Master of Arts at Catalyst

Visa-required applicants

Applicants from countries requiring a visa before entering Germany:

• Priority deadline: 28 February 2026 (includes early enrolment bonus and visa support)
• General deadline: 30 April 2026 (subject to visa processing time)

EU/visa-exempt or post-arrival applicants:

Applicants from EU/EEA, Switzerland, or countries allowing visa-free entry (e.g. USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea):

• Priority deadline: 31 March 2026 (includes early enrolment bonus & guaranteed spot)
• General deadline: 5 June 2026
• Late applications: Until 28 August 2026 (subject to availability)

Priority deadlines & early enrolment bonus

Apply by the priority deadline to secure your place and receive a tuition discount (€1,000 per full academic year).

Early enrolment gives you early access to our visa support service and allows us to plan group sizes and resources in advance.

What does “visa” or “visa-exempt” mean?

Entry requirements: Age

We don't have an upper age limit, but we do have a minimum age: 18. To join us you must be 18 years old by the first day of your study programme.

Entry requirements: Language

All our courses are taught in English and applicants must demonstrate a level equal to IELTS 6 (referred to as B2 in Germany and other EU countries). You can either submit an official document confirming your English level, or take our 90-min online test. We do not require German language skills.

Entry requirements: Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, with an Honours grade (e.g. 2:1 in the UK university system).

MA applicants who do not meet our minimum education requirement, but have acquired equivalent professional experience may be assessed on the strength of a professional CV and portfolio, which must demonstrate a solid background in artistic practice and research.

If you're in your final year of studies you can still apply. Instead of your final diploma, please send us a transcript of either your most recent or predicted grades. If the original language of this is not English or German, please also include a translation to English.

All applications must be submitted digitally through our online application portal. Before you click the link though, read on for important information about entry requirements, the admissions process and what you'll need to include in your application.

Our postgraduate (MA) application form has 7 sections:
1. Course Level Selection
2. Course Choice
3. Personal Details
4. Previous Education
5. MA Project Proposal
6. Portfolio 
7. Terms & Conditions*

*By clicking “submit” at the end of the application form, you agree to our Terms & Conditions

Master of Arts: Portfolio

• 1 sample of Research Experience / Academic Writing (PDF)
• Artistic Portfolio (2 links to view work online + text descriptions of both works)

Master of Arts: Project Proposal

How would you spend one year full-time or two years part-time dedicated to an artistic research topic of your choice? Your project proposal is an important line in the sand. While the trajectory and shape of the project will naturally evolve over the course of your research, it’s important to make a clear statement of intention at the outset and present a well-thought out plan to guide your endeavours.

Your initial proposal will not only define the starting point of your Master’s research but also sets the stage for ongoing discussions between you and your supervisor. Your idea should be something you are genuinely excited about, relevant to your personal creative practice as well as of interest to the wider artistic and academic community.

In the application form, you will be asked to elaborate your proposal across the following 5 headings:

Eligibility Criteria

In addition to meeting Catalyst’s general postgraduate admissions requirements, applicants to the MA in Applied Creative Psychology should demonstrate the following:

• A strong interest in the intersection of creativity, psychology and human development.
  We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including creative practitioners, educators, coaches and community organisers, as well as anyone curious about how creativity can support individual and collective growth.
• Some experience working with a creative medium or expressive practice.
  Professional artistic training is not required, but applicants should have some experience engaging with a creative or expressive form such as visual arts, music, writing, movement, design, theatre, facilitation or community arts. This can be through personal practice, study or community involvement.
• A completed undergraduate degree (BA or equivalent), ideally in a relevant field.
  Relevant fields include the creative arts, psychology, education, social sciences, design and the humanities. Applicants from other academic backgrounds may also be considered if they can demonstrate suitable experience and motivation.
• An openness to reflective, experiential and collaborative learning.
  This programme emphasises critical thinking, self-inquiry and practical application. Successful candidates are those who are willing to explore personal and interpersonal dynamics and to engage actively in both creative and psychological processes.

Application submission requirements

Postgraduate (MA) applications are assessed on a rolling basis. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be invited for an online interview. You'll normally find out if you've made it to the second round within 2 weeks and will receive a final decision on your application within 2-4 weeks.

Achtung! Attention!

Some things to keep in mind:

• We will communicate updates about your application to you by email, using the same address you provide in your application form.

Catalyst welcomes students from across the globe. Whether you need a visa or can enter Germany visa-free, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way.

Visit this website to find out your country's visa requirements.

Visa requirements

If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in Germany.

Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, San Marino, the UK and the USA can enter Germany without a visa, but must apply for a residence permit within 90 days of arrival to remain legally.

All other international students will need to apply for a student visa before travelling to Germany.

Free Visa support service

While Catalyst cannot apply for your visa on your behalf, we provide a free visa support service to all enrolled international students. This includes:

• A full checklist of required documents
• Guidance on the application process
• Digital document collection and review
• Verification of your educational qualifications (e.g. anabin, HZB)
• A pre-admission eligibility check with an estimated visa success rate and timeline

This service is available after enrolment and is designed to support a smooth and successful visa application process.

Important deadlines for visa-required applicants

• Priority deadline: 28 February 2026
  Includes early enrolment bonus and visa support
• General deadline: 30 April 2026
  (Subject to visa processing times and course availability)

Deadlines for visa-exempt applicants

• Priority deadline: 31 March 2026
  Includes early enrolment bonus and guaranteed place
• General deadline: 5 June 2026
• Late applications: Accepted until 28 August 2026 (subject to availability)

As an accredited arts school in Berlin, Catalyst students may be eligible for a range of national and international funding options. Support varies depending on your country of citizenship or long-term residence, and typically applies to full-time Master’s programmes (not the part-time MA courses).

Below are some funding bodies that have supported Catalyst students in the past:

– Germany: BAföG (available to EU and some non-EU citizens*)
– Iceland: Lín
– The Netherlands: DUO
– Norway: Lånekassen
– Sweden: CSN
– Luxembourg: AIDEFI
– Finland: KELA
– Czech Republic: Česká spořitelna student loans (check with your bank)

*Good news: BAföG may also be accessible to non-German students, including EU citizens and some non-EU applicants, depending on your circumstances.

We recommend submitting your course application well before our final deadline to leave enough time for any funding applications.

For those entering a Master’s degree at Catalyst, scholarships are available across all MA programmes – from Creative Production (Music or Film) to Applied Creative Psychology. Each scholarship offers a €2,000 total tuition fee reduction, applied to your tuition fees across one year (or two years part-time).

These awards are open to artists, career-switchers, researchers and changemakers who demonstrate both a strong personal trajectory and a commitment to creative development. Whether you’re deepening your existing practice or forging a new direction, the scholarship supports your next chapter with both financial and professional encouragement.

Successful applicants also take part in Catalyst’s Storytelling & Events community with around 16 hours of engagement per month – offering you a platform to share your journey, inspire others and reflect on your creative process.

Scholarships are assessed on a rolling basis, and we advise applying early to be considered.

• Book a call with Admissions
• Book a Campus Tour
• Join an Open Day

• Creative Production - Film
• Creative Production - Music
• Applied Creative Psychology