Circomedia

High School Studies Program

Circomedia offers students aged 16+ the chance to study on the UK’s only two-year Extended Diploma in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre. The course gives young people from the age of 16 the chance to learn a range of circus disciplines (aerial, juggling, acrobatics and balance) alongside classes in physical theatre, movement, and devising. Underpinning this practical skill development is a rigorous programme of academic study in which learners will investigate theatre practitioners, plan a community project and explore various employment opportunities within the arts industry.

Undergraduate Degree Program

Circomedia's undergraduate programme is split into a two-year Foundation Degree course and a BA (Hons) top-up year. Year 1 of the Foundation Degree begins with a six-week introduction to aerial, acrobatics and manipulation. Then, students may specialise in two skill areas alongside classes in physical theatre, movement, fitness and conditioning, contextual studies and critical thinking. Year 2 will see students specialise further as they receive intensive teaching in just one discipline and explore other performance styles in more detail, such as clowning, burlesque and stand-up comedy. The Foundation Degree culminates with the Ensembles project; a group performance integrating their skills and creative ideas to develop a fresh approach to work based on circus techniques. Students who successfully complete the FDA can apply for a third top-up to achieve a full BA (Hons). Year 3 students will expand and explore their skills with practical research, develop a repertoire of acts and take a show on tour around the UK. The year ends with the Final Major Project, a self-devised solo or duo performance that pulls together everything they've learnt during their three years at Circomedia.

Post Graduate Studies

Launched in 2017, Circomedia's MA in Directing Circus is the first course of its kind anywhere in the world. The MA has been developed to address a recognised need across the global circus community to create and support a new kind of performance director - one who is aware of the possibilities and challenges of using circus an an artistic context. The course offers students the chance to study a range of research methodologies, as well as the roles, strategies and practical skills of directing circus. It encourages students to explore the need for directors to be both authors, originators and facilitators.

Intensive Courses

If you already have a degree, or want to develop your practical and creative skills to a high level, then you might want to consider our Vocational Course. This is a self-funded and non-accredited version of the Degree programme, so you'll do the same classes as the Degree students but you aren't required to do any of the written work. As such, the Vocational Course will not provide you with an academic qualification. You will be given a certificate of achievement at the end of the programme. The Vocational Course can be done as a short course of three months (September to December, the first term of the Degree) or for a full year. It is possible to do all three years of the Degree programme as a Vocational student if you wish.