In India, urban design is still a relatively young discipline, and it might be difficult to identify colleges that specialise in it. A list of the finest urban design institutes in India, as well as their admission requirements, can be found here.
Career opportunities for Urban Design graduates
Career opportunities for Urban Design graduates remain strong. These graduates would get jobs in public sector, private sector, real estate, service firms, social agencies, non-profit housing groups, international consulting companies and many more. Foreign countries like USA, Europe, Asia would definitely hire these graduates.
Who can apply for this
- Candidates who passed 10+2 examination in science discipline with Mathematics as one of the compulsory subjects, are eligible for this course.
- If candidates seeking Master’s degree in Urban Design, he / she must have bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
List of the Top Urban Design (M.Arch) Colleges in India
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
New Delhi
The School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi was established in the year 1941. School of Planning and Architecture is accredited by MHRD & Government of India. School of Planning and Architecture is affiliated to the University of Delhi. The institute offers two Undergraduate programmes & Two Post Graduate Programmes. The campus is spread over 20 acres. The institute is completely Wi-fi enabled to the students, faculty, and staff. The institute also provides a number of facilities in order to provide a quality education. Some of the most important facilities are Computer and Communication Centre, Library, Conference room, Computer Lab, Hostels, etc.
Contemporary urban design emerged as a discipline in response to changes to the city through the Modern movement in Architecture and Planning. Urban Design takes the responsibility of achieving wholeness of the built environment. This degree programme exposes the students to various theories and experiments that architects, planners, social and behavioral scientists apply within the broad historical, social and political contexts. The programme imparts knowledge and skills of design and intervention in the built urban environment at varying scales through a broad range of subjects, which form the basis to tackle urban design issues.
Bulk of the instruction and training in this urban design programme is offered through interactive design studios where the dynamics of growth and change in Indian cities are documented and design solutions are prepared. In this programme, inner city renewal as well as growth areas of contemporary cities receive equal attention in these studios.
Urban designers make significant contribution as members of multidisciplinary teams dealing with the formulation and implementation of urban development programmes and policies. A large number of employment opportunities exist for the students passing out with the urban design degree.
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General Information
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Location
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New Delhi
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Government
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Fees
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Rs.39,100/- per annum including refundable of Security Deposit Rs. 10,000/-
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Scholarship
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GATE Scholarship
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Eligibility
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Admission in PG courses at SPA is granted to candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) in the qualifying degree examination.
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
Bhopal
The School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal is a higher education institute in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, specializing in education and research in the field of Urban Planning, Architecture and Design.
Urban Design Programme at School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal is a four-semester course of two years duration and leading to a degree of Master of in Urban Design. Each semester consists of wide range of theory and studio subjects ranging from history, sociology, ecology and legislation, sequentially increasing in their complexity to make students well versed with urban design issues and approaches of universal values. Urban design programme at SPA Bhopal will explore ways to design, create and sustain the rich and productive urban environments.
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General Information
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Location
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Bhopal
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Government
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Fees
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Rs.49,000/- per annum including refundable of Security Deposit Rs. 15,000/-
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Scholarship
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GATE Scholarship
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Eligibility
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Admission in PG courses at SPA is granted to candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) in the qualifying degree examination.
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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School of Planning and Architecture, Vijaywada
Vijaywada
“School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, (in short SPAV), was established on July 7, 2008 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoE), Government of India, as an autonomous institution. SPAV is a premier Centrally Funded Technical Institution (CFTI) directly under the MoE, for excellence in the fields of Planning and Architecture. Although in its nascent stage, with experienced faculty and guest lectures by eminent visiting faculty and industry experts from all over the country, the quality of education imparted and its focus on research puts SPAV in the league of leading institutes in the country.”
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General Information
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Location
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Vijaywada
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Government
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Fees
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Rs.49,000/- per annum including refundable of Security Deposit Rs. 15,000/-
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Scholarship
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GATE Scholarship
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Eligibility
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Admission in PG courses at SPA is granted to candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) in the qualifying degree examination.
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology, CEPT
Ahmedabad
MUD is intended for individuals who have a strong interest in the practice of shaping the physical form of urban areas and in the design of public places.
India’s rapid urbanization and the resultant fast paced transformation of urban areas particularly poses great challenges to the existing approaches to design of public domain in cities. This also creates an opportunity to imagine the future scenarios of cities with a strong focus on design with functionality, livability, and sustainability.
Design studios are at the centre of the MUD program which engages multiple design topics that cut across a variety of scales and urban scenarios. The studio exercises are structured around real-life projects emerging from the public discourse within a given city. These projects will be predominantly concerned with the design of new neighbourhoods, urban regeneration, and design of public places.
As there is a growing interest in improving quality of our cities, there is an urgent need for professionals who can imagine and improve the everyday urban life of the urban dwellers through better design of the physical environment. MUD program pedagogy reciprocates this dynamic urban scenario in preparing design professionals equipped to take on this urban challenge.
On successful completion of the program, the students will be awarded the degree of Master of Urban Design.
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General Information
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Location
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Ahmedabad
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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INR 7.56 Lakh (Total)
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Scholarship
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CEPT Means cum Merit Scholarship
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Eligibility
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Recognised below mentioned qualifying degree/ programme from recognised Indian University or Institution (or equivalent ) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks for general category candidates and 50% aggregate marks for reserved candidates. Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (B. Arch) or equivalent recognized by the Council of Architecture (COA) Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design (of minimum five years duration) Bachelor’s Degree in Design (of minimum five years duration)
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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Aayojan School of Architecture
Jaipur
Aayojan School of Architecture, at Jaipur is the premier centre of architectural education in Rajasthan, India. Aayojan provides exceptional skills; knowledge and values that help prepare an Architect for the modern world of architectural design and the rapidly advancing building industry. Aayojan is unique in being promoted and managed by a registered society (SEDRAA – Society for Education Development & Research in Architecture and Art) comprising mainly of Architects. The society runs the institute on a no-profit-no-loss basis, and provides facilities for students, faculty and research scholars, as well. Aayojan maintains links with professional bodies like IIA, IIID, COA, etc. The benefit is mutual through many activities like contests, workshops, etc.
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General Information
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Location
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Jaipur
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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INR 2.18 Lakh (Total)
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Scholarship
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Interested candidates may also apply for Teaching Assistantship (TA), offered by Aayojan School of Architecture, Jaipur, on the basis of merit.
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Eligibility
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Recognised below mentioned qualifying degree/ programme from recognised Indian University or Institution (or equivalent ) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks for general category candidates and 50% aggregate marks for reserved candidates. Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (B. Arch) or equivalent recognized by the Council of Architecture (COA).
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture and Environmental Studies – KRVIA
Mumbai
To locate an appropriate architecture with a relationship to the built environment, the KRVIA has always integrated the “urban” in its inquiry. The architectural inquiries are a preamble to urban imperatives as urban questions are often regional issues. The Institute reinforces such interdependencies and relationships with the “urban” in its formative circumstances (Bachelor’s program and Research & Design Cell). Hence the formulation of its Urban Design and Urban Conservation post graduate programs are an extension of this underlying philosophy. They are designed as an advanced system of the production of Architecture and Urban Knowledge.
The KRVIA masters program is an academic space and a production place of knowledge that attempts to addresses this complexity presented by the dual circumstances of our urban scenario. In an attempt to address or carry out research, the master’s program has enabled processes around three main questions pertaining to the relationship between urban form and social & economic productivity, the relationship between socio, economic productivity and informality everyday urbanism and the relationship between informality and ecology.
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General Information
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Location
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Mumbai
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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INR 1.42 Lakh
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Scholarship
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Merit Based scholarships
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Eligibility
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Students should have completed Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the Institutes recognized by The Council of Architecture or with Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Design Five Years Program) with a minimum CGPA of 5.0 in a 10 point scale OR with minimum of 50% aggregate marks for General category candidates and 45% aggregate marks for reserved categories candidates.
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Admission Criteria
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Admission test conducted by the university and interview
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Sushant School of Art and Architecture
Gurugram
The programme seeks to transform lives through new paradigms of research, practice and pedagogy to meet the challenges of urbanization with the focus on sustainability and heritage. It aims to identify opportunities for the field, uncover issues and design best practice responses by engaging with the community and context. It intends to create thought leaders in the field with knowledge of urban design and interdisciplinary fields.
The M.Arch Urban Design at Sushant School follows a hands on approach that weaves together all other subjects based out of present-day issues into the studio project to give meaning and a tangible purpose to our environs. The current approach in India is top down, where the urban environment is designed by complying with the requirements of the funding agencies. At Sushant, we work closely with the city’s development authorities and communities to address the concerns using participatory approaches which are the real tools of an urban designer and hence are deeply embedded in the coursework. Located in a fast growing city like Gurgaon, and being closely associated with the capital, Sushant provides the right exposure and opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions that influence various historical, theoretical and real-world dimensions of Urbanism.
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General Information
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Location
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Gurugram
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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₹3.25 Lakh (Total)
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Scholarship
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Merit Base (for all PG programmes)
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Eligibility
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Minimum of 50% aggregate marks in a Bachelors of Architecture degree programme. (Weightage 50%) The application process includes: Duly filled up form (online) along with a statement of Purpose of not more than 1000 words submitted to the admissions office.An interview session for the shortlisted applicants along with a portfolio of work. (Weightage 50%)
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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Manipal School of Architecture and Planning
Manipal
MSAP believes in training architects and designers in theoretical as well as practical problem solving skills in issues associated with designs at the urban scale. MSAP aims at comprehensive urban design education through research, consultancy and academics. The first batch began in 2014. MSAP offers new openings for its students to follow their creative pursuits while building their professional careers under the guidance of highly experienced faculty.
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General Information
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Location
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Manipal
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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INR 2.50 Lakh (Total)
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Scholarship
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MAHE Manipal Scholarships Merit Base (for all PG programmes)
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Eligibility
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Minimum of 50% aggregate marks in a Bachelors of Architecture degree programme. (Weightage 50%) The application process includes: Duly filled up form (online) along with a statement of Purpose of not more than 1000 words submitted to the admissions office.An interview session for the shortlisted applicants along with a portfolio of work. (Weightage 50%)
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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Dr DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai
Dr. DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai was established in 2002 under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The campus spreads over 72 acres of land. The University is approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). DY Patil University offers multiple courses in the field of Ayurveda, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dentistry, Hospitality and Tourism, Management, Medicine and Physiotherapy. However, in NIRF 2021 Ranking, Dr. DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai has been ranked 72nd in the university category. The institute has secured 41st rank in the Medical category in NIRF 2021 Ranking.
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General Information
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Location
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Mumbai
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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INR 2.50 Lakh (Total)
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Scholarship
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Institute provide all the scholarships to the candidates admitted through CAP
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Eligibility
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Minimum of 50% aggregate marks in a Bachelors of Architecture degree programme. (Weightage 50%) The application process includes: Duly filled up form (online) along with a statement of Purpose of not more than 1000 words submitted to the admissions office.An interview session for the shortlisted applicants along with a portfolio of work. (Weightage 50%)
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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Smt Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture, Nagpur
Nagpur
The college offers a full time two year post graduate program (four semesters) in Masters of Architecture in Urban Design. The course is recognized by the Council of Architecture (COA) and the Government of Maharashtra and affiliated to Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU).
Objectives Of M.Arch (Urban Design) Programme
- To examine and further conceptualize the definition of the idea of “Urban‟ in the Indian context.
- To deal with larger scale of groups of buildings, infrastructure, streets, public spaces, neighbourhoods, districts and entire city with the goal of making urban environments that are equitable, beautiful performative and sustainable.
- To work to revolutionize our social, political and spatial systems as strategies to produce and reproduce a more equitable and innovative future.
- To gain knowledge from public administration, sociology, law, urban economics and other related disciplines from social and behavioral sciences to create inclusive cities.
- To prepare the students to develop a holistic view for cities through place making, social equity, economic viability & design the built environment.
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General Information
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Location
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Nagpur
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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₹79,580 (1st Year Fees)
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Scholarship
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Institute provide all the scholarships to the candidates admitted through CAP
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Eligibility
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Minimum of 50% aggregate marks in a Bachelors of Architecture degree programme. (Weightage 50%) The application process includes: Duly filled up form (online) along with a statement of Purpose of not more than 1000 words submitted to the admissions office.An interview session for the shortlisted applicants along with a portfolio of work. (Weightage 50%)
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Admission Criteria
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Admissions commence after the CET Exam is conducted by Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Maharashtra. After appearing for CET, admissions for all the colleges/universities in Maharashtra are conducted through a centralized admission process by Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra State. (Refer www.mahacet.org)
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SPA Mysore – School of Planning and Architecture University of Mysore
Mysore
The School Planning and Architecture (SPA), Mysore was established in the year 2015-16 in the University of Mysore, Mysuru. There are two Departments in SPA namely Department of Planning and Department of Architecture.
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General Information
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Location
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Mysore
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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INR 2.50 Lakh (Total)
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Scholarship
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Institute provide all the scholarships to the candidates admitted through CAP
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Eligibility
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Bachelors Degree in Architecture (B.Arch) or equivalent recognised by Council of Architecture with Minimum 50% aggregate for all categories including General/OBC /SC and ST.
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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College of Engineering, Trivandrum
Trivandrum
Architectural Education in Kerala started in College of Engineering Trivandrum in the year 1964. The department has been the sole torch bearer of Architecture Education in the state and instrumental in shaping up modern architecture in Kerala. The department celebrated its Golden Jubilee in the year 2014.
The Department presently offers Bachelors programme in Architecture and two Masters programmes (Planning and Urban Design) affiliated to the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University from 2016 onwards.
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General Information
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Location
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Trivandrum
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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Private
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Fees
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INR 34,320
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Scholarship
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Institute provide all the scholarships to the candidates admitted through CAP
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Eligibility
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Completed Bachelor Degree in Architecture and scored at least 50% (40% in case of reserved category candidates) in the qualifying exam
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Admission Criteria
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Candidates are required to fill the application form available online in the official website
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Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology
Surat
The Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology is an engineering college that is a part of the Sarvajanik Education Society. Sarvajanik Education Society’s proposal for state university is accepted by Gujarat assembly on 30 March 2021.
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General Information
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Location
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Surat
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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State University
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Fees
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INR 6.60 Lakh
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Scholarship
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Institute provide all the scholarships to the candidates admitted through CAP
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Eligibility
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Students should have completed Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the Institutes recognized by The Council of Architecture or with Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Design Five Years Program) with a minimum CGPA of 5.0 in a 10 point scale OR with minimum of 50% aggregate marks for General category candidates and 45% aggregate marks for reserved categories candidates.
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Admission Criteria
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Students should have cleared Common Entrance Test (CET) Exam conducted by ACPC with minimum qualification of 50% marks.
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Pillai’s College of Architecture
Mumbai
PiCA is one of the pioneering Architecture School – Established in 1992. PiCA is an authorised NATA test centre for entrance examinations for the Architecture Degree Course.
Pillai College of Architecture – PiCA is offering Master of Architecture Course with specialisation in Urban Design (M.Arch. UD). This is a full – time two year (four semester) course affiliated to the University of Mumbai and approved by the Council of Architecture (COA). The faculty includes academicians and practitioners from the profession.
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General Information
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Location
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Mumbai
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Course Duration
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2 Years
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Institute Type
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University of Mumbai
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Fees
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₹97,000 (1st Year Fees)
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Scholarship
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Merit Based scholarships
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Eligibility
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Students should have completed Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the Institutes recognized by The Council of Architecture or with Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Design Five Years Program) with a minimum CGPA of 5.0 in a 10 point scale OR with minimum of 50% aggregate marks for General category candidates and 45% aggregate marks for reserved categories candidates.
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Admission Criteria
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Admission test conducted by the university and interview
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Urban Design Lab
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