Faculty of Performing Arts

A Purpose-Driven Approach to Education
At Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, we have made a strategic decision to prioritise what is most important — our students — over conventional university rankings. While many institutions prioritise rankings, we consciously focus and invest our resources on student development at NAFA by providing quality teaching and state-of-the art facilities to support student learning. We focus on outcomes measured by the student growth, experience, and graduate employability. NAFA’s positive employment survey results are testament to that. We are proud that our alumni have received numerous accolades and international awards, including the Cultural Medallion Awards and Young Artist Awards, the highest honours in Singapore. Most importantly, they lead fulfilling lives, doing what they are passionate about and contributing positively to society.

Why We Have Chosen a Different Path
We have observed that university rankings often emphasise metrics that do not fully capture the essence of the student experience and teaching quality, and divert resources and attention to areas that do not always have a direct impact on our students. We have made a conscious decision to focus our efforts on creating an environment where the student experience takes precedence over the pursuit of ranking results on a commercial league table.

Our Commitment to a Student-Centric Approach

• Tailored Transformational Experiences: We believe every student’s journey is unique. Students can choose from a range of inclusive programmes that can be tailored to ensure that we maximise the potential of everyone.


• Holistic Student Support: At NAFA, UAS, we believe that success in education encompasses more than academic achievements. Prioritising the physical and mental well-being of our students, we offer support groups to address their emotional, social, and professional needs—from career guidance to mental health support. Additionally, a fully equipped student gym is available year-round, encouraging students to maintain their fitness and overall health. With more than 23 scholarships and financial aid schemes that include the Dare to Dream Scholarship, Tuition Grant Scheme, and NAFA-Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Student Relief Fund Scheme available, students are supported for the duration of their course of study at NAFA, UAS.


• Fostering a Vibrant Community: We are committed to building a strong and inclusive community where every student feels a sense of belonging. We provide a nurturing and collaborative campus culture that encourages personal growth and meaningful connections beyond the classrooms, through the numerous student activity groups and clubs, alongside experiences with eminent alumni. These activities include Running Club, Indian Dance Group, K-Pop Dance Club, Basketball Club etc with a NAFA, UAS Student Council to represent students across all disciplines.


• Global Learning Opportunities: Overseas learning is one of the hallmarks of a NAFA, UAS education. We support our students to be exposed to ideas beyond our shores, opening their minds to greater possibilities. Study trips, overseas immersion programmes, international placements, student exchange programmes and collaborative projects are some global learning opportunities available. Our focus remains on equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their chosen fields and make a positive impact in their communities.


• Strong alumni network: NAFA, UAS is proud of its vast alumni network which is bolstered by decorated luminaries across the globe. As the only arts institution in the world with cradle to grey programmes, our alumni continue to stay connected with the academy through its eight alumni chapters. Leveraging a common thread of sharing in the NAFA, UAS story, we have many alumni giving back to the academy by guiding their juniors in creative portfolio reviews, career offers and advancement opportunities. Our students are also supported after they graduate, where they can enrol into our Centre for Lifelong Education courses for skills upgrade. As part of the extensive ecosystem at NAFA, UAS, many alumni return to teach and cement their careers here with us.

Why This Matters
By not participating in the university rankings, we are making a conscious decision to channel our resources and energy into enhancing student life and learning. Our goal is to create an environment where students can excel beyond their academic journey and thrive in the arts and creative education.

Join Us in Embracing a New Standard of Excellence
Embark on a college-university experience at NAFA, UAS and enrich your personal growth and aspiration that redefines your journey to higher education excellence.

The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) is Singapore's first arts university nurturing a new generation of forward-looking artists, designers, educators, researchers, arts leaders and changemakers. UAS is founded on an alliance of Singapore's leading arts institutions, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and LASALLE College of the Arts. It is supported by the government, which will continue to provide funding for subsidised Diploma and BA (Hons) students and UAS will validate, confer and award degrees in respect to the programmes offered by NAFA, UAS. It will also support both arts institutions in the provision of a shared UAS experience which includes a common curriculum. All academic programmes will continue to be developed, designed and delivered by NAFA, UAS at its campuses.

For more details, please refer to UAS’ website here.

All academic lessons and learning will continue to be delivered at NAFA, UAS existing campuses. Meanwhile, UAS will offer common curriculum modules from the National Design Centre which is in close proximity to NAFA, UAS.

There is one intake commencing in August each year. Click here for the NAFA, UAS academic calendar.

Applications typically open in October for the following August intake.

International Applicants residing overseas are advised to contact NAFA, UAS’ authorised overseas education counsellors based in their home countries to submit applications from September for the August intake the following year. Click here for more information.

For more information about the application procedures and application deadline, click here.

You do not need prior formal training, but you will need to produce a portfolio showing your interest and self-exploration into art and design.

The Bachelor of Education in Instrumental and Vocal Teaching has a prerequisite of a Diploma in Music or Music Teaching from NAFA, UAS or other institutions offering full-time formal training in music.

You may receive advanced standing or Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) if the qualification you have is recognised by NAFA, UAS, subjected to portfolio/audition assessment and interview. In some instances, students have enrolled directly into the second year of the Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) programme.

You may send us a copy of your transcripts at [email protected] for assistance.

We seek your understanding that we may take longer to respond if we had not previously encountered your qualification and need to do deeper research before reaching a decision.

You may send us your portfolio, references and transcripts at [email protected] to appeal to apply.

We will consider each appeal on a case-by-case basis.

Do note that if your appeal is accepted, it does not mean that your application will also be successful. Your application will still be assessed on the same platform and requirement as all other applicants.

Yes, you may apply before meeting the English proficiency requirement.

We will assess your application based on your portfolio submission/interview/audition and offer you admission conditional on your meeting of the English proficiency requirement by a specific deadline. If you do not meet the admission condition by the deadline, we will rescind our offer.

There are no part-time Degree programmes available. If you are interested in part-time Certificate programmes, you may email the Centre for Lifelong Education at [email protected] for more information.

Degree programmes conferred by the University of the Arts London (UAL) and the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) are 3-year, full-time programmes. Applicants with a relevant diploma from NAFA, UAS, LASALLE or a recognised institution may be considered for direct entry into the second year of the Bachelor programme subject to portfolio review, interview and programme capacity.

The Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Instrumental & Vocal Teaching awarded by the Royal College of Music (RCM) is a 2-year, full-time programme for applicants with relevant diploma qualifications.

The Bachelor of Music (Hons), jointly awarded by the RCM and NAFA, UAS is a 4-year full-time programme.

Application results will be sent via email within 4–6 weeks after Audition / Portfolio Interview.

You may also check on the status of the application by logging into the application portal within 4–6 weeks after Audition / Portfolio Interview.

Applications from Singaporeans to the BA (Hons) Design Practice will be assessed collectively and outcomes will be announced progressively from February to mid-April.

Some application outcomes may take longer than expected. We seek your understanding that we are unable to expedite any specific application as we are already working to provide your application outcome as soon as possible, while ensuring that every application is reviewed carefully and holistically.

A student typically has about 20 hours of lessons per week. A performing arts student is often expected to attend additional hours of rehearsals after lessons as well. Classes are usually scheduled between Mondays and Fridays, 9.00am to 6.00pm; evening or Saturday classes may occasionally be scheduled for some programmes.

Students may also have to remain on campus after classes for assignments, projects or rehearsals.

Depending on your year of enrolment, you will be conferred a degree by the University of the Arts Singapore or our partner universities, University of the Arts London or Royal College of Music, London, upon successful completion of the degree programme.

Your eligibility for the Tuition Grant depends on factors such as your prior highest qualification and nationality. Please refer here for more information on the tuition grant eligibility. For further clarifications, please contact the Student Admissions Office.

Tuition grants are not available for international students for the publicly funded degree programmes. However, NAFA, UAS will provide a small number of scholarship and bursary awards for outstanding applicants each year.

Diploma graduates who are Tuition Grant recipients may apply for deferment of the service obligation for further studies here. Application for deferment is subject to MOE’s approval on a case-by-case basis. You will be required to provide a Banker’s Guarantee.

You may still enrol in NAFA, UAS and pay the full tuition fees to reserve a place in the programme that you are accepted to. If you are successful in your application to the other institution, you may withdraw from NAFA, UAS. By doing so, you can avoid the possibility of ending up with no programme to study, should your application to other institutions be unsuccessful.

Refer here for the refund policy.

You may not pay later because there are limited vacancies for our programmes. We seek your understanding to give other deserving applicants a chance to join us.

Please inform your programme manager of your intention to withdraw via email. You may reach them by replying to the email informing you of your admission.

Please refer to the refund policy on whether you will be entitled to a refund.

No, application fee is non-refundable.

Yes, male students currently serving National Service, are welcome to apply. We will reserve a place for male students who accepted our offers, for the immediate intake year after your ORD.

We will send you more information in January of your intake year to follow-up with your admission.

Note: Reservation of places for NSmen is not applicable for Bachelor of Music (Hons) and Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Instrumental & Vocal Teaching. Please apply for the immediate intake year after your ORD.

The deferment letter will only be given to students who have made the minimum required payment of their tuition fees. Please contact your programme manager via email for this request. You may reach them by replying to the email informing you of your admission. You will need to submit your ICT notification letter to them.

If your programme has commenced, please contact the Office of Student Services at [email protected] for the deferment letter.

We may offer you admission to Year 2 if you have previously pursued related studies and demonstrated that you are well-placed to join Year 2 of the programme, subject to vacancies and admission requirements of each programme.

Application for deferment will only be considered for reasons due to extenuating circumstances such as prolonged health problems. You will have to submit a completed ‘Request for Deferment’ form with relevant supporting documents to the Office of Student Services. As the application for deferment is subject to approval by the relevant Dean of Faculty, you must continue to attend classes until the outcome of your application is known.

Programme Transfer is not applicable to degree programmes, before and after programme commencement.

If the application window is still open for your preferred programme, you will need to submit a new application for your preferred programme.

If the application window has closed, you will need to apply for the next intake in the next application window.

You will have to apply separately to Lasalle, UAS as a new applicant. Please contact Lasalle, UAS directly for your request.

There is no direct transfer arrangement with other Universities. If you wish to pursue your education at another University, please reach out directly to your preferred University to understand their admission process and requirements.

While it is unlikely that your appeal will change our decision since every application has been reviewed comprehensively, you may contact your programme manager via email for this request. You may reach them by replying to the email informing you of your application outcome.

Please submit additional portfolio, references, and an appeal letter for our consideration.

For more details on Student’s Pass and living in Singapore, please refer to our website here.

NAFA, UAS plays a pivotal role in nurturing Singapore’s creative and artistic talent, as recognised by the Singapore Government. The Ministry of Education supports NAFA, UAS through financial grants, enabling access to quality arts education. Under the Ministry’s Tuition Grant Scheme, subsidised fees for Bachelor’s degree programmes are available to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

Yes, we are immensely grateful to all our donors for their commitment to nurturing creative talent. Every academic year, we disburse over 220 awards with a value of more than $1.3 million to our deserving students.

Please click here for more information. For enquiries, please contact the Office of Student Services (Financial Aids & Awards Scheme) at [email protected] or 6512 6140.

Our faculty bring a wealth of international experience, having received training across Europe, the United States, and Asia. Collectively, they hold advanced qualifications and possess decades of teaching experience across diverse educational settings. You can explore their credentials and read brief biographies on our website.

With a strong focus on excellence and advanced creative skill development, our experienced faculty empowers you to take ownership of your learning journey, encouraging both creative exploration and intellectual curiosity.

Please click here for the latest results from the Graduate Employment Survey.

Should the student be unable to resolve any dispute and/or grievance with their respective department, they may surface the issue to the Office of Student Services.

If the student is not satisfied with the explanation or solution offered by the Office of Student Services, the student may lodge an appeal to the Vice-President, Provost, or President of NAFA, UAS.

In the event the student is still not satisfied with the explanation or recommendation offered by NAFA, UAS, he/she may seek redress via SSG Mediation-Arbitration Scheme, Small Claims Tribunals or his/her own legal counsel.