BITS Design School Launches 2027 Admissions Cycle

MUMBAI — The BITS Design School (BITSDES) in Mumbai has officially opened the application window for its four-year Bachelor of Design (Honours) programme for the 2027 academic cohort. The institution has announced that 210 seats are on offer for the upcoming batch, with applications scheduled to close on January 31, 2027.

As part of the multi-stage evaluation process, applicants are required to take the BITS Design Aptitude Test (BITSDAT), a mandatory one-hour online assessment scheduled to take place between March 29 and April 5, 2027. Alternatively, candidates may also qualify using scores from the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) conducted by IIT Bombay, or the National Institute of Design's NID DAT Prelims.

Curriculum and Academic Pathways

The four-year undergraduate curriculum incorporates a transdisciplinary framework that merges technology, business, and public policy. Notably, the institution has integrated a three-credit course titled "New Venture Creation"—led by BITS Pilani alumni—across all campuses to foster entrepreneurial capabilities among design students.

Students admitted to the programme will undergo foundational learning across the first three semesters before selecting a specialized pathway. Options available from Semester 3 onward include:

- Physical Product Design - Digital Product Design (UI/UX) - Design Research and Insights - Experience Design - Visual Design

Commenting on the academic vision, Nandita Abraham, Dean of BITS Design School, emphasized the evolving demands of the industry. "Design education today must prepare students to work across disciplines and cultures, understand different perspectives and respond to challenges that do not fit within a single discipline," she stated.

Selection Timeline and Scholarships

Applicants must fulfill the baseline academic requirement of securing a minimum of 45 percent aggregate marks in their 10+2 or equivalent examination from any recognized board, regardless of the stream.

Following the entrance tests, candidates are required to upload their preliminary scores to the admissions portal between April 6 and April 10, 2027. A merit list based on relative scores will be released on April 14, leading up to design portfolio reviews and online interviews for shortlisted candidates. The final admission results are slated to be announced on May 20, 2027.

Additionally, the institution offers financial support structures, including the Chancellor's Scholarship, which provides a full 100 percent tuition fee waiver along with international exposure opportunities in the second year and a curated internship in the third year. Merit-based and need-based financial aid options are also available for a significant segment of the student intake.