Bachelor of Circus Arts


About the Bachelor of Circus Arts
Who Should Apply?
Audition Dates
How to Apply
International Students
Fees
How to Prepare

About the Bachelor of Circus Arts

NICA’s core program is a three-year Bachelor of Circus Arts incorporating a Diploma of Circus Arts and an Advanced Diploma of Circus Arts. The course provides specialist training in contemporary circus arts. It offers intensive one-on-one tuition with highly experienced training staff from a diverse range of nationalities, backgrounds and circus genres.

NB: Applicants must have completed Year 12 or equivalent to be eligible for this program.

Throughout the course, students:

• learn a broad range of circus and performance skills
• select two areas of circus specialty
• study subjects to further their knowledge of the arts
• study subjects that equip them to manage their own careers

NICA strives to produce highly employable, skilled and creative artists who will be respected nationally and internationally in the global circus and physical theatre industry. Students study full time for approximately 35 hours a week for 40 weeks a year and receive extensive one-on-one training. The course is based at NICA, on the Prahran campus of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. Visit the Swinburne University website for detailed course information, subject outlines, fees and FAQ’s.
 

Course Structure
The Bachelor of Circus Arts is a nested vocational degree program, incorporating the Diploma of Circus Arts and Advanced Diploma of Circus Arts. You are enrolled into the Diploma in the first year, the Advanced Diploma in the second year, and the Bachelor in the third year. Therefore, you are enrolled in TAFE courses in the first two years of study, and it is not until the third year that you are enrolled in a higher education course.



Who Should Apply?

NICA welcomes applications from those who have completed Year 12 or equivalent and are physical and artistic young people with experience in areas such as:

  • circus
  • gymnastics
  • sports acrobatics
  • trampolining
  • diving
  • performing arts
  • dance
  • extreme sport
  • martial arts
  • physical theatre
  • clowning

Entry into NICA is by audition, interview and medical assessment. Students must apply to audition.

International applicants and those in geographically isolated areas should apply by DVD/video.

Indigenous students are encouraged to apply and may contact Miranda Madgwick, Indigenous Education Officer at Swinburne University on mmadgwick@swin.edu.au or +61 3 9726 7174, for specific advice.

Audition Dates

Auditions were held in the following cities in 2009 for entry in 2010.
Dates and venues for 2011 entry are to be confirmed.

Melbourne: Friday 25 September and Sunday 11 October (NICA, Prahran)
Sydney: Monday 28 September (Aerialize, Marrickville)
Brisbane: Tuesday 29 September (Robertson Gymnastics Academy, Tingalpa)
 

Applications have now closed


How to Apply

Prospective students must apply to audition. When considering an application to NICA, please ensure you have followed these steps:

Australian Applicants

Applicants will be notified of the audition venue and specific details on receipt of the application.

Australian applicants applying by DVD/video




Send your completed application form to:
National Institute of Circus Arts
144 High Street
Prahran VIC 3181
Australia

 

International Applicants
  • Read the DVD/Video Audition Requirements
  • Complete the NICA Application Form for 2010 Entry
  • Complete the Swinburne International Student Form:
  • http://www.international.swinburne.edu.au/apply/ug-tafe/index.html
  • Attach your photos
  • Complete the Performance Pro Forma
  • Send your DVD/video, NICA application form, Swinburne International application form, accompanying documents and Performance Pro Forma to Swinburne International by the closing date.
 
Swinburne International
PO Box 218 Hawthorn
Victoria AUSTRALIA 3122

Contact NICA if you would like the information and forms posted to you.
Telephone: (+613) 9214 6975
Email: info@nica.com.au



International Students

Why study in Australia?
Australia is one of the safest and friendliest countries in the world. The vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Melbourne is a cultural and sporting mecca with a strong focus on the arts. NICA boasts a state-of-the-art circus studio located just a cartwheel away from the café, design & fashion precinct of Chapel Street. The course is delivered in English by world-class training staff from a diverse range of nationalities, backgrounds and circus genrés. NICA boasts low student/staff ratios and intensive one-on-one tuition.

Recognition of Prior Learning
International students may apply to enter at Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Bachelor level. Students with relevant industry experience or previous training may gain entry into advanced levels. Applications will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Student Services
Visit the Swinburne University International Students page to find out about the specific services and advice offered to International Students.

How to apply by DVD/video

International applicants must submit a DVD/video application, a NICA application form, and Swinburne University application form. Videos are accepted in PAL and NTSC format.

Read the Bachelor of Circus Arts course outline in the Swinburne University CourseFinder


Fees for students in 2010

First and Second Year Local Students

The fee payable by local students enrolled in the Diploma of Circus Arts and Advanced Diploma of Circus Arts is made up of a tuition fee, ancillary fee and the Swinburne University TAFE amenities fee. The 2010 amenities fee is $196 (or $138 for concession.)

The fee for a government subsidised place is $5,600 AUD per year, plus the amenities fee. This consists of a tuition fee of $2,000 and an ancillary fee of $3,600. The ancillary and amenities fee must be paid at the time of enrolment.

To determine if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, see the information about Skills Reform on the Swinburne University website. If you are over 20 years of age on 1 January 2010, and hold a qualification equal to or higher than the course you are enrolling into, you will have to take a full fee paying place. The tuition fee for a local full fee paying place is $15,000 AUD per year, plus the Swinburne University amenities fee.

Students may be eligible to defer their tuition fee through VET FEE HELP. For further information, see the information about VET FEE HELP at the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Please note you may only defer the tuition part of your fees. If you are enrolling in a government subsidised place, you may defer only $2,000 per year, and if you are enrolling in a full fee paying place, you may defer the full $15,000 fee.

Third Year Local Students

The tuition fee for local students enrolled in the Bachelor of Circus Arts is $5,600 AUD per year. Third year students may be eligible to defer their fees through FEE HELP. For further information visit Going to Uni.

International Students

The 2010 fee for international students is $16,500 AUD.
 

Click here to view fee information as a table



How to Prepare

Applicants should prepare for the audition by following the Fitness Preparation Guide.
Applicants should also prepare a performance piece and complete the Performance Pro Forma (see above).

If you're thinking of auditioning for NICA over the next three years, we recommend you register for a NICA short course, held each term, and be coached by one of our professional circus trainers. Have fun and share your circus skills!


Click here for more information.

NICA is offering the Bachelor of Circus Arts: Pre-Audition Intensive Circus Workshop again in 2010!
Dates are 5-9 July 2010.

Click here for more information.

For further information about the Bachelor of Circus Arts, please contact Liz Louden on 03 9214 6537 or elouden@swin.edu.au

 

 
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