Main Links - MDes By Research

                  Admission Brochure

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                  MDes by Research Topics for academic year 2024-2025 

The IDC School of Design is happy to announce a new “MDes by Research” program, which will commence its admission process in March 2024 with 10 seats. This program seeks applications from individuals holding a BDes, MDes, MArch, or MFA degree, and possessing relevant expertise in specific areas of design research. Please check out the Admission Brochure for more details.

IDC will be organising a series of webinars to inform candidates about MDes by Research. If you are interested to know more about the MDes by Research programme, please sign up for a free webinar using this Google Form. We especially encourage those with an inclination towards design research, are in their final year of a BDes / MDes programme and have written the CEED 2024 exam to attend these webinars.

Here are some frequently asked questions about MDes by Research programme in IDC School of Design:

What educational qualifications are required for applying to the MDes by Research programme?
To apply for the MDes by Research programme, applicants need to have one of these qualifying degrees: BDes, MDes, MArch or MFA, and a valid CEED score. Additionally, a valid CEED score is required for all applicants except those having BDes / MDes / MArch from IITs with a CGPA/CPI of 8.00 (on 0-10 scale) and above. Please note that CEED qualification does not guarantee an admission. IDC will additionally conduct a written test and an interview for the final selection. Please check out the Admission Brochure for more details.

My qualifying degree is not among BDes, MDes, MArch or MFA, but is considered “equivalent” by several universities including other MDes programmes. Am I eligible?
No. As of now, only candidates with BDes, MDes, MArch or MFA degrees are eligible for the programme. Please check out the Admission Brochure for more details.

What process is followed for admission to the MDes by Research programme?
The areas of research in IDC evolve continuously in response to new challenges emerging in the world of design. Here is a list of research topics that we are seeking candidates in the academic year 2024-2025 intake. In the same document, you will also find suggested reading material for each topic. A candidate should choose any ONE of these topics and read the suggested material. The candidate is asked to submit a 500-word research proposal for their chosen topic along with their application. The proposal should clearly identify the research question that the candidate wants to investigate and describe a research method that can be used to answer the same. We encourage candidates to read the material suggested for their chosen topic before writing their research proposal. Candidates are shortlisted based on their CEED scores. Shortlisted candidates will be called to appear for a written test and an interview in IDC School of Design. If shortlisted, the candidate should come prepared with the material suggested for the chosen topic. The written test and the interview will assess the candidate’s design abilities, research aptitude, and the knowledge in the chosen topic. For more details on the admissions process, please refer to the Admission Brochure.