Bachelor of Circus Arts, Melbourne Australia

Degree

years

specialities

STUDY MODES

On Campus

NEXT INTAKE

January 2026

LOCATION

Prahran

Unlock your full potential

Your immersive ticket to the real-world circus stage.

Course Guide

A comprehensive and experiential contemporary circus arts program designed to equip students with the skills, connections, and expertise needed to launch successful careers on the global stage of circus and physical theatre.

Within our world-class facilities, 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.

We offer diverse opportunities for students to showcase their skills in our 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.

Our 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.

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

$17,680

*Fees are estimates only

Bachelor

$53,040

*Fees are estimates only

Learn about the FEE-Help program

Unlocking the gateway to higher education at Collarts is easier thanks to the Australian Government's FEE-HELP program.
Wondering about eligibility and the smaller details? The FEE-HELP Information Booklet or Australian Government Study Assist website have all the details you'll need.
Enrolling at Collarts is your first step towards a creative career you’ll love. Once deemed eligible, the ATO will email you an eCaf form. Then, with your TFN or TFN application receipt, you're ready to start your FEE-HELP application. Just be sure to submit it before the census date.

Note: You only incur debt for the subjects you're enrolled in post-census date.

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

Apply Now

You need to complete the following:

Audition
Interview
Physiotherapy assessment
Year 12 or equivalent

Apply Now

Options? We’ve got plenty. Get ready to be inspired.

Collarts course listings are in-depth, and your future career is in there, waiting to be discovered. Speak with a careers consultant, or download our course guide.

Download Guide Book a chat

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.

Courses

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.

Learn more about campus life at NICA

Frequently Asked Questions

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 .

Starts with a big warm up. Following by a lot of tumbling, handstands and flexibility. Then a solid session of group and partner work, manipulation and aerial.

Later you’ll work for an hour on each of your specialties. There is of course time for food, snoozing or strolling down chapel and somewhere in there 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

Bachelor of Circus Arts

years

specialities

STUDY MODES

NEXT INTAKE

LOCATION

Unlock your full potential

Course Information

STUDY MODES

NEXT INTAKE

LOCATION

Course Information

Options? We’ve got plenty. Get ready to be inspired.

Future Careers

Circus Performer

Film, Television & Live Theatre Performer

Independent Artist

Learn more about campus life at NICA

Frequently Asked Questions