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Circus Arts

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NICA Represents + more

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What they're up to

Master the credible in incredible.

NICA is the recognised National Centre of Excellence in circus studies, exclusively offering the country’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts, and Certificate IV in Circus Arts.

Our graduates are global citizens, employed in over 45 countries world-wide. We take pride in fortifying Australia’s role and reputation within the local, and international contemporary circus sphere.

All our courses are delivered by world-class trainers, in our award-winning, custom-built training facilities. NICA’s advanced training methods, and specialised university education, prepares students to meet the demands of a highly competitive industry.

NICA has entered into a new educational partnership with Collarts (Australian College for the Arts), which is accredited by TEQSA to offer the Bachelor of Circus Arts program and provides overarching academic and quality guidance and regulation.

Our VET programs will continue to be delivered in partnership with Swinburne University in 2025, before transitioning to Collarts in 2026. 

To find out more about our individual courses, and which one is right for you, explore our options below.

NICA - National Institute of Circus Arts

Current Courses

Certificate IV

One year course

Certificate IV

Gain foundational skills for the circus industry and hone a specialty apparatus.
Bachelor’s degree

Three year degree

Bachelor’s degree

Develop essential skills for the industry and acquire two specialty acts.
Audition Masterclass

NICA Ed's

Audition Masterclass

Tips, advice, and rehearsals for audition hopefuls. 2024 Audition Masterclass will be held June 22.
About the trainers

Meet & greet

About the trainers

NICA boasts some of the world’s finest circus and performance practitioners.

How to study at NICA

Auditions & preparation

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. After you apply through Swinburne University of Technology you will be invited to audition in-person or submit a video audition.

To be the first to know about audition dates and access other tips and tricks - sign up to Inside Track below.

LEARN MORE Audition Masterclass
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Sign up to receive the occasional email that keeps you in the know about significant dates and deadlines, exciting announcements, and updates on student life at the National Institute of Circus Arts. You’ll get valuable insight and audition advice, so you are equipped to take the plunge and kickstart start your professional circus career!

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Opportunities

Residencies & NICA Represents

NICA collaborates with arts institutions including the Australian Ballet School, AFTRS, NIDA and Circus Oz. Second year international excursions have included visits to Montreal, Russia, France, China and the USA.

NICA training can lead to work in contemporary circus, traditional circus, social circus, stunt work, corporate entertainment, festivals, teaching and other sectors of the arts industry. 

Since 2001 NICA graduates have gained respect worldwide for their discipline, creativity and extraordinary skills! NICA graduates have worked with Cirque du Soleil, Circa, Circus Oz, Cavalia, Dragone, Carnival Australia, NOFIT State Circus. Many graduates have started up their own successful circus / physical theatre companies. 

NICA Represents offers opportunities for graduates to work with high level clients and create beautiful pieces of work.

NICA Represents NICA Connects

Our Alumni

Where are they now?

Across NICA’s 20+ years, our graduates have travelled around the globe with big companies and their own genius shows. Here are some of their stories:

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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.


BACHELOR FAQs

No, but having a degree gives you industry knowledge and higher employability. If you ever get injured or decide to step into another role within the industry, you can lean on your circus degree to help you reach new goals

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

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

NICA offers all types of circus and specialty training!

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

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.

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

Yes! NICA accepts international students for our Bachelor of Circus Arts and there is no limit to how many we accept.

CERTIFICATE IV FAQs

Yes! NICA accepts international students for our Certificate IV in Circus Arts and there is no limit to how many we accept.

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

The Certificate IV in Circus Arts is a full-time course. NICA students can expect to train circus skills, while also attending Performance and Movement classes and a minimum one academic class per week over approx. 36 weeks.

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

The NICA Certificate IV program focuses on core foundation skills such as body awareness and fitness preparation, and traditions and trends of circus. Whilst also offering an introduction to Circus Specialisation, which is developed through individual and group work.

NICA offers all types of circus and specialty training!

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

No, but having a degree gives you industry knowledge and higher employability. If you ever get injured or decide to step into another role within the industry, you can lean on your circus degree to help you reach new goals.

COURSE STRUCTURE FAQs

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

The Certificate IV in Circus Arts is a full-time course. NICA students can expect to train circus skills, while also attending Performance and Movement classes and a minimum one academic class per week over approx. 36 weeks.


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.

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

STUDENT LIFE FAQs

Yes, a VISA is required to attend NICA. For more information, talk to the international admissions team at Swinburne University of Technology.

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

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

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 Certificate IV in Circus Arts is a full-time course. NICA students can expect to train circus skills, while also attending Performance and Movement classes and a minimum one academic class per week over approx. 36 weeks.

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.

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.

FEES & APPLICATION FAQs

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

Bachelor of Circus Arts: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/course/bachelor-of-circus-arts/

Certificate IV in Circus Arts: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/course/Certificate-IV-in-Circus-Arts-10824NAT/local  

The application process is the same for both the Bachelor of Circus Arts and the Certificate IV in Circus Arts.

More information on what to expect and the step-by-step process can be found on the NICA website https://www.nica.com.au/auditions

NICA FAQs

NICA offers all types of circus and specialty training!

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

NICA is currently a company of Swinburne University of Technology.

No, but having a degree gives you industry knowledge and higher employability. If you ever get injured or decide to step into another role within the industry, you can lean on your circus degree to help you reach new goals

Still have questions?

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