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At the end of this training program, students will have acquired the professional skills necessary to work as instructors in a social education context, with youth in difficulty, or in recreational activities. There are many diversified opportunities for these professionals, who are called upon to work in the community as well as in the recreation industry.

This program is offered in French, either in person or online, and in English exclusively online. It leads to an Attestation of College Studies (AEC NRC.08) or a School Attestation of Studies (AEE). It is available in the following delivery modes and languages:

  • In person – in French only
  • Online – in French or in English
Programs Who can register? Particularities
AEC – Instructor in Circus Arts Canadian and international students eligible for the AEC This program is recognized and accredited by the Québec Ministry of Higher Education. To obtain an Attestation of College Studies, international students must demonstrate a sufficient level of proficiency in French.
Attestation of Studies from the School – Instructor in Circus Arts International students The Attestation is not sanctioned by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec. This program offers the same course grid as the AEC – Instructor in Circus Arts.

 

Program structure
Admission
Tuition fees
Student services and Financial aid

The Circus Arts Instructor program includes 360 hours of training: 270 hours of coursework and a 90-hour internship (the student is responsible for securing a workplace placement).

2026-2027 school year

Session In person Online
Fall August 17 to December 12, 2026 August 22 to December 12, 2026
Winter January 4 to May 30, 2027 January 17 to May 30, 2027

Classes

Class management
Initial training in circus techniques
Supervising the creation and realization of a performance
Setup and teardown of acrobatic apparatus
Setup and teardown of acrobatic apparatus
Internship in the workplace

 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program, the individual must:

  • hold a Diploma of College Studies (DEC), a university degree, or any other diploma deemed relevant by the NCS;

OR

  • Applicants must have completed and passed secondary studies (equivalent to a Québec Secondary School Diploma) and satisfy one of the following conditions:
    • Have interrupted full-time studies OR pursued full-time post-secondary studies for at least two consecutive semesters (or one academic year);

    • Have interrupted full-time studies for one semester AND pursued full-time post-secondary studies for one semester.

  • Have practical or teaching experience in one or more of the following fields: circus arts, theatre, dance, or sport (gymnastics, parkour, trampoline, cheerleading), or any other relevant discipline;
  • Demonstrate excellent communication skills;
  • Have a good knowledge of the French language (except for the English program leading to a School Attestation of Studies [AEE]);
  • Have completed the Circus Arts Instructor training (an asset).

Note: To participate fully in online training, a basic knowledge of technological tools (Outlook, Teams, Zoom) is required.

Required documents

All documents submitted in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a translation.

  • Passport-style photo (JPEG format);
  • Copy of your birth certificate indicating sex at birth and parents’ names (PDF format);
  • Copy of your Québec Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) or your most recent transcript (PDF format);
  • Curriculum vitae (CV);
  • Copy of your citizenship certificate (for naturalized Canadian citizens or permanent residents only);
  • Copy of your valid provincial health insurance card (for Canadian citizens only).

International Students

Once admission to the Circus Arts Trainer in-person program has been confirmed, international students must promptly begin the process of obtaining the following documents:

Please note that these procedures involve several steps and may take several months to complete.

2026-2027 school year

Category In person Online
Application fee $50 $50
Registration fee $200 $200
Additional fees* $260 $150
Tuition – Canadian students and permanent residents of Québec* $2,135 $2,475
Tuition – French citizens* $2,200 Not applicable
Tuition – Canadian students and permanent residents outside Québec* $3,100 $3,200
Tuition – International students* $3,400 $3,400
Insurance fee – International students (except French citizens) $755 Not applicable

* Payable in two instalments.
Fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.

Student services

The training gives access to health services (only for in-person training), to our specialized Library as well as to the scholarship program of the National Circus School Foundation.

To learn more about our services, visit the Student Services page.

Financial aid

Individuals enrolled in one of our full-time programs and who are Canadian citizens may apply for financial assistance from their respective provincial ministry.

We also offer scholarships to students who do not have sufficient financial resources to follow our professional training, regardless of their status. Find out more about the National Circus School Foundation’s scholarship program.

Program structure

The Circus Arts Instructor program includes 360 hours of training: 270 hours of coursework and a 90-hour internship (the student is responsible for securing a workplace placement).

2026-2027 school year

Session In person Online
Fall August 17 to December 12, 2026 August 22 to December 12, 2026
Winter January 4 to May 30, 2027 January 17 to May 30, 2027

Classes

Class management
Initial training in circus techniques
Supervising the creation and realization of a performance
Setup and teardown of acrobatic apparatus
Setup and teardown of acrobatic apparatus
Internship in the workplace

 

Admission

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program, the individual must:

  • hold a Diploma of College Studies (DEC), a university degree, or any other diploma deemed relevant by the NCS;

OR

  • Applicants must have completed and passed secondary studies (equivalent to a Québec Secondary School Diploma) and satisfy one of the following conditions:
    • Have interrupted full-time studies OR pursued full-time post-secondary studies for at least two consecutive semesters (or one academic year);

    • Have interrupted full-time studies for one semester AND pursued full-time post-secondary studies for one semester.

  • Have practical or teaching experience in one or more of the following fields: circus arts, theatre, dance, or sport (gymnastics, parkour, trampoline, cheerleading), or any other relevant discipline;
  • Demonstrate excellent communication skills;
  • Have a good knowledge of the French language (except for the English program leading to a School Attestation of Studies [AEE]);
  • Have completed the Circus Arts Instructor training (an asset).

Note: To participate fully in online training, a basic knowledge of technological tools (Outlook, Teams, Zoom) is required.

Required documents

All documents submitted in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a translation.

  • Passport-style photo (JPEG format);
  • Copy of your birth certificate indicating sex at birth and parents’ names (PDF format);
  • Copy of your Québec Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) or your most recent transcript (PDF format);
  • Curriculum vitae (CV);
  • Copy of your citizenship certificate (for naturalized Canadian citizens or permanent residents only);
  • Copy of your valid provincial health insurance card (for Canadian citizens only).

International Students

Once admission to the Circus Arts Trainer in-person program has been confirmed, international students must promptly begin the process of obtaining the following documents:

Please note that these procedures involve several steps and may take several months to complete.

Tuition fees

2026-2027 school year

Category In person Online
Application fee $50 $50
Registration fee $200 $200
Additional fees* $260 $150
Tuition – Canadian students and permanent residents of Québec* $2,135 $2,475
Tuition – French citizens* $2,200 Not applicable
Tuition – Canadian students and permanent residents outside Québec* $3,100 $3,200
Tuition – International students* $3,400 $3,400
Insurance fee – International students (except French citizens) $755 Not applicable

* Payable in two instalments.
Fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.

Student services and Financial aid

Student services

The training gives access to health services (only for in-person training), to our specialized Library as well as to the scholarship program of the National Circus School Foundation.

To learn more about our services, visit the Student Services page.

Financial aid

Individuals enrolled in one of our full-time programs and who are Canadian citizens may apply for financial assistance from their respective provincial ministry.

We also offer scholarships to students who do not have sufficient financial resources to follow our professional training, regardless of their status. Find out more about the National Circus School Foundation’s scholarship program.

Un artiste aérien est suspendu à un cerceau en plein vol, tandis qu'une personne en pantalon vert et lunettes - dont la mission est d'enseigner les arts du cirque à des personnes de tous âges - observe attentivement la scène à côté de rideaux occultants, dans un gymnase au mur de béton.

Questions?

You can consult our FAQ or contact us by email at registrariat@enc.qc.ca.

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