses and the factors that attract the applicant to pursue them.

  • The applicant gets to skip a year or two through the lateral entry course. It saves them a lot of time which they can utilise as per their liking.
  • The candidates opting for lateral entry Design courses get to experience the same perks and benefits as regular candidates.
  • Through lateral entry courses in Design, you can easily join from the second or third year and get to advance your professional capability.
  • Multiple best colleges offer direct entry or merit-based entry to the student which makes the selection process not as difficult as the one that regular candidates face. A candidate can score good marks in the diploma or the qualifying exam and can apply for admission in the college of their choice.

Cons of Lateral Entry Design Courses

Every coin has a flip side. Similarly, the cons of lateral entry Design courses are as follows.

  • Since you have joined the course in between the academic sessions, you might find it a little difficult to match the pace with the regular students.
  • Not all top Design colleges offer lateral entry which leaves the aspirant with a handful of choices.
  • Each college has a limited number of seats available for the lateral entry Design course which are either filled on the basis of your score or on a first come first get basis. Candidates are advised to work hard and apply early for admission to the Design Colleges in India offering lateral entry admissions.
  • Some companies visiting the college campus have strict criteria prescribed where they do not let a lateral entry candidate sit for the recruitment process.

Also Read: Design Career in India

Other Colleges Offering Design Lateral Entry Admissions

Check out more colleges in India offering lateral entry admissions below:

World University of Design (WUD)

Candidates are required to present their diploma course details for getting lateral entry admission in the second or third year of the desired course.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

For NIFT lateral entry admissions in the third year of the course, students have to appear for the admission test.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

MAHE offers lateral entry admission in only UG design programs. They must have completed their 10+3 diploma in fashion design from a recognised university to be eligible for lateral entry admissions.

With the fast-evolving world, the affinity towards design is increasing along with an inclination towards lateral entry courses. Numerous prestigious Design colleges have started to offer lateral entry for the Design courses in India . Through such courses have their drawback but the positives overshadow the same.

Lateral entry in Design courses not only expands the design career possibilities for the students but also lends them more time to work towards proficiency.

A student getting into lateral entry courses might find it difficult to match up with the syllabus but once he/she gets a hang of it, employment opportunities and massive success come knocking at his/her doorstep. Why wait then? Enrol yourself for the lateral entry admissions in the Design colleges in order to solidify your career growth. Candidates willing to take admission in a Design college can either call 1800-572-9877 (toll-free) or fill up the Common Application Form. Either way, an admission expert will be assigned to assist the aspirant. In case of any queries, feel free to post them on the QnA zone .

Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more such updates!

Related Reads :

Top Design Colleges in North India

Top Design Colleges in East India

Top Design Colleges in West India

Top Design Colleges in South India

Best Distance Learning Courses in Design Stream

Private Colleges in India Offering Scholarship for Design Admission

/articles/design-colleges-india-lateral-entry-admissions/

Next Story Next Story

View All Questions

Related Questions

What courses are offered at LPU?

-Updated on April 22, 2026 12:00 PM
  • 101 Answers
rubina, Student / Alumni

Lovely Professional University offers a wide range of courses across different disciplines like engineering, management, science, law, and design. Being an alumnus, I’ve seen how the university provides industry-oriented programs with practical exposure and flexible options. I’m personally more aware about M.Sc (Agriculture) in Entomology, which focuses on insect science, pest management, and hands-on research learning.

READ MORE...

What are the placement opportunities for B.Des at LPU?

-MiraUpdated on April 14, 2026 12:11 PM
  • 37 Answers
sampreetkaur, Student / Alumni

B.Des at LPU focuses on an innovative, project‑based curriculum that closely follows current industry workflows in UI/UX, product, fashion, interior, and multimedia design. Students regularly work on live projects, internships, and portfolio‑building assignments mentored by practicing designers, which strengthens their domain skills and presentation ability. The placement ecosystem connects B.Des graduates with design studios, tech firms, advertising agencies, and product companies, offering starting packages typically in the range of about INR4–11 LPA, with top performers sometimes going higher, depending on specialisation and portfolio strength.

READ MORE...

Is there any UG fashion designing course in LPU? What is the fees?

-Sania RayUpdated on April 14, 2026 12:09 PM
  • 65 Answers
sampreetkaur, Student / Alumni

Yes, LPU offers a 3-year B.Sc. in Fashion Design at UG level with total fees around INR8.40 lakh. The curriculum emphasizes innovative elements like CAD tools, trend forecasting, and hands-on studios for industry relevance. Strong placement support leads to roles in apparel brands and design houses, averaging INR4.44 lakh packages.

READ MORE...

Do you have a question? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Top 10 Design Colleges in India

View All
Top