Ignite Your Creative Spark in the Heart of Berlin’s Cultural Pulse
Nestled in the vibrant, ever-evolving city of Berlin, Berlin International College of Art (BICA) is a dynamic hub where artistic vision meets innovative thinking. We blend rigorous academic programmes across high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, fostering a community of curious minds who dare to dream big. From the graffiti-strewn streets of Kreuzberg to the historic halls of our Charlottenburg campus, BICA empowers students to shape the future through art, design, and technology. Join us in transforming ideas into impact.
Our Programmes: Where Creativity Meets Cutting-Edge Scholarship
At BICA, our programmes are designed to nurture the next generation of artists, designers, and innovators. Drawing inspiration from Berlin’s rich cultural tapestry and global artistic traditions, we offer a seamless progression from high school foundations to undergraduate exploration and postgraduate mastery. Our curriculum emphasises hands-on studios, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world projects, ensuring graduates emerge not just skilled, but profoundly inspired.
Digital Arts and Computer Science
This programme fuses computational thinking with artistic expression, preparing students for the digital age. High school courses introduce coding basics and digital sketching; undergraduate studies delve into interactive media and AI-driven design; postgraduate research explores generative algorithms and virtual realities. With state-of-the-art labs in Berlin’s tech scene, students create immersive installations that bridge art and code, fostering careers in game development, digital curation, and tech-art hybrids.
Graphic Design and Visual Communication
Rooted in typography and narrative visuals, this programme equips creators to communicate ideas with impact. High school modules cover foundational drawing and layout principles; undergraduates advance to branding and motion graphics; postgraduates tackle experimental publishing and cultural campaigns. Inspired by Berlin’s bold street art, our studios encourage socially engaged designs that challenge norms, leading to roles in advertising, editorial illustration, and visual storytelling across global media.
Industrial Design and Engineering
Merging form, function, and sustainability, this hands-on programme innovates everyday objects. High school focuses on prototyping and materials science; undergraduate levels integrate CAD modelling and user-centred engineering; postgraduate theses address eco-friendly manufacturing and smart products. Leveraging Berlin’s engineering heritage, students collaborate with local industries, prototyping solutions that blend aesthetics with technical precision for careers in product development and sustainable innovation.
Fine Arts and Creative Practice
Celebrating individual voice through traditional and contemporary media, this programme sparks personal artistic journeys. High school builds skills in painting and sculpture; undergraduates experiment with installation and performance; postgraduates pursue critical theory and site-specific works. In Berlin’s gallery-rich environment, our community fosters reflective practice, empowering graduates to exhibit, teach, and provoke discourse in the international art world.
Business and Innovation in Arts
This interdisciplinary track demystifies the creative economy, blending entrepreneurship with artistic endeavour. High school introduces marketing basics for young creators; undergraduates study arts management and funding strategies; postgraduates research cultural policy and venture models. Amid Berlin’s startup ecosystem, students launch real initiatives, gaining tools to sustain artistic passions through savvy business acumen and ethical leadership.
Sustainable Design and Economics
Addressing global challenges through eco-conscious design, this programme links aesthetics to economic viability. High school explores circular economy principles; undergraduate courses cover biomimicry and cost-benefit analysis; postgraduate seminars analyse policy impacts on green innovation. Drawing from Berlin’s green urban initiatives, participants develop affordable, regenerative solutions, preparing for roles in sustainable consulting, ethical fashion, and environmental advocacy.
Spotlight on Our Strengths: Excellence in Innovation
In a city synonymous with reinvention, BICA shines brightest in programmes that push boundaries. We’ve curated two standouts that exemplify our commitment to blending art with technology and engineering, drawing on Berlin’s legacy of bold experimentation to deliver unparalleled opportunities.
Digital Arts and Computer Science
- Pioneering Facilities: Access to Berlin’s cutting-edge FabLabs and VR studios for prototyping digital masterpieces.
- Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with local tech giants like Siemens for internships that turn theory into tangible tech-art ventures.
- Global Recognition: Our alumni lead in festivals like Ars Electronica, showcasing interdisciplinary work that redefines creative computing.
Industrial Design and Engineering
- Sustainable Focus: Emphasis on eco-materials sourced from European suppliers, aligning with Berlin’s green agenda.
- Hands-On Mentorship: Direct guidance from renowned engineers and designers, fostering prototypes ready for market launch.
- Diverse Career Pathways: Graduates thrive in automotive innovation and furniture design, with strong ties to Berlin’s manufacturing hubs.
“As Principal Eustace Pertha, I’ve always believed that true education happens in those serendipitous moments—when a late-night sketch session sparks a breakthrough, or a heated debate over coffee reshapes your worldview. At BICA, we don’t just teach; we cultivate the quiet confidence to chase the extraordinary. Whether you’re a high school dreamer eyeing your first canvas or a postgraduate honing a thesis on digital frontiers, Berlin’s electric energy will be your muse. Come, let’s create something unforgettable together.”
Eustace Pertha
Principal
Berlin Buzz: Whispers from Our Creative Hive
Dive into the heartbeat of BICA—where student exhibitions pop up unannounced in abandoned warehouses, alumni drop by for impromptu workshops, and our latest podcasts unpack the chaos of creativity. It’s not just news; it’s the raw, unfiltered pulse of what’s brewing in our studios right now.
Dare to Design Your Destiny—Berlin Awaits Your Bold Stroke
Ready to trade textbooks for toolkits and lectures for live projects? BICA’s rolling admissions welcome bold spirits from around the globe, with scholarships for those who bring fresh perspectives to our multicultural mix. Our high school bridge programmes ease the transition, while undergrad and postgrad paths offer tailored support. In Berlin’s inclusive embrace, you’ll find mentors who remember their own stumbles and celebrate your triumphs. Applications are open—your story starts here.