Catalyst – Institute for Creative Arts and Technology
Institute for Creative Arts and Technology
A safe space to dream big
Discover, develop and celebrate your unique creative identity at the extraordinary Funkhaus in Berlin.
Our courses span electronic music production and performance, audio and music production, sound engineering, filmmaking, screenwriting, visual effects, digital arts and acting. They range from bachelor's and master's degree courses through to four-week summer courses for beginners, validated by our UK partner institution Plymouth Marjon University.
Using immersive, hands-on, project-based learning to develop your subject specialist skills, real-world human attributes and industry know-how, we provide a learning experience which will transform your daily life long after you have left Catalyst behind.
Undergraduate courses
Three-year BA degrees and one-year HE Certificates.
Music & Sound Design for Visual Media BA (Hons) / HE Certificate
Develop your own creative voice as an audio storyteller and sound designer across film and a range of visual media in this interdisciplinary, project-based and collaborative programme.
Screenwriting BA (Hons) / HE Certificate
Build your skills as a versatile storyteller as you learn to write and deliver engaging narratives for a variety of formats and genres, developing your own ideas as well as collaborating in a Writers' Room.
Visual Effects, Digital Arts & Animation BA (Hons) / HE Certificate
Create 2D and 3D animations, game-ready assets, and visual effects for film, games, live visuals and digital arts in this hands-on, multidisciplinary, project-based programme.
Electronic Music Production & Performance BA (Hons) / HE Certificate
Become a pioneer in the world of electronic music production with our project-based curriculum, in which bold experimentation and risk-taking are key to your success.
Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering BA (Hons) / HE Certificate
Discover your sonic fingerprint as a music producer or sound engineer in a programme that combines vocational technical training, creative practice and critical thinking.
Acting BA (Hons) / HE Certificate
Become a captivating presence on stage and screen with our contemporary, highly practical acting training, preparing you for a versatile career in today’s ever-changing media and performance landscape.
Film Production BA (Hons) / HE Certificate
Learn how to express your authentic self through film, create original work from your own unique point of view and embrace global perspectives as part of an international community of filmmakers.
Postgraduate courses
MA degrees, offered full-time and part-time.
Creative Production (Music) MA
Reshape your music practice and pursue your chosen area of interest, desired specialisation or passion project through practice-based artistic research.
Creative Production (Film) MA
Deepen your creative practice as a filmmaker, director, cinematographer, editor, writer or audiovisual artist through practice-based artistic research.
Summer short courses
Intensive four-week summer courses.
Screen Acting – Short Course
Level: Beginner
Learn the fundamentals of performing for camera. Develop and hone your fledgling acting skills through practical, confidence-boosting learning experiences.
Screenwriting – Short Course
Level: Beginner
Course length: 4 weeks
Our 4-week Screenwriting course is for writers and storytellers who want to translate their ideas into scripts for film. You'll master the basics of narratology, character development and story arcs. Gain the skills to edit, pitch, promote your work and the confidence to take the next steps towards a career in screenwriting.
Filmmaking – Short Course
Level: Beginner
Kickstart your journey as a film writer, director, cinematographer or editor and learn the fundamentals of storytelling, photography, pre-production, working with actors and post-production.
The Psychology of Creativity – Short Course
Level: Beginner
Course length: 4 weeks
Get an in-depth overview of the world of psychology through the lens of creativity, as you dive deep into creativity's developmental roots, its impact on mental and physical wellbeing and its role in shaping communities.
Studio Recording – Short Course
Level: Beginner
Learn the fundamentals of recording and producing bands, soloists or electronic artists in a professional studio environment.
Music & Sound Design for Visual Media – Short Course
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Course length: 4 weeks
Our 4-week Music & Sound Design for Visual Media course is for those passionate about building and developing skills as a musician or sound designer for visual media. You can join as a beginner in your professional journey or an experienced interdisciplinary creative.
Electronic Music Production – Short Course
Level: Beginner
Learn the core principles of the craft of the electronic music producer and hone your skills to express your creative ideas.
Advanced Sound Design – Short Course
Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Already started your journey in electronic music production? This short course is for the artist or producer who is ready to stretch their capabilities and take their work to the next stage in its evolution.
Mixing & Mastering Electronic Music – Short Course
Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Advance your creative and technical approach to refining and finishing your tracks as an electronic music producer.
Advanced Modular Synthesis – Short Course (Summer 2026)
Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Course length: 4 weeks
Our 4-week Advanced Modular Synthesis course is for experienced electronic music producers and sound designers looking to deepen their expertise in modular synthesis. You’ll master complex modular systems and push the boundaries of sound design through hands-on experimentation and iteration.
A progressive education
Based on project-based learning and collaboration, our progressive education model empowers students to learn through “doing", whilst complying with the rigorous requirements of a UK university qualification.
We speak human
At heart, our school is about people. A creative community. A nurturing, caring, relaxed and friendly 'home from home' where tutors provide uncompromising support to international students from more than 75 different countries. We celebrate this coming together of people and the richness of their different ideas and experiences. It's one of our greatest strengths.
Come and discover for yourself
We think we've designed one of the most exciting places on the planet to do courses like ours. It's hardly a surprise that we'd say that, so please don't take our word for it. We offer a bursting programme of both virtual and in-person events for prospective students—from Open Days and guided campus tours to taster workshops and Admissions Q&As—where you can meet us, explore our spaces, and find out if you agree.
We also host a wide range of public events throughout the year—festivals, showcases, workshops, special guest lectures and performances. Whether you're just starting your creative journey or looking to plug into something bigger, there’s always a way to connect. We can't wait to meet you.
A guiding hand
Our tutors are experts in their field, with a passion for passing on their knowledge to others. They'll inspire and challenge you to dream big and fulfil your unique creative potential.
