Foundation Admissions

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’- 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

Note:

O-Level grades of E8 and F9 do 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.

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

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

Admission Test/Audition Dates for AY2023 Intake

Dates	Programme
10 January 2023	Faculty of Art & Design
9 – 13 January 2023	Music, Dance, Theatre Programme

For Dance, Music and Theatre auditions, the audition date or further instructions will be sent to you after you have applied and verified your documents with us.

For courses under Faculty of Art & Design

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)

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 through https://pss.nafa.edu.sg/

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 are 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 3 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 a CD or from your own media device (e.g. phone, tablet, MP3 player with a 3.5mm audio output jack. 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

Applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may request for an online audition. For the Practical Assessment, applicants can choose to perform the two solos through the Internet or submit a current pre-recorded performance. Both options will be followed by an online interview.

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. If necessary, please contact the Student Admissions Office for a list of accompanists. 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.

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 same material. 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

HOW TO APPLY

Enrolment commences from 15 to 30 December 2022 and may close earlier if the maximum course capacity is reached.

Apply online from 15 to 30 December 2022.

Keep the Application Acknowledgement for your reference and submit all necessary documents as listed below to the Student Admissions Office, NAFA Campus 1, for verification within five working days from the date of your online application:

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.

You will receive a test advisory on the details of the admission test or audition from the Student Admissions Office upon verification of the submitted documents and payment of the Application Fee. If your intended Diploma pathway is Arts Management, please submit a 500-word personal statement and a testimonial through https://pss.nafa.edu.sg/

You will need to attend the admission test or audition at NAFA with the required materials as indicated on the test advisory. Applicants with English Language score 4 or 5 will be required to attend an interview at a later date.

You will receive the outcome of your application via email within 4-6 weeks following your admission test or audition.

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 courses 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 course 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 course, and they will progress onto the first year of the course 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 course. 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

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 course of study.

Do you accept portfolio submissions?

No, applicants are to attend an admission test or audition depending on the selected course 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 course after completing the NFP?

Students who have successfully completed the NFP may request to change courses 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 course 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/