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Course Overview Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Course Overview Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply

Design Your Future in the Arts

Propel your way to the top in the design industry, holding your head high as one of the best designers of your generation in Singapore and the region.

NAFA’s three-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Practice, which is validated by the world-renowned University of the Arts London (UAL), offers you the chance to master technical competencies in design domains, examine key trends in the larger context of global affairs, and broaden your perspective on design. In the process, you will develop a robust set of transferable skills that will help you confidently navigate the design landscape of today.

Like all our programmes, this degree course is practice-led and industry-based, focusing on interdisciplinary research studios, internships, attachments and live client projects. It also includes a seven-week overseas placement at UAL.

Please watch this webinar to learn more about the BA (Hons) Design Practice course from our faculty and students.

Please click here to view the English course brochure and the Chinese course brochure.


Obtain Specialisation in a Design Domain

Acquire key knowledge, skills and professional attributes in one of four design domains: 3-Dimensional, communication, fashion, and spatial domain.

Engage in Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Learning

Explore interdisciplinary projects through classes in Design Insights, Design Futures, and Business Studies—which will deepen your learning to see design as a synergetic fusion of different perspectives. You will showcase all you have learnt in the final semester as part of a student-led transdisciplinary project.

Enjoy the Benefits of an Industry-led Curriculum

Gain valuable insights and knowledge of professional practice through internships, overseas immersions and live client projects, deepening and aligning your skill sets through industry application.

Course Modules

Code Title Semester Credits
DP1411

Drawing and Making A

The unit introduces students to the fundamental design principles, techniques, and key skills in your chosen design domain. You will develop knowledge and skills across different mediums, acquire critical thinking and learn through discovery, material exploration, and processes to support ideas development within art and design.
1 20
DP1412

Design Studio 1A

This unit introduces you to a multidisciplinary study of Design Theory and History, Design Thinking and Design Aesthetics.

It comprises of various critical content to boost your current understanding of key methods and principles of design. You will also gain insights to Southeast Asian arts and design content and contexts conducted through masterclasses.
1 40
DP1421

Drawing and Making B

This unit builds on the foundation from unit 1 and will further orientate you to the practices and knowledge within your chosen domain. You will continue to deepen and hone your technical knowledge, while learning the cross-application of specialised processes and methods.
2 20
DP1422

Design Studio 1B

This unit continues to apply studio practice in a multidisciplinary environment. You will further explore practical and theoretical knowledge of design practice with focus on other design approach and processes. The projects will further strengthen your research skills in design development and professional practice.
2 40
DP2511

Design Insights

This unit offers the opportunity to develop long-range strategic thinking towards designing for a sustainable future. Design Insights will deepen your awareness and critical understanding of ethical issues and sensitivities with critical and cultural matters of difference.
1 20
DP2512

Design Studio 2A

Design Studio 2A will engage you in a multidisciplinary environment, developing skills that transcend normative design domains. Your practice as a designer will include experience and service design, with knowledge of tools in human-centred approaches, enabling your creative development of holistic user experiences.
1 40
DP2521

International Placement

This unit will see you spending 7-weeks in the creative capital of London, UK. You will benefit from being immersed in a rich and lively cultural capital with opportunities to experience art and design from fresh perspectives.
2 20
DP2522

Design Futures

Leveraging on your learning from Design Futures and Insights A, Design Futures and Insights B will continue to stimulate you to envision multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary futures scenarios strategically driven by forces likely to shape change in broader design and business operating contexts.
2 20
DP2523

Design Studio 2B

Design Studio 2B is conducted in a studio-based learning environment to develop practical work to cultivate creative knowledge and attitudes.
2 20
DP3611

Live Client Project/ Internship

This unit will provide opportunities to experience the working climate, pace, atmosphere, and professional disciplines of working within your subject area or related area. You will also broaden your practical experiences in the various roles, functions, and operations in the industry.
1 40
DP3612

Design Studio 3: Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Practice

Initiating the student-led project (Graduating Project), this unit aims to expose you to an intensive month-long workshop engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration to critically research, plan and formulate a design proposal for informed alternatives for the future in various emergent Southeast Asian contexts. At the end of the unit, you will pitch your ideas to industry stakeholders.
1 20
DP3621

Student-Led Project

The Student-led Project (Graduating project) will kick off from the design proposal developed in Design Studio 3.

In discussion with your supervisor, you will decide on either collaborating with your fellow students from different practices to work towards a shared project outcome, or to work individually on a student-led project (or a combination of both). Culminating in a substantial body of creative work presented to a professional and the project partner, it will be showcased as part of your Graduation show at the end of the semester.
2 60
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entry requirements

Find out about the entry requirements that apply to you.

  1. Portfolio and Statement of Intent

    All applicants are to demonstrate their potential through the submission of the following:

    1. A Portfolio which consists of 10-15 pieces of the applicant’s best works. These works should demonstrate creativity, passion, and curiosity and are a reflection of the applicant’s view of the world.
    2. A Statement of Intent (250 - 300 words) which communicate the applicant’s purpose in pursing a Design Practice degree course.

  2. Group Interview

    All applicants are to attend a group interview session where they are expected to communicate their motivations in applying for the BA (Hons) Design Practice course, and share their views on specific topics given.

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

Entry into the first year (any one of the following):

  • Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level: Minimum 2 A-Level/ H2 subjects with a pass in General Paper

  • Polytechnic Diploma (Singapore)

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

  • Equivalent of Year 12 qualification

Direct entry into the second year:
  • A relevant Diploma from NAFA, local Polytechnics, Lasalle College of the Arts, or other recognised institutions.
    *Diploma transcript must indicate passing grades in equivalent modules in NAFA’s Diploma

Students in their final year will be able to use their mid-year examination results to apply for Bachelor’s degree courses at NAFA. Applicants will be given conditional offer if they are successful in their portfolio interview/audition selection. Applicants are still required to submit their final examination results and meet the admission requirements of the respective courses. Any applicant who does not meet the admission requirements will have his/her conditional offer revoked.
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
  • 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 course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases.

The course 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, but 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.

GCE A-Level or Polytechnic/IB/NAFA/LASALLE students in their final year will be able to use their mid-year examination results to apply for UAL degree courses at NAFA.

Eligible international students in their final year will be able to use their mid-year examination results to apply for UAL degree courses at NAFA.

Applicants will be given conditional offer if they are successful in their portfolio interview/audition selection. Applicants are still required to submit their GCE A-Level/year-end examination results and meet the admission requirements of the respective courses. Any applicant who does not meet the admission requirements will have his/her conditional offer revoked.

At NAFA, we are committed to providing full and equal educational opportunities to all students. The Academy firmly believes that every individual deserves a supportive learning environment. Applicants are invited to inform us in advance of any specific needs, and/or type of physical facilities or support you might require. Please include this information in your application form, supplemented with the relevant medical reports. This will allow us to plan the appropriate learning support for you. 


How to Apply

Get started on your quest to become an art & design professional today! 

Apply online
Apply online here from 3 January 2023.

Print out the Application Acknowledgement for your reference and submit copies* of the following documents

Print out the Application Acknowledgement for your reference and submit copies* of the following documents to the Student Admissions Office, NAFA Campus 1, for verification within five working days from the date of your online application.
*You will need to bring the original NRIC/Passport and academic documents for authenticity check during submission.

  1. NRIC for Singapore Citizens (SC) or Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR), passport and valid Student’s Pass card (if applicable) for international students
  2. English qualifications (e.g. IELTS/TOEFL iBT), if applicable
  3. Certified true copies of academic certificates and transcripts:
    • For NAFA Diploma students
      • If you are currently in your final semester, please submit your Year 3 Semester 1 academic transcript
    • For Local Polytechnic Diploma students
      • If you are currently in your final semester, please submit your academic transcripts of your first 5 semesters. Subsequently, please submit your Diploma certificate and full academic transcript (all semesters) within 5 working days from the official release date
    • For other international qualifications
      • Please submit your most recent school examination or preliminary examination results, which must be certified by your school if you have not received your final results. Subsequently, please submit your final results and certificate within 5 working days from the official release date

Make payment of the Application Fee at the cashier counter in NAFA or online

Make payment of the Application Fee at the cashier counter in NAFA or online at https://payment.nafa.edu.sg/Students. Applicants who are paying online will be required to upload the above documents during application.

Upload portfolio

Upload your portfolio at https://pss.nafa.edu.sg/

Receive an email

You will receive an email from the Student Admissions Office on the details of your portfolio interview upon receipt of all required documents and portfolio.

Receive a letter by post/email

Receive a letter by post/email on the outcome of your application within 4 – 6 weeks after your Interview or Audition.