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Overview Students' Work Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Overview Students' Work Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Duration: 2 Years
Mode: Full-time

Deepen Your Skills and Specialised Interests

The Bachelor of Music (Honours) course was designed to give aspiring musicians a firm foothold in the industry, no matter the musical profession of choice. The course, offered in collaboration with the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, is a two-year top-up offered to diploma graduates.

International placements at either the RCM or the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing offer opportunities to gain global exposure. It is also a chance to learn from and collaborate with some of the world’s best musicians through projects and showcases.

Ultimately, studying and performing in a multicultural environment will deepen your understanding of the music industry, so you develop the versatility to navigate the changing landscape.

Please watch this webinar to learn more about the Bachelor of Music (Honours) from our faculty and students. 

 

At the end of this programme, students should be able to:
  • Refine individual skills and deepen specialist interests, establishing a strong professional presence.
  • Develop close links with the music industry in its widest sense.
  • Gain a sense of individual and collective responsibility.
  • Adapt effectively to evolving professional expectations and demands in the broader musical, cultural, interdisciplinary, and economic contexts.

Embark on Overseas Exchanges

In your final year, you can attend an international placement for seven weeks at the Royal College of Music in London (for Western Instruments) or ten weeks at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing (for Chinese Instruments). In addition to principal study lessons, you will also have the chance to perform in public events.

Learn from the World’s Best

Meet, greet and learn from the best in the industry through an abundance of masterclasses and artist residencies, including through the RCM Visiting Professor and NAFA Artist in Residence schemes.

Curate a Unique Learning Journey

One-on-one principal study lessons, performance classes, masterclasses and concerts ensure you can develop your composition and performance skills. Instrumentalists also have the chance to undertake a second study on a related instrument, and those skilled in two areas can consider joint principal studies.







More Information
RCM Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the degree programme, students are required to attain a total of 240 credits, of which at least 180 credits must be at Level 6 and above.

Mode of Instruction

The BMus programme provides advanced training in solo, chamber, and ensemble performance. Core to the programme are one-to-one lessons led by renowned musicians. Students can customise their studies to align with their unique interests and career aspirations through elective modules. Lessons are available in-person or online, featuring a variety of teaching methods. Students are expected to participate in all scheduled sessions, including one-to-one lessons (Principal, Second, and Related Study), masterclasses, workshops, orchestras, choirs, seminars, and various web-based interactions such as video conferences, webinars, and live-streamed recitals.

Assessment Methods

Modules are assessed through a variety of methods, including practical exams, written exams, projects, mock recitals, mock orchestra auditions, lecture-recitals, viva voce, concert performances, reviews, self-assessment, diaries, case studies, discussions, presentations, peer assessment, fieldwork, research projects, and portfolio submissions, or a combination thereof.

Career Pathways
  • Band Director
  • Choral Director
  • Collaborative Musician
  • Composer/Arranger
  • Conductor
  • Music Administrator
  • Music Entrepreneur
  • Music Event Organiser
  • Music Producer/Presenter
  • Music Teacher
  • Music Technology Specialist
  • Music Workshop Facilitator
  • Orchestra Player
  • Session Musician
  • Sound Designer

 

Students' Work

Modules

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entry requirements

Find out about the entry requirements that apply to you.

 

Through an audition that consists of – (A) Performance and Interview (for Instrumentalists/Vocalists), 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 the applicant prepare to the best of his or her abilities and make one aware of the audition process.

Mode of Audition
The audition will be conducted live with an audition panel.

Audition

  1. Performance and Interview (Instrumentalists/ Vocalists); OR

    1. The audition will be recorded and reviewed by the appropriate Head of Faculty from the RCM.

    2. Applicants are required to prepare a programme of at least 15 minutes and show a variety of styles, periods and characters. Applicants are not required to submit the audition programme in advance. The audition panel reserves the right to hear only two pieces overall.

    3. Pianists are to 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.

    4. Vocalists are to 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 (such as Pop songs) and works from musical theatre repertoire will not be considered for the purposes of this audition.

    5. Non-pianists are required to bring along their accompanists if their chosen pieces require accompaniment. A list of accompanists and their details are available to applicants after application and they are required to make arrangements with the accompanists directly for practice sessions and payment.

    6. All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition. Applicants are encouraged to provide a set of music scores of their pieces for the audition panel.

    7. Applicants are not allowed to bring a page-turner, a teacher or a translator to the audition. The only people in the audition room will be the applicant, the accompanist and the audition panel.

    8. Technical work (scales, arpeggios etc) may be required of some instrumentalists.

    9. Sight-reading test will be required of all performers.

    10. As our programmes are taught in English, all applicants will be expected to communicate in English at the audition.

    11. Typical questions asked during the interview may 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?

  2. Portfolio Submission and Interview (Composers only)

    1. Composers are required to submit a portfolio of at least two, but not more than five, contrasting examples of their compositions. They are to submit their portfolio to the Student Admissions Office at least 4 weeks in advance of the scheduled audition.

    2. The portfolio must include written scores. Recordings are optional.

      • PDF version of the written scores. Please ensure that written music is clear and legible with full information of instrumentation, scoring and performance details. Common composition software includes Sibelius, Finale, as well as other notation software in the market.

      • Recording of the works (accompanied by the PDF version of the written scores).

    3. We are looking for evidence of both a talent for composition and the ability to realise effectively, or to start to realise, ideas in a variety of forms and media.

    4. The interview will include a series of simple sight singing tests.

    5. As our programmes are taught in English, all applicants will be expected to communicate in English at the audition.

    6. Typical questions asked during the interview may 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 bimonthly.

Applicants will be notified of the exact date and time via email one week before the audition.

Audition Date
8 – 10 January 2025
3 – 7 March 2025
3 – 4 May 2025
*published dates are subject to changes

Live auditions in China

Applicants residing overseas who wish to attend the live auditions in China are to inform Student Admissions Office via email at least two weeks prior to the audition.

Audition Date
16 – 17 November 2024
8 – 15 March 2025


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.

 

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 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 IntoIELTSTOEFL - iBTPTE ACADEMICDUOLINGO
BA (Honours)5.5714295

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.

 


How to Apply

Take the leap! Begin the journey to becoming a world-class musician.

Apply online
Apply online here along with your application fees. Applications are open from October each year for the following year’s August intake.
Keep the Application Acknowledgement for your reference and submit the required documents
Send documents listed in the checklist to applications@nafa.edu.sg for verification within five working days from the application date.

Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable) online
Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable) online at https://payment.nafa.edu.sg/Students.

Singapore Citizens & Singapore Permanent ResidentsInternational Students
Application feeS$75.00S$105.00

Application fee is inclusive of prevailing GST.

Receive an email
You will receive an email from the Student Admissions Office on the details of your audition upon receipt of all required documents.
Application outcome
Receive the outcome of your application via email within 4 – 6 weeks after your Portfolio Submission/Interview/Audition or Admission Test.