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Local Coordinator Close to your School
Your local coordinator visits your child, attends parents' evenings on your behalf and stays in touch throughout your guardianship programme.
British Guardianship at National Centre for Circus Arts
Nominated Guardian for National Centre for Circus Arts. University guardianship programme for international students.
Are you looking for a Nominated Guardian for National Centre for Circus Arts? International students under the age of 18 are required to have an Accredited UK Guardianship in place when enrolling at a UK university. Once your application is accepted and you are enrolled at National Centre for Circus Arts, British Guardianship can provide a fully accredited university guardianship service, including a dedicated local coordinator who can visit your child, attend parents' evenings on your behalf, maintain regular contact throughout your guardianship programme, and assist with any additional requests you may have.
Guardianship Fees
Our UK university guardianship services for National Centre for Circus Arts start from £250 per term.
Dedicated Guardianship Manager
As soon as your application is received, a dedicated member of our guardianship team becomes your main contact, managing every aspect of your nominated guardian arrangements.
Our Services
UK University Guardianship
An accredited nominated guardian for international students who start at National Centre for Circus Arts before turning 18. Your child has a dedicated local coordinator and 24-hour emergency support, and you receive regular updates until your child turns 18. Prices from £250 per term.
Learn More →University Overview
The National Centre for Circus Arts, which regards itself as among Europe's leading providers of circus education, began in 1989 as Circus Space, set up by Jonathan Graham with a group of volunteers. It acquired its present name in 2014 on being awarded national status. A registered charity, the Centre has been based since 1994 in Hoxton, East London, in a converted Victorian-era power station.
Degree-level teaching centres on the BA (Hons) in Circus Arts, which lasts three years, is validated by the University of Kent and admits about 30 students annually. Each student picks one specialism in the first term: an aerial discipline such as trapeze, rope or silks, an acrobatic form such as Chinese pole or hand-to-hand, or a manipulation skill such as juggling. Demanding training of up to 35 hours a week blends technical and artistic progress with contextual study and culminates in devised final-year performances. Youth programmes, among them London Youth Circus, run alongside classes for adults and support for professional artists. Ockham's Razor, NoFit State Circus and Cirque du Soleil are among the companies its graduates have worked with.
Information for International Students
International students are sponsored by the National Centre through the Student visa route. Candidates must be 18 or older and show a clear aim of working professionally in circus; prior circus experience helps but is not essential. Selection starts with an online application and a video, followed by an audition in person in London, although overseas candidates who are unable to travel may submit a full video audition instead. English is expected at GCSE standard or an equivalent IELTS level, and international applicants may need to pass a Secure English Language Test at B2 on the CEFR scale, with offers sometimes conditional on the result. English language support is provided throughout the course.
There is no accommodation on site, but successful applicants are advised on finding housing, and many share London flats with classmates. International students receive information packs tailored to them, and further support extends to physical health, academic help, and counselling and mental health. A hardship fund and scholarships exist, though eligibility varies, so international applicants are advised to arrange their finances early. Subject to Home Office rules, the Graduate Route is open to graduates.
Intake Information
Intake information is provided as a general guide. Start dates vary between universities and courses, and not every course is offered at every intake. Please follow the UCAS deadlines for undergraduate applications and check the latest dates on the official National Centre for Circus Arts website.
Frequently Asked Questions
UK universities typically require international students who are under 18 when they enrol to have a UK-based nominated guardian in place. The guardian acts on behalf of the parents while the student is a minor, serving as the university's point of contact in an emergency, supporting the student's welfare and providing a trusted adult close by. British Guardianship provides this as a fully accredited university guardianship service.
We have guardians available and ready to be assigned. The overall timeframe depends on how quickly the required paperwork is completed and communication with National Centre for Circus Arts is finalised. As every case is different, timelines can vary, but we aim to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
Our UK university guardianship services for National Centre for Circus Arts start from £250 per term. We also offer premium and bespoke packages, and with our flexible guardianship services you only pay for the services you need. Full details are on our guardianship fees page.
No. Once your child turns 18, the nominated guardian requirement no longer applies and guardianship services are no longer needed. This is why our university guardianship is priced per term, so you only pay until your child's 18th birthday.
A UK student guardian must be a responsible adult, usually aged 25 or over, who lives permanently in the UK, speaks fluent English and is close enough to respond quickly in an emergency. The guardian must be contactable 24 hours a day, act as the university's emergency contact until the student turns 18, and hold an Enhanced DBS check where they or their household host the student. National Centre for Circus Arts may also ask for the guardian's details at enrolment and set additional requirements of its own. As an AEGIS-accredited guardianship provider, British Guardianship meets these requirements on your behalf, with vetted guardians, Enhanced DBS checked host families and 24-hour emergency support.
Disclaimer: Logo, images and videos are shown courtesy of National Centre for Circus Arts and remain the property of their respective owners. British Guardianship is an independent AEGIS-accredited guardianship provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by National Centre for Circus Arts. University information is provided as a general guide; please refer to the official National Centre for Circus Arts website for the latest university information and details.
