Back To Main Menu
Overview Students' Work Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Overview Students' Work Modules Entry Requirements Fees How to Apply
Duration: 3 Years
Mode: Full-time

Nurturing Creative Educators

The Diploma in Art Teaching at NAFA cultivates students' proficiency in practical approaches and diverse viewpoints on teaching and learning strategies that align with national requirements for imparting creative abilities through art. This comprehensive course develops a deep understanding and proficiency in art and design, equipping students with high artistic and educational aspirations. NAFA offers enriching experiences such as field trips, gallery visits, networking opportunities, industry projects, artist presentations, lecture series, and collaborative projects. These activities aim to enhance students' confidence in their artistic interests and foster language development.

In addition to studio and theory modules, the programme introduces pedagogical theories, teaching strategies and educational philosophy and ensure effective classroom instruction. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experiences, creative exploration, and innovative insights, fostering technological proficiency and effective communication skills, thus equipping students with essential 21st-century competencies.

Graduates of the Diploma in Art Teaching will be well-prepared to pursue higher education and further refine their artistic practice through the Bachelor’s programme conferred by the world-renowned University of the Arts London. They will also also equipped to seek entry-level opportunities in the arts and education sectors.


Diverse and Flexible Studio Experiences

Exposure to a wide variety of media and flexible study options, enabling students to explore and master different artistic techniques.

Industry and Cultural Integration

Strong industry relationships, emphasizing professionalism and in-depth knowledge of the arts sector, combined with a focus on local and Southeast Asian cultural perspectives.

Comprehensive Pedagogy Proficiency

Gain deep knowledge of pedagogy, integrating historical and contemporary perspectives. Develop and apply teaching practices, explain key theoretical concepts and design comprehensive lesson plans for various proficiency levels.







More Information
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from a diploma programme, students are required to attain at least 120 credits (including exempted modules, if any), pass all school/programme/elective requirements, as prescribed by the respective schools, and have no more than 3 modules completed with the provisional pass Grade E.
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, field activities, classroom practice or e-learning.
Assessment Methods
Each module is assessed by either class participation, written assignments, practical performances, portfolio presentations, projects, examinations, or any of these combinations. Assessment methods may vary according to individual module requirements.
Career Pathways

NAFA’s Art Teaching program equips you to launch a career as an art educator while also opening diverse pathways in the creative sectors. Graduates can pursue roles as art educators or teaching assistants in private or international schools, artists, designers, art administrators, facilitators, technicians, writers, curatorial assistants, display artists, illustrators and social change makers.

Graduates commonly secure employment in a wide range of organisations, including but not limited to art galleries, museums, creative agencies, government schools, institutes of higher learning and academia, publication houses, and government-affiliated organisations in art and cultural work.

Students' Work

Modules

The following programme modules are applicable to students enrolled in August 2025 and after. NAFA students enrolled in AY2024/2025 and earlier are to refer to the Diploma Programme and Module Information Booklet on the Student Portal for the programme modules in your respective years of enrolment.

Type Title Year & Semester Credits
Academy Core

Introduction to Southeast Asian Arts

The Introduction to Southeast Asian Arts module introduces facets of the artistic traditions of mainland and maritime Southeast Asia from the kingdom to the present. The module approaches Southeast Asia's rich heritage thematically, encouraging interdisciplinary understanding between intersecting geographies and narratives. It offers insights departing from different perspectives and vantages - the evolving role in defining aesthetics, cultural belonging, polities, and intercultural exchanges in the ongoing multiplicities of the region.
Year 1 Semester 1 10
Faculty Core

Art and Design Fundamentals

This module equips students with fundamental knowledge of art and design principles that bridge both traditional mediums and contemporary approaches. Students will hone their making skills and visual language, focusing on essential artistic elements - merging theory with hands-on application. The module aims to build a solid foundation and encourage the integration of traditional and contemporary techniques for well-rounded artistic proficiency for creative expressions.
Year 1 Semester 1 30
Faculty Core

Creative Territories

This module introduces key trends that shape the creative landscape by exploring the pivotal role of innovation that influences the creative industries, providing a platform for experimentation and idea generation. Embracing these concepts empowers designers and artists, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and socially conscious world.
Year 1 Semester 1 10
School Core

Introduction to Pedagogy Practices in the Arts

This module introduces Singapore art education from the early 1900s to today, emphasizing pioneer Nanyang artists' contributions. It develops students' critical, analytical and teaching skills through critiques, discussions, and interactive learning techniques.
Year 1 Semester 1 10
Faculty Core

Professional Development Plan 1

Professional Development Plan 1 creates a platform for students to articulate their values, aspirations, and strategic choices in shaping their creative career. This module guides students in developing a plan to achieve their professional goals and align with their envisioned creative practice.
Year 1 Semester 2 10
School Core

Contextual and Theoretical Perspectives 1

This module provides an overview of global and historical art movements, with focused analysis of select movements in Western and Eastern timelines.
Year 1 Semester 2 10
School Core

Studio and Pedagogical Practices 1

This module focuses on cultivating artistic techniques and creative explorations through various mediums. It emphasizes hands-on experiences, developing visual language awareness and integrating pedagogical theories for effective media-based teaching strategies.
Year 1 Semester 2 30
Elective

Elective

Electives are classes that students must take in addition to the core curriculum. Students may choose from a list of 40+ modules to explore personal interests, delve into specialised subjects, or in areas that align with their career goals or passions.

Students are encouraged to complete the elective requirement (totalling 30 credits) by the end of Year 2.
Year 1 Semester 2 10
Elective

Overseas Immersion Programme

The Overseas Immersion Programme (OIP) is a 2- to 3-week experience that provides students with the chance to immerse in a different culture and academic environment. Through a blend of classroom learning, hands-on activities, and cultural exploration, the programme fosters academic and professional growth, equipping participants to thrive in our interconnected global landscape.

OIP participation can contribute towards fulfilling a portion of the 30-credit elective requirement.
Year 1 Semester 2 (or Year 2 Semester 1) 20
Academy Core

Introduction to Interdisciplinary Arts Practice

The Introduction to Interdisciplinary Arts Practice module introduces interdisciplinarity as an approach to learning. The module provides the opportunity to place and activate respective artistic disciplines in the context of a collaborative creation. It is a platform for appreciating different perspectives, analysing possible connections, and engaging in collective exploration to gain new insights.
Year 2 Semester 1 (or Year 2 Semester 2) 10
School Core

Studio and Pedagogical Practices 2

This module fosters hands-on experience and creative exploration in digital art, printmaking and oil painting. Students will experiment with editorial design and book-making techniques, and learn effective teaching methods through pedagogy theories and role-play exercises.
Year 2 Semester 1 30
School Core

Contextual and Theoretical Perspectives 2

This module provides an entry point into Singapore art history, with a selection of historical, pre-modern, modern, and contemporary developments. It will situate Singapore as a point of confluence between multiple artistic cultures shaped by Western and Southeast Asian historical and sociocultural narratives.
Year 2 Semester 1 10
Elective

Elective

Electives are classes that students must take in addition to the core curriculum. Students may choose from a list of 40+ modules to explore personal interests, delve into specialised subjects, or in areas that align with their career goals or passions.

Students are encouraged to complete the elective requirement (totalling 30 credits) by the end of Year 2.
Year 2 Semester 1 10
Faculty Core

Professional Development Plan 2

Building upon the foundation in Professional Development Plan 1, this module, Professional Development Plan 2, focuses on the practical execution of students' career plans and creative visions. Students refine their strategies and implement key choices towards navigating real-world scenarios.
Year 2 Semester 2 10
School Core

Contextual and Theoretical Perspectives 3

This module reorientates students back to an international space and will feature case studies organised according to key themes in contemporary art. These include horror, humour, gender, urbanism sustainable ecologies, art and technology.
Year 2 Semester 2 10
School Core

Studio and Pedagogical Practices 3

This module immerses students in digital media, user experience design, and hands-on material investigation. It covers animation techniques, visual storytelling and interactive UX/UI design. Students will also learn teaching theories to enhance conceptual thinking, innovation and creative experimentation.
Year 2 Semester 2 30
Elective

Elective

Electives are classes that students must take in addition to the core curriculum. Students may choose from a list of 40+ modules to explore personal interests, delve into specialised subjects, or in areas that align with their career goals or passions.

Students are encouraged to complete the elective requirement (totalling 30 credits) by the end of Year 2.
Year 2 Semester 2 10
Faculty Core

Internship

This one-semester module exposes students to real work environments through projects and practical training where they will gain a hands-on understanding of professional practices.

All students must complete either the internship module or two industry-based learning (IBL) modules totalling 60 credits.
Year 3 Semester 1 60
Faculty Core

Industrial Attachment

This one-term module exposes students to real work environments through projects and practical training where they will gain a hands-on understanding of professional practices.

Students are required to complete either the Industry Project module or Community Project module to fulfill the IBL component (totalling 60 credits).
Year 3 Semester 1 30
Faculty Core

Industry Project

This module is project-based and provides students the opportunity to conceptualise, plan and execute a project. It will be a real live client project that will put their studies into practice, developing their sense of responsibility and interpersonal skills in a professional environment.

Students are required to complete either the Industry Attachment module or Community Project module to fulfill the IBL component (totalling 60 credits).
Year 3 Semester 1 30
Faculty Core

Community Project

This module is project-based with the aim to improve the lives of the community at large. Students will work collaboratively with NGOs (Non-governmental organisation), non-profit organisations, etc, to effectively find initiative and art/design, in planning for the development for their communities.

Students are required to complete either the Industry Attachment module or Industry Project module to fulfill the IBL component (totalling 60 credits).
Year 3 Semester 1 30
School Core

Studio and Pedagogical Practices: Final Project

This module introduces students to the SG Arts Plan (2023–2027), guiding the creation of educational materials to activate Singapore's heritage art and cultural precincts. Students will explore diverse engagement methodologies, heritage site contexts and develop educational content, enhancing creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through experiential learning and collaboration.
Year 3 Semester 2 60
Show More

entry requirements

Find out about the specific entry requirements that apply to you.

NAFA hopes to attract applicants with the potential to become excellent arts practitioners. Applicants are selected by merit, based on the following criteria:

  • Portfolio/Admission Test Requirements
  • Educational Qualification
  • English Language Proficiency
  • Special Factor

Selection is competitive and is subject to the availability of places. However, the Academy may give consideration to talented applicants who excel in Artistic Talent and Creativity, but have not fully met the education qualification stated.


All applicants are to demonstrate their artistic potential through portfolio submission/admission test/audition as specified in each programme, in order to be considered for admission.

Applicants may select either (A) Portfolio Submission or (B) Admission Test.

(A) Portfolio Submission
You are to submit 10-15 images of recent art or design work, which should include a range of finished artwork as well as development work in preparing the finished artwork (sketches, mood boards, etc). Portfolios are assessed with the aim of identifying your creative and technical potential to undertake a programme in art and design.

(Allowed file types: .pdf,.jpg,.jpeg,.png,.gif,.tif,.tiff,.bmp. Maximum image file size: 5 MB)
(Allowed video file types: .mpeg,.mp4,.mov,.m4v,.avi,.wmv,.flv,.asf,.mpg,.mp3. Maximum image file size: 200 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.

Your portfolio should contain your original works from at least two of the following categories: paintings, drawings, collages, posters, sculptures, digital images (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc), photographs, and/or video clips.

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 also expected to write a statement of intent of about 100 words, stating your reasons for pursuing a programme of study in art and design. Please include your goals, interests and aspirations for the future.

The outcome of your application will be sent to you in 4 to 6 weeks after submission of all supporting documents and portfolio.

(B) Admission Test

The test consists of three sections (test duration: 2.5 hours):
  • Written Ability
    Ability to express and rationalise in writing
  • Drawing from Observation
    Ability to draw from observation
  • Creative Visualisation
    Aptitude in creativity and visualisation
Admission Test Date
23 January 2025
27 March 2025
29 May 2025

Please note that you will be notified of the confirmed admission test date upon submission of your application, all supporting documents and application fee payment.

The last admission test for August 2025 intake is on 29 May 2025. If you missed the last admission test, you are required to submit your portfolio here within the next 5 working days from the application date.

Selected applicants may be asked to attend an in-person or online interview.
Minimum Educational Qualifications Required
  • Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level: Aggregate score of 25 points or better in 4 GCE ‘O’ Level subjects, excluding English.
    Applicants who are active in their Secondary Schools’ Co-curricular Activities (CCA) may gain up to 2 CCA points. The CCA points can be used to improve their EQ aggregate score for admission consideration.

    Types of bonus points No. of bonus points awarded
    Grades of A1–A2 2 points
    Grades of B3–C6 1 point

  • Singapore Integrated Programme: Successful completion of Year 4 or higher.

  • School of The Arts (SOTA): Successful completion of Year 4 or higher.

  • Institute of Technical Education (ITE):
    • Full-time Higher Nitec or Nitec
    • Part-time ITE certificate, with a minimum GPA of ≥ 2.0 for Higher NITEC holders or ≥ 3.5 for NITEC holders
Successful completion of at least 10 years of education.

Eligible international students will be able to use their mid-year examination results to apply for diploma programmes 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 year-end examination results and meet the admission requirements of the respective programmes. Any applicant who does not meet the admission requirements will have his/her conditional offer revoked.
The minimum English Language proficiency requirement:
  • Grade C6 at GCE ‘O’ Levels
  • TOEFL iBT 50
  • IELTS Academic Band 5
  • SAT score of 480 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component)
  • Duolingo score of 80
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) score of 42
  • Qualifications equivalent to any of the above
Applicants with Higher NITEC or NITEC qualifications are deemed to have met the English Language proficiency requirement.
Recognition is accorded for prior achievements in areas relevant to intended studies.
NAFA has the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) that allows graduating O-Level students, final-year Nitec and Higher Nitec students from the Institute of Technical Education and graduating Integrated Programme (IP)/ International Baccaularette (IB) Year 4 students to apply and receive conditional admission prior to receiving their final grades.

The application will commence in June for the following year’s intake. Please check this page again in June.
Applicants may receive module exemption of up to 180 credits, if they have taken and passed the same or similar modules in another institution. The granting of exemption and advanced standing may be subject to applicants passing a Portfolio Interview, Audition or Admission Test. Application for module exemption may be subject to a Portfolio Interview or Audition.

Applicants with GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and IB Career-Related Certificate (IBCC)

Applicants who have completed GCE A-Level or IB Diploma will be eligible to be considered for module exemption (up to 120 credits) in the relevant programmes. Applicants from SOTA who have completed Year 4 and above are eligible to receive advanced standing (Year 1, Semester 2 or Year 2, Semester 1) in relevant Diploma programmes subject to their final or preliminary examination results.

Applicants with Higher Nitec/ Nitec:
Full-time ITE graduates from the following courses are eligible to apply for module exemption:

  • Higher Nitec in Architectural Technology
  • Higher Nitec in Visual Merchandising
  • Higher Nitec in Architectural Technology
  • Nitec in Interactive Media Design
  • Nitec in Interior & Exhibition Design
  • Nitec in Product Design
  • Nitec in Architectural Technology
  • Nitec in Interior & Exhibition Design
  • Nitec in Visual Communication
  • Nitec in Visual Effects

How to Apply

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

A Diploma in Art Education will open up doors for you to become an Art Teacher.

Find out more about becoming an MOE art teacher here. If you wish to pursue a further degree in Fine Arts with us, please call the Student Admissions Office at 6512 4071 or email us at [email protected].

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

For all programmes except Diploma in Arts Management ^, select either Portfolio Submission or Admission Test in the application portal.

Applicants may be asked to attend an interview in person or online.
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.

Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable) at the cashier counter in NAFA or online
Make payment of the Application Fee (non-refundable) 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.
Submit your portfolio/personal statement or receive test advisory
Submit your portfolio/personal statement or receive test advisory, according to the option you have chosen in Step 1.
  • Option A (Portfolio Submission): Submit your portfolio here after completion of the online application.
  • Option B (Admission Test): Receive a test advisory on the date of the Admission Test from the Student Admissions Office after verification of the required documents and payment of the Application Fee. Attend the Admission Test at NAFA with the required materials as indicated in the test advisory
Please note that you will be notified of the confirmed admission test date upon submission of your application, all supporting documents and application fee payment.

^ For Diploma in Arts Management: Submit personal statement and optional testimonial here. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview in person or online.
Application outcome
Receive the outcome of your application via email within 4 – 6 weeks after your Portfolio Submission/Interview/Audition or Admission Test.