In your first year, you’ll explore the core creative and technical principles of electronic music production. You’ll learn how to record, compose, mix, and perform your own music while developing a strong understanding of studio environments, sound design, and the cultural context of electronic music. Through hands-on practice and guided experimentation, you’ll begin building your unique artistic voice and portfolio.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Year 1, you will be able to:

• Understand and apply the fundamentals of recording, sequencing, synthesis, sampling, and mixing.
• Create, record, and perform original tracks using both analogue and digital tools.
• Build a personal library of sounds and sound design techniques.
• Develop a critical awareness of electronic music’s cultural and industry context.
• Establish your artistic identity and learn how to present it to audiences.

If you enrol in the HE Certificate, you will complete this first year as a standalone qualification. You’ll study alongside BA students and may progress into Year 2 of the BA programme upon successful completion, subject to results and available places.

In your second year, you’ll advance your creative and technical practice by expanding on the foundation built in Year 1. This stage focuses on refining your craft, developing your sonic identity, and mastering the tools and methods needed to shape your sound for public presentation. You’ll explore advanced synthesis, creative programming, mastering, and performance, while cultivating a critical awareness of your artistic role within the contemporary electronic music landscape.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Year 2, you will be able to:

• Refine your mixing and mastering techniques to produce professional-quality recordings.
• Design and build your own instruments, interfaces, and custom music tools.
• Apply advanced synthesis and sound manipulation methods in your compositions.
• Strengthen your creative programming, arrangement, and performance skills.
• Cultivate advanced critical listening and analytical abilities.
• Explore professional pathways and contextualise your artistic work within the wider music industry and culture.

Your final year represents the culmination of your creative and professional development. Here, you’ll bring together everything you’ve learned to refine your artistic vision, produce ambitious original work, and confidently step into the professional world. You’ll lead self-directed projects from concept to completion, collaborate across disciplines, and establish a meaningful presence within the music industry in Berlin and beyond.

Learning Outcomes

Year 3 is your transition from student to independent creative professional. You’ll consolidate your technical mastery, sharpen your artistic identity, and establish the next steps of your professional journey. Through creation, collaboration and critical reflection, you’ll define how your work engages with the world and how you’ll continue to evolve within it.

By the end of Year 3, you will be able to:

• Manage, produce, and finalise independent creative projects from conception to public release.
• Define and communicate your unique artistic focus and professional direction.
• Engage in active collaboration with peers and industry professionals.
• Present and promote your work through live performance, publication, or digital distribution.
• Apply innovative and experimental approaches to electronic music production.
• Develop the professional, organisational, and interpersonal skills required for sustainable creative practice.

All applicants will be asked to provide: personal and educational information, documentation of their education experience, a portfolio and a personal introduction (which can be submitted as a written statement of motivation or a video/audio clip). Visit our How To Apply page for more detail.

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

- Standard entry: graduation from high school at a level which would normally permit entry to university in the country where it was gained. This would be A-Levels in the UK and the Abitur in Germany, for example.

- Non-standard entry: We recognise that not all education happens in the classroom and it may be possible to admit you through a non-standard access route. If you do not possess the required formal qualification, but have acquired relevant professional or life experience, please contact our Admissions team.

If neither of the two categories above describe your situation, you'll most likely need to complete a short course to gain access to our 1 and 3-year HE degree courses.

- Language: The language of instruction in all our courses is English and applicants must demonstrate a level equal to IELTS 6 (equivalent to B2 in Germany and other EU countries). You can either submit a language certificate or can take our free 90 min online test.

For more information, please contact our Admissions team and we’d be happy to discuss your opportunities to come study with us.

Course start: Mid-September 2026
Applications open: Mid-October 2025

Application deadlines

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 €3,000 discount on your total tuition.
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?

• Visa-required: If you require a visa before entering Germany (e.g. citizens of India, Brazil, Mexico, China, Turkey), you must apply at a German embassy before arrival. Our Visa Support Service (included in the enrolment fee) supports you with paperwork, appointments and timelines. Visa processing can take 3–6 months, so early application is essential.
• Post-arrival visa: If you're from a country that allows visa-free entry (e.g. USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea), you can enter Germany without a visa and apply for your student residence permit after arrival.
• Visa-exempt (EU/EEA/Switzerland): If you're a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you don't need a visa or residence permit to study in Germany.

You can check your visa requirements here.

Payment options*

• Per semester: €5,528
• Annual payment: €10,723 per year (3% discount)
• Flexible plans: Monthly and extended payment options available
• Upfront discount: Save 8% on total tuition when paying in full
• For detailed payment plans please download the Course Guide

*Enrolment fee: €895 per study year (non-refundable, due before each academic year begins). Visa support is included as part of the enrolment fee.

Scholarships & financial support

• Eligible for BAföG and other national funding schemes you can check here.
• €6,000 scholarships available – applied across all three years (€2,000/year)
• With scholarships and extended payment plans, tuition can be reduced to as low as €670/month, spread across four years (including one year post-graduation)

Early enrolment bonus - apply early to save €3,000 off your total tuition

Early enrolment secures your place, helps us plan group sizes and facilities, and gives you more time to prepare for your move to Berlin. You’ll benefit from a €1,000 tuition reduction each year.

• Visa-required students: Apply by 28 February 2026
• EU & visa-exempt students: Apply by 31 March 2026

Note: early enrolment bonuses cannot be combined with scholarships.

Multiple-course bonus:

If you decide to enrol in both a 4-week Summer Short Course and a degree course with us in within two years, you will receive a discount of 500€ on the total tuition.

Funding opportunities

As an officially accredited higher education institute based in Berlin, Catalyst offers access to a range of national funding opportunities for eligible students, such as BAföG.
Visit our funding guide to explore the most common options available to our students, both in Germany and across Europe.

As an officially accredited higher education institute based in Berlin, Catalyst offers access to a range of national funding opportunities for eligible students, including BAföG and other public financial aid schemes available across Germany and the EU.

In addition to public funding, Catalyst offers a variety of scholarships designed to support diversity, equity, and access in the creative arts. These include:

• General and school-specific scholarships across all Bachelor's and Master's programmes
• Up to €6,000 in tuition support for Bachelor’s students (spread over three years)
• Relocation support scholarships for international students moving to Berlin

To learn more about these opportunities and how to apply, visit our full Funding Your Studies guide.

Get a feel for Catalyst and our courses at a range of both online and in-person events. Join us at a Virtual Open Day or an Open Day at our campus in Berlin, chat to our programme leads at Meet The Tutor, or try a taster workshop.