Circomedia

FEDEC member since 2008

Circomedia was founded in 1994 by physical theatre expert, Bim Mason and choreographer and performer Helen Crocker. Circomedia rose out of the ashes of Fooltime, Britain’s first circus school – and ever since has attracted students from all over the world.

It is different from many circus schools as there is a heavy emphasis on combining circus skills with physical theatre and creativity. It is this approach to performance that has led to Circomedia being acknowledged as a centre of excellence worldwide. 

Circomedia is committed to the principles of performer-as-creator and the integration of circus disciplines with physical theatre. If performers in circus and theatre are to be able to contribute to the creative process and be more than the vehicle of a director's vision, Circomedia believes the development of the individual's creative and performance skills to be of equal importance to those of technical expertise. 

The educational philosophy is that it is essential that minds and personalities need developing as much as bodies. This unique approach to training ensures graduates have the skills and confidence to build successful careers using circus and physical performance to communicate their stories.

Training offered

• Master Degree in Directing Circus (12 months).
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre (three years split into a two-year Foundation Degree (FdA) and a BA (Hons) top-up year, or just a one year top-up).
• Foundation Degree in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre - FdA (2 years)
• BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Circus) (2 years)- suitable for students aged 16-18 (for older students government funding is not available and so students will have to self fund).
• BTEC Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Circus) (1 year)- suitable for students aged 16-18 if they wish to gain government funding for this course.
• Vocational Course (1 year): apply here
• Vocational Course (3 months): apply here
• Studio residency. Duration variable according to project.
• Continuing education (professional workshops): e.g. tightwire, flying trapeze, clown.
• Youth Circus
• Leisure classes

Admission

MA

This course is for entrants who have professional or semi-professional experience, either as a circus-artist performer who is interested in moving into directing, or as a theatre-based director who is interested in moving into circus-based work.

Entrants will ideally have a background in circus, physical theatre or directing, or a related subject area, acquired through previous study as well as experience through work or other means that will show you have the ability to succeed in the programme.

For further information on M.A. admissions please consult our partner organisation Bath Spa University’s website.

Bachelors

Entry to the third year of study is normally restricted to applicants who have completed Circomedia’s two-year Foundation Degree in full. In the event of insufficient places being available to accommodate all Foundation Degree students who wish to progress, there will be a selection process based on achievement during the Foundation Degree, supplemented by audition and interview as appropriate, and will be subject to satisfactory academic references.

Applicants with a qualification from a similar institution may also be considered however not all those who have done so will be suitable for this higher level course and therefore there is a selection process.
For further information about the Bachelor admissions process, please consult our partner organisation Bath Spa University’s website.

Foundation Degree

Entrants for the Foundation Degree must:

• Have 180-220 UCAS points (or EU equivalent) of at which at least 80 must be from drama, dance or theatre studies. If you do not have the sufficient number of UCAS points you must be able to provide sufficient proof that you are able to work at degree level.
• Possess a good grasp of spoken/written English (usually a GCSE at Grade C or above, a European equivalent or academic IELTS at Level 6.0 or higher in all elements).
• Demonstrate the self-discipline required by a tough physical training regime.
• Show prior training in, or experience of circus, dance, gymnastics, theatre or a high-energy sport.

For further information on the FDA admission process, please consult our partner organisation Bath Spa University’s website.

BTEC

4 GCSE passes at grades A* - C : Students must have English and Maths at GCSE or equivalent at level 4. The following qualifications are the only ones accepted by the funding agency: GCSEs; iGCSEs; GCSEs obtained in Wales and Northern Ireland; Scottish Intermediate 2 certificates; Scottish Standard Grades (1 and 2); Scottish National 5 certificates. Applicants will need to be a UK/EU national and be under 19 years old to qualify for government funding to do the course.

Applications for the BTEC course may be made via our website here

Desirable for all courses

Excellent physical health. Some acrobatic or dance or acting or aerial skills. Artistic Motivation.

Disciplines taught

• Acrobatic dance
• Aerial acrobatics
• Aerial cradle/Korean cradle
• Aerial straps
• Bascule/Teeterboard
• Chinese pole
• Clowning
• Equilibristics
• Floor acrobatics 
• Flying trapeze
• German wheel/Cyr wheel
• Juggling/Object manipulation
• Rope
• Silks
• Slackrope
• Static trapeze
• Swinging trapeze/Cloud swing
• Tightrope
• Trampoline
• Unicycle

Learn more about this member

Founded in 1994

Management

• Chief Executive Officer: Zannah Chisholm

Academic year

From early September until the end of June

Teaching language

English

Locations

Circomedia
Britannia Road
Kingswood
Bristol BS15 8DB
United Kingdom

&

Circomedia
St. Paul’s Church
Portland Square
Bristol BS8 8SJ
United Kingdom