The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Design and Media prepares students to thrive at the intersection of artistic expression and emerging technologies. At the heart of the programme, creativity is nurtured as a tool for innovation, cultural transformation and new forms of storytelling. Designed for aspiring creatives who want to make an impact through design, media and visual culture, the programme combines a strong conceptual foundation with hands-on practice. Students learn to create original work to respond to real-world challenges and succeed in the fast-evolving creative industries.

Through a blend of core courses, Major Prescribed Electives (MPE) and Interdisciplinary Core Courses (ICC), students will gain a broad-based yet focused creative education that encourages experimentation and cross-disciplinary exploration.

This single degree programme offers four distinct specialisations, enabling students to develop expertise in their chosen field:

Animation and Game Art
Cinematic Arts
Communication Design and Photographic Practice
Transversal Design (Object and Interaction)

About Programme

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Design and Media prepares students to thrive at the intersection of artistic expression and emerging technologies. At the heart of the programme, creativity is nurtured as a tool for innovation, cultural transformation and new forms of storytelling. Designed for aspiring creatives who want to make an impact through design, media and visual culture, the programme combines a strong conceptual foundation with hands-on practice. Students learn to create original work to respond to real-world challenges and succeed in the fast-evolving creative industries.

Unique Features

The offerings from the School of Art, Design and Media, allow each student more flexibility in choosing the subjects that suit their interests and objectives. They can choose from a broad range of courses within and outside their majors for a broad range of knowledge and expertise necessary in an increasingly competitive industry.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general NTU requirements, all applicants seeking entry to the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree program at the School of Art, Design and Media are required to prepare and submit the following materials for admission assessment.

A Portfolio
An introduction video
Creative Projects
An Observational Drawing

Please refer to the ADM Admission Requirements for specific submission instructions and details.

Course Exemptions

The School of Art, Design and Media recognises academic work completed in recognised institutions both in Singapore and internationally. To ensure that each student is given adequate assessment of advanced standing and transfer credits, the School will conduct an individual assessment of each case.

Activity Flow:

Year One students will receive submission instructions during the ADM Freshmen Orientation. All eligible students are to submit the form to the ADM General Office at Level 1. Late submission after the stated deadline will not be entertained.
For Compulsory Studio Elective Course, the Area Coordinator will evaluate the portfolio submitted and give their recommendation.
Associate Chair, Academic will transfer the Core, Compulsory/Other Major Prescribed Electives, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) and Broadening and Deepening Elective (BDE) and submit the recommendation to the Chair for approval.
Upon final approval, the students will be informed of their results and collection of portfolio through students' NTU email account.

Guidelines on Transfer:

Only those with tertiary study and a significant portfolio are eligible for advanced standing.

Evaluation of AUs transferred is based on courses passed with at least a grade B or better.

For Polytechnic Diploma, generally, only third-year courses will be considered for advanced placement at ADM. In specific cases, some courses may be considered based on course content and how comparable these are to ADM course.

Determination is on a cases by case basis, and subject to endorsement by Associate Chair, Academic and approval by Chair, ADM.

Advanced standing is formalised within the first year of matriculation.

Generally, for Polytechnic students (including NAFA and LaSalle SIA College of the Art), the maximum number of AUs to be transferred is 9 AUs. Only in cases of exceptional work presented will there be consideration of transfer beyond 12 AUs.

University students (Singapore & International) receive credits transferred as per University policies (recommended by Associate Chair, Academic).

University students (Singapore & International) may receive waivers on first year courses and major core course on a case by case basis. These are evaluated by area faculty based on portfolio in each subject requested for transfer of credit.

Subject Type	Max Number of AUs to be transferred
Core & Compulsory Major Prescribed Electives	3 AUs in Compulsory Major Prescribed Studio Electives (Portfolio to be submitted)
Other Major Prescribed Electives	Determined on case by case basis
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC)	Determined on case by case basis
Broadening and Deepening Elective (BDE)	6 AUs

Programme Structure & Duration

Explore the year-by-year overview of the course curriculum, from foundational core courses to advanced specialisations. This is your academic journey: from learning the fundamentals to preparing for your Final Year Project.

Year 1 - Start with three academically fundamental core courses, five Interdisciplinary Collaborative Cores (ICC) for a rounded foundation and a choice of four Major Prescribed Electives (MPE) options as entry courses for each specialisation.

Year 2 - Go further in depth with your chosen specialisation with four MPEs of your choice and two compulsory MPEs as pre-requisites for your Final Year Project (FYP). There will be a compulsory core course and three ICC courses as well.

Year 3 - Two studio-based MPEs are required to build specialisation-specific skills for the FYP, while four other MPEs can be chosen from ADM’s full range of courses. You will take a core course on Research and Practice to enable research for your FYP. You will also gain real-world experience through a 22-week internship.

Year 4 - You will focus on your FYP, creating an original work that answers your own brief or research question, accompanied by a written dissertation. There will be a final core course on Strategic Thinking for Professional Practice to prepare you for a career in the creative industry following graduation.

Curriculum

Animation and Game Art Specialisation

Animation and Game Art explore the power of visual storytelling and immersive experiences to engage with contemporary themes and reimagine narratives.

Whether it is through animated worlds or interactive gameplay, students learn to evoke emotion, spark imagination and offer fresh perspectives on real-world challenges. Students can explore multi-faceted creative practices crafting fantastic worlds, memorable characters and inventive stories through 3D animation, stop-motion, character design, visual storytelling and live-action game design. This specialisation emphasises the craft of immersive elements such as character, motion, timing, aesthetics and emotional impact, essential tools for connecting with today’s global audiences.

By employing technical mastery, creative dexterity and research-informed innovation, students have the potential to become innovative storytellers, influential creatives and visionary leaders in animation and game, and the wider creative industries.

Cinematic Arts Specialisation

Cinematic Arts explores how film and digital media convey ideas, evoke emotions and offer insight into the human experience, while prompting reflection on significant themes within society. Through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, students will develop strong foundations in audio-visual storytelling, while embracing emerging technologies and sustainable production methods. Students will gain practical experience in various aspects of filmmaking, particularly screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, editing and sound design.

The programme fosters a dynamic, inclusive space where diverse voices and perspectives come together to inspire, challenge and transform.

With a focus on theoretical understanding and applied practical experiences, Cinematic Arts aims to nurture a new generation of storytellers, creators, and creative leaders equipped to innovate, question, push the boundaries of storytelling and shape the future of screen-based narratives in an evolving world of cinematic arts, media and entertainment.

Transversal Design (Object and Interaction)

Join us at the cutting edge where product design meets interactive technology with the Transversal Design (Object and Interaction) specialisation. This transdisciplinary programme blends traditional product design practices with emerging interactive technologies to address today’s complex environmental, social and technological challenges. Students explore the intersections of craft and innovation, designing products, materials, experiences and objects in both physical and virtual realms. Students can gain proficiency in prototyping, digital interaction, creative coding, immersive spaces and experiential design, approaching contemporary problems with a focus on social impact.

The courses encourage adaptable thinking across disciplines and scales. From climate change to social justice, students address global concerns through impactful, future-focused design, preparing to lead with creativity, resilience and a vision for inclusive, post-anthropocentric futures.

Graduates of the Transversal Design (Object and Interaction) specialisation will be equipped to thrive in roles that span creative technology, human-centered innovation, and systems thinking. Whether shaping user experiences, designing for sustainability or leading interdisciplinary teams, they will be able to navigate and contribute to the evolving intersections of design, technology and society.

Communication Design and Photographic Practice

Communication Design and Photographic Practice takes a life-centred, inquiry-led approach to tackling today’s complex social and environmental challenges through design and working with images. Students will engage with themes such as systems thinking, design ethics, sustainability, inclusivity, and accessibility, using both visual communication skillsets and photographic media to explore new ideas. You will develop key skills in graphic design, typography, photography, visual systems and design practice strategies, equipping you to communicate impactful messages across diverse platforms and audiences.

The programme encourages experimentation across emerging technologies, interactive experiences and creative design strategies. Grounded in strong design fundamentals and theoretical understanding, our courses equip students with the visual fluency and conceptual tools to challenge norms and reimagine new modes of thinking.

Graduates will be equipped to navigate an ever-evolving design landscape as visual communicators, strategic storytellers, design-driven changemakers and contribute meaningfully across various industries, communities and media.

Career Prospects

Animation and Game Art

Creative Director, Technical Director, Game Director, Motion Capture Director, Game Producer, 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Stop Motion Animator, Narrative Designer, 3D Designer, 3D Surface Designer, Visual Effects Artist, Lighting Designer, Game Designer, Assets Designer, User Experience Designer, User Interface Designer, Creature Artist, Concept Artist, Game Concept Artist, Technical Artist, Compositor

Cinematic Arts

Director, Art Director, Producer (Film/Broadcast/Online), Director of Photography (DOP)/Cinematographer, Production Manager (Film/Line Producer), Acquisitions Manager, Editor, Content Commissioner, Content Curator, Post-Production Supervisor, VFX Supervisor, Scriptwriter, Sound Designer, Development Executive, Casting

Communication Design and Photographic Practice

Art Director, Creative Director, Brand Manager, Product Designer/Manager, Design Production Manager, Design Project Manager, Content/Features Editor, Visual Merchandiser Strategist, Data Visualisation Specialist, Community Development Researcher, Design Entrepreneur, Photographer, Archivist, Photo-journalist, Visual Artist, Business Designer, UX/UI Designer, Graphic Designer, Human-Centred Designer, Visual Designer/Storyteller (Graphics, Branding, Multimedia), Content Strategist and Designer, Experience Designer/Service Designer, Design Coach/Design Accelerator, Social Media and Content Creator/Writer, Creative and Marketing Executive, Design Researcher, Design Facilitator

Transversal Design

Creative Technologist, Digital Media Lead, Design and Solution Lead, Product Designer/Manager, Experience Researcher, Human-Centred Designer, System Designer, UX/UI Designer, Innovation Designer, Exhibition Designer, Experience Designer, Interactive Designer, Sustainability Designer

Additional Information

Second Majors

In addition to their BFA majors, ADM students can choose to pursue a Second Major available in the School of Humanities (SOH), School of Social Sciences (SSS) and the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI), under the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Click here to find out more.

Minors

ADM students can also choose to complete one of the minors available in the other schools throughout the University. A full list of minor programmes is indicated on the following page in the University's website: MINOR PROGRAMMES FOR UNDERGRADUATES

Student Exchange Programmes

ADM supports 2nd and 3rd year students on exchange at overseas university for a maximum of one semester, during Semester Two of Study Year 2 or Semester One of Study Year 3, through NTU's international exchange programme.

NTU has a number of active student exchange programs and ADM students can participate in these exchange programmes. Besides the semester-long exchange programme in Study Years 2 or 3, ADM students can also take part in the short-term exchange programmes after completing one year of study at ADM i.e. at the end of Study Year One.

For more information about the Student Exchange Programmes, please click here.

About Programme

Unique Features

Admission Requirements

Course Exemptions

Programme Structure & Duration

Curriculum

Career Prospects

Additional Information

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