Circus and Performance Art
Specialised training in your circus discipline
Circus and Performance Art is a renowned programme taught by internationally qualified teachers. We value individuality, offering a flexible curriculum tailored to your artistic needs and goals. We prepare you for a dynamic circus career on the global stage.
Transform your passion into a career with Fontys Circus!
Use the power of circus to take an audience to magical places and talk about important societal issues in thought-provoking ways. Create a unique blend of athleticism, creativity, and storytelling. You are free to explore and discover your artistic path.
What will you learn?
Educating you as a versatile, highly-skilled circus artist who will find employment as performer and creator in various branches of the professional field of contemporary circus and circus-related performing arts.
The study programme in the first year consists of the following courses. Circus techniques, Group work, Dance, Physical theatre, Performance Art, General physical preparation, Floor acrobatics, Trampoline, Anatomy, Circus in context, Training methods and planning, Dramaturgy, Security, safety, rigging, Research and performance project, Group performance.
An additional course in the second year of the study programme is Biomechanics.
The study programme in the third year consists of the following courses: Circus techniques, Dance, Physical theatre, General physical preparation, Floor acrobatics, Trampoline, Dramaturgy, Research and performance project, Group performance, Management and organization. In this year you wil have a Free Choice part. You are free how to fill this part. You can choose from minors and other courses within or outside Fontys. You can also use this part to deepen or broaden your studies, or do something completely different.
Graduation! The study programme in the fourth year consists of the following courses: Circus techniques, Dance, Physical theatre, General physical preparation, Floor acrobatics, Security, safety, rigging, Research and performance project, Group performance, Work placement, Management and organization.
- Transcript of Records – If you have not yet completed Secondary School, you must upload a transcript showing your current grades. You can find the transcript template here.
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate – If you have already completed Secondary School, you do not need to upload a separate transcript. Simply upload your Secondary School Leaving Certificate to the application.
Important! View the full requirements on the university’s official website. Requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the country where you completed your previous education.
You may not need to take IELTS or TOEFL. University usually allow you to prove your English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT*
- IELTS Academic
- A Cambridge English qualification
- A national English examination listed on your secondary school leaving certificate
- An English subject and grade on your secondary school leaving certificate that meet the university’s requirements
- Secondary education completed in English in a country or school qualification accepted by the university
- An International Baccalaureate (IB) or European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma
- Other
Important: Accepted methods and minimum results depend on study programme, your secondary school qualification and the country where you completed your education. Check the official requirements for your chosen study programme.
*Use the Kastu promo code LTU1000102 when registering for TOEFL iBT and receive a 5% discount.
To join this programme, you must first do an audition. Please read the guidelines for the pre-selection carefully. We are looking for passionate individuals or partners who love circus and performance art. You should have technical skills and a strong desire to grow and excel.
You will get an assignment, consisting of two videos, to upload before April 5th 2027. These videos help you stand out and secure your spot. Only selected candidates will advance to the live audition. Please read the video guidelines for the pre-selection carefully.
The live audition is in Tilburg from 18 to 20 May 2027. It is important that you are available and present in Tilburg all three days.
Start your career
You will work in the field of circus, a large professional field that has evolved considerably, and that nowadays embraces various structures: circus, variety shows, street performances, site-specific work, circus theatre, visual theatre, amusement parks, events and more.
We see our graduates work in a various working field. This is what we see most:
- Circus Performer
- Circus Creator
- Circus Rigger
- Circus Educator
- Cultural sector professional
