School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA)
What's On
News & Achievements
Careers
e-Portals
Contact Us
About Us
About SOTA
The Campus
Our People
SOTA Board
Management Team
Teaching Staff
Corporate Staff
Teaching Support Staff
Adjunct Teaching Staff
Organisation Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Why SOTA
Why SOTA
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes
Arts Programmes
The SOTA Curriculum
The SOTA Education Experience
Curriculum
Academic
Arts
Affective
Curriculum Booklet for Admission in 2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Curriculum
Admissions
SOTA Talent Academy
DSA-Secondary
DSA-Secondary (Non-MOE)
DSA-Junior Colleges
Non-DSA
Ad-hoc (Year 2/Year 3)
No Vacancy
Supplementary Intake Exercise
Closed
Preparation Notes & Checklists
School Fees
Student Financial Support & Scholarships
Contact Us - Admission Enquiries
Getting Involved
Donate to SOTA
Canvas of Contributions
Impact - SOTA Fundraising Show
SOTA Parent Support Group
Partnerships
Authentic Learning
Exchanges with Arts Institutions
Supporting Singapore Education
and Arts
Venues & Retail
Performing Arts Venues
Art Gallery
Concert Hall
Drama Theatre
Studio Theatre
Retail Spaces
Apply
Give
Menu
About Us
About SOTA
The Campus
Our People
SOTA Board
Management Team
Teaching Staff
Corporate Staff
Teaching Support Staff
Adjunct Teaching Staff
Organisation Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Why SOTA
Why SOTA
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes
Arts Programmes
The SOTA Curriculum
The SOTA Education Experience
Curriculum
Academic
Arts
Affective
Curriculum Booklet for Admission in 2023
Frequently Asked Questions about Curriculum
Admissions
SOTA Talent Academy
DSA-Secondary
DSA-Secondary (Non-MOE)
DSA-Junior Colleges
Non-DSA
Supplementary Intake Exercise
Preparation Notes & Checklists
School Fees
Student Financial Support & Scholarships
Contact Us - Admission Enquiries
Getting Involved
Donate to SOTA
Canvas of Contributions
Impact - SOTA Fundraising Show
SOTA Parent Support Group
Partnerships
Authentic Learning
Exchanges with Arts Institutions
Supporting Singapore Education and Arts
Venues & Retail
Performing Arts Venues
Art Gallery
Concert Hall
Drama Theatre
Studio Theatre
General Advisories
Venue Booking FAQs
Retail Spaces
Other Links
What's On
News & Achievements
Careers
Procurement
e-Portals
Contact Us
SOTA: School of the Arts Singapore
School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA)
/
Admissions
/
SOTA Talent Academy
/
DSA-Secondary (Non-MOE)
DSA-Secondary (Non-MOE)
To the TA Homepage
How To Apply
Eligibility Criteria
Contact Us
How To Apply
Date
For
What To Do
10 March 2023
All Applicants
Check
Your Eligibility Criteria:
At least 12 years old (born in 2011)
Current level of study is Grade 6 and must complete by December 2023, and
Not studying in a MOE mainstream school, or
Primary 6 homeschooled student residing in Singapore and taking the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in 2023
Read more about the criteria on admission, eligibility, and successful enrolment to SOTA on the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE)
Criteria
tab.
10 March 2023
All Applicants
Download
the Preparation Notes and Checklist for the art form that you wish to apply to
here
Prepare
your portfolio for submission
Note: You may apply for up to
TWO
(2) art forms only.
31 March 12:00 noon to 19 May 2023 5:00 pm (SGT)
All Applicants
Apply Online
Application is now closed.
Application was opened on 31 March, 12:00 noon and closed on 19 May, 5:00 pm (SGT).
Sign up
for a TA Portal account.
Ensure
that the email account used to create the account belongs to the parent/guardian of the applicant, as email notifications will be sent to the email address used to create the account.
Log In
to the TA Portal to submit your application.
Download
the
TA Portal Guide
to assist you with navigating the online application form
here
.
The application form will automatically close at 5:00 pm (SGT). Applicants who are in the midst of completing the form will not be able to proceed to submit their application when this happens. No extension of the deadline will be granted.
Note
If you are applying to TWO (2) art forms, you only need to submit ONE (1) application. Choose the 2 art forms when prompted. You will not be able to go back to amend your choices once you have confirmed your selection(s)
You will not be able to apply for a second art form if you have already chosen and confirmed an art form, or have submitted an application for the first art form.
You will not be able to cancel/withdraw your application once you have confirmed your selections in the portal
It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete the entire application for
ONE
(1) art form, provided that the portfolio submission and all supporting documents have been prepared in advance
Submit your application early, as the TA portal may experience slower connectivity due to high traffic towards the close of the application period
Incomplete applications will be disqualified. Appeals for late submissions will not be considered
You are
not
required to apply via MOE DSA-Sec Portal
by 31 May 2023, 3:00 pm (SGT)
All Applicants
Obtain a DSA Registration Number (RGN) online.
You must obtain the DSA RGN by 31 May 2023, 3:00 pm (SGT)
You will receive an email confirmation with your DSA RGN details. Forward this email to us at
[email protected]
by 1 June 2023, 12 noon (SGT)
Register Now
Singaporean/Singapore PR - Register
HERE
International Students - Register
HERE
6 June 2023 6:00 pm (SGT)
All Applicants
Log in
to the
TA Portal
on 6 June from 6:00 pm onwards and check your Shortlisting Outcome.
6 June 2023 6:00 pm (SGT)
All Shortlisted Applicants
Log in
to the
TA Portal
and
click
on the
Announcement
tab
Read
the announcement titled ‘
Information for Shortlisted Applicants
’.
12 June 2023, 6:00 pm (SGT)
All Shortlisted Applicants
Log in
to the TA Portal and:
Download
your TA Schedule to find out your allocated audition days/dates and to
check
for more information about your TA
Check the
Announcement
page for any new updates
20 June – 23 June 2023 (SGT)
All Shortlisted Applicants
All TA activities will take place at SOTA.
Attend
all
scheduled TA activities comprising:
Individual audition/portfolio presentation and interview
Panel interview
Group activities
Online questionnaires
Entrance tests (English and Mathematics)
Make payment of S$30.00 for the Entrance Tests fee
Mode of payment to be advised
Note
20 June – Entrance Tests
20 June to 23 June – All other activities
Shortlisted for 1 artform: attend 3 days of TA
Shortlisted for 2 artforms: attend 4 days of TA
You are advised to refrain from making travel plans during this period, as no auditions will be conducted outside of the scheduled dates.
Shortlisted applicants must attend and complete
all
scheduled TA activities. Incomplete attendance will result in disqualification.
18
August 2023, 6:00 pm onwards
*Updated
All Shortlisted Applicants
Log in
to the TA portal and
check
your final TA Outcome
(Confirmed Offer, Wait List, or Unsuccessful)
October 2023 (SGT) [TBC]
Confirmed Offers Applicants
Attend
SOTA's Cohort and Parents' Engagement Programme (CPEP)
October – November 2023 [TBC]
Confirmed Offers and Wait List Applicants
Exercise
your option and
indicate
SOTA during the
DSA-Secondary Exercise School Preference Stage
. More information will be shared with Confirmed Offer and Wait List applications
November 2023 [TBC]
Confirmed Offers and Wait List Applicants
Collect
your School Posting Result from MOE. More information will be shared with Confirmed Offer and Wait List applicants
December 2023 [TBC]
Applicants who are Successfully Enrolled to SOTA
Complete
your registration online
The decision of the Selection Panel is final. The School reserves the right not to release the results and/or the reasons for non-selection of applicants. The School maintains strict confidentiality on all information provided to us during the TA applications and TA auditions. Hence, we regret that we will not provide any feedback on the application and/or outcome.
Eligibility Criteria
Admission
Exercise
Eligibility
Criteria
Art Forms
Offered
App
lication
Process - Submission
of Online Application
App
lication
Process - Shortlisting
Phase
App
lication
Process -
TA
Outcome
Admission Exercise
When does SOTA conduct its admission exercise?
SOTA conducts
ONE
(1) Admission Exercise a year through the Talent Academy (TA). Please refer to the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE)
How To Apply
tab for more information on the application process and the timeline to take note of.
Parents and pupils are encouraged to choose schools wisely based on the pupil's aptitudes and strengths, bearing in mind SOTA's academic and non-academic requirements, and the programmes available to develop the area of talent.
What does the Talent Academy (TA) comprise?
Do I have to take any entrance tests for my admission to SOTA?
Do I have to take the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s SPERS test for my admission to SOTA?
Do I have to take the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s AEIS test for my admission to SOTA?
All shortlisted DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) applicants must complete all TA activities within the stipulated time. TA activities include the following:
Individual audition/portfolio presentation and interview
Panel interview
Group activities
Online questionnaires
Entrance Tests for English and Mathematics set at the local MOE Primary 6 level
A tests fee of $30.00 is applicable for the entrance tests
Applicants are
not
required to take MOE’s SPERS test for admission to SOTA.
International students applying for admission to SOTA do not need to sit for the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS)-Secondary test due to their specialized curriculum. However, applicants who are also applying to other mainstream schools in Singapore would need to take and pass the AEIS test before they can be considered for admission to secondary schools. Please refer to https://www.moe.gov.sg/international-students/aeis.
Is there a Talent Academy (TA) registration and/or entrance test fee applicable?
There is no TA Registration Fee. There is an Entrance Test fee of S$30.00 payable by shortlisted DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) applicants.
I am not familiar with the local MOE Primary 6 level English and Mathematics. How do I prepare myself for the tests?
Applicants may refer to the Primary 6 or PSLE assessment resources. Download the
Preparation Notes and Checklist
to learn more.
I have missed the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) application period. Are there any other admission exercises for Year 1 intake for the next Academic Year?
No, there isn’t. SOTA admits 100% of its Year 1 cohort through the DSA exercise. As such, there is no other admission exercise for Year 1 intake for Academic Year 2023 other than the DSA exercise.
I have missed the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) application period. Can I apply via the Supplementary Intake Exercise (SIE)?
No. The school may conduct the SIE if there are available vacancies. The application is only open to students who have taken the PSLE in the current academic year at the local MOE mainstream schools.
Eligibility Criteria
What are the eligibility criteria for application under the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) category?
Applicants must meet the following:
At least 12 years old (born in 2011), and
Current level of study is Grade 6 and must complete by December 2023, and
Not studying in a MOE mainstream school, or
Primary 6 homeschooled student residing in Singapore and taking the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in 2023
Interested applicants should only submit their applications if they are able to start school in the new academic year (January).
Can non-Singaporeans apply under the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) category?
The application is open to Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent-Residents, Returning Singaporeans, Returning Singapore Permanent-Residents, and Foreigners who meet the eligibility criteria stated in the first question of this section.
I am currently studying in Grade 6 but am underage (born after 2011). Can I apply for TA in 2023?
No. Applicants cannot be underage. Singapore’s minimum age requirement for entry to Year/Secondary 1 is that students turn 13 years old in 2024.
I am 12 years old, born in 2011 but will only complete Grade 6 in 2024. Can I apply for TA in 2023 for admission to Year 1 in AY2024?
No. The entrance tests would consist Grade 6 topics, which you might not have covered yet. You would be at a disadvantage. You should apply for TA in 2024 for admission in AY2025 instead. Do note that you can only apply once.
I will start Grade 7 in mid-2023 and will complete in mid-2024. Can I apply for admission to Year 1 for TA 2023?
I am currently studying in Grade 7 and will only complete in 2024. Can I apply for admission to Year 1 for TA 2023?
Yes, you can apply for Year 1 for TA 2023 provided that you meet the age eligibility criteria (at least 12 years old).
I have completed Grade 7; can I apply for admission to Year 1 for TA 2023?
Applicants aged 13 years and above and have completed Grade 7 may not apply for admission to Year 1 for TA 2023. You may only apply to the level that you will be starting or still studying in 2024, provided that you meet the age eligibility criteria for admission to the level you are seeking to apply to.
I am a Returning Singaporean / Returning Singapore Permanent-Resident. Can I apply via the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) category?
If you are born in 2011 (12 years old) and will be completing Grade 6 by December 2023, you may apply via the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) category. Learn more about the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) Application Process
Must I have attended formal art lessons in order to apply?
Must I have formal training and/or certification (ABRSM, RAD etc) in order to apply?
No, you are not required to have any formal training or certification in order to apply. For Music applicants, it is important that you are able to sight-read and sight-sing.
What are the eligibility criteria for successful admission to SOTA via the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE)?
To gain admission into SOTA via DSA-Sec (Non-MOE), shortlisted applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
Obtain a registration number (in the format of RGxxxxxxx) from the MOE. Please visit MOE’s website for more information.
Receive a Confirmed Offer or Wait List (subject to available vacancies) for the final outcome of their Talent Academy application.
Indicate SOTA during the School Preference Submission at MOE.
For Primary 6 homeschooled students residing in Singapore and taking the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in 2023 - be eligible for Posting Group 3 (PSLE Scores 4 to 22).
Art Forms Offered
What are the art forms that I can apply to?
Can I apply to more than 1 art form?
The art forms available for admission to Year 1 are:
Dance
Literary Arts
Music (Performing) or Music (Creating)
Theatre
Visual Arts
Applicants may apply to up to
TWO
(2) art forms only.
Applicants only need to submit
ONE
(1) application for BOTH art forms.
Can I apply to more than one (1) instrument for Music?
No. You may only apply for
ONE
(1) instrument (including ‘voice’) and to
ONE
(1) Music track only.
Can I apply to both Music (Performing) and Music (Creating) tracks?
You may apply to
ONE
(1) track only. Based on the Music Faculty’s assessment of the portfolio submitted, you may be shortlisted to audition for the other track instead, if you are found to be more suitable for that.
What is the difference between Music (Performing) and Music (Creating) tracks?
Learn more about the two tracks
here
.
Application Process - Submission of Online Application
How do I apply and submit my application?
Do I have to submit any portfolio relevant to the art form that I wish to apply to?
Do I have to submit any supporting documents?
Application is done online via the TA Portal. You will need to register for an account before you can log in to complete the application form.
You must download the
Preparation Notes and Checklist
relevant to the art form that you are applying for to find out what you need to prepare for your portfolio submission, as well as the supporting documents required for submission.
If you are applying to TWO (2) art forms, you only need to submit ONE (1) application. Choose the 2 art forms when prompted. You will
not
be able to go back and amend your choices once you have confirmed your selection(s).
You will
not
be able to apply for a second art form if you have already chosen and confirmed an art form or have submitted an application for the first art form.
You will not be allowed to cancel/withdraw your application once you have confirmed your selections.
It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete the entire application for one art form, provided that the portfolio submission and supporting documents have been prepared in advance.
Applicants are advised to submit their applications early, as the TA Portal may experience slower connectivity due to high traffic towards the close of the application period.
Incomplete applications will be disqualified. Appeals for late submissions will not be considered.
Please refer to the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE)
How To Apply
tab for more information on application process and the timeline to take note of.
Do I have to submit an application via MOE's DSA-Sec Portal?
No, you are not required to submit an application via MOE's DSA-Sec Portal. Students interested to apply to SOTA will continue to apply directly to SOTA via the TA Portal.
I am not computer savvy and I don't know how to apply via the TA Portal. Can I come down to SOTA to seek assistance?
We regret that we are unable to provide in-person support. Please email us at
[email protected]
.
How do I upload videos to YouTube?
You may refer to the
YouTube Help page
for assistance.
How do I upload videos and files to Google Drive?
You may refer to the
Google Support page
for assistance.
How do I convert, compress or merge documents to PDF?
There are many free online websites you can use. Below are a few suggestions. Please note that SOTA is not affiliated to any of these sites. The links below will bring you to an external website not hosted by SOTA.
Convert word document to PDF document (
Link 1
or
Link 2
)
Compress / Resize PDF documents (
Link 1
)
Merge individual pdf documents into 1 document (
Link 1
)
I would like to apply for DSA-Sec (Non-MOE) but I am not available on the days of the Talent Academy (TA), can I be auditioned on a different date?
Can I choose the TA dates if I am shortlisted?
No. All auditions, assessments, and interviews must be done during the TA dates indicated. All TA schedules will be arranged by SOTA and no change of dates is allowed. Please refer to the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE)
How To Apply
tab for more information on the application process and the timeline to take note of. We regret that due to the nature of the audition activities, no auditions will take place outside of the TA window.
Application Process - Shortlisting Phase
I have submitted my application via the TA Portal. How do I find out the outcome of my application?
I have been shortlisted to attend the TA. How do I find out which days I have been scheduled to attend?
Log in to the TA Portal and:
check the status of your shortlisting outcome, and
download your
TA Schedule
to find out the TA dates/days that you are allocated to. Do note that these may take place over multiple days.
check the ‘Announcement’ tab to learn more about your TA Schedule
If you are shortlisted for 1 art form you will need to complete the following:
An art form audition/presentation and interview
Group activities
A panel interview
Online questionnaires
English and Maths entrance tests
If you are shortlisted for 2 art forms you will need to complete the following:
Two art forms auditions/presentations and interviews
Group activities
A panel interview (same interview for both shortlisted artforms, only required to take this ONCE)
Online questionnaires (same questionnaires for both shortlisted artforms, only required to take this ONCE)
English and Maths entrance tests
Shortlisted applicants must complete all their scheduled activities within the stipulated time. Absence during any part of the TA will disqualify the application.
I have downloaded my TA schedule and realised that I am not available on one of the dates allocated to me. Can I request for a change of date?
No. All TA schedules are arranged by SOTA and no change of dates is allowed. Please refer to the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE)
How To Apply
tab for more information on the application process and the timeline to take note of.
I have applied for Music (Performing) but was shortlisted for Music (Creating) instead. Can I appeal to be offered Music (Performing)?
SOTA would have carefully considered each application, and as such, the decision is final.
I applied for the Talent Academy (TA) but was not shortlisted. Can I appeal?
I applied for the Talent Academy (TA) but was not shortlisted. Can I know why?
All applications are carefully reviewed and considered by the selection panel according to a rigorous process. As such, the of the selection panel is final. The school reserves the right not to release the results and/or the reasons for non-selection of applicants. To ensure the continued rigour of the selection process, we regret that we are not able to provide any feedback.
Application Process - TA Outcome
I have attended the Talent Academy (TA). How do I find out the outcome of my TA?
You must log in to the TA Portal to check the status of your final TA outcome. Please refer to the DSA-Sec (Non-MOE)
How To Apply
tab for more information on application process and the timeline to take note of.
I have received a Confirmed Offer for my TA result. What do I do next?
You must participate in the DSA School Preference Exercise in late October (date TBC)
Exercise your option and indicate SOTA during the School Preference Submission
I attended the Talent Academy (TA) but missed part of the TA activities on my schedule. Will that affect my chances of being selected?
Yes. Absence during any part of the TA will disqualify the application. Shortlisted candidates must attend and complete all their scheduled activities. There will not be any make-up auditions.
I attended the Talent Academy (TA) but was not offered. Can I know why?
We understand your request for feedback in order to help you improve in your artistic journey. The school maintains strict confidentiality about the audition procedures and criteria for the Talent Academy, to ensure and maintain the authenticity of performances and portfolios at future auditions. As such, we regret that we are unable to share any feedback.
I attended the TA but was not offered. Can I request to be re-assessed?
Regrettably, no. The school evaluates the candidate's artistic talent and potential based on the admission criteria and a rigorous assessment process during the Talent Academy (TA). Candidates are assessed via solo auditions or portfolio presentations depending on the art form, as well as group workshops, exercises and interviews. Admission to the school is highly competitive. As such, we are only able to offer candidates who have performed consistently well across the assessed areas. The school would have carefully reviewed each applicant’s TA assessment and therefore, the decision is final.
I attended the TA but was not offered. Can I re-apply again next year?
Yes, you may, subject to available vacancies and meeting the eligibility criteria. Please check the website in March the following year for the update.
Contact Us
Couldn't find the information you’re looking for? Click
here
to contact us.
To The Top
In This Section
SOTA Talent Academy
DSA-Secondary
DSA-Secondary (Non-MOE)
DSA-Junior Colleges
Non-DSA
Ad hoc Admission Exercise
Supplementary Intake Exercise
Preparation Notes & Checklists
School Fees
Student Financial Support & Scholarships
Contact Us - Admission Enquiries
I want to
Send This
Share To