Selection tests for the Bachelor programme in circus

Summary of Selection Timeline 2025

• 15 January: Last day to submit application documents and videos.
• February: Selection 1, based on application documents and videos (see below). The assessment group considers the writing sample and videos #1 & #2. No participation from applicants.
• 21 February: Latest date for invitation to live auditions. Applicants receive invitation or notification of non-selection through Varbi.
• 10–12 March: Selection 2 at Stockholm University of the Arts, Brinellvägen 34. Applicants participate in selection tasks (see below). A notification of invitation to Selection 3, or non-selection, sent through Varbi on 12 March.
• 13–14 March: Selection 3 at Stockholm University of the Arts, Brinellvägen 34. Applicants participate in selection tasks (see below). A final assessment by the assessment group includes viewing Video #3.
• 27 March: Admissions results published on My pages on universityadmissions.se or antagning.se. Applicants accept or reject offer of place in programme/wait-list.

Selection Documents, Videos and tasks

Writing sample (Selection 1)

Aim

The aim of this test is to demonstrate writing skills.

Content

Maximum 1 page in English, double spaced.

What is the future of circus? Please write a short text discussing your perspective on the following questions:

• What about the field of circus inspires you? (E.g. why circus, and not another art form?) What are your goals in circus after school? (What future do you imagine for circus?)

Assessment

Continuity of narrative and ability to connect ideas and describe how they interrelate.

Video #1: Circus Discipline  (Selection 1)

Aim

The aim of the test is for you to show the breadth and depth of disciplinary and technical skills in your discipline and additional skills and interests within circus discipline techniques and/or other art domains related to your practice (dance, theatre, visual arts, music). 

Content

• Maximum 3 minutes. A presentation of disciplinary and technical skills in your discipline. You may include techniques in related or relevant disciplines. You may include techniques with a spot or lunge line.
• Please record the entire movement or sequence from beginning to conclusion (entrance to exit).
• Please ensure you can be identified in each video clip.

Assessment

Circus technical repertoire and abilities.

Video #2: Circus Act (Selection 1)

Aim

The aim of the test is for you to show your circus technical and artistic ability trough the presentation of your circus act.

Content

• Maximum 30 seconds. A short presentation of yourself including name and how to identify you in a group, etc.
• Maximum 5 minutes. You shall present a circus act in your primary discipline.

Assessment

• Circus technical repertoire and abilities.
• Artistic performance regarding movement qualities, musicality/timing, stage presence and performance.

Video #3: Oral Presentation (Selection 3)

Aim

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

Content

Maximum 3 minutes. Please speak about the following topic: A brief description of your experiences that influenced your decision to pursue circus (e.g. schools, performances, shows you´ve seen) and how those connects with why you want to attend the circus programme at Stockholm University of the Arts.

Assessment

Presentation of ideas and time management and language clarity of ideas. (This video will be reviewed only for applicants in selection 3.)   

After the first selection based on the application videos and writing, the admission group decides which of the applicants will pass on to Selection 2 (and selection 3). All applicants will be informed of the results through Varbi.

Selection 2 and 3 take place on site in Stockholm between 10 and 14 March 2025 (week 11). To be considered for a place in the BA programme it is obligatory to attend the selections on site in Stockholm. Online auditions are not possible for Selections 2 and 3.

Information about Selection 2: Stockholm

10–12 March: Monday–Wednesday consist of different tasks given individually and in groups within the fields of Dance, Circus Discipline and Acrobatics. See below for details about the selection tasks and basis for assessment.

Schedule

Monday 10 March (Selection 2)

Morning: Dance task (all applicants)
Afternoon: Circus discipline task (applicants are divided into three groups)

Tuesday 11 March (Selection 2)

Morning: Circus discipline task (all applicants)
Afternoon: Group task presentations (all applicants)

Wednesday 12 March (Selection 2):

Morning: Acrobatics (all applicants)
Afternoon: The assessment group meets. Applicants have free time or group activity.

On Wednesday afternoon, the assessment group will decide which applicants are accepted to Selection 3. All applicants will be informed of the results through Varbi on Wednesday afternoon/evening.

Information about Selection 3: Stockholm

Selection 3 consists of circus discipline tests and of the preparation and presentation of an individual task given to the applicants that have proceeded to the final stage of the selection process. See below for details about the selection tasks and basis for assessment.

Schedule

Thursday 13 March (Selection 3)

Morning: Circus discipline task (applicants that have proceeded from Wednesday)
Afternoon: Individual task preparation

Friday 14 March (Selection 3)

All day: Individual presentations of given tasks (applicants that have proceeded from Wednesday).

After the week of selections the admissions group will determine which of the applicants are offered a place in the programme and which are placed on the waiting/reserve list. The Head of the Department will make the final decision regarding admissions and the waiting/reserve list.

Basis for assessment of Selection 2 and 3

Circus Discipline

Aim

The aim of the test is for you to show your physical ability and potential in the circus discipline you apply with.

Content

You will work together with a teacher in the discipline you apply with. The test contains exercises in the chosen discipline. It might also contain exercises in strength, stretch and/or acrobatics. If you apply with a duo/group discipline the test might also have exercises in the second discipline that you have stated in your application.

Assessment

The admission group assesses your ability and potential in the circus discipline you apply with and your ability to absorb instructions. The discipline teachers are advisory in the assessment of the test in circus discipline.

Dance

Aim

The aim of the test in dance is to get an idea of your movement abilities, your movement qualities, musical abilities and how you can solve given tasks.

Content

The test in dance consists of a warmup, a shorter choreography and improvisation.

Assessment

The admission group assesses your movement abilities, your ability to improvise and your ability to solve given tasks.

Group task

Aim

The aim is for you to show your ability to solve a collective task within given frames in a creative way.

Content

You will get a task from admission group based on artistic and creative work. You will get a time limit to work on the task and then present  the results as a group for the admission group.

Assessment

The admissions group assesses how you can work with a collective, how you make artistic and technical choices within a given time frame.

Acrobatics

Aim

The aim of the test is for you to show your technical and physical ability in acrobatic on the floor.

Content

You shall present different basic acrobatic elements (as for example cartwheel, front and back roll, handspring) as well as your own acrobatic routine.

Assessment

The admission group assesses your technical repertoire and abilities regarding movement qualities in acrobatic.

Individual task

Aim

The aim is for you to show your ability to solve an individual task within given frames in a creative way.

Content

You will get a task from the admissions group based on artistic and creative work. You will get a time limit to work on the task and then present the results for the admissions group.

Assessment

The admissions group assesses how you make artistic and technical choices in your main circus discipline within a given time frame.

The technical level and abilities are assessed according to:

• Presentations (safe and technically controlled performance)
• Broad knowledge in circus technique
• Flexibility
• Coordination

The artistic ability is assessed according to:

• Movement qualities
• Stage Presence
• Creativity
• Musicality

The scale for the various assessments is:

1. The applicant does not display the requested ability.
2. The applicant is able to show the requested ability to some extent.
3. The applicant is able to properly display the requested ability.
4. The applicant is able to show the requested ability with ease.