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Bachelor of Circus Arts
Overview
The Bachelor of Circus Arts degree aims to produce graduates with a broad body of knowledge and skills through immersive and experiential practice-based studies in contemporary circus arts. The program provides preparation for further learning and regular opportunities for performance in diverse contexts, to allow students to develop an understanding of the ecology of the wider performing arts industry and their place within. Units in critical studies together with real world learning experiences ensure that students acquire self-discipline, teamwork, advanced communication skills, critical and evaluative skills, resilience and are industry-ready. The Bachelor of Circus Arts is designed to educate, develop and nurture highly skilled contemporary circus artists who can work as independent artists or as members of an ensemble and pursue careers in the national and global circus industry.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
Skills you’ll learn
- Transferable skills and knowledge
- Work safely, independently and collaboratively
- Research, analyse and evaluate ideas
- Interpret, communicate and present ideas
- Present elite performances in contemporary circus arts
Your career opportunities
- Independent artist
- Member of an ensemble
- Career in global circus arts industry
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Professional recognition
The National Institute of Circus Arts is recognised both nationally and internationally as a centre for excellence in training. NICA is a current member of the Arts8 - The national elite performing arts training organisations.
NICA is accredited as a full member of the Fédération Européenne des Écoles de Cirque Professionnelles (Federation of European Professional Circus Schools). NICA is the South East Asian training partner for Cirque du Soleil and has strategic alliances and training partnerships with: Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe, Shanghai Circus School, Belfast Community Circus and Taiwan National Academy of Performing Arts.
Qualifications
Students need one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees).
- Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they can showcase their talent/experience at the audition/interview process and upon completion of the STAT test..
Course prerequisites
- VCE: Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
Other requirements
- Entry into NICA is by audition, interview and medical assessment.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Certificate IV in Circus Arts
-
Diploma of Visual Arts
-
Bachelor of Arts
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Circus Arts requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Introduction to Anatomy and Biomechanics
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10001 |
|
Foundation Studies in Circus Arts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10002 |
|
Performance and Movement Studies 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10004 |
|
Circus Arts Specialisation and Physiology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10006 |
|
Performance and Movement Studies 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10008 |
|
Introduction to the Technical Aspects of Circus Production
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10009 |
|
The History and Application of Circus Arts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10010 |
|
Ensemble and Foundation Studies in Circus Arts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA10011 |
|
Circus Arts Specialisation Intermediate 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20002 |
|
Circus History and Culture - Cultural Theory and Representation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20003 |
|
Performance and Movement Studies 3
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20004 |
|
Circus Arts Specialisation Intermediate 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20006 |
|
Performance and Movement Studies 4
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20008 |
|
The Contemporary Circus Industry
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20009 |
|
Ensemble and Intermediate Studies in Circus Arts 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20010 |
|
Ensemble and Intermediate Studies in Circus Arts 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA20011 |
|
Performance Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA30004 |
|
Capstone Ensemble Show
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA30008 |
|
Arts Management - The Business of Circus
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA30009 |
|
Circus Arts Specialisation Advanced
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA30021 |
|
Ensemble and Advanced Circus Arts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA30022 |
|
Circus Studies Industry Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
BCA30025 |
|
Circus Specialisation Showcase
Core unit , 25.0 credit points |
BCA30026 |
Want to learn more about this course?
Learn more about the Bachelor of Circus Arts in the course handbook.
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$17,680
Total fee* ($AUD)
$53,040
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$32,400.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and 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. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!
Entry into NICA requires an application via Swinburne University of Technology using the Apply Now button on this page - followed by an audition, interview and medical assessment. Prospective students must apply to audition. Applicants who cannot travel to audition venues may apply by video.
If you are interested in this course and would like further information about auditions, please sign up to Inside Track for audition information and application dates.
More information about studying at the National Institute of Circus Arts is available at the NICA website.