BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) BIOPHILIC DESIGN (University of the Arts Singapore)
Course Information
Description
Course overview
Biophilic design celebrates the unique opportunity to harmonise urban living with the natural world. Climate change and the pandemic have accelerated the adoption of biophilic design in major cities globally, going beyond aesthetics to reduce carbon emissions, regulate environmental temperature and improve air quality.
First of its kind in Asia, the three-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Biophilic Design programme will nurture your skills in spatial design disciplines anchored on the principles of organic and nature-inspired design for human well-being.
You will engage with an interdisciplinary and practice-led curriculum developed in partnership with CPG Corporation, one of Asia’s leading infrastructure design and development firms. Through mastering the theory and practice of biophilic design methodologies, you will explore innovative design solutions which will improve human psychological, physiological, and cognitive well-being.
You will also take part in meaningful capstone projects and undergo an enriching learning journey rooted in the best practices of the industry.
At the end of this programme, students should be able to:
- Produce a project informed by critical appreciation of a particular topic, including recognition of the nature of the evidence, scholarly debate, and current interpretative frameworks.
- Demonstrate ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline and association with related disciplines.
- Develop strong synthesis in integrating underlying research and diverse design ideation.
- Work effectively as an individual and as part of a collaborative team, exercise of initiative personal responsibility to decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts.
- Apply the methods and techniques to review, consolidate, extend and apply knowledge & understanding, to initiate and carry out projects.
- Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.
- Synthesise and evaluate project work and research outcomes professionally in verbal, visual and in written form.
Entry Requirements
Portfolio and Interview Requirements
- A Statement of Intent (250 - 300 words) which communicate your purpose in pursuing the BA (Hons) in Biophilic Design.
- A Portfolio which consists of 10-15 pieces of your best works. These works should demonstrate creativity, passion, and curiosity and reflect your skills and study on spatial design.
- You are to attend a group interview session where you expected to communicate your motivations in applying for the BA (Hons) Biophilic Design course and share your views on specific topics given.
Interview Date
- 3 November 2023
- 8 December 2023
- 15 January 2024
- 16 February 2024
- 1 March 2024
- 5 April 2024
- 19 April 2024
Note: You will be notified of the outcome of your application 4 to 6 weeks after your portfolio interview or audition. Some application outcomes may take longer than expected.
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 with a pass in General Paper
- Local Polytechnic Diploma
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- ITE Work-Study Diploma (WSDip)
- 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 with a pass in General Paper
- Polytechnic Diploma certificate and transcript
- IB 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.
English Language Proficiency
If English was not your primary medium of instruction throughout your school education, you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:
| Entry Into | IELTS | TOEFL - iBT | PTE ACADEMIC | DUOLINGO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Honours) | 6.0 | 80 | 50 | 105 |
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
You may be eligible for Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL), through the demonstration of prior certification, exempting you for 120 credits or one level of study. APL does not apply to modules. You must be first eligible to enter the programme before APL can be considered.
Career Opportunities
Upon the completion of this programme, dynamic careers in the creative industries await:
- Biophilic design specialist (Spatial design related)
- Educational services
- Government organisation (Research and Design Practice)
- Healthcare services
- Horticulture
- Interior design
- Landscape architecture
- Researchers in healthcare-related industry
- Sustainable design strategist
- Spatial design practice
- Urban Design
Modules
The BA (Hons) Biophilic Design programme explores the relationship between human wellness and the built environment, focusing on spatial design disciplines such as interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, and planning. The course engages biophilic design theory and methods to examine diverse built environments, allowing you to understand the benefits of spatial design practice and the psychological, physiological, and cognitive benefits of biophilia.
Biophilic design is critical in spatial design, especially in light of current and forecasted challenges in the physical environment and social communities. The course aims to develop young professionals from diverse spatial disciplines in shaping new perspectives and contributing towards a more holistic design outcome.
- Spatial Design Studio 1
- Urban Ecosystem
- Design Tools and Representation
- Spatial Design Studio 2
- Urban Ecology and Design
- Spatial Representation
- Biophilic Design Studio 1
- Design for Health and Wellness
- Green Building Strategy
- Biophilic Design Studio 2
- Co-Creation Studio
- Experiential Design Representation
- Regenerative Urban System 1
- Capstone Project
- Regenerative Urban System 2
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