Faculty of Performing Arts

1. Monologue
   You are expected to perform a Mandarin monologue that you have learnt by heart, taken from a published playtext (2-3 minutes). Through the presentation of a monologue, the assessors will evaluate your:
   • Technical/artistic acumen.
   • Ability to communicate ideas physically and/or verbally.
   • Ability to perform a dramatic text – comprehension, characterization, and creativity.
   • Physical skills - presence on stage, spatial awareness, physical range, movement vocabulary and physical portrayal of character.
   • Vocal skills – projection, clarity, range, and tone.
Guidelines for Video Recording and Submission (Online submission for applicants residing overseas):

• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of your performance. Do not edit the audio/visual of your recording.
• The camera should be stationary for the performance.
• The recording should show you in full body.
• The recording should be submitted at least 2 days before the online interview.


2. Interview and Workshop Audition
   Guidelines for Interview and Workshop In-person Audition:
   • The audition may take up to 1.5 hours.
   • Wear comfortable clothing that will allow for ease of movement.
Interview
You are expected to discuss why you want to study ‘Contemporary Chinese Theatres’ during the interview and share any relevant experience. Through the interview, the assessors will evaluate your:
• Passion for the Chinese theatre and Performing Arts
• Motivation for community involvement and engagement
• Aptitude for self-directed learning and critical evaluation of work



Audition Date
27 October 2023
3 November 2023
26 January 2024
16 February 2024
15 March 2024
19 April 2024

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Workshop
You are expected to participate fully in the interactive workshop. Through the workshop, the assessors will evaluate your:
• Ability to communicate ideas physically and/or verbally.
• Aptitude for creative problem solving.
• Openness and willingness to collaborate creatively and respectfully with others.
• Ability to create, develop and respond to new ideas and to work with new creative forms.
• Openness and responsiveness to different cultural perspectives.

 

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is either one of the following qualifications:

• Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level: Minimum 2 A-Level/ H2 subjects with a pass in General Paper
• Local Polytechnic Diploma
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
• ITE Work-Study Diploma (WSDip)
• Equivalent of Year 12 qualification

Applicants with a relevant diploma from NAFA, LASALLE or a recognised institution may be considered for direct entry into the second year of the Bachelor programme subject to availability of places.

Conditional Offers for Degree Admission
You may use the latest results available to apply for the programme if you have not received your final examination results. You will be given conditional offers and are still required to submit the following results, as applicable:

• GCE A-Level results with minimum 2 A-Level/ H2 subjects with a pass in General Paper
• Polytechnic Diploma certificate and transcript
• IB Diploma certificate and transcript
• Final result slip/Proof of completion of Year 12

If you fail to provide documentary evidence of having met the admission requirements, your conditional offer will be withdrawn.

 

If English was not your primary medium of instruction throughout your school education, you must provide evidence of any of the following at enrolment*^:

Entry Into	IELTS	TOEFL - iBT	PTE ACADEMIC	DUOLINGO
BA (Honours)	5.5	71	42	95

*Not applicable to applicants who have completed their NAFA diploma or diplomas/degrees from other institutions where English is the medium of instruction.

^Waived for NAFA applicants who have successfully completed NAFA’s Diploma in Theatre (Mandarin Drama).

 

You may be eligible for Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL), through the demonstration of prior certification, exempting you for 120 credits or one level of study. APL does not apply to modules. You must be first eligible to enter the programme before APL can be considered.

Through an audition that consists of three (3) components – Solo Performance (online submission), Interview, and Workshop (in-person session), we look for:

• Passion for the performing arts
• Commitment and motivation to strive for excellence in the programme
• Openness and willingness to collaborate creatively and respectfully with others
• Ability to create, develop and respond to new ideas and to work with new creative forms
• Openness and responsiveness to different cultural perspectives
• An aptitude for self-directed learning and critical evaluation of work
• Ability to communicate ideas physically and/or verbally
• Aptitude for creative problem solving
• Technical/artistic acumen

Audition Date
1 December 2023
22 December 2023
26 January 2024
16 February 2024
15 March 2024
19 April 2024

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Audition

1. Solo Performance (online submission)

Applicants are expected to perform a monologue that has been learnt by heart, taken from a published playtext (2-3 minutes), or a dance solo (1.5 minutes) choreographed either by the applicant or by someone else. Through the presentation of a solo performance piece, applicants are assessed on the following:

• Technical/artistic acumen.
• Ability to communicate ideas physically and/or verbally.

Monologue (Theatre Specialism)

• Ability to perform a dramatic text – comprehension, characterisation and creativity.
• Physical skills - presence on stage, spatial awareness, physical range, movement vocabulary and physical portrayal of character.
• Vocal skills – projection, clarity, range and tone.

Dance Solo (Dance Specialism)

• Technique - coordination, control and alignment.
• Artistry - spatial awareness, musicality, dynamic range and performance quality.
• Fitness - strength, control, flexibility, coordination, speed, stamina and stretch.

Guidelines for Video Recording and Submission:

• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of your performance. Do not edit the audio/visual of your recording.
• The camera should be stationary for the performance.
• The recording should show you in full body.
• The recording should be uploaded here at least 2 days before the in-person Interview and Workshop Audition.
• Allowed video file types are .mpeg,.mp4,.mov,.m4v,.avi,.wmv,.flv,.asf,.mpg,.mp3 and the maximum file size is 200 MB.

2. Interview (In-Person Session)

Guidelines for Interview and Workshop In-Person Audition:

• The audition may take up to 2 hours.
• Wear comfortable clothing that would allow for ease of movement.

Applicants are expected to discuss why they want to study ‘performance making’ during the interview and share any relevant experience. Through the interview, applicants are assessed on the following:

• Passion for the performing arts.
• Commitment and motivation to strive for excellence in the programme.
• Aptitude for self-directed learning and critical evaluation of work.

3. Workshop (In-Person Session)

Applicants are expected to participate fully in the interactive workshop. Through the workshop, applicants are assessed on the following:

• Ability to communicate ideas physically and/or verbally.
• Aptitude for creative problem solving.
• Openness and willingness to collaborate creatively and respectfully with others.
• Ability to create, develop and respond to new ideas and to work with new creative forms.
• Openness and responsiveness to different cultural perspectives.

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is either one of the following qualifications:

• Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level: Minimum 2 A-Level/ H2 subjects with a pass in General Paper
• Local Polytechnic Diploma
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
• Equivalent of Year 12 qualification

Applicants with a relevant diploma from NAFA, LASALLE or a recognised institution may be considered for direct entry into the second year of the Bachelor programme subject to availability of places.

Conditional Offers for Degree Admission
You may use the latest results available to apply for the programme if you have not received your final examination results. You will be given conditional offers and are still required to submit the following results, as applicable:

• GCE A-Level results with minimum 2 A-Level/ H2 subjects with a pass in General Paper
• Polytechnic Diploma certificate and transcript
• IB Diploma certificate and transcript
• Final result slip/Proof of completion of Year 12

If you fail to provide documentary evidence of having met the admission requirements, your conditional offer will be withdrawn.

 

NAFA hopes to attract applicants with the potential to become excellent arts practitioners. Applicants are selected by merit, based on the following criteria:

• Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity
• Educational Qualification
• English Language Proficiency
• Special Factor
• Age Requirement

Selection is competitive and is subject to the availability of places.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning
Applicants who do not meet these programme entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases.

The programme team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

• Related academic or work experience
• The quality of the personal statement
• A strong academic or other professional references
• A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit though we cannot guarantee an offer in each case. In such cases, approval by the University of the Arts London will be required prior to final acceptance into the programme.

All classes are taught in English. If English was not the applicant’s primary medium of instruction throughout his or her school education, the applicant must provide evidence at enrolment of the following: IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Click here for other acceptable English language qualifications.

Through an audition that consists of two components – (1) Performance and (2) Interview, we look for:

• A passion for music performance and instrumental/vocal teaching
• A commitment and motivation to strive for excellence in the BEd programme
• An aptitude for critical thinking and evaluation of ideas
• A strong technical and musical foundation on the instrument/voice
• An aptitude for self-directed learning and reflective practice
• The ability to communicate ideas musically, verbally and in writing
• An aptitude for creative thinking and problem-solving

We understand that auditions are a significant milestone on every applicant’s journey towards a career as a professional instrumental/vocal teacher or musician-educator. The guidance below will help you prepare to the best of your abilities and make you aware of what will happen at your audition.

Audition

1. Performance
   • Your audition will be recorded and will be reviewed by the appropriate faculty members from the RCM.
   • You should prepare a programme between 10 to 12 minutes and show a variety of styles, periods and characters. You do not need to submit your audition programme in advance. The audition panel reserves the right to hear only part of the programme overall.
   • Singers should prepare three contrasting pieces in at least three of the following languages: English, Italian, French, and German. One piece must be an operatic or oratorio aria (with recitative if possible). Pieces selected from popular music repertoire would not be considered for the purposes of this audition.
   • Non-pianists are advised to bring along their accompanists if their chosen pieces require accompaniment. A list of NAFA's Official Accompanists would be made available to applicants along with their audition details. There will be a fee payable directly to the Accompanist.
   • All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition.
   • You cannot bring a page-turner, your teacher or a translator into your audition. The only people in your audition room will be you, your accompanist and the audition panel. As our programmes are taught in English we expect you to be able to communicate in English at your audition.
   • As our programmes are taught in English, all applicants will be expected to communicate in English at the audition.
   • Quick Study test will be required of all applicants.
2. Interview
   1. Personal Statement
      At least two weeks before your audition, you are required to upload a personal statement (250-300 words) on the following questions:
      • Why are you applying for the BEd programme?
      • What skills do you possess that make you suitable for the rigorous demands of the programme?
   2. Interview
      You are expected to discuss why you want to study instrumental/vocal teaching during the interview and share any relevant experience.
      
      Typical questions you may be asked during your interview include:
      • Why do you want to study at NAFA?
      • What are your musical interests?
      • What do you think you need to do most to improve your performance?
      • What is your teaching philosophy?

Live auditions in Singapore
Live auditions in Singapore are usually held in the months of December, February and April.

Audition Date
4 to 8 December 2023
26 to 29 February 2024
22 to 25 April 2024

Live auditions in China

Audition Date
11 – 12 Nov 2023
12 – 13 Mar 2024

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Guidelines for Video Recording:

• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Do not edit the audio/video of your recording.
• The camera should be stationary for the performance of each work.
• The video should show the performer in full body if possible.
• The video should be recorded no more than six months prior to the scheduled audition.
• The video recording files should be named with the title of the pieces.

A relevant diploma in Music or Music Teaching from NAFA or for students from other musical institutions, full transcript(s) from current university or college to demonstrate successful progression through a course of study, equivalent to 2 years of undergraduate musical training.

Applicants who do not meet these programme entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases.

The programme team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

• Related academic or work experience
• The quality of the personal statement
• A strong academic or other professional references
• A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit, though we cannot guarantee an offer in each case. In such cases, approval by the Royal College of Music will be required prior to final acceptance into the programme.

An English Language proficiency* of at least:

Entry Into	IELTS	TOEFL - iBT	PTE ACADEMIC	DUOLINGO
BA (Honours)	5.5	71	42	95

Other qualifications equivalent to any of the above.

*Waived for NAFA applicants who have successfully completed NAFA’s Diploma in Music or Diploma in Music Teaching. Non-NAFA applicants who have successfully completed a recognised and approved Diploma qualification or higher, where the language of instruction was English, may be given a waiver on a case-by-case basis.

 

Through an audition that consists of – (A) Performance and Interview (for Instrumentalists/Singers), or (B) Portfolio Submission and Interview (for Composers), we look for:

• A passion for music and performance/composition
• A commitment and motivation to strive for excellence in the BMus programme
• A demonstrable security in technical and musical skills on the instrument/voice, or in composition
• An aptitude for critical thinking and evaluation of ideas
• An aptitude for self-directed learning and evaluation of work
• The ability to communicate ideas musically, verbally and in writing
• An aptitude for creative thinking and problem-solving

We understand that auditions are a significant milestone on every applicant’s journey towards a career as a conservatoire musician. The guidance below will help you prepare to the best of your abilities and make you aware of what will happen at your audition.

Audition

(A) Performance and Interview (Instrumentalist/Singers); OR

• Your audition will be recorded and may be reviewed by the appropriate Head of Faculty from the RCM.
• You should prepare a programme of at least 15 minutes and show a variety of styles, periods and characters. You do not need to submit your audition programme in advance. The audition panel reserves the right to hear only two pieces overall.
• Pianists should prepare from memory a programme of at least three works of their own choice. This should last at least 15 minutes and show a variety of style, period and character.
• Singers should prepare three contrasting pieces in at least three of the following languages: English, Italian, French, and German. One-piece must be an operatic or oratorio aria (with recitative if possible). Pieces selected from popular music repertoire would not be considered for the purposes of this audition.
• Non-pianists are advised to bring along their accompanists if their chosen pieces require accompaniment. A list of NAFA's Official Accompanists would be made available to applicants along with their audition details. There will be a fee payable directly to the Accompanist.
• All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition.
• You cannot bring a page-turner, your teacher or a translator into your audition. The only people in your audition room will be you, your accompanist and the audition panel. As our courses are taught in English we expect you to be able to communicate in English at your audition.
• Technical work (scales, arpeggios etc) may be required of some instrumentalists.
• Quick Study test will be required of all performers.
• As our programmes are taught in English, all applicants will be expected to communicate in English at the audition.
• Typical questions you may be asked during your interview include:
  • Why do you want to study at NAFA?
  • What are your musical interests?
  • What do you think you need to do most to improve your performance?

(B) Portfolio Submission and Interview (Composers)

• Composers should submit a portfolio of at least two, but not more than five, contrasting examples of your compositions. You are required to submit your portfolio to the Students Admissions Office at least 4 weeks in advance of your scheduled audition.
• Written scores may be submitted as PDF files. Do not send Sibelius files unless they are accompanied by PDF files of the same material. Recordings should be in a file format that can be read in VLC or Windows Media Player.
• Individual works should be clearly indexed on the accompanying documentation. All recordings should be clearly labelled with your name and the title of the piece.
• On the day of the audition, you may submit your work as written scores, recordings or a combination of the two. Please ensure that written music is clear and legible with full information of instrumentation, scoring and performance details.
• We are looking for evidence of both a talent for composition and the ability to realise effectively, or to start to realise, your ideas in a variety of forms and media.
• The interview will include a series of simple aural tests.
• As our programmes are taught in English, all applicants will be expected to communicate in English at the audition.
• Typical questions you may be asked during your interview include:
  • Why do you want to study at NAFA?
  • What are your musical interests?
  • What do you think you need to do most to improve your writing?

Live auditions in Singapore
Live auditions in Singapore are usually held in the months of December, February and April.

Audition Date
4 to 8 December 2023
26 to 29 February 2024
22 to 25 April 2024

Live auditions in China

Audition Date
11 – 12 Nov 2023
12 – 13 Mar 2024

Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.

Guidelines for Video Recording:

• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Do not edit the audio/video of your recording.
• The camera should be stationary for the performance of each work.
• The video should show the performer in full body if possible.
• The video should be recorded no more than six months prior to the scheduled audition.
• The video recording files should be named with the title of the pieces.

A relevant diploma in Music or Music Teaching from NAFA or for students from other musical institutions, full transcript(s) from current university or college to demonstrate successful progression through a course of study, equivalent to 2 years of undergraduate musical training.

Applicants who do not meet these programme entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases.

The programme team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

• Related academic or work experience
• The quality of the personal statement
• A strong academic or other professional references
• A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit though we cannot guarantee an offer in each case. In such cases, approval by the Royal College of Music will be required prior to final acceptance into the programme.

An English Language proficiency* of at least:

Entry Into	IELTS	TOEFL - iBT	PTE ACADEMIC	DUOLINGO
BA (Honours)	5.5	71	42	95

Other qualifications equivalent to any of the above.

*Waived for NAFA applicants who have successfully completed NAFA’s Diploma in Music or Diploma in Music Teaching. Non-NAFA applicants who have successfully completed a recognised and approved Diploma qualification or higher, where the language of instruction was English, may be given a waiver on a case-by-case basis.