DIPLOMA IN DANCE (University of the Arts Singapore)

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:

• Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity
• Educational Qualification
• 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.

Potential in Artistic Talent and Creativity

Audition Instructions – Diploma in Dance

You will receive a confirmation email containing the audition details nearer to your assigned audition date.

You will be required to attend an audition.

• The audition consists of two sections - Practical Assessment and Interview.
• You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register, warm up and change into appropriate attire for dancing. You must bring your own attire.
• The audition may take up to 2 hours.

Audition Date

• 18 October 2023
• 20 October 2023
• 6 February 2024
• 5 March 2024
• 2 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.

Practical Assessment

You are expected to prepare and perform two contrasting solos of any dance genre/style (e.g. Ballet and Cultural Dance; Chinese classical dance and Chinese folk dance).

• Each dance should not exceed 90 seconds. The solo dance can be choreographed by yourself or by someone else (e.g. your dance teacher).
• You are required to bring your own music which can played from your own media device (e.g. phone, tablet, or other audio device).
• A costume (e.g. tutu for female ballet classical solo) may be worn.

Through your performance, assessors will evaluate your:

Technique - coordination, control and alignment

Artistry - spatial awareness, musicality, dynamic range and performance quality

Fitness - strength, control, flexibility, coordination, speed, stamina and stretch

Interview

You are expected to discuss why you want to study dance during the interview. You will be evaluated based on your:

• Existing knowledge of and experience in dance performance
• Dance-related interests and career aspirations
• Dance proclivity and learning attitude
• Any medical or health concerns

Applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may request for an online audition. Both options will be followed by an online interview with the applicant alone and without the assistance of any other person.

Guidelines for the pre-recorded solos are as follows:

• You cannot perform/ dance with any make up in the audition videos, although you can tie your hair according to what's necessary.
• You have to come to the front of the camera (where your face can be seen clearly) and do a brief introduction of yourself. You will then proceed to move into the space and start dancing your solos after the introduction. * Please note that the video has to be shot in one take and not being edited in any way. Otherwise, the audition videos will not be considered.
• This applies to both male and female applicants.
• The photo that you send in should be the one that resembles how you look like now.
• For the online interview, no interpreter should be around, or the interview could be disqualified.

Educational Qualifications - Singapore

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.

Educational Qualifications - International

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 D7 at GCE ‘O’ Levels
• TOEFL iBT 40
• TOEFL 400
• IELTS Academic Band 4
• SAT score of 450 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component)
• Duolingo score of 55
• Qualifications equivalent to any of the above

Special Factor

Recognition is accorded for prior achievements in areas relevant to intended studies.

Information not available.

The following programme modules are applicable to students enrolled in August 2021 and after. NAFA students enrolled in AY2020/2021 and earlier are to refer to the Diploma Programme and Module Information Booklet on the StudentNet for the programme modules in your respective years of enrolment.

• Dance Techniques 1A
• Dance Supplementary Practices 1A
• Dance in Context 1A
• Dance Performance IA
• Dance Techniques 1B
• Dance Supplementary Practices 1B
• Dance in Context IB
• Dance Performance IB
• Professional Development Roadmap 1
• Dance Techniques 2A
• Dance Supplementary Practices 2A
• Dance in Context 2A
• Dance Performance 2A* (Option A)
• Dance Creation 2A* (Option A)
• Dance Techniques 2B
• Dance Supplementary Practices 2B
• Dance in Context 2B
• Dance Performance 2B* (Option B)
• Dance Creation 2B* (Option B)
• Industry Project
• Professional Development Roadmap 2
• Overseas Immersion* (Taken after Year 2 during the Vacation)
• Dance Techniques 3A
• Dance Supplementary Practices 3A
• Dance in Context 3A
• Dance Performance 3A* (Option C)
• Dance Creation 3A* (Option C)
• Dance Techniques 3B
• Dance Supplementary Practices 3B
• Dance in Context 3B
• Dance Performance 3B* (Option D)
• Dance Creation 3B* (Option D)
• Industrial Attachment* (Option E)
• Industry Project* (Option E)
• Professional Development Roadmap
• Gemmology*
• Metalsmithing*
• Introduction to Furniture Design*
• Introduction to Interior Design*
• Design and Brand Strategy*
• Digital Photography and Publication*
• Packaging Design*
• History of Asian Costume*
• Costume Design*
• Textile Design and Innovation 1*
• Textile Design and Innovation 2*
• Introduction to Painting*
• Introduction to Printmaking*
• Introduction to Gong Bi*
• DFA1011
• Figure Drawing*
• Arts Management Fundamentals*
• Introduction to Arts Marketing*
• Instrumental Studies: Guitar*
• Instrumental Studies: Gamelan*
• Speech Presentations*
• Business Communication*
• Entrepreneurship in the Arts*
• Starting Your Own Business*
• Singapore Arts Scene*
• Interdisciplinary Project 2A*
• Interdisciplinary Project 2B*
• Interdisciplinary Project 3A*
• Interdisciplinary Project 3B*

*Electives

Option (A): Students take one of two dance options (A) in Semester 1. The other dance option (A) may be taken as an Elective in Semester 1.

Option (B): Students take one of two dance options (B) in Semester 2. The other dance option (B) may be taken as an Elective in Semester 2.

Option (C): Students take one of two dance options (C) in Semester 1. The other dance option (C) may be taken as an Elective in Semester 1.

Option (D): Students take one of two dance options (D) in Semester 2. The other dance option (D) may be taken as an Elective in Semester 2.

Option (E): Students take one of two dance options (E) in Semester 1 or 2. The other dance option (E) may be taken as an Elective in Semester 1 or 2.