Overview

Key facts:

The curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes an integrated understanding of design that brings together different disciplinary approaches that respond to complex social, cultural, and environmental challenges. Students will acquire contemporary representation, prototyping, and fabrication skills and engage with theoretical frameworks yielding advanced research and knowledge production.

Students begin the Design Major with two required core studios that introduce fundamental design methodologies, computational literacy, technological fabrication, and the study of contemporary digital culture. Majors then select from a series of theoretical and historical seminars that contextualize and expand their understanding of design practices including data-driven, speculative, and inquiry-based design. Majors also have the freedom to select from an expansive list of art and design electives that further their interdisciplinary expertise. The Design Major culminates in a year-long design project, researched design brief, public exhibition, and panel review with leading experts in the field.

A goal for students entering the major is to develop the ability to critically and resourcefully synthesize the expansive potentialities of design. These skill sets are gained through exposure to diverse approaches to design methodologies, histories, and theories. Learning outcomes are evident in the individual and collaborative conceptual, technological, and speculative projects that emerge from the core and integrative studios.

Design electives and seminars enrich, complicate, and expand disciplinary modalities, while engaging in deeper explorations of positionality within a global climate. Ultimately, the Design Major seeks to guide students through a process of learning to independently question, interpret, and analyze integrative design.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Graphic Design with Creative Technologies
Biological Design
Cultures of Making
Functions for Form and Material
Information Design and Visualization
Interfacing Cultures: Designing for Mobile, Web and Public Media

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

More details

Regular Decision application deadline is January 5.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Philadelphia, United States

Disciplines

Design View 845 other Bachelors in Design in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Common Application or Coalition Application & Penn-specific Essay

Official High School Transcript

School Report

Counselor Recommendation

Academic Teacher Evaluations (2)

Early Decision Agreement (only if applying for Early Decision)

Mid-Year Report

Final Report

SAT or ACT

English language proficiency

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

63204 USD / year

≈ 63204 USD / year
Out-of-State

63204 USD / year

≈ 63204 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

63204 USD / year

≈ 63204 USD / year

Living costs

Philadelphia

United States

1313 - 2284 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Key facts:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Philadelphia

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners