Catalyst
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, film production, filmmaking, visual effects, digital arts and acting. From short summer courses through to bachelor and master degrees validated by our UK university partner and facilitated by our international teaching team.
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.
Subject areas
Shorts, pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.
Electronic Music Production & Performance
This is no ordinary electronic music education. We don’t do normal. Be challenged to the max whilst growing your identity as a practicing electronic music artist, producer and performer. Hands on, learning by doing with synthesisers, drum machines, sequencers and samplers will push your musical exploration to places you never thought possible. Open your mind, unlock your sound and reach a whole new audience.
- Electronic Music Production & Performance HE Certificate (1 Year)
- Electronic Music Production & Performance BA Hons Degree (3 Year)
- Creative Production Music MA Masters Degree (1 Year/2 Year)
- Short Course - Electronic Music Production (4 Week)
- Short Course - Advanced Sound Design (4 Week)
- Short course - Mixing & Mastering Electronic Music (4 Week)
Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering
Discover a world of vintage studios, mixing desks, microphones, recording spaces, amplifiers, drum kits, compressors, guitars and people making noises with their body! Working in studio production, live sound, film, video game or sound installation, discover and design the most imaginative ways to use the latest recording techniques. We'll help you learn the rules and then celebrate when you break them. Step away from the ordinary, become a pro with us and kickstart a successful career in the audio industry.
Music and Sound Design for Visual Media
Build an original portfolio whilst producing sound and music for live projects and films as well as writing and recording sound components for film scores, interactive installations, video games, audio libraries and more.
Screen Acting
Forget written tests and theory textbooks - get out there and do it. You will star in multiple film productions weekly and be working in tandem with the filmmakers. When you are not rehearsing or on the set, you will join workshops with professional tutors to train your body and voice.
Film Production
Learn by doing. And doing. And doing. This isn’t your grandpa’s film school; from day zero your boots hit the ground, the camera’s in your hands, and you’re writing, shooting, cutting, and discussing your work - then doing it all over again.
Screenwriting
Hone your skills as a scriptwriter and versatile storyteller as you learn to create, adapt and deliver engaging narratives for a variety of storytelling formats and genres that meet the growing demands of the traditional and contemporary film and media industries.
Visual Effects, Digital Arts & Animation
Make the impossible become real with the creative tools of tomorrow. Learn cutting edge industry practices from on-set practical effects to generative visuals…then smash the standards and pioneer new ways forward. Immerse yourself in our unique creative laboratory to explore unmapped visual frontiers through hands-on learning, collaborative projects and real-world challenges. Walk away with a wide-ranging portfolio.
2023 Summer programme
Our music, film and acting schools will be hosting a selection of innovative and focussed 4-week short courses at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels starting from June 2023. Find the right summer course depending on your personal interest and experience.
- Electronic Music Production (Beg)
- Advanced Sound Design (Int/Adv)
- Studio Recording (Beg)
- Mixing and Mastering (Int/Adv)
- Filmmaking (Beg)
- Screen Acting Crash Course (Beg)
A progressive education
Our courses are based on the values and concepts of progressive education whilst complying with the rigorous requirements of a UK university qualification. We bring a lightness of being to help sustain and illuminate your serious intent.
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 70 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.
Built for success
However you define success, there are a range of tools, skills, attributes and habits which significantly increase your chances of achieving it. These building blocks help turn a talented, hardworking human being into a genuinely successful one. We believe that developing these attributes is crucial to your future success. We embed this learning into most of our programmes.
If you really want to push the envelope, we also have a ground breaking optional course in Self Development & Leadership. This is provided at cost price to all Catalyst students.
COVID-19 Update
Many of you will be concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak and how it might impact your education. We expect to continue to be operating safely and on-site as done until now. We have provided a FAQ to provide answers to any questions you may have on the matter. For those of you wishing to join us for our 2023 summer short courses or for a degree course next fall, please do not hesitate to get in touch for any additional information you may require.
Discover for yourself
We think we've designed the most exciting place 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. Come and visit and discover it for yourself. Explore the facilities, try out a workshop, meet some tutors, ask a million difficult questions and find out if you agree.