How to Apply to Art and Design at NTU Singapore: the Four-Year Bachelor of Fine Arts at the School of Art, Design and Media with Four Specialisations, Portfolio, Introduction Video, Creative Project and Observational Drawing, with Requirements and Timelines for Gaokao, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Nanyang Technological University (NTU), undergraduate art and design is taught by the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. ADM has one undergraduate degree: the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Design and Media; you apply to the degree and choose a specialisation after entry. Here is what you need to know for August 2027 entry, based on NTU’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. What the BFA covers

• A four-year single degree of core courses, Major Prescribed Electives (MPE) and Interdisciplinary Collaborative Cores (ICC), with four specialisations:
  • Animation and Game Art: 3D animation, stop-motion, character design, visual storytelling and live-action game design;
  • Cinematic Arts: screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, editing and sound design;
  • Communication Design and Photographic Practice: graphic design, typography, photography and visual systems;
  • Transversal Design: Object and Interaction: rooted in product and interaction design, with prototyping, interactive installations and material experiments.
• Four years: Year 1 has three core courses, five ICCs and entry MPEs for each specialisation; Year 2 goes deeper into your specialisation; Year 3 includes a 22-week internship; Year 4 is your Final Year Project with a written dissertation.
• Options: second majors from the School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences or Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, university minors, and a one-semester exchange in Year 2 or 3.

2. How to apply and timeline

• Step 1: apply through NTU’s undergraduate application under the group that matches your high school qualification (ADM refers to five groups; see the Admission Guide).
• Step 2: you receive an email with your application number.
• Step 3: use the ADM link in Check Status to upload your portfolio and assignments online. Email attachments are not accepted and late submissions will not be reviewed.
• Deadlines: your materials deadline is shown in Check Status; ADM’s examples are 21 February 2027 for local polytechnic diplomas and 19 March 2027 for A-levels and IB. Check the Admission Guide for other qualifications.
• Application fee: not stated on the pages reviewed; check the application portal.
• Current NTU students changing to ADM use their matriculation number and must email the ADM Undergraduate Office after uploading.

3. Portfolio and assignments (2027 entry)

Every applicant submits a portfolio and the ADM assignments (introduction video, creative project and observational drawing).

• Portfolio: school assignments or independent projects, preferably focused on one of these types (mixing is allowed):
  • Two- and three-dimensional work: one PDF of 15–20 pages (no more than 20), with no links to webpages or external media. Series of drawings, paintings, sculpture, design and photographs exploring one theme are encouraged;
  • Audio, multimedia and video: up to 3 videos of no more than 4 minutes each (.mov or .mp4, up to 200 MB; audio .mp3 or aac, up to 30 MB), with a one-page A4 PDF giving a one-sentence description of each work. Label your role on a title card and submit only work where you had a major role; game submissions should include gameplay highlights and visual development;
  • Screenplays: short screenplays of 5–15 pages with a log line and synopsis, up to 2 samples.
• Originality: work must be your own; work copied from magazines, films or other artists is not considered; for group projects state your role and contribution, or that work is disqualified. ADM says submitting different media does not improve your chances; it assesses quality, not quantity.
• Introduction video: 60–120 seconds, filmed on a phone, looking into the camera, with no edits or filters. Introduce yourself, what you would love to create and why, why you want to pursue the creative arts, and one creative achievement you are proud of.
• Creative project: the theme is “Self-Portrait Without Showing Yourself”, using objects, spaces, sounds or symbols. Choose one format: a video, film or animation of up to 1 minute; 5–10 photographs; a media-based work of up to 1 minute; a 3D object or spatial work (5 images); or an illustration.
• Observational drawing: draw a space of your choice from direct observation in non-digital materials; drawing from photographs is prohibited. Upload a clear image.
• Interview: ADM’s requirements do not mention one. The Gaokao page says shortlisted applicants are invited to interview (see below).
• NTU’s pages differ: the minimum subject requirements table (2026 entry) lists a portfolio, personal statement and writing samples, a creative project and an observational drawing; ADM’s 2027 requirements list a portfolio, an introduction video, a creative project and an observational drawing. Prepare to the ADM 2027 page and check with admissions.

4. Subject requirements

• The minimum subject requirements table lists Mathematics at junior high school level and a good grade in English at senior high school level. The table posted is for 2026 entry.
• NTU says meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission; places are limited and competition is especially strong for international applicants.

5. Students at high schools in China

• With Gaokao results: at least 80% of the maximum Gaokao score, plus a valid CSSD verification report from CHSI.
• Senior 3 students awaiting results: apply with good Senior 1 and 2 transcripts; submit official results within 3 days of release or the application is not processed; eligible applicants are invited to an interview in July, and the decision is based on interview performance.
• No Gaokao: apply with high school graduation results, assessed case by case. Gaokao-curriculum students who do not sit the Gaokao, and those who take AP independently, apply in this category.
• Optional: AST results (at least English, Mathematics and one other subject) or at least 5 AP exams with 4 or 5, submitted with your Gaokao results or Senior 1 and 2 transcripts.
• Application window: 15 October 2026 to 19 March 2027. Upload your ADM materials by the deadline shown in Check Status.

6. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC: BC Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with at least 90% in each of five grade 12 subjects; Ontario needs 90% in each of six grade 12 U or M courses; Alberta, Manitoba and other provinces also need 90% in each of five subjects.
• Mathematics: NTU’s Canada page says Apprenticeship & Workplace, Foundations for College Mathematics, Geometry 12, Functions 12 and similar courses are not sufficient for most programmes, but an exception may be made for programmes without a Mathematics prerequisite. ADM requires junior high Mathematics; NTU does not say whether the exception applies, so check with admissions.
• Application window: 15 October 2026 to 20 January 2027, two months earlier than the Gaokao and IB deadline. Submit final results within 3 days of release.
• English: no test needed if your school teaches in English and your transcript does not show ESL or EAL.

7. English requirements

• IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and speaking; TOEFL 90 (or 4.5 on the new scale) with 25 in writing and speaking (4.5 new); PTE 55 (speaking 55, writing 59); C1 Advanced 170; SAT 1250 (Reading and Writing 60); ACT with Writing 30.
• NTU notes these are generally for Science, Engineering and Computing programmes; non-Science and non-Engineering programmes and highly competitive programmes may require more. NTU does not publish the BFA’s scores; check with admissions.

8. Transfer and advanced standing

• Transfer: if you have completed at least one term at another university, apply through the standard process; successful applicants receive a first-year place.
• Advanced standing: ADM assesses each case. It says:
  • only applicants with tertiary study and a significant portfolio are eligible, and only courses passed with a B or better count;
  • for local polytechnic diplomas (including NAFA and LASALLE), generally only third-year courses are considered, up to 9 AUs, and more than 12 AUs only for exceptional work;
  • university students receive credit under university policy and may be waived from first-year and major core courses based on portfolio; advanced standing is formalised in the first year.

9. Fees and scholarships

• AY2026/27 tuition (per year, SGD, including GST): the BFA falls under “All programmes”:
  • international students with a Tuition Grant: 21,400 (18,050 for ASEAN students);
  • without a Tuition Grant: 40,600 for lab-based and 36,350 for non-lab-based programmes; the fee table does not say which applies to the BFA, so check with NTU;
  • fees are fixed for your cohort; AY2027/28 fees are not yet published.
• Tuition Grant: opt in on your application; international recipients sign an agreement to work for a Singapore entity for three years after graduation, with two sureties.
• Nanyang Global Scholarship: open to all nationalities; covers tuition after the Tuition Grant, plus SGD 6,500 a year for living costs, up to SGD 2,000 a year for on-campus housing, an overseas programme allowance and a one-off computer allowance; a CGPA of 3.5 (out of 5.0) is required.
• ADM Book Prizes: cash prizes for top Year 1 and Year 2 students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply in the Gaokao category between 15 October 2026 and 19 March 2027; Senior 3 students use Senior 1 and 2 transcripts
• After applying, upload your portfolio, introduction video, creative project and observational drawing through Check Status on time
• Submit Gaokao results within 3 days of release; aim for 80%+; prepare for a July interview
• IELTS 6.5 (6.5 in writing and speaking) or TOEFL 90 as a baseline; confirm whether the BFA needs more

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply by 20 January 2027; at least 90% in each of five grade 12 subjects
• Upload all ADM materials by the deadline in Check Status; submit final transcripts within 3 days of release

Transfer students:

• Apply through the standard process and start in first year; with tertiary study and a portfolio, apply for advanced standing in your first year

Sources: Nanyang Technological University, ADM Bachelor of Fine Arts; Bachelor of Fine Arts (Office of Admissions); ADM application procedures; ADM Admission Requirements 2027; General admission requirements and application windows; PRC Gaokao requirements; Canada qualifications; Minimum subject requirements for international qualifications (PDF); Transfer; Tuition fees and grants; Nanyang Global Scholarship; ADM funding and scholarships. Information is for August 2027 entry (subject requirement tables and fees are for 2026 entry). Check NTU for the latest details.