The World’s Best Design Schools

We are highlighting the world’s best design schools: Discover these institutions, which nurture leaders in fields from fashion to automotive, through inspiring campuses and modern educational philosophies.

Royal College of Art – London

Located in the heart of London, the Royal College of Art (RCA) is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious institutions in art, design, and architecture. Offering exclusively postgraduate education, RCA provides an environment where students can fully realize their creative potential through its modern campus, state-of-the-art studios, and exhibition spaces. The school integrates theory with practice, equipping students with creative thinking, innovation, and leadership skills. Additionally, the campus, immersed in London’s cultural richness, offers students a unique source of inspiration.

RCA provides a world-class education through its faculty, composed of renowned artists, designers, and architects. Its notable alumni include artist David Hockney, designer Thomas Heatherwick, and James Dyson, founder of the Dyson brand. Centered on creativity and innovation, RCA focuses on sustainable design and projects with societal benefits, enabling both its students and alumni to leave a global impact. In this regard, RCA is not just a school but a hub where the art and design world takes shape.

Departments: Art, Design, Architecture, Communication Design

Paid

Language of Instruction: English

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Rhode Island School of Design – Washington

One of the oldest design schools in the United States, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has been known for its innovative educational philosophy since its establishment in 1877. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the campus harmoniously blends historic and modern buildings. RISD offers comprehensive and innovative education through its studios, exhibition spaces, and digital labs. By combining theoretical knowledge with practice, the school allows students to develop not only their creative skills but also their critical thinking abilities.

RISD’s faculty consists of well-known artists and designers. Its alumni include famous fashion designer Nicole Miller, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, and Jumanji illustrator Chris Van Allsburg. RISD shapes its students into not only successful artists and designers but also individuals who make a difference in the world with their creative ideas. With its historical texture, innovative infrastructure, and strong alumni network, RISD continues to be one of the most important centers shaping the world of art and design.

Departments: Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Painting, Sculpture, Film/Animation/Video

Paid

Language of Instruction: English

Parsons School of Design – New York

One of the most prestigious art and design schools globally, Parsons School of Design brings together design and art within New York’s cosmopolitan atmosphere. Founded in 1896, Parsons is known for its historical legacy and innovative educational philosophy. Its campus, reflecting the dynamic energy of New York, provides students with an inspiring working environment through modern buildings and high-tech studios. Particularly prominent in fashion, interior architecture, and graphic design, Parsons aims to instill a creative vision in its students by balancing theory and practice.

Parsons stands out as a school where many renowned artists and designers have been educated. Its alumni include some of the most influential names in the fashion world, such as Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Alexander Wang. Additionally, Parsons’ strong connections with the business world and industry create job opportunities for students after graduation. Known for projects that combine creativity with social benefit, Parsons encourages its students not only to succeed in the world of art and design but also to produce innovative solutions to global problems. In this regard, Parsons is at the heart of both New York and the global design scene.

Departments: Fashion Design, Interior Architecture, Graphic Design, Digital Design

Paid

Language of Instruction: English

École des Beaux-Arts – Paris

One of France’s most historic art schools, École des Beaux-Arts, was founded in 1648 in Paris and is today known for its educational model that blends classical and modern art philosophies. The school’s historic building offers students an inspiring atmosphere with its architectural elegance and cultural heritage. With its art galleries, open-air workshops, and innovative studios, École des Beaux-Arts stands as a milestone in the world of art and design. Particularly prominent in painting, sculpture, architecture, and visual arts, the school provides an environment that nurtures creative thinking alongside technical skills.

École des Beaux-Arts has produced many alumni who have left a profound impact on the art and design world. Famous names like Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Gustave Moreau have passed through this school and shaped global art history. The school’s interdisciplinary approach and liberal educational philosophy enable students to develop a personal and innovative artistic language.

Departments: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Visual Arts

Paid (Free for French citizens, tuition fees for international students)

Language of Instruction: French

Politecnico di Milano – Milan

One of the world’s most prestigious technical universities, Politecnico di Milano is renowned for its innovative approach to architecture, engineering, and design. Founded in 1863, the university’s campus is intertwined with Milan’s design and fashion world. With modern buildings, state-of-the-art studios, and open spaces, Politecnico di Milano provides a functional and inspiring environment for students. The design faculty offers a wide range of education, from sustainability to industrial design, helping students develop creative and solution-oriented thinking skills.

Politecnico di Milano is notable for its globally acclaimed alumni and academic achievements. Renowned architect and designer Renzo Piano is one of its most prominent graduates. The university’s educational model, combining theory and practice, trains students not only as creative individuals but also as professionals capable of addressing global challenges. Milan’s rich cultural environment and Politecnico di Milano’s innovative vision make this university both the heart of Italian design and an international learning center.

Departments: Architecture, Industrial Design, Sustainable Design

Paid (Lower tuition for Italian and EU students)

Language of Instruction: Italian, English

Tokyo University of the Arts – Tokyo

Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai), one of Japan’s most prestigious art schools, offers an educational model that merges traditional Japanese art with modern approaches. Founded in 1887, the university’s campus in Tokyo combines historic and modern buildings, providing an inspiring learning environment. Geidai integrates traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary art and design, offering versatile education in areas like painting, sculpture, music, and film. The campus stands out with its natural beauty and creative studios.

Tokyo University of the Arts is a cultural meeting point for students and academics from around the world. Its alumni include globally renowned figures such as director Takeshi Kitano and animation master Hayao Miyazaki. Recognized not only in Japan but also internationally, Geidai serves as a reference point on the global art scene. By skillfully blending tradition and modernity, Tokyo University of the Arts continues to promote Japanese art and design on a global scale.

Departments: Painting, Sculpture, Music, Film and Animation

Paid

Language of Instruction: Japanese (Some programs available in English)

ArtCenter College of Design – California

Located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. Founded in 1930, the school is known for its modern and minimalist campus design. Positioned against a mountain backdrop, the campus features state-of-the-art studios, innovative classrooms, and open spaces, providing an inspiring learning environment for students. ArtCenter excels particularly in transportation design, product design, and visual communication while enabling students to specialize across disciplines through its interdisciplinary model.

ArtCenter College of Design boasts a strong alumni network, including many renowned artists, designers, and directors. Notable alumni include Michael Bay, director of the Transformers series, and BMW’s renowned designer Chris Bangle. The school’s emphasis on projects that combine art and design with societal benefits positions ArtCenter not only as an educational institution but also as a hub for innovative solutions. With its visionary educational philosophy, ArtCenter continues to make a significant impact in the art and design world.

Departments: Transportation Design, Product Design, Visual Communication, Graphic Design

Paid

Language of Instruction: English

Umeå Institute of Design – Umeå

Located in Umeå, Sweden, Umeå Institute of Design (UID) is among the world’s top schools for industrial design. Part of Umeå University, UID was established in 1989 and reflects minimalist Scandinavian architecture in its modern campus. Surrounded by nature, the campus features expansive open spaces, creative studios, and cutting-edge laboratories. UID offers specialized programs in product design, interaction design, and transportation design, providing students with versatile education.

Graduates of UID play key roles in leading companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft, as well as the international design world. UID encourages students to focus on sustainability, functionality, and user experience in their projects. Emphasizing student-centered education, the institute fosters individual creativity. UID’s location in a region known for its natural beauty makes it a center for nurturing future designers’ innovative ideas.

Departments: Product Design, Interaction Design, Transportation Design

Paid (Free for EU/EEA students; tuition fees for others)

Language of Instruction: English

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar – Weimar

Located in Weimar, Germany, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is known as the birthplace of modern design and architecture. Established in 1919 by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus School pioneered functional and minimalist design. Today, the university continues to offer innovative education in design, architecture, art, and media. Its campus combines historic Bauhaus buildings with contemporary architecture, providing a creative learning environment for students.

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s alumni remain influential in the modern design world. Notable figures include Marcel Breuer, known for his innovative approaches to furniture design, and László Moholy-Nagy, a trailblazer in photography and typography. The university also boasts many alumni who lead in sustainable architecture and digital design. By preserving the Bauhaus legacy, the university continues to shape the future of design through its interdisciplinary education model and student-centered projects.

Departments: Architecture, Design, Media, Art

Paid (Free for German and EU students; tuition fees for international students)

Language of Instruction: German (Some programs available in English)

Central Saint Martins – London

Located in London’s King’s Cross, Central Saint Martins (CSM) is recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious art and design schools. A part of the University of the Arts London, CSM was formed in 1989 through the merger of several art schools. The campus, featuring historic industrial buildings transformed with a modern vision, includes open spaces and creative studios. CSM takes an interdisciplinary approach, offering innovative education in fashion, graphic design, performance arts, and architecture.

Central Saint Martins has produced many renowned figures in the art and design world. Alumni include groundbreaking fashion designers Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney. Turner Prize-winning artists Antony Gormley and Lucian Freud also highlight the school’s global impact. With a focus on projects that merge art with social benefit and sustainability, CSM continues to nurture creative individuals and push the boundaries of the art world. It is seen as both an educational institution and the heart of London’s art and design scene.

Departments: Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Performance Arts, Architecture

Paid

Language of Instruction: English