The MA in Applied Creative Psychology is a full-time, one-year Master's programme awarded by Plymouth Marjon University and delivered at Catalyst Institute for Creative Arts and Technology in Berlin. Taught in English and housed within the School of Creative Human Development, the programme combines scientific research with creative practice to explore the psychological dimensions of creativity and human development.

The MA in Applied Creative Psychology is structured across three semesters and built around five core modules. These combine theory, hands-on practice, and real-world application to equip you with a deep understanding of creative psychology and its use in personal, professional, and community contexts.

Semester A

You begin by laying the foundation for understanding creativity and human development through two complementary modules:

• Creative Lifespan Development
  Explore how creativity unfolds across different stages of life. This module introduces key psychological frameworks, theories of development, and how they intersect with creative expression, identity, and purpose. You’ll learn to apply these insights to your own practice and to support others in creative growth.
• Expressive Arts, Health & Wellbeing
  This module explores the healing and transformative power of the arts. You’ll engage with creative modalities such as music, movement, visual arts, and storytelling as tools for emotional expression, mental wellbeing, and personal discovery—grounded in therapeutic and psychological insight.

You’ll find this course suitable if you’re interested in:

• You’re interested in how creativity connects with psychology, wellbeing, and emotional expression.
• You want to use photography to create meaningful change—whether in communities, classrooms, or through activism.
• You’re looking to build a portfolio that reflects your growth, purpose, and creative identity.
• You’re curious about how to support others through visual storytelling—as a facilitator, coach, or educator.
• You’re excited to live and learn in Berlin, surrounded by a diverse creative community from over 75 countries.

Career opportunities Graduates of the MA in Applied Creative Psychology are equipped for dynamic roles that combine creativity, wellbeing, leadership, and personal development. Whether working independently or within institutions, you’ll be prepared to create impact across multiple sectors. Some professional pathways/roles upon graduation include:

Independent Creative & Artistic Practice

• Artist
• Artist in Residence
• Creative Director
• Entrepreneur

Facilitation, Coaching & Support Services

• Creativity Coach
• Artist Development Coach
• Art or Music Therapist*
• Community Health Practitioner
• Artist Care Facilitator
• Art or Music Teacher

However you define success—completing a personal artistic exploration, achieving financial sustainability, or reaching a global audience—most creatives aim to make meaningful impact with their work. At Catalyst, we believe that creative success is deeply tied to personal growth, leadership capacity, and connection to others.

That’s why we offer ongoing opportunities throughout the year for students to enhance their development alongside creatives from other disciplines—including music, film, VFX, acting, and more. These cross-programme experiences help you grow as both an individual and a collaborator, offering new perspectives, shared learning, and a strong sense of community.

Applicants will be asked to provide: personal and educational information, documentation of their education experience, a detailed project proposal, sample of research/academic writing and a portfolio. Visit our How To Apply page for more detail.

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

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

- 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.
- Language: The language of instruction in all our courses is English and applicants must demonstrate a level equal to IELTS 6. We do not ask for official exam results, but we will assess the standard of English in your application and support materials.

The most important prerequisite for attending any course at Catalyst is that you must be passionate about building and developing your skills as a filmmaking specialist, audiovisual artist or storyteller.

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 €1,000 tuition discount.
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.

We believe that access to creative education should not be limited by financial barriers. That’s why we offer transparent, flexible tuition payment models designed to support a wide range of financial situations.

Payment options*

• Per semester: €3,885
• Annual payment: €11,305 per year (3% discount)
• Flexible plans: Monthly and extended payment options available

*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
• €2,000 scholarships available
• With scholarships and extended payment plans, tuition can be reduced to as low as €462/month, spread across two years (including one year post-graduation)

Scholarships & financial support

• Eligible for BAföG and other national funding schemes you can check here
• €2,000 scholarships available – applied as €1,000/year for the part-time MA
• With scholarships and extended payment plans, tuition can be reduced to as low as €422/month, spread across four years (including one year post-graduation)

Apply by the priority deadline and save €1,000 of 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.

• 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 €2,000 in tuition support for Master's students
• 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.