What's New in NID DAT 2025?
December 06, 2024: NID will officially open the Form Correction Window for B.Des and M.Des applications. The correction window will remain open from December 6 to December 11, 2024, until 2:00 PM. Read Full News
NID DAT 2026- Dates, Registration, Pattern, Syllabus PDF
NID DAT 2026 dates are yet to be announced, and registration for NID DAT 2026 is expected to begin in the first week of September 2025. Students can expect their NID DAT admit cards to be released in the last week of December 2025 for prelims and for NID DAT Mains in the 2nd week of April 2026.
- NID DAT 2026 prelims are expected to be conducted in the first week of January 2026.
- NID DAT 2026 main examination is expected to be conducted in the last week of April to the first week of May 2026.
- For admission to BDes courses, candidates must have completed class 12th from any recognized board in any stream.
- For NID DAT 2026 MDes admissions, aspirants must have completed at least a 3-year bachelor's degree.
To apply for NID DAT 2026, aspirants must log on to the official website of NID DAT 2026 at admissions.nid.edu. Once the NID DAT 2026 results are released, eligible students can participate in the NID DAT 2026 counselling process, where candidates are allotted BDes and MDes seats. Students selected for admission must get their NID DAT 2026 offer letter and pay the required fee to claim their NID DAT seats 2026.
What is NID DAT 2026?
NID grants admission to the design courses based on two stages of Design Aptitude Tests: Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims and Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Mains. The National Institute of Design (NID) encompasses five faculty streams and offers 20 diverse design domains.
- The NID DAT Campus provides eight different specializations for the Bachelor of Design (B. Des) program and also offers a Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD) for 4 years.
- The Master of Designing (M.Des) program offers 18 different specializations, and the duration for these PG courses is two and a half years. The Ph.D. programmes are in two modes: full-time and part-time formats. The full-time is for 3 years.
- NID DAT 2026 Admission Highlights
- NID DAT Important Dates
- NID DAT Eligibility Criteria
3.1 NID DAT BDes Eligibility Criteria
3.2 NID DAT MDes Eligibility Criteria
- NID DAT Registration
4.1 Step 1: Sign up or register
4.2 Step 2: Fill out the NID DAT Application
4.3 Step 3: Upload the Required Documents
4.4 Step 4: Pay NID DAT Application Fee
- NID DAT Application Fee 2026
- NID DAT Exam Pattern
- NID DAT Admit Card
- NID DAT Syllabus 2026
8.1 NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B.Des Prelims
8.2 NID DAT Syllabus 2026 for Studio Test
8.3 NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B. Mes Prelims
- NID DAT 2026 Mains Syllabus for M.Des
- NID DAT 2026 Best Books
- NID DAT Result 2026
- NID DAT 2026 Admission
12.1 NID DAT 2026- B.Des Admission
12.2 NID DAT 2025: M.Des. Admission
- NID DAT 2026- Selection Criteria
- NID DAT Prelims Qualifying Marks 2025
14.1 Expected NID DAT B.Des Cutoff 2026
14.2 Expected NID DAT M.Des Cutoff 2026
- NID DAT Previous Years’ Cut Off
15.1 NID DAT 2024 Cut Off
15.2 NID DAT 2023 Cut Off Scores
- NID DAT 2025 Seat Capacity
- NID DAT 2026- PhD Admission
- NID DAT Eligibility 2025: Ph.D
- NID DAT 2026 FAQs
NID DAT 2026 Admission Highlights
| Name of the Institute | National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad |
|---|---|
| Type of Institute | Autonomous |
| Admission Criteria | Entrance-based |
| Name of Entrance Exam | DAT |
| Mode of Application | Online |
NID DAT Important Dates
NID DAT 2026 dates are yet to be announced; however, students can check the important dates based on the NID DAT dates for previous years in the table below.
| NID DAT Events | NID DAT Dates 2026 (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| NID DAT Application Release Date | First week of September 2025 |
| NID DAT 2026 Application Last Date | First week of December 2025 |
| NID DAT 2026 Prelims Admit Card | Last week of December 2025 |
| NID DAT 2026 Prelims Exam Date | First week of January 2026 |
| NID DAT 2026 Prelims Result | First week of April 2026 |
| NID DAT 2026 Mains Admit Card | 2nd week of April 2026 |
| NID DAT 2026 Mains Exam Date | Last week of April to first week of May 2026 |
| NID DAT 2026 Mains Result | 2nd week of May 2026 |
NID DAT Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for NID DAT 2026 are different for different courses as discussed below.
NID DAT BDes Eligibility Criteria
Students must fulfil the below-mentioned qualifications and age requirement for NID DAT BDes admission 2026.
- Students must be born on or after 1 July 2005 (1 July 2001) to be eligible for NID DAT 2026.
- Students must have completed class 12th from any recognized board in any stream for admission to BDes through NID DAT 2026.
NID DAT MDes Eligibility Criteria
Aspirants must fulfil the below-mentioned qualifications and age requirement for NID DAT BDes admission 2026.
- The candidate must possess a bachelor's degree of a minimum 4-year duration in any specialization after passing the 12th standard or equivalent to the 12th standard.
- The candidate must possess a bachelor's degree of a minimum 3-year duration in any specialization after passing the 12th standard or equivalent to the 12th standard.
- The candidate must have a full-time diploma in Design/Fine Arts/Applied Arts/Architecture of a minimum 4-year duration, which should be obtained after completing the 12th standard or an equivalent qualification.
| Also Read |
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NID DAT Registration
Once the NID DAT 2026 registration window is live, candidates must register and complete the NID DAT 2026 application to appear for the examination. Students can follow the steps listed below.
Step 1: Sign up or register
- Visit the official website of NID DAT 2026.
- Register by filling out the details, including your email ID, mobile Number, program, nationality, and category.
- After NID DAT registration is complete, students will get their NID DAT login credentials via registered email ID.
Step 2: Fill out the NID DAT Application
- Log in to the NID DAT 2026 portal.
- Fill out all the required details, including personal and academic details.
- After filling out the NID DAT application form, click on “save & proceed.”
Step 3: Upload the Required Documents
Students must upload all the required documents as specified by the concerned authority after completing the NID DAT application form.
- Photograph.
- Signature.
- Category/caste certificate (if applicable)
Step 4: Pay NID DAT Application Fee
- Pay the NID DAT application fee 2026 as prescribed by the concerned authority.
- Print the NID DAT application form for future reference.
NID DAT Application Fee 2026
NID DAT fee can be paid online or offline. Payment can be made online through a debit card/credit card. The following are the application fees for various courses:
| Саtegоry | B.Des | M.Des (1 Disсiрline) | M.Des (2 Disсiрlines) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generаl | INR 3000 | INR 3000 | INR 6000 |
| SС | INR 1500 | INR 1500 | INR 3000 |
| ST | INR 1500 | INR 1500 | INR 3000 |
| ОBС-NСL | INR 3000 | INR 3000 | INR 6000 |
| Gen-РwD | INR 1500 | INR 1500 | INR 3000 |
| ST-РwD | INR 1500 | INR 1500 | INR 3000 |
| SС-РwD | INR 1500 | INR 1500 | INR 3000 |
| ОBС-NСL-РwD | INR 1500 | INR 1500 | INR 3000 |
| Оverseаs | INR 5000 | INR 5000 | INR 10000 |
Key Takeaways
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NID DAT Exam Pattern
NID DAT 2026 question paper includes both objective and subjective questions. The NID DAT 2026 exam pattern is discussed below.
- 70% of the total questions are objective.
- The remaining 30% questions are subjective.
- The two papers (objective and subjective) are held separately on the same day.
- There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
| NID DAT Exam Pattern 2026 | For B.Des. | For M.Des. |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline mode/ pen – paper-based test | Offline mode/ pen – paper-based test |
| No. of sections | 2 (Section A and B) | 2 (Section A and B) |
| No. of Questions | Section A: 1 to 22 (MCQ) | Section A: 59 (MCQ) |
| Section B: 23 to 26 (Subjective) | Section B: 3 (Subjective) | |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Negative Marking | No | No |
| Duration | 3 hours | 2 ½ hours |
NID DAT Admit Card
Once the NID DAT admit cards are released for mains or prelims examinations, candidates can follow the steps listed below.
- Log on to the official website of NID DAT 2026.
- Click on the link ‘Login to download admit card.’
- Fill in the required details like email ID, DOB, and finally, verification number, and click on the “Submit” button.
- The NID DAT 2025 Admit card will then be displayed on the screen.
- Students can download and take a printout of the NID DAT 2025 Admit card for future reference.
| Also Read |
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NID DAT Syllabus 2026
Besides knowing the exam pattern, students must dive deep into the NID DAT Syllabus 2026 before kicking off their prep. Remember, the syllabus differs for B.Des and M.Des. To get a comprehensive grip on the syllabus, checking out recommended NID DAT Books can be a smart move. It'll help you cover the syllabus thoroughly and be better prepared for the exam!
NID does not release the syllabus for NID DAT on the official website. However, based on the syllabus included in the NID DAT previous years’ question papers, students can expect the NID DAT question paper based on the syllabus as mentioned in the table below.
NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B.Des Prelims
| Design outline | Graphics & Pictograms | Picture analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Mood, theme & color inter- relationship | Presentation techniques | Foreshortening & perspective |
| Natural & geometrical form | Color terminology | Story pictures |
| Lettering | Design theory | 3D visualizing |
| Color psychology, optical illusion | Innovation in designs | Lateral thinking |
| Theme development | Form and function: creative thinking and writing | Design awareness |
| Visual logic | Good design vs bad design | Ornaments and motifs |
| Memory drawing | Color, pattern & texture | Inspiration & design development |
NID DAT Syllabus 2026 for Studio Test
| Model making | Audio-Visual exercises | Meeting with qualified candidates |
|---|---|---|
| How to evolve ideas | Doodling | Material manipulations |
NID DAT 2026 Syllabus for B. Mes Prelims
| NID M.Des Syllabus for Prelims Exam | ||
|---|---|---|
| Design Outline for Beginners | Colour Terminology | Inspiration & Design Development |
| Mood, Theme & Colour Inter-relationship | Design Theory | Elements & Principles Of Design |
| Natural & Geometrical Form | Innovation in Design | Principles of Composition |
| Lettering | Optical Illusion | Understanding Light & Shade |
| Colour Psychology & Optical Illusions | Form & Function | Colour, Pattern & Texture |
| Theme Development | Creative Thinking & Writing | Picture Analysis |
| Visual Logic | Good Design vs Bad Design | Drawing Fundamentals |
| Use of Measurements, Scale & Proportions | Optical Illusion | Foreshortening & Perspective |
| Developing Themes & Colour Associations | Inspiration & Creativity | Ornaments & Motifs |
| Memory Drawing | Usage of Colour in Compositions | Expression & Emotion |
| Exercises on Imagination | Lateral Thinking | Story Pictures |
| Presentation Techniques | Imagination & Doodling | 3D Visualisation |
| Graphics & Pictograms | Innovation & Creation | Design Awareness |
| Developing Observation | ||
NID DAT 2026 Mains Syllabus for M.Des
| M.Des NID Studio Test | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model Making | Doodling | How to evolve ideas |
| Audio–Visual Exercises | Material Manipulation | Creative Thinking |
NID DAT 2026 Best Books
| Book name | Author name |
|---|---|
| Basic Rendering | Robert W. Gill |
| NID (B. Des) Entrance Book and test series | AFAINDIA |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide | RPH Editorial Board |
| NID DAT Books | R.S Aggarwal (aptitude) |
| NIFT/NID/IIFT Entrance Exam Guide | Surendra Dharmendra Mittal |
| Design Drawings | Francis D.K.Ching |
NID DAT Result 2026
After the NID DAT prelims and mains examinations are over, the concerned authority will release the NID DAT 2026 results on the official website. Once released, candidates can follow the steps listed below to check the NID DAT 2026 result.
- Visit the official website of NID DAT 2026.
- Click on the link for the NID DAT result 2026.
- Log in using NID DAT 2026 login credentials.
- NID DAT result will be displayed on the screen, and students can download the NID DAT result for future reference.
NID DAT 2026 Admission
NID DAT 2026- B.Des Admission
The following specializations are offered after the NID DAT BDes 2026 examination
- Ceramic and Glass Design
- Product Design
- Exhibition Design
- Graphic Design
- Furniture and Interior Design
- Animation Film Design
- Film and Video Communication
- Textile Design
| Duration | 4 Years |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-time |
| No. of Specializations | 8 |
| Intake | 19 Seats |
| Basic Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 qualification |
| Basic Selection Criteria | Entrance-based |
| Duration | 4 Years |
NID DAT 2025: M.Des. Admission
It offers 2.5-year postgraduate courses in Master of Design (M.Des.) and 19 specializations, which are as follows:
- Animation Film Design
- Furniture & Interior Design
- Graphic Design
- Textile Design
- Lifestyle Accessory Design
- New Media Design
- Toy and Game Design
- Design for retail experience
- Information Design
- Universal Design
- Ceramic and glass design
- Film and Video Communication
- Product design
- Apparel Design
- Strategic Design Management
- Photography Design
- Transportation and automobile design
- Digital Game Design
- Interaction Design
| Duration | 2.5 years |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-time |
| No. of Specializations | 19 Specializations |
| Basic Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree |
| Basic Selection Criteria | Entrance-based |
NID DAT 2026- Selection Criteria
NID DAT 2026 admission criteria are different for UG and PG courses.
- The candidate would be selected for BDes admissions based on the merit list of the entrance test, followed by a counselling process.
- The candidate would be selected based on the candidate’s performance in the DAT, followed by a Personal Interview.
The weightage for DAT Prelims and DAT Mains is as follows:
| DAT Prelims – 60% | DAT Mains 40% |
|---|---|
| (Common Design Aptitude Test) | (Discipline-specific Test) |
| 15% | 45% |
Note: The candidate can apply in ONLY TWO disciplines for the Master of Design programme
- The allotment of seats to the candidates would be based on the preference submitted by the candidate at the time of application submission.
- Applications once received is not transferable at any stage of the admissions process.
NID DAT Prelims Qualifying Marks 2025
Predicting the qualifying marks for NID DAT Prelims 2025 can be a bit tricky at the moment because the National Institute of Design (NID) hasn't released them yet. Typically, they spill the details around mid-February. To keep in the loop, make sure to check the official NID website regularly. While we eagerly await the official word, we can make an educated guess based on past patterns, reliable sources, and an analysis of previous NID DAT cutoffs.
Estimating the precise cutoff score for NID DAT 2025 poses a challenge, considering several factors:
- Total number of applicants: Higher applicant numbers may lead to elevated cutoffs.
- Difficulty level of the exam: A tough exam might result in a lower cutoff to accommodate deserving candidates.
- Seat availability: Limited seats in a sought-after program could increase the cutoff.
- Performance of the test-takers: Exceptional performance has the potential to raise the cutoff. Keep an eye on these factors for a better understanding of the expected cutoff score.
Expected NID DAT B.Des Cutoff 2026
| Category | Expected Cutoff (%) |
|---|---|
| Open | 97.35 |
| GEN-EWS | 63.59 |
| OBC-NCL | 81.80 |
| SC | 75.63 |
| ST | 42.97 |
| PwD | 40.15 |
| Overseas | 54.67 |
Expected NID DAT M.Des Cutoff 2026
| Specialization | Expected Cut off | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | GEN-EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PwD | Overseas | |
| Animation Film Design | 76.71 | NE | NE | 57.53 | NE | NE | NA |
| Ceramic & Glass Design | 82.93 | NA | 68.29 | 46.34 | 58.54 | NA | NA |
| Film & Video Communication | 80 | 78.57 | 54.29 | 68.57 | 57.14 | NA | NA |
| Furniture & Interior Design | 85.07 | NE | 64.18 | 50.75 | 79.10 | NE | NA |
| Graphic Design | 86.30 | 72.60 | 47.95 | 58.90 | 57.53 | NE | NE |
| Product Design | 77.61 | NE | 50.75 | 43.28 | NE | NE | NA |
| Textile Design | 90.54 | 78.38 | 63.51 | 48.65 | 68.92 | NE | NA |
| Apparel Design | 86.30 | NE | 58.90 | 50.68 | 83.56 | NE | NE |
| Lifestyle Accessory Design | 81.94 | NE | 55.56 | 51.39 | 40.28 | 41.67 | NA |
| New Media Design | 72 | NE | NE | 48 | NE | NA | NA |
| Photography Design | 82.76 | NA | 60.34 | 58.62 | 62.07 | NA | NA |
| Strategic Design Management | 87.50 | 63.89 | 54.17 | 56.94 | NE | 41.67 | NA |
| Toy & Game Design | 50 | NA | NE | NE | NA | NA | NA |
| Transportation & Automobile Design | 85.51 | 63.77 | 68.12 | 40.58 | NE | NA | NA |
| Design for Retail Experience | 81.25 | 54.69 | 45.31 | 56.25 | 76.56 | NE | NA |
| Digital Game Design | 76.27 | 72.88 | 47.46 | 40.68 | NE | NE | NA |
| Information Design | 86.84 | NE | 50 | 64.47 | 40.79 | NE | 69.74 |
| Interaction Design | 89.47 | 86.84 | 56.58 | NE | NE | 71.05 | NE |
| Universal Design | 62.71 | NA | 69.49 | 42.37 | NE | NE | NA |
NID DAT Previous Years’ Cut Off
Check out the previous years' cutoff for the NID DAT exam.
NID DAT 2024 Cut Off
| Campus | OPEN | GEN-EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PwD | OVERSEAS | Total Seats Filled | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | Category Rank | Score | PwD Rank | Score | Overseas Rank | Score | ||
| NID Ahmedabad | 50 | 65.10 | 15 | 58.20 | 47 | 58.80 | 28 | 56.40 | 11 | 52.50 | 7 | 43.50 | 21 | 51.40 | 144 |
| NID Andhra Pradesh | 233 | 59.00 | 56 | 51.20 | 134 | 54.00 | 69 | 50.60 | 32 | 45.40 | 8 | 40.40 | - | - | 74 |
| NID Assam | 295 | 57.90 | 64 | 50.10 | 141 | 5.78 | 96 | 47.90 | 44 | 43.20 | NE | NE | - | - | 75 |
| NID Madhya Pradesh | 216 | 59.38 | 41 | 53.90 | 114 | 54.50 | 62 | 50.90 | 31 | 45.50 | NE | NE | 23 | 51.00 | 77 |
| NID Haryana | 219 | 59.30 | 33 | 55.00 | 95 | 55.20 | 57 | 51.90 | 39 | 44.20 | NE | NE | NE | - | 75 |
NID DAT 2023 Cut Off Scores
| Institutes | OPEN | GEN-EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | PWD | Overseas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NID Ahmedabad | 65.8 | 57.4 | 60.7 | 58.8 | 52.8 | 49.4 | 51.2 |
| NID Andhra Pradesh | 62.2 | 50.4 | 55.9 | 54.1 | 45.9 | 41.7 | NA |
| NID Assam | 60.3 | 50 | 55.1 | 50.9 | 45.2 | NA | NA |
| NID Madhya Pradesh | 61.3 | 51.2 | 56.1 | 52.8 | 46 | 40.6 | 50 |
| NID Haryana | 61.6 | 52.2 | 56.7 | 54.7 | 45.8 | 43.3 | NE |
NID DAT 2025 Seat Capacity
The seat capacity of various NIDs across India is:
| Test Centre City | NID Ahmedabad | NID Bengaluru | NID Andhra Pradesh | NID Haryana | NID Madhya Pradesh | NID Jorhat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 533 | 300 | 300 | 450 | 200 | 120 |
NID DAT 2026- PhD Admission
| Duration | Part-time: 5 Years |
|---|---|
| Full-time: 3 Years | |
| Type | Part/Full-time |
| Basic Eligibility Criteria | Master’s degree |
| Basic Selection Criteria | Entrance-based |
NID DAT Eligibility 2025: Ph.D
The eligibility for Ph.D. candidate is as follows:
- The candidate needs to have a qualification in Design.
- Candidate needs to have a Bachelor’s level qualification in Design from NID.
- 3 years of professional or teaching experience minimum.
- One can obtain a master's degree in Design, such as an M.Phil. (Master of Philosophy) degree.
How to apply for a Ph.D. at NID DAT
As per the NID admission process, the candidate needs to first fill out their application form. The successful candidate who meets the eligibility criteria for the exam will appear for the NID DAT Prelims. After successful clearing of NID DAT prelims, the candidate needs to appear for NID DAT Mains. Once the NID DAT Main is also cleared, the candidate is offered admission in the course/ college of their choice.
NID DAT 2026 FAQs
Ques: What are the various categories for which NID DAT merit list will be released?
Ans: NID DAT merit list is released based on General-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC/ST, and PwD categories. Overseas candidates will be offered admission after the release of the final NID DAT merit list.
Ques: What is the intake capacity at NIDs?
Ans: NIDs offers different courses and has different intakes as well. For the Communication Design Course, there is a total of 64-seat intake capacity. The seats for industrial design are 45, and the seats for Textile, Apparel, and Accessory Design are 19.
Ques: Do I need to select campuses as a part of the B.Des Program?
Ans: Yes, you need to submit your campus preference before the NID DAT counselling process. The window for submitting campus preferences will open from May 21, 2025, to May 23, 2025. The seat allotment for the B.Des Program will be made based on campus selection and the merit rank of the candidate.
Ques. What is the procedure to get admission in NID, Ahmedabad?
Ans. The candidates who are willing to take admission in NID DAT have to appear forthe NID entrance exam, which comprises two admission rounds, that is, NID DAT Prelims and NID DAT Mains. The candidate who clears NID DAR Prelims can only appear for NID DAT Mains.
Ques. What are the seat criteria in NID DAT 2023?
Ans. The B.Des. course admits 425 students, while the M.Des. course admits 347 students.
Ques. Is it permissible to select my category at the time of filling the NID DAT application form?
Ans. Yes, you are permitted to select his or her category at the time of filling the application form.
Ques. Is it tough to crack NID entrance exam?
Ans. Yes, the NID entrance exam is considered to be one of the toughest exams.
Ques. What is the exam pattern for NID DAT?
Ans. The NID exam is held in to stages such as:
- The preliminary exam constitutes the first stage, which includes two papers. Paper 1 consists of objective-type questions with a total of 70 marks, while Paper 2 comprises subjective-type questions with a total of 30 marks.
- The main examination, which is the second stage, is conducted for students who successfully clear the first stage.
Ques. What are the specialisation for M.Des. postgraduate course at NIA Ahmedabad?
Ans. It offers 2.5-year postgraduate courses in Master of Design (M.Des.) and 19 specializations, which are as follows:
- Animation Film Design
- Furniture & Interior Design
- Graphic Design
- Textile Design
- Lifestyle Accessory Design
- New Media Design
- Toy and Game Design
- Design for retail experience
- Information Design
- Universal Design
- Ceramic and glass design
- Film and Video Communication
- Product design
- Apparel Design
- Strategic Design Management
- Photography Design
- Transportation and automobile design
- Digital Game Design
- Interaction Design
Ques. What are the specialisations for B.Des. undergraduate course at NIA Ahmedabad?
Ans. The following specializations are offered under the undergraduate course of B.Des. in NID DAT:
- Ceramic and Glass Design
- Product Design
- Exhibition Design
- Graphic Design
- Furniture and Interior Design
- Animation Film Design
- Film and Video Communication
- Textile Design
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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