Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Practice

Overview Students' Work Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply

Duration: 3 Years
Mode: Full-time

Expand Your Creative Identity. Redefine Tomorrow’s Design Landscape.

Conferred by the University of the Arts Singapore^*, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Practice is designed for bold thinkers who are ready to shape the future through design. You will develop the creative, technical and critical skills to create purposeful solutions that respond to people, culture and the evolving needs of society.

Specialise in one of four design domains—3-Dimensional, Communication, Fashion or Spatial Design—while learning in a collaborative studio environment that combines disciplinary depth with cross-disciplinary exchange. Through studio-based practice, research and industry projects, you will learn to critically examine contemporary challenges, translate ideas into meaningful impact, and develop the adaptability to thrive in an evolving design landscape.

Gain global exposure through a five-week international placement in your second year or apply for a semester-long exchange at a partner university. Together with real-world industry collaborations, these experiences will broaden your global outlook, strengthen your professional and entrepreneurial capabilities, and prepare you to pursue diverse careers within and beyond the creative industries.

^*Students entering the programme in Year 1 will graduate with a degree awarded by the University of the Arts Singapore. Students granted direct entry into Year 2 will graduate with a degree awarded by the University of the Arts London.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Collaborate across design disciplines to exchange ideas, broaden perspectives and develop innovative solutions.

Research-Led Practice

Develop critical thinking, research and trend-analysis skills to address emerging challenges and anticipate future possibilities.

Human-Centred Design

Apply empathetic and service design principles to create meaningful experiences that respond to the needs of people and communities.

Industry Engagement

Gain real-world experience through industry collaborations, live client projects, case studies and studio visits that strengthen your learning.

More Information

UAS Common Curriculum

The UAS Common Curriculum supplements the core curriculum by equipping you with a broader set of proficiencies, empowering you to adapt to evolving professional and industry demands. These non-credit bearing graduation requirements include:

IN-depth Module – 36 hours
Career Skills Module – 10 hours
Industry-Based Learning Module – 10 weeks (approximately 400 hours)

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the degree programmes, students are required to attain a total of 360 credits. For students admitted via direct entry into second year, they are required to attain a total of 240 credits, which comprise 120 credits for second year and 120 credits for third year.

Mode of Instruction

Lessons may be delivered face-to-face on campus or facilitated online. Lecturers employ a variety of teaching strategies and methods according to the needs of each module. Students are expected to attend every lesson as scheduled, either in the form of lectures, tutorials, discussions, demonstrations, case studies, practical exercises/classes, seminars, workshops, rehearsals, productions, laboratory/studio-based practice, screenings, field activities or e-learning/web-based interactions, which vary depending on the programme.

Assessment Methods

Each module is assessed by either class participation, written assignments, coursework, practical activities, performances, portfolio, oral presentations, peer reviews, projects, examinations, or any of these combinations which vary depending on the programme. Assessment methods may vary according to individual module requirements.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Design Practice programme are well-equipped with the necessary skills and mindset to thrive across diverse domains within the dynamic and evolving design industry. These opportunities extend beyond traditional design roles, offering students the chance to venture into exciting areas such as:

Interdisciplinary Designer or Multidisciplinary Designer
Content Creator
Content Writer
Creative Entrepreneur
Creative Technologist
Design Educator
Design Facilitator
Design Futurist
Design Researcher
Design Strategist
Digital Designer
Innovation Consultant
Project Manager
Service/ CX/ UIUX Designer

Students' Work

Modules

Code	Title	Credits
NBDP1101	Design Studio 1A In this module, you will explore a wide range of mediums through conventional and contemporary approaches to artmaking in three key practices – 2D (painting, drawing, printmaking), 3D (ceramics, sculpture, installation) and 4D (photography, performance, video). You will be asked to develop a self-directed, independent, enquiry-led and exploratory practice.	40
NBDP1001	Digital Visualisation for Communication The module introduces you to drawing and making as fundamental tools for digital visualisation and communication in design practice. You will engage in hands-on exploration across both digital and physical mediums in developing an integrated understanding of design processes for storytelling and communication.	10
NBDP1002	Ethnographic Research within Creative Practices The module introduces you to the use of ethnographic research methods within art and design practices. You will explore how ethnographic approaches – such as fieldwork, observational studies, and participatory engagement – can enrich creative practices by offering insights into cultural contexts, communities, and social dynamics. The module emphasises critical reflexivity, ethics, and the diverse ways to collect data and conduct research. You will learn to engage with ethnography not just as a research tool, but as a creative and collaborative process in the development of their practice.	10

Code	Title	Credits
NBDP1201	Design Studio 1B This module continues to build on studio practice within a multidisciplinary environment. You will further develop practical and theoretical knowledge of design practice, with a focus on diverse design approach and processes. You will explore using different forms of media and technology to engage audiences, with support of storytelling methods to communicate the value of your design concept and viability to stakeholders. Projects will strengthen your research skills in design development and professional practice. This includes formulating a design brief, conducting research, and communicating your contextual design proposal, with issues and ideas consistent with our Southeast Asian context.	40
NBDP1003	Experiential Interactives This module encourages you to push creative experimentation, develop critical thinking skills, and develop prototype artefacts that demonstrate the integration of theory and practice. This module will further orientate you to the practices and knowledge of the design field. You will deepen your technical expertise, exploring how to apply specialised processes and methods across different design contexts.	10
NBDP1004	Storytelling for Business This module explores storytelling as a powerful tool for communication and persuasion in design. It guides you to use empathetic, visual, and iterative thinking to craft narratives that connect with audiences, drive engagement, express value clearly, and bridge the gap between design intent and business outcomes.	10

Code	Title	Credits
NBDP2101	Design Studio 2A This module introduces you to practices within a multidisciplinary design environment. In Design Studio 2A, you will continue to develop a design sensibility that transcends 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. You will enhance your design sensibilities alongside strong business acumen across cross-cultural contexts in a collaborative setting. This will take place through an unstructured scenario with problem issues situated within a selected organisation or social setting. This module continues to engage you in professional practice and the Southeast Asian context through masterclasses. If you wish to take on a second design domain to broaden your perspectives, you may do so on a case-by-case basis.	40
NBDP1005	Design Insights This module introduces you to design trends and long-range strategic thinking as essential tools for shaping a sustainable and regenerative future. You will explore the designer’s role as a change agent, developing critical awareness of ethical issues, cultural difference, and social responsibility in global contexts. Through case studies and discussions on sustainability, community regeneration, and collaborative practices, you will learn to envision interdisciplinary, future-oriented design scenarios that respond to global challenges and anticipate emerging forces of change. You will learn to: Analyse design trends and anticipate future challenges in ecological, economic, and social contexts. Apply critical thinking to cultural, ethical, and sustainability issues in design. Envision and propose innovative, interdisciplinary design strategies for a regenerative future. Develop collaborative and strategic approaches to community and environmental engagement.	10
NBDP1006	Creative Business Innovation This module guides you to critically examine business practices and envision transformative solutions. By employing design research methods and creative thinking, you will explore how to cultivate deeper engagement and strategically reimagine business practices to foster stronger engagement or revitalise business operations for future success.	10

Code

Title

Credits

NBDP2101

Design Studio 2A

This module introduces you to practices within a multidisciplinary design environment. In Design Studio 2A, you will continue to develop a design sensibility that transcends 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.

You will enhance your design sensibilities alongside strong business acumen across cross-cultural contexts in a collaborative setting. This will take place through an unstructured scenario with problem issues situated within a selected organisation or social setting.

This module continues to engage you in professional practice and the Southeast Asian context through masterclasses. If you wish to take on a second design domain to broaden your perspectives, you may do so on a case-by-case basis.

NBDP1005

Design Insights

This module introduces you to design trends and long-range strategic thinking as essential tools for shaping a sustainable and regenerative future. You will explore the designer’s role as a change agent, developing critical awareness of ethical issues, cultural difference, and social responsibility in global contexts.

Through case studies and discussions on sustainability, community regeneration, and collaborative practices, you will learn to envision interdisciplinary, future-oriented design scenarios that respond to global challenges and anticipate emerging forces of change.

You will learn to:

Analyse design trends and anticipate future challenges in ecological, economic, and social contexts.
Apply critical thinking to cultural, ethical, and sustainability issues in design.
Envision and propose innovative, interdisciplinary design strategies for a regenerative future.
Develop collaborative and strategic approaches to community and environmental engagement.

NBDP1006

Creative Business Innovation

This module guides you to critically examine business practices and envision transformative solutions. By employing design research methods and creative thinking, you will explore how to cultivate deeper engagement and strategically reimagine business practices to foster stronger engagement or revitalise business operations for future success.

Code	Title	Credits
NBDP2201	Design Studio 2B This module continues to engage you in a multidisciplinary design environment, further developing a design sensibility that transcends normative design domains. In Design Studio 2B, you will expand on your practice in experience and service design, deepening your understanding of tools and methods in human-centred approaches to support the creation of holistic, user-focused experiences. Building on the foundation of Design Studio 2A, this module will challenge you to integrate design practice with social, cultural, and business contexts—preparing you to navigate the evolving demands of the design industry and contribute meaningfully to Southeast Asian and global design communities.	20
NBDP2202	Design Futures Building on your learning from Design Insights, Design Futures will further stimulate you to envision multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary futures scenarios. You will explore how forces such as technological change, socio-cultural shifts, and global trends strategically shape the design and business landscapes. The module also engages with contexts such as ecological sustainability, economic viability, collaborative and environmental practices, services, lifestyle experiences, community regeneration, commerce, and consumerism.	20
NBDP2203	International Placement This module involves a 5-week immersion at an overseas university. You will be offered the opportunity to immersed in a rich and lively cultural city and gain new perspectives on art and design through cross-cultural learning experiences. Alternative learning activities will be offered to students who cannot attend the International Placement due to extenuating circumstances.	20

Code	Title	Credits
NBDP3101	Industry Projects This module offers a hands-on exploration of the design industry through an industry-based project. You will collaborate to address a real-world design challenge, applying creative problem-solving, explore diverse approaches, and develop innovative solutions. The project emphasizes teamwork, iterative design processes, and the development of a tangible design solution, fostering both industry awareness and practical skills for future professional practice.	40
NBDP3102	Student-led Project A Initiating the student-led project (Graduating Project), this module offers an intensive engagement in interdisciplinary collaboration to critically research, plan and formulate a design proposal for informed alternatives for the future. The focus will be on addressing emergent Southeast Asian contexts, such as technology, cultural and community lifestyles, food, health, transport, tourism and banking. In consultation with your supervisor, you will decide whether to collaborate with fellow students from different practices on a shared project outcome, work individually on a student-led project, or pursue a combination of both. Through this individual or group student-led project, you will further refine your collaborative, cooperative and collective models of practice that is commonplace in the industry. Depending on the specific nature of your project, you will also take the lead in seeking advice from various industrial experts to support your research and analysis. The knowledge and insights gained from this process will support the design conceptualisation and production stages in the subsequent module, Student-led Project B module.	20

Code	Title	Credits
NBDP3201	Student-led Project B The Student-led Project (Graduating project) builds upon the design proposal developed in Student-led Project A. In discussion with your supervisor, you will decide whether to collaborating with fellow students from different practices to work towards a shared project outcome, pursue an individual student-led project, or explore a combination of both. This module culminates in the production of a substantial body of creative work, which will be presented to a professional audience and project partners. Your work will be showcased as part of your Graduation show at the end of the semester.	60

entry requirements

Find out about the entry requirements that apply to you.

Portfolio and Interview Requirements

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. These works should be created solely by you (not copied from the internet, magazines or reproduced from another source) and not be generated by AI tools.
  
  (Allowed file types: .pdf,.jpg,.jpeg,.png,.gif,.tif,.tiff,.bmp. Maximum file size: 10 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.
  
  Guidelines on taking photographs of artworks:
  - A clean background with no visual clutter distracting the artwork should be used.
  - The artwork should be evenly lit and there should not be any shadows cast on the artworks
    
    You are required to upload your portfolio online and label each work as follows:
    1. Title of your work (if any)
    2. Medium used
    3. Month/year created
    4. Description
2. A Statement of Intent (250 - 300 words) which communicate the applicant’s purpose in pursuing a Design Practice degree programme.

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 programme, and share their views on specific topics given.

Educational Qualifications

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is either one of the following qualifications:

Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level: Minimum 2 A-Level/ H2 subjects and a pass in General Paper. If General Paper is not passed, an English proficiency qualification (e.g. IELTS Band 6.0 or equivalent) will be required.
Local Polytechnic Diploma
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
It is mandatory for all applicants to authorise the International Baccalaureate (IB) to release their IB transcripts to the 'Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts' (Institute Code 003693). Applicants can do so by informing their school’s IB coordinator. Please refer to the IB website for details.
ITE Work-Study Diploma (WSDip)
NUS High School Diploma
Equivalent of Year 12 qualification

Applicants with a relevant diploma from NAFA, LASALLE or a recognised institution may be considered for direct entry into the second year of the Bachelor programme subject to availability of places.

Conditional Offers for Degree Admission
You may use the latest results available to apply for the programme if you have not received your final examination results. You will be given conditional offers and are still required to submit the following results, as applicable:

GCE A-Level results with minimum 2 A-Level/ H2 subjects and a pass in General Paper. If General Paper is not passed, an English proficiency qualification (e.g. IELTS Band 6.0 or equivalent) will be required.
Polytechnic Diploma certificate and transcript
IB Diploma certificate and transcript
ITE Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) certificate and transcript
NUS High School Diploma certificate and transcript
Final result slip/Proof of completion of Year 12

If you fail to provide documentary evidence of having met the admission requirements, your conditional offer will be withdrawn.

Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (APEL)

Applicants who do not meet these programme entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases.

The programme 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.

English Language Proficiency

Entry to Year 1 (UAS):
An English Language proficiency* of at least^*:

IELTS Academic	TOEFL - iBT	PTE Academic	Duolingo English Test
6.0	80 or 4.0	50	105

^*Not applicable to applicants who have completed their NAFA diploma or diplomas/degrees from other institutions where English is the medium of instruction.

Applicants from countries where English is not the first language, or whose qualifications are obtained from institutions where English is not the medium of instruction, NAFA will consider the English Language proficiency attained through the above-mentioned English Language qualifications.

Entry to Year 2 (UAL):
All classes are taught in English. The minimum English Language proficiency requirement: 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.

How to Apply

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

We have simplified our application process so you can focus on showcasing your strengths.

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to do.

Shortlist your bachelor’s degree programme(s) – Choose up to two programmes* towards your interests and abilities

(*applicable for selected programmes)

Check if you have the required application documents - Here is the checklist for your quick reference

Apply online

Apply online here along with your application fees. Applications are open from October each year for the following year’s August intake.

Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable)

Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable).

	Singapore Citizens & Singapore Permanent Residents	International Students
Application fee	S$75.00	S$120.00

Application fee is inclusive of prevailing GST.

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

Send documents listed in the checklist to [email protected] for verification within five working days from the application date.

Upload portfolio

Upload your portfolio.

Receive an email and attend interview

You will receive a notification through the application portal on the details of your interview around 1 week before your interview, after you have submitted all required documents and portfolio.

For local (SIN/SPR) applicants applying for BA (Hons) Design Practice: Your application outcomes will be announced progressively from February to April.

Application outcome

You may expect to receive an outcome of your application through the application portal 4 weeks after your interview.

Apply Now

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Practice

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Design Practice

Expand Your Creative Identity. Redefine Tomorrow’s Design Landscape.

Students' Work

Modules

Year 1 Semester 1

Year 1 Semester 2

Year 2 Semester 1

Year 2 Semester 2

Year 3 Semester 1

Year 3 Semester 2

entry requirements

Portfolio and Interview Requirements

Educational Qualifications

Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (APEL)

English Language Proficiency

How to Apply