BITS Design School Opens Applications for 2027

Mumbai-based BITS Design School has launched applications for its 2027 academic intake. The institution plans to enroll 210 students into its four-year Bachelor of Design Honours program. Prospective candidates must submit their applications by January 31, 2027. Eligibility for admission relies on performance in specific aptitude tests, including the BITS Design Aptitude Test, UCEED, or NID DAT Prelims. The BITSDAT is a mandatory online assessment lasting one hour. Testing slots will be open between March 29 and April 5, 2027. Applicants are required to upload their preliminary exam scores to the official portal from April 6 to April 10, 2027. The university will announce the shortlist based on the highest relative scores on April 14. Candidates who make the cut will proceed to a design portfolio review and online interviews. Final admission decisions are scheduled for release on May 20, 2027. The school retains the authority to modify these dates at its discretion. The curriculum adopts a transdisciplinary model that merges technology, business, and public policy. This structure aims to prepare students for complex real-world issues. During the first three semesters, learners explore all available tracks before making a final choice. After completing the third semester, students select one of five pathways: Physical Product Design, Digital Product Design involving UI/UX, Design Research and Insights, Experience Design, or Visual Design. Industry interaction forms a core pillar of the educational journey throughout all four years. First-year students join the Design Discovery Club, which pairs them with industry mentors in small groups. Second-year participants engage in Live Industry Projects, working inside organizations on research-led tasks. They also attend guest lectures and masterclasses featuring industry leaders. Community Projects involve designing solutions directly with local populations. The program integrates the Practice School, a legacy initiative from BITS Pilani. Students receive eight weeks of exposure after their second year, known as Practice School-I. In their fourth year, they undergo a twenty-week full immersion period called Practice School-II. Recent data indicates that 138 second-year students completed the initial practice phase this summer. These interns worked at 85 organizations spanning 12 distinct sectors, including aerospace, polar research, financial innovation, and consumer goods. The curriculum also includes a three-credit New Venture Creation course run by alumni. Six student-developed venture ideas have already been selected for investor consideration. Nandita Abraham, the Dean of BITS Design School, stated that major problems ignore traditional boundaries. She emphasized that modern design education must enable students to operate across diverse disciplines and cultures. Abraham expressed confidence that graduates would utilize design as a key differentiator in various fields. The school maintains collaborations with global institutions such as Aalto University, RMIT University, Stanford d.school, Arizona State University, and Nottingham Trent University. These partnerships allow students to study abroad and observe global design practices. Selected high-potential students can apply for the Chancellor’s Scholarship, which provides a full tuition fee waiver along with international exposure opportunities and arranged internships.