SIT offers 2 new arts degrees in collaboration with Glasgow School of Art

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) has sealed its first partnership with an overseas institution since the announcement that it is set to be a local university.

As part of its drive to help Singapore become a global city for creative excellence, it is working with the Glasgow School of Art to offer two new Bachelor of Arts degrees in communication design and interior design.

These courses cover areas such as photography, graphic design, illustration and design thinking.

To qualify, applicants must have background or experience in design.

This applies mainly to applicants who have completed their studies in the polytechnics or have worked in industry.

Unlike their counterparts in Glasgow who have to start in Year 1, they will start from Year 3 and graduate with Honours after two years.

Mr Frazer Hay, who is the programme director of the Glasgow School of Art Singapore, said the partnership will help Singapore become a global city for creative excellence.

"It’s just as important for Glasgow as it is for Singapore for the cross—fertilisation of ideas for design creativity," he said.

"Everything nowadays is international. And by the end of two years here, both the Singapore and Glasgow students should be able to leave as a global designer."

Undergraduates will also spend time in Glasgow to exchange ideas and concepts.

Currently, about 100 undergraduates are pursuing the new degrees.

SIT hopes to double this number by 2015.

— CNA/xq