HIGHER EDUCATION

DEC-DEE CIRCUS ARTS

Become a professional circus artist

The Higher Education in Circus Arts program is a three-year training path designed for aspiring professionals who already have experience in the circus arts or a related discipline and who dream of turning that passion into a career.

 

 

vélo acrobatique

Two learning profiles

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his higher-education program not only helps students refine their circus skills but also encourages them to deepen their self-awareness. Throughout their training, they’ll learn to make thoughtful artistic and technical choices, as well as identify the environments where they can thrive creatively and professionally.

The curriculum is built to help students develop the key qualities of a professional circus artist such as autonomy, a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to constantly adapt.

It balances the practice of multiple disciplines with a broader understanding of the circus world, approaching it through artistic, entrepreneurial and social lenses.

At the École de cirque de Québec, we’re dedicated to nurturing artists who will engage with their profession with responsibility, maturity and creativity.

Finally, this program offers two distinct training profiles: regular and acrobat. The regular profile focuses on a primary discipline, selected at the time of the audition, which students will refine throughout their three years of training. The acrobat profile emphasizes the development of multidisciplinary acrobats, with a focus on group acrobatic disciplines such as trampoline, floor acrobatics, trampo-wall, Chinese rings, Korean plank, teeterboard, Russian bar and banquine.

Quebec students International students
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Diploma of college studies (DEC)

Quebec students

Program offered in partnership with Cégep Limoilou
This program is open to:

  • Residents of Quebec (16 years and up)
  • Residents of France (17 years and up)

The DEC in Circus Arts is a three-year technical college program recognized by Québec’s Ministry of Higher Education. It leads to a diploma of college studies (DEC 561.DA) and includes both specialized circus training and general education courses as part of the Québec school system. It’s important to know that successful completion of the general education courses is a prerequisite for continuing circus training up to the third year.

Students will be enrolled at Cégep Limoilou – Campus Québec and have access to all student services offered by the institution. The Cégep delivers the general education courses, while the École de cirque de Québec provides the specialized circus training, including theory courses related to physical preparation and the profession of circus artist.

Students must pay a registration fee for each semester (two semesters per year for three years) as well as annual program-related fees (for three years). These fees are the same for both Québec and French students.

Schedule
Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Duration
3 years (6 semesters)
Fall semester: end of August to December
Winter semester: January to early June

COMING SOON

Registration
$241 per semester*
*Subject to change without notice
One-time payment to Cégep Limoilou per semester

Athletic therapy
$650 + taxes per year*
*Subject to change without notice
Payment due once a year to the École de cirque de Québec

Eligible candidates must complete the audition process of the École de cirque de Québec and submit an application to Cégep Limoilou through the SRACQ platform in order to be considered for the DEC program. Candidates must be accepted both through SRACQ and the audition process to enroll.

Sign up for auditions Find out more

Diploma of establishment studies (DEE)

For international students outside of France

Diploma issued by the École de cirque de Québec.

This program is designed for individuals who:

  • Are 18 years or up,
  • Are not from Québec or France
  • Are not eligible for the DEC program.

The École de cirque de Québec offers a three-year advanced technical training program that provides technical and theoretical classes in the circus arts, including courses on physical training and the profession of circus artist. Upon completion, students receive a diploma of establishment studies (DEE) awarded directly by the École de cirque de Québec.

Please note that the DEE does not guarantee eligibility for a post-graduation work permit.

Students accepted into the DEE are responsible for obtaining both a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and a study permit. They must also secure the necessary insurance in order to begin the program. These steps can take several months, so it’s crucial to start the process early. Copies of these documents must be submitted to the school before the school year begins.

Useful government resources:

Schedule
Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Duration
3 years (6 semesters)
Fall semester: end of August to December
Winter semester: January to early June

COMING SOON

Audition registration
$80 + taxes
One-time payment upon submitting your application to the ÉCQ.

Tuition
$7,650 + taxes per year*
*Subject to change without notice

Candidates must be at least 18 years old, be ineligible for a DEC and take part in the audition process of the École de cirque de Québec.

Sign up for auditions Find out more

Preparatory program

Get ready for the DEC-DEE in Circus Arts

This preparatory program is designed for:

  • Applicants whose current abilities don’t yet meet the requirements for the Higher Education program in the circus arts,
  • Individuals invited to join the program to prepare for higher education.

This one-year program aims to strengthen your physical and artistic foundations for the circus practice while helping you clarify your discipline of choice. You’ll work on core techniques like acrobatics, handstands, flexibility and physical conditioning. You’ll also be introduced to dance and theatre and continue to develop technical and creative skills in your primary discipline, all with the goal of preparing you for the Higher Education program auditions.

Only applicants who have completed the audition process for the Higher Education program and whose level is not yet aligned with that of the rest of the cohort may be invited to take part in the preparatory year, following a conversation with the jury.