Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in System Design is a prestigious 4-year full-time undergraduate professional program offered by Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology, a constituent institute of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bengaluru. This program is designed for creative thinkers who want to reimagine how things work in society, business, technology, and everyday life. The course prepares students to design innovative and sustainable businesses, services, and systems that address complex challenges in today's interconnected world. The program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach that includes human-centered design, social innovation, and technology. Students develop skills in service design, systems innovation, business project management, and design research. The program spans 8 semesters with a total duration of 4 years. The course fees range from approximately 30 to 32 lakhs for the entire duration. The primary entrance exam is SMEAT (Srishti Manipal Entrance Assessment Test). The program typically admits 40-50 students per batch. The course is offered in full-time on-campus mode at Srishti Manipal's Bengaluru campus, requiring regular attendance and participation in studio work, projects, and internships. This program is popular among students interested in design-led innovation, social entrepreneurship, service design, and creating meaningful impact through design thinking.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are currently ongoing. The application deadline for Phase 1 is March 15, 2026, with the SMEAT Phase 1 examination scheduled for April 14, 2026. Phase 2 applications will be accepted after Phase 1 deadline, with Phase 2 examination scheduled for May 24, 2026. Students who miss Phase 1 can apply in Phase 2 with the same eligibility criteria. Counselling and merit list announcements typically follow within 2-3 weeks of the exam.

KEY POINTS

Four-year full-time professional program with emphasis on systems thinking and service design
Multi-disciplinary curriculum integrating art, design, technology, humanities, and business
Foundation courses introducing basic principles and tools of art, design, and technology
Disciplinary studios for developing core capabilities in design practice
General studies component covering humanities, sciences, mathematics, business, and languages
Compulsory internship/apprenticeship during summer break between 6th and 7th semester
Project-based learning with pre-thesis and thesis projects as program culmination
Electives allowing students to expand skills and pursue specialized interests
Emphasis on sustainable, socially equitable, and economically viable design solutions
Strong focus on design research methodologies and human-centered design principles
Opportunities for travel exchange and international collaborations
Access to state-of-the-art design studios, labs, and technology facilities
Mentorship from experienced faculty with industry and academic expertise
Partnerships with leading design consultancies, innovation labs, and social enterprises

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

MAHE B.Des System Design Fees

The B.Des (System Design) program at Srishti Manipal Institute follows a semester-wise fee structure. The total program fees for the 4-year course typically range from 30 to 32 lakhs depending on the category and any applicable scholarships. The fees include tuition charges, studio fees, technology fees, and other academic charges. Hostel fees are optional and charged separately. Students can avail of various payment options including semester-wise payments and EMI facilities through partner banks.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (in INR)
Tuition Fees (Per Semester)	1,90,000 - 2,10,000
Studio and Lab Fees (Per Semester)	40,000 - 50,000
Technology and Software Fees (Per Semester)	20,000 - 30,000
Examination and Assessment Fees (Per Semester)	10,000 - 15,000
Total Fees (4 Years / 8 Semesters)	30,00,000 - 32,00,000

Fees are subject to annual revision.
Hostel fees are charged separately and are optional (approximately 2 to 3 lakhs per year for on-campus accommodation).
Refundable caution money of 25,000 is collected at the time of admission.
EMI options are available through partner banks.
Payment can be made semester-wise or annually.
Scholarships and fee waivers are available for meritorious students and students from economically weaker sections.
Application fee of 600 per course is required at the time of application.

MAHE B.Des System Design Admission 2026

The B.Des (System Design) program at Srishti Manipal Institute follows a merit-based admission process. Admissions are based on performance in the SMEAT (Srishti Manipal Entrance Assessment Test) and portfolio evaluation. The program is open to Indian and international students. The admission process is conducted in phases to accommodate all eligible candidates.

Important Dates

Event	Date
SMEAT Phase 1 Application Deadline	March 15, 2026
SMEAT Phase 1 Exam	April 14, 2026
SMEAT Phase 1 Result	April 25, 2026 (Tentative)
SMEAT Phase 2 Application Deadline	May 10, 2026 (Tentative)
SMEAT Phase 2 Exam	May 24, 2026
Merit List Announcement	June 2026 (Tentative)
Counselling and Admission	June-July 2026
Batch Commencement	July 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Pass in 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board with minimum 50% aggregate marks
No specific subject requirements; students from any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) are eligible
Valid score in SMEAT (Srishti Manipal Entrance Assessment Test)
Portfolio submission demonstrating creative thinking and design sensibility (optional but recommended)
Indian and international students are eligible to apply

Admission Process

Online application submission through the official Srishti Manipal admissions portal
Submission of portfolio (optional but strengthens application)
Completion of SMEAT (Srishti Manipal Entrance Assessment Test) in online mode
Portfolio evaluation and shortlisting based on SMEAT performance
Merit list preparation based on SMEAT score and portfolio evaluation
Admission offer issued to selected candidates
Admission formalities including document verification and fee payment
Final admission confirmation after completion of all formalities

MAHE B.Des System Design Scholarships 2026

Srishti Manipal Institute offers scholarship programs to support deserving and meritorious students. The B.Des (System Design) program is eligible for various merit-based and need-based scholarships.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Type	Eligibility	Amount	Application Deadline
Merit Scholarship (25% Fee Waiver)	SMEAT score in top 20% or 12th score above 85%	25% of tuition fees	At the time of admission
Merit Scholarship (50% Fee Waiver)	SMEAT score in top 10% or 12th score above 90%	50% of tuition fees	At the time of admission
Merit Scholarship (75% Fee Waiver)	SMEAT score in top 5% or 12th score above 95%	75% of tuition fees	At the time of admission
Full Scholarship	Exceptional merit or special circumstances	Full tuition fees	At the time of admission
Need-Based Scholarship	Financial need-based	Up to 50% of fees	At the time of admission
Women in Design Scholarship	Female students with merit	15-25% fee waiver	At the time of admission

Scholarships are awarded at the time of admission based on merit and eligibility.
Merit scholarships are typically non-renewable; renewal depends on maintaining a minimum CGPA of 7.0.
Need-based scholarships require submission of financial documents and proof of financial hardship.
Students can also avail of education loans through partner banks with interest subsidy schemes.
Application for scholarships is done at the time of admission; separate applications are not required for merit-based scholarships.

MAHE B.Des System Design Placement 2026

Srishti Manipal Institute has a strong placement record with B.Des graduates securing positions in leading design consultancies, innovation labs, tech companies, and social enterprises. The institute maintains excellent industry connections and partnerships with organizations across design, technology, and social sectors. B.Des graduates from Srishti Manipal are highly sought after for roles in service design, UX/UI design, systems innovation, and design research.

Placement Statistics

Placement Metric	2026-27 Data
Placement Rate	80-85%
Average Package	5.5 - 7 LPA
Highest Package	12 LPA
Median Package	6 - 6.5 LPA
Top Recruiters	Design consultancies, Tech companies, Innovation labs, Social enterprises, Government agencies
Primary Roles	Service Designer, UX/UI Designer, Design Researcher, Systems Innovator, Product Designer, Design Strategist

The placement statistics indicate strong career prospects for B.Des graduates. The average package of 5.5-7 LPA reflects the quality of education and industry readiness of students. Top recruiters include leading design consultancies, technology companies, and social enterprises. Students also secure roles in government innovation labs, NGOs, and startups. The program's emphasis on design thinking, systems innovation, and social impact makes graduates attractive to employers seeking candidates with creative problem-solving abilities and design-led innovation expertise.

MAHE B.Des System Design FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between B.Des (System Design) and other B.Des specializations at Srishti Manipal?

Ans. The B.Des (System Design) program specifically focuses on systems thinking, service design, and business innovation. While other specializations like Creative and Applied Design may focus on product design or visual communication, the System Design program emphasizes understanding complex systems, designing services, and creating sustainable business models. The curriculum includes specialized courses in service design, systems thinking, governance, and policy design.

Ques. Is the B.Des (System Design) program suitable for students without a design background?

Ans. Yes, absolutely. The program is designed for students from any educational background. The foundation year introduces basic principles and tools of art, design, and technology. Students from science, commerce, and arts streams are all eligible. The program emphasizes creative thinking and problem-solving rather than prior design experience. Many successful students come from non-design backgrounds and develop their design skills during the course.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing B.Des (System Design)?

Ans. Graduates have diverse career options including service designer at design consultancies, UX/UI designer at tech companies, systems innovator at innovation labs, design researcher at think tanks, product strategist at startups, and design consultant for social enterprises. Many graduates also pursue entrepreneurship and launch their own design-led ventures. Some pursue higher education (M.Des, MBA) or work in government innovation initiatives.

Ques. Is there an internship component in the B.Des (System Design) program?

Ans. Yes, internship/apprenticeship is a compulsory component of the program. Students undertake a summer internship between the 6th and 7th semester, typically lasting 8-12 weeks. This provides hands-on experience in real-world design projects with leading organizations. Many students secure full-time offers from their internship organizations.

Ques. What is the thesis project in the final year?

Ans. The thesis project is the culmination of the 4-year program, typically undertaken in the 7th and 8th semesters. Students work on an independent design project under faculty supervision, applying all the skills and knowledge acquired during the program. The thesis involves research, design development, prototyping, and presentation. Students are required to present their work to internal and external experts and submit a comprehensive thesis report.

Ques. Are there opportunities for international exposure or exchange programs?

Ans. Yes, Srishti Manipal Institute offers opportunities for travel exchange and international collaborations. Students can participate in exchange programs with partner institutions abroad, attend international design conferences, and collaborate on global design projects. The institute also hosts international faculty and visiting designers who conduct workshops and seminars. These opportunities help students gain global perspectives and build international networks in the design field.