BITS Design School, Mumbai

About 

BITS Design School (BITSDES), Mumbai is a specialised design education institute established by the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, a premier Indian university. The school was launched in 2024 with the goal of reimagining design education through a transdisciplinary, competency-based approach that equips students with creative, technological, and problem-solving skills relevant for modern industry and leadership roles.

The school’s academic activities began in Powai, Mumbai at an interim campus, and it is part of the forthcoming fully residential campus in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (Kalyan area), planned on approximately 60–63 acres of land with state-of-the-art facilities and a scenic environment designed for collaborative learning and student life.

BITS Design School is an integral part of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, an Institution of Eminence recognised by the Government of India and widely respected for academic excellence and innovation. Its design curriculum has global connections, including co-design and periodic review by Aalto University, Finland, a top-ranked international design institution.

The institute operates within the broader BITS Pilani Mumbai campus ecosystem, alongside other schools like BITS School of Management and BITS Law School, under a unified academic vision. Faculty and visiting instructors include experts from prestigious global design institutions, enhancing teaching quality and exposure.

BITS Design School currently offers a four-year, fully residential Bachelor of Design (Honours) programme with opportunities to specialise in streams such as Physical Product Design, Digital Product Design (UI/UX), Human-Centered Design, Experience Design, and Visual Design. Admissions are open to candidates based on their performance in design-related entrance exams such as NID-DAT, UCEED, or BITSAT, often followed by a portfolio review or interview, and scholarships are available for meritorious and diverse students.

The upcoming permanent campus is designed with world-class facilities including digitally enabled classrooms, design studios, prototyping and maker labs, a central library, student residences, recreational spaces, sports facilities, dining halls, and creative collaboration zones. The campus design incorporates sustainability principles and supports holistic student development.

While specific placement data for the nascent BITS Design School is still emerging due to its recent launch, the school benefits from BITS Pilani’s extensive alumni network and industry connections. Students are expected to receive career support, internships, and exposure to leading design firms, corporations, and innovation-driven organisations as part of the school’s focus on industry readiness.

In sum, BITS Design School, Mumbai is a forward-looking and globally connected design institute that combines the prestige and academic strength of BITS Pilani with modern design education, interdisciplinary specialisations, international collaborations, and a residential campus designed to nurture creative leaders for the design industry of tomorrow.

Some Highlights of BITS Design School, Mumbai

Why Choose BITS Design School, Mumbai

Backed by the Legacy of BITS Pilani

BITS Design School is established by BITS Pilani, one of India’s most respected institutions, known for academic excellence, innovation, and strong industry connections.

Future-Focused Design Education

The school follows a transdisciplinary and competency-based learning model, integrating design, technology, business, and humanities to prepare students for real-world problem solving.

Globally Benchmarked Curriculum

The curriculum is co-designed and periodically reviewed with international collaborators, including Aalto University, Finland, ensuring global relevance and best practices in design education.

Industry-Relevant Bachelor of Design Programme

Offers a 4-year Bachelor of Design (Honours) with specialisations such as Product Design, UI/UX, Human-Centred Design, Experience Design, and Visual Design, aligned with evolving industry needs.

Strong Industry Exposure

Emphasis on hands-on projects, internships, live industry challenges, and studio-based learning, helping students build practical skills and professional portfolios.

Experienced Faculty & Visiting Experts

Students learn from a mix of renowned academicians, industry professionals, and international visiting faculty, providing diverse perspectives and mentorship.

Modern Residential Campus (Upcoming)

The upcoming world-class residential campus in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is designed with advanced studios, maker spaces, labs, and collaborative learning environments.

Location Advantage – Mumbai

Being based in Mumbai, India’s design, media, startup, and corporate hub, offers access to industry networks, design studios, startups, and global companies.

Career & Entrepreneurship Focus

Supported by the strong BITS alumni network, students receive guidance for placements, internships, startups, and higher studies.

Vision & Mission BITS Design School, Mumbai

Vision
To become a globally recognized institution for design education that nurtures creative, ethical, and future-ready designers capable of addressing complex societal, technological, and business challenges through innovation and human-centred thinking.

Mission

• To deliver a transdisciplinary, competency-based design education that integrates design, technology, business, and liberal arts.

• To foster innovation, creativity, and critical thinking through experiential, studio-based, and project-driven learning.

• To build strong industry and global academic collaborations that enhance real-world exposure and professional relevance.

• To encourage ethical practice, sustainability, and social responsibility in design.

• To empower students with leadership, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning skills to succeed in a rapidly evolving global design ecosystem.

Admission Process

The admission process for the Bachelor of Design (Honours) programme at BITS Design School, Mumbai is structured to identify creative talent and design potential through a combination of entrance exam scores, portfolio evaluation, and interviews. Prospective students must first complete 10+2 (or equivalent) education from a recognised board with a minimum percentage requirement (often around 45% or above). Applicants are required to apply online through the official BITS Design School portal by the stated deadline, submitting the application along with the entrance test details. Admission is open to candidates who have taken any one of the accepted design entrance exams — the National Institute of Design Design Aptitude Test (NID-DAT) Prelims, IIT Bombay’s Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED), or the BITS Design Aptitude Test (BITSDAT), after which candidates upload their scores when the portal window opens. Shortlisted students are further evaluated through a portfolio submission and an online interview, and final selection is based on the combined assessment of entrance exam performance, portfolio quality, and interview outcome.

BITS Design School, Mumbai, emphasizes career readiness, industry engagement, and professional development for its students. While the school is relatively new, it benefits from the strong legacy, alumni network, and industry connections of BITS Pilani, which help bridge academics with real-world opportunities. Students undergo industry internships, live design projects, and mentorship programmes that expose them to corporate design teams, startups, consultancies, and innovation labs. The institute supports students with career guidance, portfolio development, networking events, and access to job opportunities in design, technology, and creative sectors. Graduates are prepared for roles in product design, UX/UI, visual design, design research, and related fields, and many secure positions through internships that transition into full-time roles with established companies and design studios. While formal placement statistics are still emerging, the emphasis on experiential learning and professional integration positions BITS Design School students well for successful careers in the global design ecosystem.

Scholarship - BITS Design School, Mumbai

BITS Design School, Mumbai, offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to support meritorious and deserving students pursuing the Bachelor of Design (Honours) programme. The institute provides merit-based scholarships, including high-value awards for top-performing candidates in the admission process, which may cover a significant portion of the tuition fee. In addition, merit-cum-means scholarships are available for students from economically weaker backgrounds, subject to family income criteria and academic performance. BITS Design School also promotes inclusivity through diversity-focused scholarships, supporting students from underrepresented groups. Most scholarships are renewable annually, provided students meet the required academic standards, ensuring continued support throughout their course of study.

BITS Design School, Mumbai, offers modern and learner-centric facilities designed to support creativity, collaboration, and hands-on design education. The school provides state-of-the-art design studios, digitally enabled classrooms, and advanced prototyping and maker spaces that allow students to experiment, build, and innovate. It houses a well-stocked library with digital and physical design resources, along with seminar halls and collaboration zones for workshops and interdisciplinary projects. The upcoming fully residential campus will include student hostels, dining facilities, recreational and sports amenities, green spaces, and innovation hubs, creating a vibrant ecosystem that supports academic excellence, personal growth, and holistic student development.

Transport

BITS Design School, Mumbai, ensures that students have convenient transport options to reach the campus and its academic facilities. Given its location in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the school benefits from strong connectivity through public transport networks, including local trains, buses, and shared transit services, making daily commuting accessible for students living off campus. As part of its upcoming residential campus plan, the institute also anticipates institution-managed shuttles and transit support to connect residential zones with academic blocks, studios, and collaborative spaces, further enhancing ease of movement within the campus environment.