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University · Singapore, Singapore

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

By

Location
Singapore
Founded
1938
Bachelor’s, non-subsidised, AY2027
S$30,400–32,700
Degrees awarded by
UAS
The short answer

The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is an arts institution in Singapore, founded in 1938, with its main address at 80 Bencoolen Street.[1][2] It teaches foundation, diploma, bachelor’s and master’s programmes in art, design, music, dance, theatre and arts management.[3] Its degrees are awarded by the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), the alliance NAFA founded with LASALLE College of the Arts.[4]

For students entering in academic year 2027 (studies from August 2027), the bachelor’s fee without Tuition Grant, including GST, is S$30,400 to S$32,700 a year, depending on the programme. NAFA states that no Tuition Grant is available for international students.[5] English entry level is IELTS Academic 6.0 for most bachelor’s programmes.[6][7]

Key facts

Official nameNanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA); Chinese name 南洋艺术学院[1]
LocationSingapore, main address Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189655[2]
TypeArts institution; a founding member of the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) and, like LASALLE, a separate legal entity[4]
Founded10 March 1938, with 14 Fine Art students in a shophouse at 167 Geylang; reopened in 1946 after the war[1]
Programme levelsFoundation Programme, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, short courses and a school for young talents[3]
FacultiesArt and Design; Performing Arts; Interdisciplinary Practices (since 1 January 2023)[1]
Degrees awarded byUniversity of the Arts Singapore (UAS), from the 2024 academic year; Year 2 entrants to BA (Hons) Performance Making graduate with a University of the Arts London degree[7]
Graduates, Convocation 2025799 (560 diploma, 234 bachelor’s, 5 master’s)[8]
QS World University RankingsNo position found in the sources we read
Tuition, bachelor’s, AY2027, non-subsidisedS$30,400 to S$32,700 a year including GST (no Tuition Grant for international students)[5]
Tuition, Foundation Programme, March 2026 intakeS$9,400 for the whole programme (180 credits), international students, including GST[9]
English requirement, bachelor’s Year 1IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.5 for BA (Hons) Contemporary Chinese Theatres)[7]
RegistrationUEN 201006523M; EduTrust certificate EDU-2-2020, valid 16/10/2023 to 15/10/2027[3]
Official websitenafa.edu.sg

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

NAFA was launched on 10 March 1938 by its founding principal Lim Hak Tai, with the Society of Chinese Artists and Singapore alumni of Jimei High School in Xiamen among its supporters. The first class had 14 Fine Art students in a shophouse at 167 Geylang.[1] The school closed in 1941 during the war and reopened in 1946, when the name was formally registered.[1] In 1999 it was recognised as a full tertiary institution.[1] Its first purpose-built campus opened on Bencoolen Street in 2004, and the Campus 1 tower above Bencoolen MRT station opened in 2018.[1] A second source describes four campuses along Bencoolen Street.[10]

Since 1 January 2023 NAFA has been organised in three faculties: Art and Design, Performing Arts, and Interdisciplinary Practices.[1] Its schools include 3D Design, Arts Management, Dance, Design and Media, Fashion Studies, Fine Art, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music and Theatre, alongside a Centre for Lifelong Education and a School of Young Talents.[3]

NAFA and UAS: The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) is an alliance of NAFA and LASALLE College of the Arts. The Ministry of Education describes both as constituent members that remain separate legal entities with their own identity and campuses.[4] UAS describes itself as a private university; NAFA’s own ownership type is not stated in the sources we read.[11] The Ministry of Education’s 2022 statement names UAS as the body that validates, confers and awards the degrees.[4]

How is NAFA ranked?

We found no position for NAFA in the QS World University Rankings 2027 or in another international ranking in the sources we read, and NAFA’s own site pages that we read give none. The Wikipedia article on NAFA lists no rankings either.[10] Specialist arts institutions are often not covered by general university rankings, so a missing position says little about quality. NAFA describes itself as Singapore’s pioneer and largest arts institution, with alumni including 14 Cultural Medallion and 15 Young Artist Award recipients; these are NAFA’s own statements.[8] How we compile rankings.

What can you study at NAFA?

NAFA’s degree offer, according to its homepage:[3]

  • Bachelor’s: BA (Hons) Biophilic Design, Design Practice, Fine Art, Performance Making and Contemporary Chinese Theatres; Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Instrumental and Vocal Teaching; Bachelor of Music (Hons).
  • Master’s: Master of Design in Design Leadership and Innovation, Master of Fine Arts (Fine Art), Master of Composition, Master of Performance and Master of Music. The homepage marks the Master of Composition for teach-out by July 2027.
  • Diplomas: 15 diplomas in design, fashion, fine art, art teaching, dance, music, music teaching, theatre (English and Mandarin) and arts management.
  • Other: a Foundation Programme, short courses, certificate courses and junior classes in art, dance, drama and music.

The Bachelor of Music (Hons) and the Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Instrumental and Vocal Teaching are offered with the Royal College of Music, London.[1] Bachelor’s degrees run three years, the Bachelor of Music four years.[7] The diploma fee page describes the diplomas as funded by the Ministry of Education.[12]

How much does NAFA cost?

The fee pages on NAFA’s site currently show academic year 2027, for students entering in August 2027. The bachelor’s table gives the rate for students without Tuition Grant, including GST; this is the rate that applies to international students, because the page states that no Tuition Grant is available to them.[5]

Bachelor’s programmeWithout Tuition Grant, per year, including GST
BA (Hons) Design Practice, Fine Art, Biophilic DesignS$30,400
BA (Hons) Performance Making, Contemporary Chinese TheatresS$31,400
BEd (Hons) Instrumental and Vocal Teaching; Bachelor of Music (Hons)S$32,700 (includes accommodation for the 7-week residential study visit)

Annual fees are based on 120 credits a year and are paid by semester. The fees for the art, design and performance degrees include the final-year graduation show fee; airfares are excluded.[5]

Other costs

  • Application fee: S$120 for international applicants (S$75 for Singapore citizens and permanent residents), non-refundable.[5]
  • Administrative fee including student card and library membership: S$250 a year. Health Services Fee: S$80 a year.[5]
  • Foundation Programme (March 2026 intake): S$9,400 for the whole programme for international students, including GST.[9]

Diplomas

NAFA publishes diploma fees for academic year 2027 per programme, with separate figures for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and international ASEAN and non-ASEAN students, all quoted per year and including GST for the international columns.[12] We do not copy the table here because its columns could not be read unambiguously in our extract; check the diploma fee page.

For rent and living costs, see our Singapore guide and the Study in Singapore guide.

How do you apply to NAFA?

There is one bachelor’s intake a year, starting in August.[6] For the Faculty of Art and Design the steps are:[6]

  1. Apply online through the NAFA application portal and keep the acknowledgement.
  2. Send the required documents for verification within five working days of applying.
  3. Pay the non-refundable application fee (S$120 for international students).
  4. Submit your portfolio and a Statement of Intent online. Biophilic Design and Design Practice ask for 10 to 15 works and a 250 to 300 word statement; Fine Art asks for 5 artworks or projects and a statement of about 500 words. Works must be original and not AI-generated.
  5. Attend the interview, which NAFA arranges by email once the documents and portfolio are received.
  6. Receive the outcome by email 4 to 6 weeks after the portfolio submission, interview or audition.

Performing arts programmes use auditions instead of portfolios. Contemporary Chinese Theatres asks for a 2 to 3 minute Mandarin monologue, a movement piece, a workshop and an interview; the music programmes ask for a pre-screening video and a final audition.[7] Minimum entry qualifications include, for example, a local polytechnic diploma, an IB Diploma or an equivalent Year 12 qualification; A-level applicants need at least two H2 subjects and a pass in General Paper.[6] We give no deadlines here because they change every year. Contact admissions@nafa.edu.sg or the admissions pages for the current timetable.[2]

Which English level do you need?

For Year 1 entry to the Faculty of Art and Design the minimum is IELTS Academic 6.0, PTE Academic 50 or Duolingo English Test 105.[6] The Performing Arts page shows IELTS 6.0 for BA (Hons) Performance Making Year 1, the Bachelor of Education (Hons) and the Bachelor of Music (Hons), and a lower IELTS 5.5 for BA (Hons) Contemporary Chinese Theatres. Direct entry to Year 2 of Performance Making, which leads to a University of the Arts London degree, asks for IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each skill.[7]

The requirement does not apply to applicants who completed a NAFA diploma or a diploma or degree taught in English.[6] UAS notes that applicants who have not yet met the requirement may still apply and receive a conditional offer, with proof due by a set deadline.[11] The Contemporary Chinese Theatres audition includes a Mandarin monologue.[7]

Frequently Asked Questions

Who awards the degrees at NAFA?

Degree programmes at NAFA are awarded by the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) from the 2024 academic year.[11] Direct entrants to Year 2 of BA (Hons) Performance Making graduate with a University of the Arts London degree.[7]

How much does a NAFA bachelor’s degree cost for international students?

For entry in August 2027 the fee without Tuition Grant, including GST, is S$30,400 to S$32,700 a year depending on the programme, plus S$250 administrative and S$80 health fees a year.[5] NAFA states that no Tuition Grant is available for international students.[5]

What English score do I need for NAFA?

IELTS Academic 6.0 for most bachelor’s programmes and 5.5 for BA (Hons) Contemporary Chinese Theatres.[7] The Art and Design faculty also accepts PTE Academic 50 or Duolingo 105.[6]

Is NAFA the same as LASALLE?

No. They are separate colleges and separate legal entities that formed the University of the Arts Singapore as an alliance.[4]

Do I need a portfolio to apply?

For art and design degrees, yes: 10 to 15 works for Design Practice and Biophilic Design, 5 for Fine Art. Applicants with a relevant diploma with a CGPA of 3.5 or above skip the portfolio for Year 1 entry but still attend an interview.[6]

More about studying in Singapore

More university profiles in Singapore

Sources

[1] NAFA: History (page without a date; footer © 2026, last entry 2024)

[2] NAFA: Contact us (address and admissions contact) (page without a date)

[3] NAFA: Homepage (schools, programmes, registration) (page without a date; footer © 2026)

[4] Ministry of Education: New private University of the Arts Singapore formed by alliance between NAFA and LASALLE (press release of 30 Aug 2022)

[5] NAFA: Bachelor’s degree programme fees (page without a date; fees for academic year 2027, studies from August 2027)

[6] NAFA: Bachelor’s admissions, Faculty of Art and Design (page without a date; August 2027 intake)

[7] NAFA: Bachelor’s admissions, Faculty of Performing Arts (page without a date; August 2027 intake; the end of the page could not be read)

[8] NAFA: Convocation 2025 news release (press release of 6 Aug 2025)

[9] NAFA: Foundation Programme course fees (page without a date; fees for the March 2026 intake)

[10] Wikipedia: Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (secondary source for campuses; the article gives no rankings)

[11] University of the Arts Singapore: Admissions FAQ (page without a date; footer © 2026)

[12] NAFA: Diploma programme fees (page without a date; fees for academic year 2027)

Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.