Degree auditions
Important information about in-person and video audition options for our degree programme
In-Person Audition Dates
In-person  auditions will be held at the National Centre for Circus Arts building in London on:
Monday 12 April 2027
Tuesday 13 April 2027
Wednesday 14 April 2027 (TBC)
This is a one-day audition which is by invitation only once you have submitted your application form. We advise you not to make travel arrangements until you have been formally invited to an audition.
We recommend you are available for all the above dates as we cannot guarantee that we will be able to schedule your preferred date.
What to expect on the day
Over the course of the day, candidates will follow working sessions similar to classes held on the course.
Indicative schedule*
An indicative schedule of the audition is as follows (order and times may vary):
08:45 – 09:00 Arrive and sign in
09:00 – 09.15 Introduction with the audition panel
09.15 – 10:50 Movement and Theatre Workshops
Break
11:00 – 11:15: Tech requirements meeting
11:15-12:15: Acrobatics and Flexibility
Lunch
13:15 – 13:45: Warm up for presentations
13:45 – 15:00: Presentations
Break
15:30 – 17:30: Individual Discussions and Q&A
*Daily schedule is subject to change.
We recognise that applicants have different communication styles, ways of learning and access requirements. These tasks can be approached in different ways, and we can adapt activities to accommodate a disability, injury, or access requirement without disadvantaging your application. Please see further information in our Access and Audition Support section further down this webpage.
The presentation
The 1.30-2 minute presentation is an opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate their performance ability and personal artistic approach. Preferably this should demonstrate a physical skill, movement practice or performance approach relevant to circus arts. However, at BA1 level this is not a strict requirement and applicants may choose to demonstrate their creativity, performance potential, artistic voice and engagement with circus through a range of approaches, such as physical theatre or clowning. The panel observing the presentation will be attentive to your: creativity and imaginative response, stage presence, physical execution of any technique presented, movement quality, expression, and connection with the audience.
Presentation Pieces will be presented to all other audition candidates and panel members.
Each candidate is responsible for:
• Their own musical support – You may perform your piece to your own choice of music or audio should you wish. You will be required to send us a copy of the music file ahead of your audition, as well as bring a back-up copy with you. MP3 players with headphone jack only please (that includes smartphones/iPad/Laptops). We will not accept anything via YouTube or music that needs to be streamed on the day.
• All material or props needed for the presentation, unless this has otherwise been organised with us.
• You will be asked to give your piece a title and to speak about the idea or stimulus behind it within your individual discussion later in the day.
Acrobatics and Flexibility
This section of the day will include some short sequences that cover skills such as strength, control, and range of movement. You will learn them on the day and do not need to prepare anything. You will be put into small groups of 3-5 and it will be for approximately 15mins. You are not expected to have a high level of acrobatics. We will be looking at your physical capacity and potential, as well as your ability to interpret and respond to instructions.
Individual Discussions and Q&A
All candidates will be asked to stay for a discussion at the end of the audition day with at least two members of the audition panel. Discussions are intended to help us understand your interests, aspirations, approach to training and readiness for higher education. They are not a test.
Running alongside the individual discussions will be a group question and answer session. This enables applicants to gain as much information about our degree course as possible, helping them to make a more informed decision about whether the National Centre for Circus Arts is the right place for them.
Video Auditions
If you are based outside of the UK or are unable to attend one of the scheduled in-person audition dates, you can choose to audition by video and you will not be disadvantaged by this option. Please email admissions@nationalcircus.org.uk to request a video audition. This is to ensure you meet our entry requirements before submitting your video to us.
Our video audition pathway is open until mid-August, giving you more flexibility to apply when the time feels right for you.
As we can only accept up to 30 students per year group, we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible. This gives you the best chance of securing a place should you be successful, as well as time to organise visas, finance and accommodation (if applicable). Our full video audition requirements and criteria can be found via the button below:
Full Video audition requirements and criteria.
What do we look for in auditions?
The audition panel are looking for your suitability to study on our degree course and potential for a career in circus arts. Having experience in circus skills is desirable but not essential and does not exclude you from getting on the course. The main areas the panel will be looking at is your:
- Technical potential
- Creative potential
- Willingness to collaborate and an open approach to learning
We recognise that applicants come to circus training from a wide range of backgrounds and with differing levels of access to previous training opportunities. We assess potential for development as well as current skills and are interested in qualities such as creativity, commitment, responsiveness to feedback, collaboration and capacity to learn.
Please read our audition criteria to see what you will be assessed on.
Audition results
In-person:
Candidates auditioning in-person will be notified of their audition result by email within three weeks of their final live audition.
Video:
If you are auditioning by video application and submit this by 30th March 2027 at 13:00 (BST), your application will be considered alongside the in-person audition applications and an outcome sent to you within 3 weeks of those auditions taking place.
Any video applications received after the April auditions will be considered on a rolling basis, and you will typically hear back within 3 weeks of your video submission date. Although the final deadline to apply is 13th August 2027, we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible to secure your place before the course reaches capacity and so you are able to start the course on time.
Access and Audition Support
We encourage applications from all backgrounds regardless of disability, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, or age, and offer places solely based on potential and suitability for a career in circus. We are committed to making our audition process as accessible and inclusive as possible and welcome applications from Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent applicants, including those with physical, sensory, learning, mental health and long-term health conditions.
We recognise that access requirements vary widely and may affect how applicants approach the audition process, communicate, process information, organise tasks or engage with movement-based activities. Applicants are not expected to complete all tasks in the same way. If a particular movement, position, or sequence does not work for your body, you are encouraged to adapt it or replace it with an alternative that demonstrates a similar skill.
If you require any support, alternative formats, or reasonable adjustments at any stage of the audition process, please contact admissions@nationalcircus.org.uk as early as possible so that we can discuss these in advance.
Adjustments might include additional breaks, adapted tasks, alternative ways of demonstrating skills, accessible formats, communication support, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, captioning, access support workers, quiet spaces, or other adjustments tailored to your individual requirements.
We believe excellence in circus can be demonstrated in many different ways and requesting adjustments will not disadvantage your application.
