About

Co-creating a new learning community

The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) is Singapore’s first and only arts university, nurturing a new generation of forward-looking artists, designers, educators, researchers, arts leaders and changemakers.

UAS is founded on an alliance of Singapore’s pioneering and leading arts institutions, LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).

Located in the heart of the arts and civic district, LASALLE and NAFA are distinguished by unique heritages, strong artistic traditions, and innovative teaching approaches. Our trailblazing faculty and alumni have earned national recognition, including Cultural Medallions and Young Artist Awards, championing Singaporean creativity on the global stage.

UAS will generate new artistic thinking and discourse by creatively combining teaching, practice, and research. Collaborating with arts communities and industry partners locally and internationally, our graduates will energise the cultural landscape and the creative economy. We will strengthen Singapore as a creative hub in Asia.

Welcoming our first intake in 2024, LASALLE and NAFA will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with degrees awarded by UAS.

© NAFA

Colleges

Bringing together the best of LASALLE and NAFA

LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE)

LASALLE College of the Arts, founded in 1984 by visionary artist-educator the late De La Salle Brother Joseph McNally, offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in arts and design. Renowned for its innovative teaching and interdisciplinary and experimental practices, LASALLE is globally ranked in the top 200 (QS World University Rankings 2023) for art and design. Among specialist arts institutions, LASALLE is in the top six in Asia and joint top in Southeast Asia.

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Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

Since 1938, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) has inspired generations of artists imbued with the courage to create new breakthroughs. NAFA offers a comprehensive suite of diploma and degree programmes in fine art, design, performing arts, and arts management. Our practice-led curriculum embraces contemporary practice and is anchored on the rich heritage of Southeast Asia. Our current university partners include University of the Arts London and Royal College of Music, London.

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© NAFA
© LASALLE

Students

Expanding opportunities and horizons

The UAS student is dynamic, passionate, adventurous, motivated and creative.

UAS students courageously take a path less trodden to imagine new worlds. Forging new perspectives and approaches, our students will positively impact communities, societies, and economies, enriching lives through the arts.

UAS offers students an exploration of myriad creative disciplines from fine arts, design, media arts and performing arts to associated fields of art therapy, education, and arts and cultural management.

The UAS student experience

  • A nurturing and inclusive learning environment that values diversity and mutual respect among staff and students
  • Mentorship and facilitation provided by dedicated artists-educators and support staff
  • Engagement with real-world issues through artistic practice and intellectual enquiry
  • Rigorous learning through studio practice, mastery of specialist techniques, industry engagement, and individual and group projects
  • In-depth immersion in artistic traditions and contemporary experimentation, in step with technological innovation
  • Interdisciplinary and intercultural learning
  • International exchange and exposure to global developments

Study with us

LASALLE and NAFA will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with degrees awarded by UAS. Our inaugural intake will be for Academic Year 2024. More information on our programmes will be shared in due course.

Learn more about the current programmes of study at LASALLE and NAFA.

Leadership

Mr Jose Isidro “Lito” Camacho

Chairperson, UAS Board of Trustees

Mr Jose Isidro “Lito” Camacho

Chairperson, UAS Board of Trustees

“The establishment of University of the Arts Singapore, through a historic alliance of LASALLE and NAFA, is a major step towards elevating arts tertiary education in Singapore. I am honoured to take on the role as founding Chairperson of University of the Arts Singapore, and am confident that the university will play an influential role to drive transformation for creative arts in the region and beyond.”

Professor Kwok Kian Woon

Vice-Chancellor

Professor Kwok Kian Woon

Vice-Chancellor

“A new university wholly dedicated to the arts is a testimony to the visions of our pioneering artists and arts educators. This represents a resolute commitment to nurturing the artistic potential of our youths, who will lead our next wave of creative energy. We are building on the foundations laid by NAFA and LASALLE, each shaped by its distinctive heritage, bringing to the university its special strengths. Taking up this most challenging role is in keeping with my vocation as a teacher and scholar, whose life and outlook have been profoundly shaped by the arts.”

News

Learn more about UAS

社论:新加坡艺术大学软实力价值大

Zaobao

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Singapore's first arts university to open in August 2024, applications accepted from 2023

The Straits Times

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Varsiti baru - Universiti Seni Singapura - dibuka Ogos 2024, ambil pelajar tahun depan

Berita Harian

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சிங்கப்பூர் கலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் 2024 முதல் செயல்படும்

Tamil Murasu

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Why a university of the arts now?

The Straits Times

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我国首所艺术大学2024年开课

Zaobao

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Singapore's first arts university, formed by NAFA and LASALLE alliance, to welcome students from 2024

Channel News Asia

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Singapore's first arts university; interview with music teacher Ilina Hattangady

Channel News Asia

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New University of the Arts S'pore, formed by LASALLE & NAFA alliance, to open in 2024

Mothership

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