MBA in Design Management : Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Admission 2025, Colleges, Jobs, and Salary
MBA in Design Management is a 2-year postgraduate program that focuses on combining business management principles with design thinking and creative strategy. The course equips students to manage design processes, drive innovation, and implement effective branding and product strategies in organizations.
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks. Admission is generally based on national or state-level entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, or institute-specific exams, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
Top colleges offering this specialization include NIFT, Pearl Academy, MIT Institute of Design, SPJIMR Mumbai, and Christ University.
The course fee typically ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 depending on the institute.
Graduates can work as Design Managers, Brand Managers, Product Strategists, UX/UI Managers, and Innovation Consultants.
The average salary ranges from INR 5–18 LPA depending on experience, institute, and organization.
MBA Design Management Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | MBA in Design Management |
| Level of Study | Postgraduation |
| Duration | 2 Years (Full-Time) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks |
| Entrance Exams | CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, NIFT Entrance, Institute-specific exams |
| Admission Process | Entrance-based / Merit-based, followed by GD & PI |
| Course Fee | INR 3,00,000 – 20,00,000 |
| Colleges / Universities | NIFT, Pearl Academy, MIT Institute of Design, SPJIMR Mumbai, Christ University |
| Average Salary | INR 5 – 18 LPA |
| Job Roles | Design Manager, Brand Manager, Product Strategist, UX/UI Manager, Innovation Consultant |
Why Pursue MBA in Design Management?
- Career Growth: Opportunities in creative strategy, brand management, and product development.
- Strategic Roles: Lead design teams, innovation projects, and UX/UI initiatives in organizations.
- Skill Development: Learn design thinking, creative problem solving, product strategy, and business communication.
- Global Exposure: Applicable across industries including fashion, IT, manufacturing, and FMCG.
- Entrepreneurial Advantage: Useful for starting design consultancies, creative agencies, or product-focused startups.
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Minimum Marks: Usually 50% (relaxation for reserved categories).
- Entrance Exams: CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, NIFT Entrance, or institute-specific exams.
- Work Experience: Optional; preferred by some institutes.
Top Colleges for MBA Design Management and Fees
| College | Total Course Fee | Accepted Entrance Exams |
|---|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi / Mumbai / Bangalore | INR 10,00,000 – 15,00,000 | NIFT Entrance Test |
| Pearl Academy, Delhi / Mumbai / Jaipur | INR 8,00,000 – 12,00,000 | Institute-specific exam |
| MIT Institute of Design, Pune | INR 5,00,000 – 10,00,000 | CAT, MAT, Institute-specific |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | INR 20,42,000 | CAT, XAT, GMAT |
| Christ University, Bangalore | INR 8,50,000 | CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, Institute Selection |
MBA Design Management Syllabus
The curriculum integrates management fundamentals with design and innovation-focused subjects:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Principles of Management | Design Thinking & Innovation Management |
| Marketing Management | Brand Strategy & Management |
| Financial & Managerial Accounting | Product Development & Portfolio Management |
| Business Communication | User Experience (UX) & Interface Design Concepts |
| Quantitative Techniques | Entrepreneurship & Creative Management |
| Summer Internship / Project Work | Electives / Industry Certification |
Jobs & Salary
Graduates can work in design, product, branding, and consulting roles:
| Job Title | Top Recruiters | Experience Level | Average Salary (per annum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Manager | Tanishq, Titan, Myntra, Flipkart | 2–5 years | INR 6–12 LPA |
| Brand Manager | PepsiCo, Nestlé, P&G | 3–6 years | INR 8–15 LPA |
| Product Strategist | Google, Amazon, Zomato | 3–6 years | INR 10–18 LPA |
| UX/UI Manager | Adobe, TCS, Infosys | 2–5 years | INR 7–14 LPA |
| Innovation Consultant | Accenture, Cognizant | 4–8 years | INR 12–20 LPA |
FAQs
Yes, it opens roles in design leadership, product strategy, UX, and creative consulting.
Yes, the course is open to all graduates, though design background helps in practical projects.
Yes, internships in design studios, branding agencies, and corporate design departments are included.
Freshers can expect INR 5–10 LPA depending on the institute and role.
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