Bachelor Programme in Circus

The programme consists of three main areas:

• Circus discipline training, different movement techniques as well as stage performance forms and techniques.
• Theoretical courses about the history of culture, history of circus, health and mental training, rigging and safety.
• Courses focusing on creative and artistic work.

From the start, you will present your work and develop the ability to perform for different types of audiences. This will take the form of recurrent presentations and performances within the courses for all three years.

In the third year, you will do an independent exam work in the autumn, and in the spring, you and the other students will present your graduation performances, your "Closing Acts".

You need to fulfil general entry requirements for university studies with the exception of Swedish 1, 2, 3 and English 6 (courses in the Swedish upper secondary/high school system).

The language of instruction is English so you don’t need any knowledge of Swedish. You do need English 5 or the equivalent level of English language skills.

Specific requirements: Passed qualifications test

Eligibility through prior learning

If you don’t fulfil the formal entry requirements for the programme you may apply for recognition of prior learning, in other words that the knowledge and competence you have acquired through other activities are assessed as the equivalent of the formal merits that are required. Submit your application for recognition of prior learning with your application for the programme. Submit at universityadmissions.se under My pages/Documents/Documents/Provide educational documents. 

You may also apply for an exemption/a waiver, that allows you to proceed to the selection process even though you don’t meet the general admission requirements. Submit your application for an exemption/a waiver together with your application.

Read more about how you can show that you meet the entry requirements (that you are eligible).

Read more about recognition of prior learning.

Start your application early

Don’t delay in submitting your application! You may run into trouble if you wait until the last day and your internet connection happens to be down, or you find that your files are in the wrong format. You will not be able to apply once the last date for applications has passed. Keep in mind that your application has to be turned in by 23:59 (Swedish time).

You apply to the programme in two steps

1. Apply to the programme via universityadmissions.se.
Last day for application: 15 January 2027.
Note: select "autumn 2027" when you search for the programme.

Please note that you need to submit supporting documents showing that you meet the entry requirements via universityadmissions.se under My pages/Documents/Documents/Provide educational documents. 

Last day to submit supporting documentation: 1 February 2027. Please note that this does not apply to any work samples that may be used as qualification test, see below. Please also note that the date for Stockholm University of the Arts is an earlier date then the general last day communicated on universityadmission.se. 

2. Submit your work sample via Grade Varbi (according to instructions below) 
Last day to submit work samples via Grade Varbi: 15 January 2027.

Instructions for work samples via Grade Varbi 

You need to upload the work samples below via Grade Varbi to prove the special entry requirement ‘Passed qualification test’ and to participate in the selection process.

Note! If you have used AI tools/AI techniques to produce or process video, image, audio or text in any of your artistic work or submitted work samples, we expect you to disclose and describe your use and your production process.

You apply to the Bachelor's Programme in Circus with one circus discipline. In the webform, please clearly state with which discipline you are applying. If you work with a duo/group discipline please include a second discipline of your own. If your partner/s are also applying for this programme, please state their names. If the Subject Area Circus does not offer your discipline/s we will contact you.

Send in the following via Grade Varbi:

1. Work sample: Writing 

A part of our programme is expressing oneself in writing. Please write a short text (maximum 1 page in English, double spaced) discussing the following questions:

•    Why did you choose the bachelor’s programme in Circus at Stockholm University of the Arts, and what are your expectations of the programme?

2. Work samples: Video

You must upload three (3) videos with your application. Maximum size for each film is 150 MB. Cell phone footage should be recorded in "Landscape". All three videos must be uploaded by the application deadline, 15 January (Swedish time).

Video #1: CD (Circus Discipline) maximum 3 minutes 

• 3 minutes: A presentation of disciplinary and technical skills in your chosen discipline. You may include techniques with a spot or lunge line.
• Please record the entire movement or sequence from beginning to conclusion (entrance to exit). Make sure that we can see you clearly in the video.
• If you work with a duo/group discipline, clearly explain how we can identify you in the video.
• Only video #1 and #2 is used in selection 1. Video #3 will only be watched for applicants that proceed to Selection 2.

Video #2: CA (Circus Act) maximum 5 minutes + 30 seconds presentation

• 30 seconds: a short presentation of yourself. If you work with a duo/group, clearly explain how we can identify you on the video.
• 5 minutes: A presentation of your circus act in your primary discipline.
• Only video #1 and #2 is used in selection 1. Video #3 will only be watched for applicants that proceed to Selection 2.

Video #3: OP (Oral Presentation) maximum 3 minutes

A part of our programme is speaking about your work and discussing the work of others. The aim of this video is to demonstrate how you speak about circus and how you connect your past with your present. Please send a video of yourself speaking about the following topic:

• 3 minute video: "Tell us about the process of making your act and what you would do to further develop it?".
• Video #3 will only be watched for applicants that proceed to Selection 2.

Please note that you might have to reduce/compress your video size before uploading it. Read more about reducing video size.

Here you will find detailed information about the selection tests. (Note that this information will be updated on the opening of the application to the programme)

Proceed as follows to upload work samples via Grade Varbi

•    Register by providing name and e-mail address. NB! Please enter your name exactly as it appears on universityadmissions.se.
•    Fill in you contact information.
•    Please note! Fill in the application number you received when submitting your application to the course via universityadmissions.se.
•    Submit the requested documents/files.
•    Please name the document/file with content and your name for example: CV_ first name_ family name.

Confirmation that you have submitted your work samples via Grade Varbi

When you've submitted your work samples you will receive a confirmation to the e-mail address that you’ve stated. If you don’t receive a confirmation e-mail, you should first check your spam filter. If the confirmation e-mail is not there, contact Grade Varbi's technical support.
Phone: +46 520 580 050 (weekdays 08:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:30)
Support Talentech, of which Grade Varbi is a part: Talentech Help Center 
Enter: Company name: Stockholm University of the Arts; Candidate; Subject: E.g. Problem uploading a file; Product: Grade Varbi; Area: Candidate/Application.

Important dates for your application 

Last day for applications: 15 Januari 2027.
Please note! Choose “Autumn 2027” when you search for the course at universityadmissions.se.
Last day to submit supporting documentation for entry requirements: 1 February 2027. Please note that this does not apply to any work samples that may be used as qualification test, see below. Please note that date for Stockholm University of the Arts is an earlier date then the general last day communicated on universityadmission.se. However, you can supplement with certain qualifications later.*
Last day to pay the application fee or prove that you are not required to pay the fees: 1 February 2027 (read more under Application and tuition fees below). Submit passport/identification card on universityadmissions.se under My Pages/Documents/Provide identity documents.
Admission results 1: Published on My pages on universityadmissions.se 8 April 2027. 
Last day to reply to possible course offer: 22 April 2027.

* 21 June 2027 is deadline for submitting your final grades for you who are currently studying the last term of your Upper Secondary Education in Sweden. Please upload a certificate confirming that you are currently studying, along with your application.
5 July 2027 is deadline for submitting your final grades for you who are currently studying the last term of your Upper Secondary Education in another country or IB-education. Please upload a certificate confirming that you are currently studying, along with your application.
5 July 2027 is deadline for you who need to submit proficiency test in English or Swedish. Please upload a certificate confirming that you are currently studying or a certificate of registration for a recognized language test, along with your application.

The assessment of entry requirements and selection take place in several stages.

The assessment of formal merits/grades is primarily carried out by the Swedish Council for Higher Education and the Educational Deparment. The assessment of artistic merits is primarily carried out by an admission group from SKH consisting of teachers from the field. 

Recognition of prior learning is assessed by an appointed teacher. 

A student representative may also take part in the admissions process and, in that case, has the right to attend and speak, but not the right to vote.

After each stage of the selection we call applicants who will proceed to the next step. Everyone is informed of whether they will proceed or not.

Here you will find detailed information about the selection tests (Note that this information will be updated on the opening of the application to the programme)

If you are a citizen of Sweden, another EU or EEA country or or Switzerland you are not required to pay application or tuition fees. Some other groups are also exempt from the requirement to pay application and study fees.

If you are not a citizen of Sweden, another EU or EEA country or or Switzerland you are required to pay application and tuition fees. The level of the study fees depends on which course/programme they are for, and the level is set in order to cover the actual costs of the course/programme in question. SKH has some possibilities of offering scholarships that cover the study fees for Bachelor´s and Master´s programmes.

If you are required to pay an application fee, the Swedish Council for Higher Education needs to receive your payment by the last date for paying the application fee. The application fee is SEK 900. If you are required to pay the application fee and the Swedish Council for Higher Education has not received your payment by the last date for paying the tuition fee, they will not process your application. Read more here.

The tuition fee for the programme will be updated when the application opens.

Read more about tuition fees and scholarships.