Bachelor of Music (Honours)

course overview

Introduction

This is a two-year course for diploma graduates offered in collaboration with the Royal College of Music. Final-year students have the opportunity to attend their international placement for 7 weeks at the Royal College of Music in London (for Western Instruments) or 10 weeks at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing (for Chinese Instruments). Students will not only attend lessons, but will also be offered opportunities to perform in public events.

The Bachelor of Music (Hons) course is relevant to Singaporeans who wish to work in the developing music industry, either as performers or teachers. It is also relevant to individuals who are interested in pursuing further studies. The course will provide you with the opportunity to study and perform within a multicultural environment.

Learning Outcomes

  • Sharpen your individual skills and deepen specialist interests, establishing yourself in the profession
  • Develop close links with the music profession in its widest sense
  • Gain a sense of individual and collective responsibility
  • Respond flexibly to changing professional expectations and demands within broader musical, cultural, interdisciplinary and economic perspectives

Course Modules

Code Title Semester Credits
MU3644 Aural 1 & 2 10

This module reviews and develops aural perception. You are trained to recognise complex intervals, rhythms, motives, textures and chord progressions in music from a range of styles.
MU4511 Related Study (Level 5) 1 & 2 10

Module Synopsis Related Study is available as an option to students who meet the prerequisite. Students establish a firm technical and musical foundation in an instrument related to their principal study through the requisite study of scales, arpeggios, and selected repertoire.
MU4512 Second Study (Level 5) 1 & 2 20

Second Study is available as an option to students who meet the prerequisite, as is study of a related instrument. Students develop their technical and musical skills in a second study area, and guided towards their final presentation.
MU4516 Principal Study (Level 6) 1 & 2 60

Students establish technical and musical skills through 30 hours of 1-to-1 lessons with principal study teacher.
MU4517 Principal Study (Level 6) 1 & 2 70

Students establish technical and musical skills through 35 hours of 1-to-1 lessons with principal study teacher.
MU4518 Principal Study (Level 6) 1 & 2 80

Students establish technical and musical skills through 45 hours of 1-to-1 lessons with principal study teacher.
MU4531 Classical CD Production 1 & 2 20

Master and demonstrate the process of producing a professional standard classical CD from several perspectives: a sound engineer, a produce or an editor.
MU4532 Composition (Level 5) 1 & 2 20

This module explores effective scoring techniques and discusses practical considerations of performance arrangements.
MU4533 Music Therapy 1 & 2 20

This module introduces music therapy and what being a music therapist entails. Learn about the realistic aspects of the field through audio-visual resources, guest lectures and field trips.
MU4534 Orchestration & Transcription 1 & 2 20

This module covers the understanding of the ranges, transpositions, capabilities and characteristics of orchestral instruments, in a range of examples from the Classical period through to present day.
MU4535 Historical Studies 1 & 2 20

Extend your knowledge of musical history through topics ranging a particular music genre or period, through study of selected works, composers, performers and artistic ideas.
MU4541 Accompaniment (Piano, Organ, Guitar, Yanqin) (Level 5) 1 & 2 20

Develop a range of technical and musical skills for communicating through performance as an accompanist. Skills taught include sight-reading, knowledge of pronunciation, and meaning of texts and improvisation.
MU4542 Chamber Music (Level 5) 1 & 2 20

You get the opportunity to perform with other members of an ensemble to create a unified, well-blended and balanced performance.
MU4543 Conducting (Level 5) 1 & 2 20

This module offers an introduction to the art of conducting. Beginning with specific technique-based sessions, the module continues into a series of practical classes, extending your technical and intellectual facilities and covering a range of repertoire.
MU4546 Duo Performance (Level 5) 1 & 2 20

This module provides the opportunity to partner with an artist to deliver a duo recital.
MU4550 Interpretation of Songs (Level 5) 1 & 2 20

This module is designed to enable all singers to enhance their existing artistic and vocal gifts through participation in song classes, whether as performers or as active listeners. The module builds upon earlier provision encountered at Levels 4 and 5.
MU4611 Related Study (Level 6) 1 & 2 10

Related Study is available as an option to students who meet the prerequisite. Students establish a firm technical and musical foundation in an instrument related to their principal study through the requisite study of scales, arpeggios, and selected repertoire.
MU4612 Second Study (Level 6) 1 & 2 20

Second Study is available as an option to students who meet the prerequisite. Students develop their technical and musical skills in a second study area, and guided towards their final presentation.
MU4616 Principal Study Graduation Level 1 & 2 60

Students establish technical and musical skills through 30 hours of 1-to-1 lessons with principal study teacher.
MU4617 Principal Study Graduation Level 1 & 2 70

Students establish technical and musical skills through 35 hours of 1-to-1 lessons with principal study teacher.
MU4618 Principal Study Graduation Level 1 & 2 80

Students establish technical and musical skills through 45 hours of 1-to-1 lessons with principal study teacher.
MU4630 Schenkerian Analysis 1 & 2 20

Learn to build a critical awareness of musical structure using the analytical method developed by Heinrich Schenker. Apart from just thinking harmonically, you are also trained to think contrapuntally, enhancing your understanding of individual compositions.
MU4631 Creating Music & Sound Design for Theatre 1 & 2 20

This module provides the tools required for working as a composer/musical director/musician in theatre. It also establishes cooperative understanding in the provision of sound material for theatrical purposes.
MU4631 Composition (Level 6) 1 & 2 20

This module provides you with an opportunity for self-directed study on a composition of particular interest to you. The production and presentation of a substantial composition will help you foster a professional approach to the creative process.
MU4633 Music Therapy Techniques 1 & 2 20

In this experiential module, you will apply what you learned from the prerequisite module (Music Therapy) to better your understanding of music therapy training and practice, as applied to select client populations.
MU4634 Orchestration & Arrangement 1 & 2 20

In this module, you’ll recognise, and apply, a fuller range of resources in terms of arranging and instrumental technique to enable the effective and idiomatic transfer of musical material between instrumental media.
MU4635 Historical Studies 1 & 2 20

Extend your knowledge of musical history through topics ranging a particular music genre or period, through study of selected works, composers, performers and artistic ideas.
MU4636 Professional Skills (Instrumental & Vocal Teaching) 1 & 2 20

This module aims to explore various pedagogical strategies and further develop confidence in the student’s teaching experience.
MU4637 Repertoire Project 1 & 2 10

Conduct in-depth research into a musical work of your interest. By mapping a detailed history of a musical work, you gain an understanding in the researching of musical works in general.
MU4638 Research Project 1 & 2 30

Through an independent study on a topic of interest, you are able to benefit from consultations with an assigned supervisor with academic distinction in that discipline. The research process helps build your critical and analytical skills in academic writing, and fosters your understanding of professional scholarly practice.
MU4639 Professional Skills (Outreach) 1 & 2

This module builds on the work undertaken in education and experiences gained, and outreach projects you have been involved in to date. The learning of theoretical and practical skills within outreach will help develop creativity and flexibility in the generation of workshop content and structures.
MU4640 International Placement 1 & 2 10

This module provides the opportunity to study in a foreign environment, both as a musical and personal experience. You will participate fully in the life of the college (RCM) in accordance with your Learning Agreement set up by discussion with the Module Coordinator.
MU4640B International Placement (Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai) 1 & 2 10

This module provides the opportunity to study in a foreign environment, both as a musical and personal experience. You will participate fully in the life of the college (CCM) in accordance with your Learning Agreement set up by discussion with the Module Coordinator.
MU4641 Accompaniment (Piano, Organ, Guitar, Yangqin) (Level 6) 1 & 2 20

Building upon the previous module in Level 5, you advance your skills in a wider range of situations and repertoire.
MU4642 Chamber Music (Level 6) 1 & 2 20

You get the opportunity to perform with other members of an ensemble to create a unified, well-blended and balanced performance.
MU4643 Conducting (Level 6) 1 & 2 20

This module expands and refines the technical and intellectual capabilities in the art of conducting. Learn to read, question and prepare scores in greater depth.
MU4644 Aural in Professional Contexts 1 & 2 10

This is an advanced module in aural training, where you will be taught practical and written aural skills. Gain an understanding of transcription skills that extend into rhythmic, melodic and harmonic elements, as well as other expressive resources from a range of music styles.
MU4645 Contemporary Music 1 & 2 10

This module establishes opportunities to work with student composers. The collaborative conceptualisation of performance projects builds the confidence and skills needed as contemporary musicians and performers.
MU4646 Duo Performance (Level 6) 1 & 2 20

This module provides the opportunity to partner with an artist to deliver a duo recital.
MU4647 Historical Performance 1 & 2 10

Using original playing techniques, students get the opportunity to realise 'authentic' ensemble performance on historical instruments.
MU4648 Opera, Acting & Movement 1 & 2 30

The combination of separate work in Acting, Movement, Speech, Language and Coaching classes, as well as lessons from individual Principal Study and Repertoire relating to a particular role in an operatic scene, will culminate in a live performance in an Opera Scene.
MU4649 Song Class 1 & 2 20

A combination of separate work in Speech, Language and Coaching classes, and in individual Principal Study and Repertoire culminates in a solo public performance.
MU4650 Interpretation of Songs (Level 6) 1 & 2 20

This module is designed to enable all singers to enhance their existing artistic and vocal gifts through regular attendance and participation in Song Classes complemented by language coaching to consolidate and enhance interpretative, vocal and artistic skills. Language Class Coaching continues to provide the linguistic basis for any subsequent performance in a Song Class.

Entry Requirements

Top-up degree course in collaboration with Royal College of Music

Requirements

  1. A graduate of NAFA’s Diploma in Music or for students from other musical institutions, full transcript(s) from your current university or college to demonstrate successful progression through a course of study, equivalent to two years of undergraduate musical training
  2. Performance audition of 15-20 minutes
  3. An admission interview and assessment of a range of course work
  4. Applicants should be 19 years of age or above in the year of admission of the degree course
  5. Minimum entry requirement for English language proficiency is IELTS Academic Band 5.5 or equivalent

Fees

Course Fees

Course fees indicated here apply to top-up degree courses in the academic year of 2020, with studies commencing on 27 July 2020. All annual fees are based on 120 credits per year, for all top-up degree courses and are inclusive of 7% GST.

Subsidised Singapore Citizen (with Tuition Grant) S$10,170^ per annum
Singapore Permanent Resident (with Tuition Grant) S$14,250^ per annum
International Student (without Tuition Grant) S$32,100^ per annum

^ Fees are inclusive of board and lodging for the 7-week residential study visit.

For more information on financial assistance, please refer to the links below:

Additional Compulsory Fees (Non-refundable) All students
Fee Protection Scheme Insurance Fee # S$100 per year
Administrative Fee (including Student Card & Library Membership) # S$300 per course
Hospitalisation Insurance Fee ^# S$60 per year

^Compulsory unless the student chooses to opt-out, subject to NAFA’s Office of Student Care (OSC)’s evaluation on the medical insurance coverage
#Refundable only if international Student’s Pass application is rejected by ICA

Fees payable during application Singapore Citizens & Singapore Permanent Residents International Students
Application Fee & Admission Test/ Audition Fee for 1st choice S$70 S$100

Miscellaneous Fees refer to any additional fees, which are collected only when the need arises.

Purpose of Fee Amount (with GST, if any)
Late Payment Charge S$15 per month
Retake Module Fee Prevailing full course fees divided by total credits multiplied by the number of credits to be retaken
Reassessment Module Fee S$107 + Amount charged by Partner University
Deferred Assessment Fee

Prevailing amount charged by Partner University
Estimated Course Material Fees (payable to third party, refundable unless payment transferred to third party) S$1,000 - S$3,800 per year
Bank administrative charges for telegraphic transfer imposed by the beneficiary bank (payable to third party, non-refundable) S$30 - S$150 per transaction
Estimated Graduation Show Fee (for final year students, if applicable. Non- refundable) S$1,000 to S$3,000
Airfare (for optional educational trip or exchange programme, payable to third party. Refundable unless payment transferred to third party) S$200 to S$2,000
Individual Overseas Expenditures (for optional educational trip or exchange programme. Refundable unless payment transferred to third party) S$400 to S$3,000
Travel Insurance (payable to third party, refundable unless payment transferred to third party) S$60 to S$120

For more information on payment, please refer to the links below:

NAFA has put in place the Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) by way of insurance coverage to protect the fees of students paid to NAFA. The FPS covers the course fee and compulsory fees (e.g. Administrative Fee, Hospitalisation Insurance Fee and Fee Protection Insurance Fee) paid. Students will receive a copy of the certificate of insurance from our appointed FPS provider by way of email. The insured period will commence from the fee payment date or the date when the money is credited to NAFA’s Bank account (via Telegraphic Transfer). For more details on FPS and the Committee for Private Education, please visit www.ssg.gov.sg.

Bachelor of Music (Hons) course, funded by Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE), is exempted from the Fee Protection Scheme.

Fee Protection Scheme Certificate
Click here to view the certificate.

NAFA students taking full-time programs are covered by a medical insurance scheme that provides 24-hour annual coverage of up to S$20,000 per student for hospitalisation and medical treatments in government and restructured hospitals in Singapore and overseas (if student is involved in school-related activities), throughout the course duration.

Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or non-Student’s Pass international students who are protected by their own insurance coverage in Singapore can opt-out from the scheme arranged by the academy if the preceding condition holds. Student’s Pass holders are not allowed to opt-out of the insurance scheme. Students who wish to opt-out from the medical insurance scheme must submit copy of their medical insurance policy together with their Student Contract.

Please call the Office of Student Care and Internship at 6512 6142 or email [email protected] for enquiries regarding medical insurance claims or application to opt-out from the medical insurance scheme.

How to Apply


Application period for AY2020/2021 intake opens 2 January and ends 31 March 2020.

  1. Apply online from 2 January 2020.
  2. Print out the Application Acknowledgement and submit all necessary documents listed as below to the Student Admissions Office, NAFA Campus 1, for verification within five working days from the date of your online application:
    1. Certified true copies of academic certificates and transcripts (All Diploma transcripts and graduation certificate)
    2. For NAFA current Year 3 applicants, please provide all transcripts from Year 1 to Year 3 semester 1 and input your Year 3 semester 1 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the online application system
    3. English qualification (GCE ‘A’ level/GCE ‘O’ level/TOEFL/TOEFL iBT/IELTS Academic result)
    4. NRIC or valid Student’s Pass
    5. Passport
      6. After verification of documents, proceed to make payment pay of the Application Fee at the cashier counter in NAFA. If you choose to pay the Application Fee via online payment, you will be required to upload the above documents during application.
  3. Submit your necessary documents listed below within five working days from the date of your online application:
    1. Personal Statement
    2. Curriculum Vitae (for non-NAFA students)
    3. Recommendation letter/testimonial (for non-NAFA students)
  4. You will receive an email on the details of the audition from the Student Admissions Office upon verification of the submitted documents and payment of the Application Fee.
  5. You will receive a letter via post on the outcome of your application within 4-6 weeks following your audition.

 

Teaching Faculty

Potential Careers

Upon completion of this course, you may look forward to the following career options:

  • Accompanist
  • Administrator for Music School
  • Band Director
  • Choral Director
  • Composer / Arranger
  • Conductor
  • Music Producer / Presenter
  • Music Reviewer
  • Music Teacher
  • Music Workshop Facilitator
  • Orchestra Player
  • Performer

Programme

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Make an Enquiry

Tel: 6512 4071

Please write to us at:
[email protected]