Sprint naar content

Circus and Performance Art
Circus and Performance Art

Your study programme

Get a good impression of what your study programme will look like.

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.

A circus student is performing an act on the trapeze

  • Developing your physical, technical, and creative talent to the highest attainable level

  • Giving individual, distinct, and clear-cut shape to your artistic profile

  • Encouraging and facilitating intensive contact with the professional field from the start of your study

Opbouw van de komende vier jaar

We offer a 4-year, full-time study programme with a pioneering, distinctive artistic shape. The international study programme 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.

Bachelor student Fontys Circus and Performance Art course performs in aerial rope
Year 1
Tilburg

Year 1

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.

A student from the bachelor programme Fontys Circus and Performance Art performs an act with the diabolo
Year 2
Tilburg

Year 2

An additional course in the second year of the study programme is Biomechanics. The rest of the curriculum remains the same as in the first year. This includes 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 and Rigging, Research and Performance Project, and Group Performance.

A student from the HBO course Circus and Performance Art performs an act in aerial rope
Year 3
Tilburg

Year 3

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.

A student from the HBO course Circus and Performance Art performs an act on the trapeze
Year 4
Tilburg

Year 4

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.

Student experiences

This school lets people be who they are and gives us the support to develop our own style and personality

Iris

Student year 2

I chose Circus and Performance Art at Fontys because I was seduced by the opportunities and connections we have here. In fact, we are part of a multidisciplinary campus where we are lucky enough to work with people from other disciplines. Fontys encourages exchange and cohesion between the different branches of the campus, allowing us to learn from each other.

The school offers a unique programme! Minor, in the 3rd year, which allows you to train outside the school for a while, and I think that's a real advantage! It allows us to tailor our training more closely to what we want.

The challenges may lie in the autonomy. We have a guest teacher system where artists are invited to teach for a few weeks at a time, which is great because we get to learn in a different way, but it can also be challenging in the weeks when we have no teachers to train on our own and remember the advice.

Teachers help us achieve our goals by being extremely open to what we ask. We will always have the opportunity to adapt a training to a need or a wish, because the class is based on respect and consent.

We are part of a community where everyone knows each other. There is always help available between students when needed.

We go to school to learn, but it is also the place where we find our friend.
March 2026

Admission timeline

Wondering what's to come after applying for this programme? Go over the entire admission process.

Circus and Performance Art

Admission timeline

Wondering what's to come after applying for this programme? Check out the entire admission process.

  • Start your orientation

    Have you attended a study orientation event already?

    Take a look at our orientation events

  • Register

    Register for the course via Studielink

    Studielink

  • Admissions assessment

    For this course, you will first complete an assessment. More information can be found under Requirements & application.

    Studielink
    Please note: You can only be admitted once you have successfully completed this.

  • Complete your payment

    The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation.

    Everything about finances

  • Arrange student housing

    Fontys can offer housing for a limited number of international students. Fill in the housing application form before the deadline (June 15).

    More info about housing

  • End of August

    Get to know Fontys and your fellow students during Purple Introduction week.

    Take a look at your introduction programme

  • 1 September 2025

    Start study programme
Study choice events

You can sign up for online and live events throughout the academic year.

Open Day

Wondering if this programme is right for you? Visit our Open Day and find out! Meet students and teachers, learn more about the programme through presentations and take a walk around the campus. Check the full programme and register today!

Open Day

October 25, 2025
More info Notify me

Do you have a question?

We are happy to help.

Ask Fontys Tilburg your questions

Send an e-mail
Call: +31885070399
Call: +31619290369
Facebook
Instagram
Locatie in Google Maps