Circus and Performance Art
- 4 year(s)
- English
- Bachelor
- Full-time
Get to know us
- Open days
- Experience days
- And more...
Are you fascinated by contemporary circus?
At Circus and Performance Art we educate young people with talent and motivation for the profession of circus artist. With our team of international teachers we offer a four-year study programme in a unique environment. Do you want to challenge yourself? Sign up for our upcoming audition!
About Circus and Performance Art
We work with students with an excellent technical level. You are encouraged to develop your personal artistic profile both as creator and artist in circus art. The education at Circus and Performance Art enables its students to start a professional career in various fields of contemporary circus and in other performing arts.You will become an artistic entrepreneur and receive the opportunity to build up your professional network.
You can read all about the disciplines and the teachers here.
Why this study in the Netherlands?
- International qualified (guest-)teachers from the workfield
- Exceptional training opportunities in a professional hall with modern facilities
- You can work interdisciplinary with other studies of Fontys Academy of the Arts
- Everyone is very committed
- The academy in Tilburg is located between London, Paris and Berlin. And only 100km from Amsterdam. We are internationally oriented.
- We teach 14 different disciplines
What you will learn
We offer a 4-year, full-time study program with a pioneering, distinctive artistic shape. The international study program provides an globally recognized academic bachelor diploma of professional education as Circus artist, and has a qualified team and a clear mission. We also offer exceptional training facilities.
The study program focuses on:
- 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
- Developing your physical, technical, and creative talent to the highest attainable level
- Giving individual, distinct, and clear-cut shape to your artistic profile
- Stimulating both your aptitude and passion for individual and collective performance work
- Encouraging and facilitating intensive contact with the professional field from the start of your study
Louise Galard, student"The freedom I have allows me to explore the dance trapeze to a choreographic approach and develop a unique dimension to this discipline."
Study Circus and Performance Art at Fontys
Life at Circus and Performance Art is very inspiring. You’ll spend a lot of hours in the training facility which is well equipped and tailored to the needs of circus training. You are encouraged to develop your personal artistic profile both as a creator and circus artist.
Jannis Kaske, student“The way the teachers work; a part is fixed but most of them are guest teachers, so you always have a great choice”
English language proficiency
FAA English language proficiencyEducational requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink).
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these.
Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
- Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
- Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
- France: Baccalaureat
- Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it. The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Talented prospective students with a different education have to take a test to prove capability of studying at a higher professional education level.
English language proficiency
FAA English language proficiencyVisa
As a non-EU/EEA student, the Netherlands will require an Entry Visa* (MVV) and a Residence Permit. Fontys will apply on behalf of its students for these documents. We recommend you start the process early, i.e. approximately three months before you plan to enter the Netherlands.
*except nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the USA and Vatican City State.
Educational requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink).
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these.
Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
- Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
- Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
- France: Baccalaureat
- Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it. The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Talented prospective students with a different education have to take a test to prove capability of studying at a higher professional education level.
Language requirements for Dutch students
For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required. As an applicant with a Dutch MBO-4, HAVO- or VWO-diploma you can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test.
Educational requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink).
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these.
Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
- Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
- Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
- France: Baccalaureat
- Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it. The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Talented prospective students with a different education have to take a test to prove capability of studying at a higher professional education level.
Costs
The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation. The information and tuition rates from this indicator are without engagement.
go to tuition fees indicator 2025-2026Statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees
A distinction is made between statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees. Only if you satisfy all statutory requirements regarding your nationality and if you have not yet been awarded a degree, will you be eligible for statutory tuition fees. Via the tuition fees indicator, you can secure an indication of the type of tuition fees that will be applicable in your situation. To do so, please make use of the indicator above.
Distinctions are made between the following types of Institutional Tuition Fees:
- Low institutional tuition fees
- High institutional tuition fees
Different types of tuition fees and Exemption Regulations
These different types of tuition fees and the Exemption Regulations are fully detailed in the:
The amount to be paid may vary in accordance with the following situations:
- If you have enrolled in more than one course programme (at Fontys and/or elsewhere), it is possible that you may only be obliged to pay one set of statutory tuition fees.
- If you believe that you may be eligible to pay only the statutory tuition fees on the basis of information that may be unknown to us, please report this to your Course Department.
- If it later transpires that you do not meet the requirements for statutory tuition fees, you will be obliged to pay the (higher) institutional tuition fees and if this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Paying in instalments
Collection will occur in a maximum of ten equal instalments on or around the 26th of the month. Depending upon the processing time required after your enrolment, the direct debit may need to be moved to the following month. If so, the amount outstanding will then be divided and added to the remaining instalments to be executed until and including the June instalment.
If paying the full sum in a single payment
If you commence your studies on 1 September, the direct debit pertaining to your Tuition Fees will be executed on or around 25 September. If you commence your studies after 1 September, the direct debit will be executed on or around the 26th of the month in which you commence your studies.
Non-EU students
Incoming non-EU students will receive a payment letter from their study department, which must be paid before the deadline. In the following academic years, payment can be made by direct debit.
Non-SEPA
If you have a Bank account number of which the bank is not situated in one of the SEPA countries, and you are a national of a country outside the EEA without an address in The Netherlands, then you will receive a payment letter from Fontys via your course department.
The Dutch currency unit is the Euro (i.e. abbreviated to ‘EUR’ or ‘€’).
The average living expenses per month for a foreign student living and studying in Holland are between EUR 1,100 and EUR 1,500 per month. These living expenses cover rent, insurance, food, public transportation, books, clothing and other general costs.
Dutch Immigration Service (IND) requires non-EEA students to proof they have access to € 13,140 per year (€ 6,570 per semester)
Costs within the first months upon arrival will be higher than all other months due to a housing deposit, intro week and books. Study books are usually bought at the start of the semester and therefore it is wise to reserve and have direct access to an amount at the start of the semester which can cover the price of all study books and the living expenses for the first two months.
Before starting your study at Fontys, you must find suitable housing. Unfortunately, it is not easy for international students to find accommodation in the Netherlands due to the housing crisis. Start your accommodation search early. Please be aware that finding a place to live is your own responsibility. However, we are happy to assist in any way we can.
More information about accommodationCareer opportunities
The education at Circus and Performance Art enables you to start a professional career in various fields of contemporary circus and in other performing arts. It provides you with the aptitude to meet the requirements of an incessantly evolving art form on a professional level. 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. Read all about the disciplines we teach.
Also take a look at our digital stage. This is the place where our graduates introduce themselves.
Fynn Neb, alumnusWith Panama Pictures, we created for three months and then we've been touring in the Netherlands.
How to apply
Important dates
- Admission: from 1 November 2024
- Admission deadline: 28 March 2025
- Auditions: 26-28 May 2025
Start your journey at Fontys Circus and Performance Art
As a prospective student, your path to become a circus professional begins here. Register for our audition and unveil your skills through captivating videos. The deadline for this pre-selection is March 28, 2025!
Keep in mind
- The videos are your chance to shine and secure your spot in the pre-selection of this prestigious programme.
- We're seeking passionate individuals or partners who not only possess technique but also a desire to excel in Circus and Performance Art.
Admission Support
Do you have any questions regarding the audition process, Portal Plus or anything else? Do not hesitate to call us or send us an e-mail. We are here to help!
All applications for our programmes have to be conducted via www.studielink.nl. Studielink is an online portal that allows applicants to apply and maintain their registration whenever they want to.
The application process may differ for EU and Non-EU students, please read below what applies for you.
Please read this carefully and be aware that there are three steps in the admission process!
How to apply for admission at Fontys Academy of the ArtsIn Step 3 you have to upload your Audition Assignment. Click on the button below to see what you must do. Note that the deadline is the 28st of March. Make sure to start in time, as the whole process takes a couple of days!
Physical Audition
The second round of auditions is a physical audition in Tilburg. The physical auditions take place from May 26 to May 28 2025.
- Only students who submit the correct admission documents will be invited to the audition. Check the required Diploma once more under 'Requirements' or compare your diploma with our MBO4, HAVO, VWO at Education systems | Nuffic.
- Check your language level upfront. They can be found under 'Requirements'.
- Check your exemptions, Visa as a non-EU/EEA student as well.
- Scholarships are not provided by the Academy.
- The application process may vary for EU and Non-EU students. Please read more about the process of enrolment and tuition Fees at Fresh at Circus and Performance Art to prepare yourself.
- Familiarize yourself with practical information, financial matters, and working in the Netherlands. Start with looking for housing early on in the audition process.
- Your study at Fontys starts with the Purple week in August. Click on the link to find out more.
- Expect a start-up programme called 'Back in Shape' during the first week of classes.
- Expect a start-up programme called 'Back in Shape' during the first week of classes.