Learning Structure
The four year journey begins with a common starting point. All courses follow a 1+3 pattern; the first year (Level 0) constitutes the FOUNDATION PHASE and the subsequent 3 years (Levels 1, 2, 3) the DEGREE PHASE.

Foundation Phase (Level 0) - the first year
The first year aims at bringing students from diverse backgrounds to a common platform of contextual understanding, basic knowledge and skills to prepare and lay the ground for the subsequent three years of study and achievement leading to the degree award.

Called "Foundation Phase" the first year focuses on:

For Design Courses - The attainment of a common, standard level of design awareness, understanding and skills, from where the movement to and through the specific discipline is smooth and orderly.

For Business Courses - Creation of a strong base in core commercial/technical concepts, principles, analytical skills, with an acquaintance of the context of the industry.

The first year constitutes Level 0.

Degree Phase (Levels 1, 2, 3) - the second, third and fourth years
The degree phase, spread through second, third and fourth years of the course is described as LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2 and LEVEL 3, respectively. The Academy maintains two learning schemes: FIXED PATHWAY and FLEXIBLE PATHWAY. Courses such as IAD, FSID and FMC follow the fixed pathway and all other courses, that is, FD, TD, CD, JD, FBM, FRM follow the flexible pathway.

The learning content and style differs between the Fixed Pathway and Flexible Pathway courses.

Fixed Pathway (IAD, FSID, FMC)
In these courses students undergo a mandatory fixed curriculum. The learning structure operates in a semester scheme, so that each year has two semesters and the three degree years have 6 semesters in total.

During the second year, the learning concentrates on the basic understanding and skills significant to the chosen discipline. This is called Level 1.

In the third year of study the students take their learning to a higher, advanced level and engage in application through projects, often sponsored by industry, bringing a work like atmosphere into the learning space. This is Level 2.

In the fourth and final year, students are exposed thoroughly to industry through internship and thereafter engage in the execution of a final project/collection. This constitutes Level 3.

Flexible Pathway (FD, TD, CD, JD, FBM, FRM)
This pathway differs from the fixed pathway in which the students are provided with electives for study, language options as well as opportunity to study overseas or elsewhere in India on credit-earning basis.

In this pathway, during the second year, the learning concentrates on the basic understanding and skills significant to the chosen discipline. Students additionally are provided an opportunity to learn any one international language out of French, Spanish, Chinese or German. There are elective modules to choose from. This is called Level 1.

In the third year students take their learning to a higher, advanced level and engage in application through projects, often sponsored by industry, and therefore, bringing a work like atmosphere into the learning space. This is treated as Level 2. The learning of the chosen international language continues into the next higher level. This level provides an option, subject to fulfillment of stipulated conditions as per policy, to study elsewhere, in India or abroad, at approved institutions, under a student exchange scheme with full credit for the merit achieved there. A student does not have to pay any extra tuition fees for exchange programmes to universities abroad / within the country; however travel, boarding and lodging and out of pocket expenses are to be borne by the student. The level also includes a period of mandatory industry internship to create the much necessary market exposure for students.

In the fourth and final year, or level 3, students engage in the execution of a final project/collection. This level provides for maximum flexibility to learn at the Academy or in the real world through a variety of options, such as long industry attachment, special industry/research project, creating the pathway to a very meritorious achievement of final work to demonstrate a well-honed, specialised, preparation, fine-tuned to the interests of the world of work.