Design
20 May 2025
Europe is a premier destination for international students pursuing design education, offering a unique blend of academic excellence, cultural richness, and innovative opportunities. With a rich history of art and design, Europe hosts some of the world’s most prestigious design schools, renowned for their multidisciplinary approaches, cutting-edge curricula, and strong industry connections. In 2025, these institutions continue to attract global talent with English-taught programs, affordable tuition in some countries, and vibrant creative communities. This comprehensive guide explores the top design schools in Europe for international students, highlighting their programs, tuition fees, and support services, ensuring you can make an informed decision for your study abroad journey.
Based on recent rankings from sources like QS World University Rankings, Study.eu, and Global Scholarships, the following are the top design schools in Europe for international students in 2025. These institutions are selected for their academic reputation, diverse design programs, and appeal to international students.
Location: London, UK
Why It’s Top: Consistently ranked #1 globally for Art & Design by QS World University Rankings, RCA is a leader in design education, offering graduate programs in fine arts, design, fashion, and more.
Programs Offered: Master’s in Design, Fashion, Product Design, and Innovation Design Engineering; PhD options.
For International Students: RCA has a highly international student body, with English-taught programs and robust support services, including career counseling and visa guidance. Scholarships like the RCA International Scholarship are available.
Tuition Fees: Approximately £25,000–£35,000/year for international students.
Website: Royal College of Art
Location: Milan, Italy
Why It’s Top: Ranked #6 globally for Art & Design (QS 2025), Politecnico di Milano is the top university in continental Europe for design, excelling in industrial, product, and fashion design.
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s in Architectural Design, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design, and Product Design; Master’s in Product Design and more.
For International Students: Offers English-taught programs, scholarships for non-EU students, and a vibrant design community in Milan, a global design capital.
Tuition Fees: €900–€2,000/year for EU students; higher for non-EU (up to €5,000/year).
Website: Politecnico di Milano
Location: London, UK
Why It’s Top: Europe’s largest university for art and design, UAL comprises six colleges, including Central Saint Martins, known for its diverse design disciplines.
Programs Offered: Pre-degree, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses in graphic design, fashion, interior design, and media.
For International Students: UAL has a diverse student body, English-taught programs, and extensive support for international students, including housing assistance and career services.
Tuition Fees: £15,000–£25,000/year for international students.
Website: University of the Arts London
Location: Espoo, Finland
Why It’s Top: Aalto is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, blending design with technology and business, making it a leader in innovative design education.
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Design, New Media, Visual Culture, and Art Education.
For International Students: Offers English-taught programs, merit-based scholarships, and a supportive environment for international students in a vibrant, innovative city.
Tuition Fees: €12,000–€15,000/year for non-EU students; free for EU students.
Website: Aalto University
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands
Why It’s Top: Known for its experimental and innovative approach, this academy emphasizes social, contextual, and sustainable design.
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s in Industrial Design; Master’s in Contextual Design, Social Design, and Information Design.
For International Students: English-taught programs, a highly international student body, and strong industry connections make it ideal for global students.
Tuition Fees: €2,314/year for EU students; €10,400–€15,000/year for non-EU students.
Website: Design Academy Eindhoven
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Why It’s Top: ECAL is a leader in product design, digital arts, and craftsmanship, with a focus on creativity and innovation.
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Product Design, Communication, and Digital Arts.
For International Students: Offers English-taught programs, small class sizes, and scholarships for international students.
Tuition Fees: CHF 1,000–CHF 4,000/year for international students; higher for Master’s programs.
Website: ECAL
Location: Turin, Italy
Why It’s Top: Strong in industrial and product design, with a focus on innovation and technology integration.
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Industrial Design and Product Design.
For International Students: English-taught programs, scholarships, and a supportive environment in a city known for automotive design.
Tuition Fees: €2,600–€3,900/year for non-EU students.
Website: Politecnico di Torino
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why It’s Top: Specializes in art, crafts, and design, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Textiles, and Visual Communication.
For International Students: English-taught programs, scholarships, and a vibrant creative community in Stockholm.
Tuition Fees: SEK 100,000–SEK 280,000/year (approx. $9,500–$26,500 USD) for non-EU students; free for EU students.
Website: Konstfack
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Why It’s Top: Renowned for its architecture and design programs, with a focus on creativity and professional practice.
Programs Offered: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Architecture, Fine Art, and Design.
For International Students: English-taught programs, strong industry links, and a supportive international community.
Tuition Fees: £15,000–£20,000/year for international students.
Website: Glasgow School of Art
Location: Milan, Italy
Why It’s Top: Focuses on design innovation and entrepreneurship, with a strong emphasis on real-world projects.
Programs Offered: Master’s in Design, Fashion, and Innovation.
For International Students: English-taught programs, international faculty, and a global alumni network.
Tuition Fees: €18,000–€28,000/year for international students.
Website: Domus Academy
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Denmark: Combines academic and artistic research with professional practice in design.
University of Limerick, Ireland: Offers strong design programs with a research focus.
Institut Français de la Mode, France: A top choice for fashion design, with strong industry connections.
Istituto Marangoni, Italy: Renowned for fashion and luxury design education.
Parsons Paris, France: Provides a global perspective on design, with programs in fashion and strategic design.
When choosing a design school in Europe, international students should consider several factors to ensure a successful study abroad experience:
Language of Instruction: Most listed schools offer English-taught programs, but some may require proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL. For example, Politecnico di Milano and Aalto University have extensive English-language offerings.
Tuition Fees: Costs vary significantly:
UK: £15,000–£35,000/year for international students.
Italy: €900–€28,000/year, with public universities like Politecnico di Milano being more affordable.
Finland and Sweden: Free for EU students; €9,500–€26,500/year for non-EU students.
Netherlands and Switzerland: €2,314–€15,000/year, depending on the institution.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: Many schools offer scholarships to attract international talent:
RCA offers the RCA International Scholarship.
Politecnico di Milano provides merit-based scholarships for non-EU students.
Aalto University offers tuition fee waivers for non-EU students.
Visa Requirements: Visa policies vary by country. The UK offers a Graduate Route visa for post-study work, while the Netherlands provides the Highly Skilled Migrant visa. Italy and France also offer post-study work options for international students.
Campus Life and Support Services: Top schools provide robust support, including orientation programs, housing assistance, and career counseling. For example, UAL and RCA have dedicated international student offices.
Cultural and Industry Exposure: Studying in design capitals like Milan (Politecnico di Milano, Domus Academy) or London (RCA, UAL) offers access to global design events, internships, and networking opportunities.
Sustainability and Social Design: Schools like Design Academy Eindhoven and Konstfack emphasize sustainable and socially responsible design, aligning with global trends.
Digital and Tech Integration: Programs increasingly incorporate digital tools, AI, and virtual reality, particularly at Aalto University and Politecnico di Milano.
Hybrid Learning Options: Some schools offer flexible, hybrid programs combining online and in-person learning, catering to international students’ needs.
Industry Collaborations: Schools like Glasgow School of Art and ECAL partner with companies to provide real-world projects and internships, enhancing employability.
Research Programs: Verify that the school offers your preferred design discipline (e.g., graphic, industrial, or fashion design).
Check Language Requirements: Ensure you meet language proficiency criteria or explore schools that waive IELTS with alternatives like MOI certificates.
Explore Financial Aid: Apply for scholarships early to offset tuition and living costs.
Consider Location: Choose a city that aligns with your lifestyle and career goals, such as Milan for fashion or Eindhoven for innovative design.
Connect with Alumni: Join online communities or attend study abroad fairs to learn from current and former students.
Europe’s top design schools offer international students unparalleled opportunities to develop their creative and professional skills in 2025. From the globally renowned Royal College of Art to the innovative Design Academy Eindhoven, these institutions provide diverse programs, English-taught courses, and robust support for international students. By considering factors like tuition fees, scholarships, and cultural fit, students can choose the best design school to launch their careers in the dynamic world of design. Start exploring these schools today to embark on a transformative study abroad journey.
03 Jul 2025
03 Jul 2025
02 Jul 2025
02 Jul 2025
Interested?
Start your career with us
