NFP Info Day

20 December 2023, 2:30 pm - 4:45 pm
NAFA Campus 1, Level 4, Creative Media Studio, 80 Bencoolen St, Singapore 189655

Come on down and talk to our faculty to learn more about the NAFA Foundation Programme (NFP) and how you can get into the programme.

Check out this page at the end of November to find out more details. See you there!

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

NAFA FOUNDATION PROGRAMME

Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) Students who have sat for GCE O-Level Exams in a few subjects

The NFP is also available to Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who have sat for GCE O-Level subjects. These students are allowed to combine their N-Level and O-Level examination results to compute their eligibility. If a student takes the same subject at both their N-Level and O-Level, only the better grade will be computed into his or her aggregate.

The following GCE O-Level Grade conversion matrix will be adopted during the computation of aggregates.

O-Level Grade	Aggregate Point for NFP
A1 - B3	1
B4 - C6	2
D7	3
E8	4

Note:

O-Level grade of F9 does not count towards your ELMAB3 aggregate score. If you have taken the same subject at both the N-Level and O-Level examinations, the better grade will be used to compute your ELMAB3 aggregate score to determine eligibility.

Successful applicants will be given a conditional offer of admission to the diploma programmes. Upon the successful completion of the NFP, students will be offered a place in their chosen diploma programme.

Admission Test or Portfolio Submission and Audition Dates for AY2024 Intake

Admission Test Date
11 January 2024

Submit Portfolio and All Required Application Documents from
20 December 2023 to 8 January 2024

Dance Audition Date
9 January 2024

Music and Theatre Audition Date
12 January 2024

For programmes under Faculty of Art & Design

Applicants may select either (A) Portfolio Submission or (B) Admission Test

(A) Portfolio Submission
You are to submit 10-15 images of recent art or design work, which should include a range of finished artwork as well as development work in preparing the finished artwork (sketches, mood boards, etc). Portfolios are assessed with the aim of identifying your creative and technical potential to undertake a programme in art and design.

You are required to submit your portfolio here.

(Allowed file types: .pdf,.jpg,.jpeg,.png,.gif,.tif,.tiff,.bmp. Maximum image file size: 5 MB)
(Allowed video file types: .mpeg,.mp4,.mov,.m4v,.avi,.wmv,.flv,.asf,.mpg,.mp3. Maximum image file size: 200 MB)

The work submitted should preferably be not more than two years old. It may be the result of assigned class projects or independent exploration. It is recommended that the selected examples of work reflect your interests, experience and competencies in art and design.

While compiling the contents of the portfolio, you may concentrate on a single medium or show work in a breadth of media. The portfolio may include, but is not limited to the following: drawing, prints, photography, painting, film, video, animation, sculpture, ceramics, digital work, etc.

You are also expected to write a statement of intent of about 100 words, stating your reasons for pursuing a programme of study in art and design. Please include your goals, interests, and aspirations for the future.

(B) Admission Test Advisory

The duration of the admission test is 2 hours 15 minutes.

Part 1: Drawing from Observation (90 minutes) Part 2: Written Ability (45 minutes)

Please bring along these materials for the Admission Test:

Any type of drawing/colouring materials, e.g. 2B pencils, colour pencils, water colour, poster colour, markers, etc.
Blue/black pens, pencils and eraser
Set Square
Drawing Board (Optional)

For Diploma in Arts Management

Personal Statement and Testimonial
You are required to submit a 500-word personal statement and a testimonial to email: [email protected].

Personal Statement
Your personal statement should articulate your interest for the arts and future career goals. Through your personal statement, you will be evaluated based on your:

Past experiences in artistic practice, arts management and/or attending arts events
Aspiration to work in the arts and cultural industries
Written communication skills

Testimonial
The testimonial should be written by an official (e.g. teacher, principal, advisor, etc.) of an educational institution you have attended. Through the testimonial, you will be evaluated based on your:

Personality traits
Participation in co-curricular activities
Leadership ability or potential
(Allowed document file type: .pdf. Maximum document file size: 10 MB)

For Diploma in Dance

Audition
You will receive a confirmation email containing the audition details nearer to your assigned audition date.

You will be required to attend an audition.

The audition consists of two sections - Practical Assessment and Interview.
You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register, warm up and change into appropriate attire for dancing. You must bring your own attire.
The audition may take up to 2 hours.

Practical Assessment
You are expected to prepare and perform two contrasting solos of any dance genre/style (e.g. Ballet and Cultural Dance; Chinese classical dance and Chinese folk dance).

Each dance should not exceed 90 seconds. The solo dance can be choreographed by yourself or by someone else (e.g. your dance teacher).
You are required to bring your own music which can played from your own media device (e.g. phone, tablet, or other audio device).
A costume (e.g. tutu for female ballet classical solo) may be worn.
Through your performance, assessors will evaluate your:
- Technique - coordination, control and alignment
- Artistry - spatial awareness, musicality, dynamic range and performance quality
- Fitness - strength, control, flexibility, coordination, speed, stamina and stretch

Interview
You are expected to discuss why you want to study dance during the interview. You will be evaluated based on your:

Existing knowledge of and experience in dance performance
Dance-related interests and career aspirations
Dance proclivity and learning attitude
Any medical or health concerns

Applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may request for an online audition. Both options will be followed by an online interview with the applicant alone and without the assistance of any other person.

Guidelines for the pre-recorded solos are as follows:

You cannot perform/ dance with any make up in the audition videos, although you can tie your hair according to what's necessary.
You have to come to the front of the camera (where your face can be seen clearly) and do a brief introduction of yourself. You will then proceed to move into the space and start dancing your solos after the introduction. * Please note that the video has to be shot in one take and not being edited in any way. Otherwise, the audition videos will not be considered.
This applies to both male and female applicants.
The photo that you send in should be the one that resembles how you look like now.
For the online interview, no interpreter should be around, or the interview could be disqualified.

For Diploma in Theatre

You are required to attend an audition. The audition consists of three sections — Workshop, Audition Monologue and Interview.

You will be given three audition monologues at least one week prior to the audition and you will need to choose one. You are expected to memorise or be very prepared with your chosen piece
You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register
The audition may take up to three hours
Wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement

Workshop
You are expected to participate enthusiastically in the improvisation exercises and theatre games during the workshop. Through your participation in the workshop, you will be evaluated based on your:

Openness to improvisation and willingness to work with others
Vocal response in an improvisation – projection, range, tone and clarity
Physical response in an improvisation – expressiveness, spontaneity and range

Audition Monologue
During the audition, you will be asked to perform one of the three pieces of dramatic texts. You are expected to arrive with your chosen monologue memorised. Through your performance of the monologue, assessors will evaluate your:

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

Interview
You are expected to discuss why you want to study theatre during the interview. You will be reviewed based on your:

Existing knowledge of and experience in theatre and/or performance
Personality traits
Innovation and creativity

For Diploma in Music

Audition
You are required to attend an entrance audition of approximately 15 minutes on your intended principal study. Non-pianists are advised to bring along their own accompanist for the audition. Please refer to the list of official accompanists if necessary. The accompanist fee is S$100, for a 45-minute rehearsal and the audition. Applicants are required to make arrangements with the accompanists directly for practice sessions and payment. All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition.

The audition consists of the following:

Performance of two contrasting works of your choice. Pieces selected from popular music repertoire would not be considered for the
purposes of this audition.
Sight-reading
Aural awareness
Music theory*
Short interview with the audition panel about your musical experiences, interests and your ambitions for future studies and career

*The music theory paper (approximately 60 minutes) will test applicants in various areas at a level similar to ABRSM Grade V.

Applicants who present documentary evidence of ABRSM Grade V Music Theory or its equivalent will be exempted from the test. Further information about the requirements of ABRSM Grade V Theory can be found at www.abrsm.org

Composition Portfolio Interview
Composers should submit a portfolio of at least two, but not more than five, contrasting examples of your compositions. Do submit your portfolio one week in advance of your scheduled audition. You may submit your work as written scores, recordings or a combination of the two.

Please ensure that your written music is clear and legible, and that you include full details, where necessary, of instrumentation, scoring, and performance details. Do not send Sibelius files unless they are accompanied by PDF files of the samematerial. Recordings should either be on a CD or DVD, or in a file format that can be read in VLC or Windows Media Player.

Individual works should be clearly indexed on both the CD and accompanying documentation. All recordings should be clearly labelled with your name and the title of the piece on both the CD and its cover. Portfolios will be returned to you immediately at the end of the audition or mailed back to you after the audition period upon request.

Online Audition
Though live auditions are preferred, applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may submit a video recording for their audition. If they pass the video screening round, an interview via Zoom or MS Teams with applicants will be arranged by the Student Admissions Office. Applicants will be tested on their sight-reading and aural awareness during the interview.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online

Apply online here from 18 December to 29 December 2023.

Keep the Application Acknowledgement for your reference and submit the required documents

Keep the Application Acknowledgement for your reference and submit the required documents for verification within five working days from the application date at:

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Campus 1 (Admissions counter at level 1)
80 Bencoolen Street
Singapore 189655

Operating Hours
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays

Alternatively, you can email a copy of the required documents to [email protected].

Required documents for verification:

Certified true copies of academic certificates and transcripts: Secondary 4 N(A) School Preliminary Examination (for applicants waiting for GCE O-Level results in Jan), GCE N(A) level, CCA record and GCE O-Level, if applicable.
NRIC for Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR), passport and valid Student’s Pass card (if applicable) for international students.
For Music applicants, relevant Music qualifications such as ABRSM or Trinity certificates and comment sheets, both Practical and Theory.
After verification of documents, proceed to make payment of the Application Fee at the cashier counter in NAFA.

Submit your portfolio, personal statement, attend audition or receive test advisory

For programmes under Faculty of Art & Design
Applicants may select either (A) Portfolio Submission or (B) Admission Test

For Diploma in Arts Management
You are required to submit a 500-word personal statement and a testimonial to email: [email protected].

For Diploma in Dance
For Diploma in Theatre
For Diploma in Music
You will receive a confirmation email containing the audition details nearer to your assigned audition date.

Applicants with English Language score 4 or 5 will be required to attend an interview at a later date.

Application outcome

Receive the outcome of your application via email within 4 – 6 weeks after your Portfolio Submission/Interview/Audition or Admission Test.

*Admission test is only applicable for programmes under Faculty of Art and Design.

Apply Now

FINANCIAL MATTERS

To find out about the refund policy for NAFA Foundation Programme, please click the links below:

Singaporeans who are pursuing the 35-week NAFA Foundation Programme may apply for the Diploma Foundation Programme (DFP) Bursary.

View more about this scheme

FAQ

What is the NAFA Foundation Programme (NFP) about?

The NAFA Foundation Programme (NFP) is a one-year practice-based programme which aims to prepare students who are interested in the arts to be able to successfully enrol in and complete their diploma programmes at NAFA. It covers a range of areas to equip students with broad skill sets, nurturing them in essential technical, artistic and literacy skills that will help them to make the most of their next level of studies.

The programme is targeted primarily at Normal (Academic) students who have completed Secondary 4 and have the creative inclinations and aspirations to become artists/designers/performers but have hitherto limited access or opportunity to develop their artistic potential.

Why join the NFP?

The NFP is a through-train pathway for students who have done well in the Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) examination to be admitted directly in an arts institution in lieu of GCE ‘O’ Levels. When students enroll in the NFP, they will be offered provisional places in their pre-selected diploma programme, and they will progress onto the first year of the programme upon successful completion of the programme.

Who can apply?

Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who attained an ELMAB3 (English Language, Mathematics, Best 3 other subjects) aggregate score of 15 points or better, excluding CCA Bonus Points, will be eligible to apply for the programme. Applicants who score 4 and above in English Language will be required to attend an interview. Eligibility to apply for NFP does not guarantee a place will be offered in the programme. Students with other educational qualifications equivalent to Secondary 4 N(A) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) Students who have sat for GCE ‘O’ Level Exams in a few subjects

The NFP is also available to Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who have sat for GCE O-Level subjects. These students are allowed to combine their N and O-Level examination results to compute their eligibility. If a student takes the same subject at both N and O-Levels, only the better grade will be computed into his or her aggregate.

The following GCE O-Level Grade conversion matrix will be adopted during the computation of aggregates.

O-Level Grade	Aggregate Point for NFP
A1 - B3	1
B4 - C6	2
D7	3
F9	4

In addition to meeting the educational qualification requirements, applicants must pass an admission test or audition, depending on their selected programme of study. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview.

Successful applicants will be given a conditional offer of admission to the diploma programmes. Upon the successful completion of the NFP, students will be offered a place in their chosen diploma programme.

What is the format of the admission test or audition?

Please click here for more information about the admission test or audition depending on the selected programme of study.

Do you accept portfolio submissions?

No, applicants are to attend an admission test or audition depending on the selected programme of study.

When can students apply, and when will they be notified of the outcome of the application?

The application period is typically between mid to end December upon release of Normal (Academic) level results in the same year.

Successful applicants will be notified within 4-6 weeks following the admission test/audition if they are given conditional offers to the programme. Their place in NFP will automatically be confirmed if they attain the cut-off point at the N-Level examination (note: applicants must submit their N-level results to NAFA within a week after the N-Level results are released for verification purposes).

When does the NFP commence?

The school term for the NFP typically commences in March and ends the following year in February.

How many students are accepted into the NFP?

We are accepting 50 students into the programme each year. As places are limited, applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible. We will stop accepting applications once all places in NFP are filled.

How do students learn in the NFP, and how are they assessed?

Students will be engaged in various modes of learning and activities, such as small group discussions, industry visits, field trips and online learning. Assessment will comprise of coursework assignments, projects, reports, presentations or quizzes.

What happens if students fail the assessment?

Students who fail a module will be required to submit additional work and to be re-assessed.

What happens to students who do not complete the NFP?

Students who fail or drop out of the NFP may apply to ITE’s programme or pursue the GCE ‘O’ level examinations.

Are students awarded any certification for the NFP?

A Certificate of Completion will be issued to students who have successfully completed the NFP.

Can students apply to change their pre-selected diploma programme after completing the NFP?

Students who have successfully completed the NFP may request to change programmes but these are subject to approval. They may be required to re-sit the admission test, audition or go through an interview as part of the review and selection process.

Are students able to use the Central Provident Fund (CPF) or apply for Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Scheme (TTFS) to cover their NFP programme fees?

No, CPF Education Scheme and Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee are not available for students enrolled in the NFP.

Are students able to sign up for any financial schemes?

Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents on the NFP will pay MOE-subsidised fees.

Eligible Singaporeans may also apply for the Diploma Foundation Programme (DFP) Bursary. Please click here for more details about the bursary.

For enquiries, please email Office of Student Care at [email protected] (Financial Aids & Awards Scheme).

I have enrolled with NAFA and I am now joining another institution. How can I withdraw from NAFA and will I be entitled to a refund?

You will have to submit a withdrawal letter to NAFA. Photocopies of documents submitted to NAFA during enrolment are not returnable.

As for the refund of fees, please refer to the refund policy.

NOTE:
The Application Fee and Administrative Fee are non-refundable.

Please note that after you have submitted the official withdrawal form, our Finance Office will arrange for the refund of your paid tuition fees if you are entitled to a refund. The refund will only be ready in a month's time from the date of withdrawal, as the Finance Office requires some time for processing.

How are disputes and grievances resolved at NAFA?

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 Affairs (for academic matters) or the Office of Student Care (for non-academic matters).

In the event that the student is not satisfied with the explanation or solution offered by the Office of Student Affairs or the Office of Student Care, the student may lodge an appeal to the President's Office.

In the event the student is still not satisfied with the explanation or recommendation offered by NAFA, the student may refer the matter to the Committee for Private Education. For more information, please call 6512 1140.

What is the Committee for Private Education?

The Committee for Private Education (CPE) was appointed by the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Board in October 2016 to carry out its functions and powers relating to private education under the Private Education Act. The CPE is supported by a team of dedicated staff from SSG to regulate the sector, provide student services, consumer education and facilitate capability development efforts to uplift standards in the local private education industry.

For more information, please contact:

Committee for Private Education
Tel: +65 6785 5785
Feedback Portal: https://service-portal.skillsfuture.gov.sg
Website: https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/