Bachelor of Circus Arts

Ready to step into the spotlight of contemporary Circus Arts? This course is for you.

years

specialities

STUDY MODES

On Campus

NEXT INTAKE

January 2026

LOCATION

Melbourne (Prahran)

Unlock your full potential

Your immersive ticket to the real-world circus stage.

Course Guide

Bachelor of Circus Arts is delivered by the National Institute of Circus Arts, our educational partner, in their purpose-built, world-class facilities in Prahran

Throughout the course, you’ll learn from a dedicated and highly skilled faculty of artists and industry professionals who deliver an innovative curriculum that emphasises technical mastery, nurtures your individual strengths, and paves the way for meaningful artistic expression.

NICA offers diverse opportunities for students to showcase their skills within a unique suite of performance venues. From large scale public-facing productions, to intimate in-house showings, you'll gain practical and valuable insights into professional performance within the circus industry.

The Bachelor program will lay the foundation for a sustainable, fulfilling and exciting career in the performing arts. We are here to create tangible pathways to your dream career, guided by what 'success' means to you.

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Course Guide

Course Information

Course Structure

Bachelor of Circus Arts with a nested Associate Degree of Circus Arts

*standard units are worth 12.5 credit points; this course has units worth 25 credit points.

DETAILED UNIT DESCRIPTOR

Stage	Circus Arts Theory and Contexts	Principles of Circus Arts	Circus Performance and Movement	Circus Arts Specialisation
1	The History and Application of Circus Arts (NICHAC1)	Foundation Studies in Circus Arts (NICFCA1)	Performance Movement Studies 1 (NICMSA1)	Introduction to Anatomy and Biomechanics ( NICIAB1)
2	Introduction to the Technical Aspects of Circus Production (NICITA2)	Ensemble and Foundation Studies in Circus Arts (NICEFS2)	Performance Movement Studies 2 (NICMSB2)	Circus Arts Specialisation and Physiology (NICSPP2)
3	The Contemporary Circus Industry (NICCCI3)	Ensemble and Intermediate Studies in Circus Arts 1 (NICENA3)	Performance Movement Studies 3 (NICMSC3)	Circus Arts Specialisation Intermediate 1 (NICSIA3)
4	Circus History and Culture - Cultural Theory and Representation (NICHCT4)	Ensemble and Intermediate Studies in Circus Arts 2 (NICENB4)	Performance Movement Studies 4 (NICMSD4)	Circus Arts Specialisation Intermediate 2 (NICSIB4)
5	Circus Studies Industry Project (NICIPR5)	Ensemble and Advanced Circus Arts (NICACA5)	Capstone Ensemble Show (NICESH5)	Circus Arts Specialisation Advanced (NICSAD5)
6	Arts Management – The Business of Circus (NICBCI6)	Performance Project (NICPPR6	Circus Specialisation Showcase (NICSSH6)

Fees & Scholarships

Local Student Fee Breakdown

Yearly Fee

$19,380

*Fees are estimates only

Bachelor

$58,140

*Fees are estimates only

Yearly Fee - International

$35,192

*Fees are estimates only

Bachelor Fee- International

$105,576

*Fees are estimates only

FEE-HELP at Collarts

At Collarts, pursuing higher education is made more accessible through the Australian Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme, which can cover all or part of your tuition fees.

FEE-HELP is a loan provided by the Australian Government that assists students to pay for higher education tuition fees at approved providers like Collarts.

Find out more

International Students:

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester.

Note: Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

The Bachelor of Circus Arts is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, accredited through CRICOS; CRICOS Code 117405G

Entry Requirements & Admission

Applicants should have a background in performing arts, physical theatre, youth circus, dance, acrobatic sports, or gymnastics.

Successful applicants must be physically able to undertake the rigorous NICA training.

Students train physically between four and six hours a day in circus skills, fitness, dance and movement.

Send in your applications to auditions@nica.com.au

You need to complete the following:

Audition
Interview
Physiotherapy assessment
Year 12 or equivalent

NICA Ed Auditions for 2026 Intake

Audition dates are now live. Book your NICA auditions today!

Book Now Send email

Future Careers

In the diverse world of circus arts, you can mix, match and combine your interests to create your own professional format. Designing a career that moves and grows with you.

Circus Performer

Live for the applause and tour the world as part of a contemporary ensemble or a traditional travelling circus. Get the best of both worlds as you work and travel with world-renowned companies like Cirque du Soleil, Dragone, Circa, Gravity & Other Myths, Circus Oz, Cavalia, NOFIT State Circus and beyond.

Film, Television & Live Theatre Performer

Fancy yourself on Broadway or the silver screen? Integrate your skills with your theatre knowledge to perform your own stunts on major productions like Harry Potter, The Lion King, Peter Pan, Moulin Rouge and more!

Independent Artist

Bend your own rules as an independent artist by carving your own unique path within the gig economy. Travel the seven seas aboard international cruise ships, utilise your creative faculty in producer or director roles, or even tour your own solo shows and workshops.

FIND OUT WHY

Need more options?

Check out the Cert IV in Circus Arts or reach out to the NICA team.

Certificate IV in Circus Arts Send email

Learn more about campus life at NICA

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Dates

Where can I study this?

I’m a dancer/ athlete can I join?

What does a typical day at NICA look like?

Very fun, very busy.

Most days start with a big warm up. Followed by a lot of tumbling, handstands and flexibility. Then a solid session of group and partner work, manipulation and aerials.

Later you’ll work for an hour on each of your specialties. In between all this is time for food, comradery and strolling down chapel street, as well as some very interesting academic classes.

We like to end the day with a warm down – stretching + strength and conditioning.

How do I choose my specialty skills?

Does NICA help me get a job after graduating?

I’ve got some previous circus experience. Is this recognised as prior learning?

Your Bachelor of Circus Arts course can’t wait. Neither can you.

Search.

Bachelor of Circus Arts

years

specialities

STUDY MODES

NEXT INTAKE

LOCATION

Unlock your full potential

Course Information

STUDY MODES

NEXT INTAKE

LOCATION

Course Information

NICA Ed Auditions for 2026 Intake

Future Careers

Circus Performer

Film, Television & Live Theatre Performer

Independent Artist

Need more options?

Learn more about campus life at NICA

Frequently Asked Questions