the application process

Whether you are applying to study the Bachelor of Circus Arts or the Certificate IV in Circus Arts, the application process is the same:

Step 1

Submit an application through Swinburne University of Technology.

Step 2

Be invited to audition in-person or via video submission

Step 3

Receive an offer to study at NICA

Start preparing for a spectacular future

Download the Prospectus to learn more about life at NICA. And sign up to Inside Track to get tips and updates about this year's intake.

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auditions

What to expect

Auditions for entry into NICA’s accredited courses are held in late September - early October annually at NICA in Melbourne. It is strongly recommended that you attend the audition in person. Audition via online video footage is accepted for international, interstate and geographically remote applicants.

We want to:

  • Know about your discipline/s: Circus, Gymnastics, Dance, Tricking, Parkour, Theatre
  • See your specialty skills
  • Measure your strength and flexibility
  • See you perform
  • Hear about your journey to date and your future ambitions
  • Assess your physical condition and discuss pre-existing injuries and injury management

There is a one-off administration fee of $50.00. You will also need to invest some time into collecting medical information, thinking about your performance and writing a brief description for the audition panel, and preparing physically, based on the video audition guides and the NICA video application guide.

preview audition pack

Practice using the Audition Skills Guide


P.s Don’t be alarmed if you can’t perform all of these skills yet, we are looking for your potential as a circus performer.

2024

audition details

Intake for 2024 is now closed.
Watch this space for NICA Ed courses and auditions updates.

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Share your journey with us!

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our FAQs here. Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

Yes! NICA accepts intentional students and does not have a limit from internal student applications.

Yes, a VISA is required to attend NICA. It is best to talk with international admissions team at Swinburne University of Technology to gain further information.

This information can be found on the Swinburne University of Technology website.  

Swinburne University of Technology offers selected scholarships, please refer to their website for further information.

The Bachelor of Circus arts is very physically demanding. NICA students are required to train circus skills for a minimum of 20 hours per week, while also attending Performance and Movement classes and one academic class per week.

The NICA Certificate IV program focuses on Foundations while offering an introduction to Circus Specialisation. The Bachelor of Circus Arts requires students to maintain a level of foundations and fitness skills however focuses on specialty skills and artistic development through accumulative training. Our students graduate with two specialty acts and one group/ensemble act.

NICA offers all types of circus and specialty training!

As part of the training, students are given the opportunity to perform in at least one major production each year. After graduating alumni can join NICA Represents, NICA’s very own agency for professional circus performers and bespoke event entertainment.

Yes, NICA provide medical assistance to our students. We provide access to a full medical team of Physiotherapists, Sports Doctors and Psychologists.

Students work closely with trainers and medical team to choose their specialities and acts, ensuring they achieve employment and longevity in their career.

Yes, NICA offers an after-hours ‘Open Training’ program where students and professionals can train side by side.

Yes, many students acquire teaching, café, or bar jobs after the training hours.

Majority of NICA graduates secure touring contracts, festival work, start their own companies or go on to further training or education.

Still have questions?

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