DIPLOMA IN MUSIC TEACHING (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

You are required to attend an entrance audition of approximately 15 minutes on your intended principal study. Non-pianists are advised to bring along their own accompanist for the audition. Please refer to the list of official accompanists if necessary. The accompanist fee is S$100, for a 45-minute rehearsal and the audition. Applicants are required to make arrangements with the accompanists directly for practice sessions and payment. All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition.

The audition consists of the following:

• Performance of two contrasting works of your choice. Pieces selected from popular music repertoire would not be considered for the purposes of this audition.
• Sight-reading
• Aural awareness
• Music theory*
• Short interview with the audition panel about your musical experiences, interests and your ambitions for future studies and career

*The music theory paper (approximately 60 minutes) will test applicants in various areas at a level similar to ABRSM Grade V.

Applicants who present documentary evidence of ABRSM Grade V Music Theory or its equivalent will be exempted from the test. Further information about the requirements of ABRSM Grade V Theory can be found at www.abrsm.org

Live auditions in Singapore

Live auditions in Singapore are usually held in the months of December, February and April.

Audition Date

• 4 to 8 December 2023
• 26 to 29 February 2024
• 22 to 25 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.

Composition Portfolio Interview

Composers should submit a portfolio of at least two, but not more than five, contrasting examples of your compositions. Do submit your portfolio two weeks in advance of your scheduled audition. You may submit your work as written scores, recordings or a combination of the two.

Please ensure that your written music is clear and legible, and that you include full details, where necessary, of instrumentation, scoring, and performance details. Do not send Sibelius files unless they are accompanied by PDF files of the same material. Recordings should either be on a CD or DVD, or in a file format that can be read in VLC or Windows Media Player.

Individual works should be clearly indexed on both the CD and accompanying documentation. All recordings should be clearly labelled with your name and the title of the piece on both the CD and its cover. Portfolios will be returned to you immediately at the end of the audition or mailed back to you after the audition period upon request.

Online Audition

Though live auditions are preferred, applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may submit a video recording for their audition. If they pass the video screening round, an interview via Zoom or MS Teams with applicants will be arranged by the Student Admissions Office. Applicants will be tested on their sight-reading and aural awareness during the interview.

Guidelines for Video Recording:

• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Do not edit the audio/video of your recording
• The camera should be stationary for the performance of each work
• The video should show the performer in full body if possible
• The video should be recorded no more than six months prior to the scheduled audition.
• The video recording files should be named with the title of the pieces.

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 C6 at GCE ‘O’ Levels
• TOEFL iBT 50
• TOEFL 500
• IELTS Academic Band 5
• SAT score of 480 (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component)
• Duolingo score of 75
• 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.

• Principal Study (Pedagogy Track) 1A
• Professional Studies 1A
• Aural and Musicianship Skills 1A
• Music in Context 1A
• Instrumental Studies: Gamelan
• Cross-Disciplinary Creative Practices
• Principal Study (Pedagogy Track) 1B
• Professional Studies 1B
• Aural and Musicianship Skills 1B
• Music in Context 1B
• Special Topics in Performance Studies 1
• Creative Improvisation with Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Principal Study (Pedagogy Track) 2A
• Professional Studies 2A
• Aural and Musicianship Skills 2A
• Music in Context 2A
• Principles and Foundation of Music Education I
• Career Skills
• Principal Study (Pedagogy Track) 2B
• Professional Studies 2B
• Aural and Musicianship Skills 2B
• Music in Context 2B
• Music Practices in the Classroom I
• Instrumental Studies: Guitar*
• Performance Project I*
• Overseas Immersion*
• Industrial Attachment*
• Industry Project*
• Teaching Practice*
• Special Topics in Performance Studies 2*
• Dalcroze Method*
• Kodály Method*
• Principal Study (Pedagogy Track) 3A
• Professional Studies 3A
• Aural and Musicianship Skills 3
• Music in Context 3A
• Instrumental/Vocal Teaching and Outreach IA
• Principles and Foundation of Music Education II
• Principal Study (Pedagogy Track) 3B
• Professional Studies 3B
• Stylistic Studies
• Music in Context 3B
• Instrumental/Vocal Teaching and Outreach IB
• Music Practices in the Classroom II
• Composition*
• Performance Project II*
• Industrial Attachment*
• Industry Project*
• Teaching Practice*
• Introduction to Music Therapy*
• 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*
• Figure Drawing*
• Arts Management Fundamentals*
• Introduction to Arts Marketing*
• 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