University of the Arts Singapore marks first batch of graduates
The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) celebrated its first 135 graduates, offering programmes linking arts with interdisciplinary practices like sustainability and health. Graduates have applied their specialised training in areas such as music therapy and biophilic …
Intelligence analysis by Llama
The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) celebrated its first 135 graduates, offering programmes linking arts with interdisciplinary practices like sustainability and health. Graduates have applied their specialised training in areas such as music therapy and biophilic design to real-world community and healthcare projects. UAS plans to expand with new degrees in, for example, music…
The University of the Arts Singapore has its first 135 graduates, who studied arts with other subjects like sustainability and health. They learned how to make art that helps people and the environment. Now, they're ready to work and make a difference.
Analysis
A New Generation of Artists Enters the Workforce
The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) has celebrated its first 135 graduates, marking a significant milestone in the institution's history. These graduates have completed programmes that link arts with interdisciplinary practices like sustainability and health, demonstrating the university's commitment to fostering a new generation of multidisciplinary artists.
The UAS's programmes have attracted strong interest, with the master's in music therapy being oversubscribed well before its closing date. This is a testament to the university's mission to provide an arts education that goes beyond skills training and developing a pipeline of talent for the creative industries. Instead, the university aims to effect personal and social transformation, inculcating its graduates with purpose and empathy.
Interdisciplinary Arts with Real-World Impact
The spirit of interdisciplinary inquiry is reflected in programmes that encourage students to connect artistic practice with areas such as sustainability or healthcare, while developing new ways of thinking and creating across disciplines. For example, students who study biophilic design, or the integration of nature into the built environment, collaborated with partners, including the Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), to explore biophilic approaches to design.
A graduate from the course, Jolene Ariana, 22, was drawn to the field's focus on the cognitive and psychological benefits of integrating nature into human spaces. She did her final-year project with NCCS, with her team proposing a design for a patient waiting room and an adjacent garden. Most of the waiting room chairs were initially facing the TV for patients to look at their queue numbers, but the group suggested turning the chairs to face the garden instead for therapeutic benefits. They also suggested moving the TV monitors towards the window, so patients could view both the TV display and garden, among other suggestions.
Looking Ahead
Since its launch, UAS has continued to expand its offerings. In 2025, Lasalle introduced the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) music business programme, the first dedicated music business degree in Singapore. NAFA also announced the BA of Music (Honours), jointly awarded by UAS and the Royal College of Music, London, with the first intake planned for August 2026. The programme combines conservatoire training with Asian and intercultural musical practices. UAS will also expand its postgraduate offerings, including NAFA's Master of Performance and Lasalle's Master of Arts in cultural analytics and artificial intelligence.
Key points
- The University of the Arts Singapore has celebrated its first 135 graduates, marking a significant milestone in the institution's history.
- The graduates have completed programmes that link arts with interdisciplinary practices like sustainability and health.
- The university's programmes have attracted strong interest, with the master's in music therapy being oversubscribed well before its closing date.
- The University of the Arts Singapore aims to effect personal and social transformation, inculcating its graduates with purpose and empathy.
- The university will expand its offerings, including new degrees in music business and postgraduate programmes in cultural analytics and artificial intelligence.
The University of the Arts Singapore's graduates are well-equipped to make a positive impact in their communities, with a focus on real-world applications and interdisciplinary approaches. As they enter the workforce, they will bring new ideas and perspectives to the table, driving innovation and creativity in the arts and beyond.
However, there are also challenges ahead for the University of the Arts Singapore's graduates. The arts and cultural sector in Singapore is highly competitive, and graduates may face difficulties in finding employment or establishing themselves as artists. Additionally, the university's focus on interdisciplinary approaches may lead to a lack of specialization, making it harder for graduates to stand out in their chosen fields.
