Music and Sound for Experimental Gaming, Short Course, Catalyst - Institute for Creative Arts and Technology

Germany

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Short Course	Full-time	4 weeks	June	EUR 2250 total	EUR 2250 total

About Music and Sound for Experimental Gaming, Short Course - at Catalyst - Institute for Creative Arts and Technology

Learn how to create music and sound for experimental games in this intensive four-week short course. This year's theme, City Dwellers, invites you to inhabit and transform urban worlds-where the boundary between game, installation, and film begins to blur.

Rather than building a game from scratch, you'll start with existing materials-visual, structural, conceptual-and remix them into something personal. Every element can be a point of entry: a texture, a sound, a stretch of grass, the rules of physics. What matters is how you bend these ready-made parts into a space that carries your signature.

Your project might take the form of a playable world, an ambient experience, or a story that's meant to be watched more than played. Whether you're new to interactive audio or expanding an existing practice, you'll work alongside artists and practitioners to develop portfolio-ready work grounded in experimentation and collaboration.

You'll explore how to make sound compelling - not just as high-quality assets, but as something audiences want to engage with. Through urban theory, sound walks, narrative design, and character development, you'll learn how sound connects to story and creates meaning. Working with adaptive systems, musical environments, and game engines as compositional tools, you'll build experiences where people care about what they're hearing.

The course culminates in a public exhibition at Catalyst's Funkhaus facilities, featuring screenings, installations, and presentations. Your work will be professionally showcased and documented, giving you high-quality material for portfolios, applications, and future opportunities - whether you're pursuing further studies, seeking commissions and collaborations, or taking the next step in your practice.

Learn more about Music and Sound for Experimental Gaming, Short Course - at Catalyst - Institute for Creative Arts and Technology

Visit course webpage

Notes about fees for this course

Apply before 31 March 2026 to secure your spot early and receive €150 off your tuition fee.

Entry requirements

The most important prerequisite for attending this course is that you must be passionate about building and developing your skills within electronic music production.

Our Short Courses are designed to be accessible to anyone, so we do not require any level of academic certification to apply. Generally, applicants must be 18 or over when the course begins. If you're coming from outside the EU, a holiday/travel visa will usually suffice.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Catalyst - Institute for Creative Arts and Technology

For Bachelor’s, €6,000 scholarships available – applied across all three years (€2,000/year)

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

- For Master’s, €2,000 scholarships available

Early enrolment bonus - apply early to save €1,000 off your total tuition

Scholarships & financial support - all courses

Flexible plans: Monthly and extended payment options available
Eligible for BAföG and other national funding schemes

Student reviews of Catalyst - Institute for Creative Arts and Technology

Find out what students say about Catalyst - Institute for Creative Arts and Technology

School of Music & Sound testimonials

“The school has contributed enormously to my creative growth. Nothing is better than being able to spend three years on your craft and nothing but that.”
– Rowan Edwards aka Gozi, pop artist and EMP alumnus

“The best three years of my life. This place is magic! Tutors are always there to help – the school is full of inspiring and supportive people. It helps you to understand who you are as an artist or sound engineer, teaches you how to be systematic, how to work with other artists and how to become a professional.”
– Anita Wenglorz, music producer and CAP alumnus

“Most importantly, it is what you do with the resources that are given to you that makes each study experience unique. This is a space where you have a certain autonomy and can explore your creative desires. You're in charge!”
– Pablo Diserens aka Ōtone, music producer and Creative Production (Music) MA alum

School of Film & Visual Media testimonials

“Studying here was nothing short of amazing and to throw all of my talents and passions into one medium was magical.”
– Adam Munnings, filmmaker and Film Production alumnus

“Our tutors have really pushed us to advance our skills and techniques, as well as encouraged us to forge the pathway we think best suits our desires as artists.”
– Marlee Weinberg, Visual Effects alumna

“I liked the idea of working toward my own unique vision – with some guidance from the tutors – as opposed to creating projects that had to fit certain criteria.”
– Jennifer Jo Stokka, creative producer, writer and Creative Production (Film) alumna

School of Acting testimonials

“I love that we're treated like we are already working in the industry… You learn the hard way what needs to be done and what you can expect when stepping out of the Funkhaus with a degree in your hand.”
– Julie Kjær, actor and Acting alumna

“There are endless opportunities to collaborate with like-minded people… All of this allows you to form friendships and professional connections that will stand the test of time.”
– Giulio Brizzi, actor and Acting alumnus