PROSPECTUS 2019/20 YOUR MUSIC CAREER STARTS HERE BIMM-INSTITUTE.DE/BERLIN LONDON BERLIN HAMBURG DUBLIN BIRMINGHAM MANCHESTER BRISTOL BRIGHTON DEAR APPLICANT, As the College Principal for BIMM Berlin, and if you’re passionate about a life in I know how important it is to choose the music, I can think of nowhere more suitable right place to study, and to start your for you than BIMM – Europe’s leading education and career off on the right path. provider of contemporary music education. Like many of you, I knew I wanted my Berlin is an incredible, multifaceted city with life to be in music, but it was only when many subtleties and scenes, and our college my Mum suggested I think about doing reflects this in the multinational student THE SECRET TO SUCCESS a degree in it that this dream started to cohort and the great range of talent and become a reality. As I look back on this experience represented in our tutor team. time, all of my friends were going to The music scene here is one of the most university and I had my mind set on doing renowned in the world, and for many of our IS NO SECRET English – because I was good at it… and staff – those of us who moved here from I’d never formally studied music. What the UK or those that have been settled here I realised was that when choosing what for years – the city continues to enthral and you want to do for the rest of your life, captivate us. It’s intense… but it creates a If you want to make it You’ll cross paths with picking something because you’re good at scene that’s full of possibilities. in music, you’ve got to more guest tutors; some it isn’t necessarily the best option. Music get connected, and at of the most successful has always been my passion and I decided Just like all the tutors here at BIMM Berlin, to take a chance and audition for a place I’m industry active and continue to write, BIMM we get you better and influential people at university to study it. Eight years later record, produce and perform music, and all connected than in the industry. and I have a first class degree, a Master’s of this feeds directly into your education anybody else. degree with distinction and a PhD – all of in a relevant, timely and practical way. If And you’ll be involved which are based in you’re looking for a creative, successful and music. Passion is sustainable career in the music industry, You’ll mix with more in one of the most the heart of the then I look forward to welcoming you and of the finest aspiring vibrant music scenes music industry being a part of your journey. musicians in Europe, on the planet, because and the largest alumni all of our colleges are in network in the industry. the cities where music matters most. You’ll be introduced to more world-class tutors, If you want to get into every one of them active the music industry, within the contemporary get into BIMM. DR NICK DONOVAN music business. COLLEGE PRINCIPAL - BIMM INSTITUTE BERLIN WELCOME 3 YOUR MUSIC CAREER STARTS HERE 5 ABOUT BIMM 6 BERLIN – THE PLACE TO STUDY 8 THE BIMM STUDY EXCHANGE AB UT BIMM 10 LIFE AT BIMM 12 MASTERCLASSES 14 ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY 18 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE 20 STUDENT ENRICHMENT 22 STUDENT SUCCESS AS EUROPE’S LEADING PROVIDER OF MUSIC EDUCATION, BIMM HAS SPENT 35 YEARS 26 TUTORS TURNING RAW RECRUITS INTO INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. GET INSPIRED, CREATIVE AND BUSINESS-READY IN A PASSIONATE COMMUNITY WHERE MUSIC IS KING… 31 COURSES 44 STUDENT SUPPORT Music is booming. With the global industry Dublin or Hamburg, you’ll dive into a 46 HOW TO APPLY worth an annual $50bn, there’s never been community of like-minded music-lovers a better time to seize the growing career from every genre, and make connections 47 INTERNATIONAL opportunities out there. BIMM puts it all at with the industry decision-makers on your 50 FEES AND FINANCE your fingertips. For 35 years, we’ve sparked doorstep. Harness BIMM’s state-of-the- the creativity and sharpened the skill-sets of art facilities. Tap into contacts that range 52 EDUCATION PARTNERS our students, helping them achieve dream from leading labels to renowned studios 53 ACCOMMODATION roles at the top of the industry. BIMM’s and major festivals. Collaborate with fellow success-rate says it all. We’ve kick-started students as you gig, learn and build a 55 OPEN DAYS AND COLLEGE TOURS the careers of household names like George bespoke CV. There’s no better place to get 56 CONTACT INFORMATION Ezra, James Bay, The Kooks, Tom Odell, industry-ready. Radiohead, Black Honey, Fickle Friends and Ella Mai – not to mention countless top Every QAA-assured BIMM college offers songwriters, musicians, agents, producers, fully accredited courses, with modules led journalists, business professionals and by our dedicated teams of expert tutors. major-label managers. All active players in their fields – boasting credits with the world’s biggest artists, Anywhere you find a dynamic music city, labels, publications and music businesses you’ll find a BIMM college. Whether you – they have the passion and hard-won choose to study in London, Brighton, knowledge to drive your career forward. Birmingham, Bristol, Berlin, Manchester, 4 CONTENTS ABOUT BIMM 5 THE BERLIN IS A MUSICIAN’S PARADISE. PLACE THE RENTS ARE LOW, THE LIVING’S CHEAP AND THE FRIDAY NIGHTS REGULARLY STRETCH THROUGH TO STUDY TO MONDAY, WITH EVERYWHERE FROM SCUZZY BACKROOMS AND CAVERNOUS WAREHOUSES, TO BOATS MOORED ON THE RIVER SPREE BOUNCING TO MINIMAL TECHNO, EXPERIMENTAL INDIE AND DIY PUNK ALIKE. A century of history may have left its scars, but the German capital has a restless energy that makes it almost uniquely BERLIN present: a 21st century metropolis that teems with opportunity without sacrificing its grit or approachability. There are good reasons why so many artists have fled this way in recent decades, from David Bowie, Brian Eno and Iggy Pop, to Nick Cave, Depeche Mode, U2 and Bloc Party: the city is a magnet for talent, driving inspiration and rewarding hard work with even harder play. As the centre of Europe, Berlin looks out to the world, but it’s dancing while it does so – new scenes and sounds innovating within its tower blocks and underpasses, forest glades and backstreet galleries. “ WE WERE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED TO BETTER The tourist guides might not be there to OURSELVES AT BIMM, TO catalogue it but here something interesting HAVE ENQUIRING MINDS, is always happening in a city that’s forever AND TO CHALLENGE changing – and as a place to launch your OURSELVES WITH OUR OWN career in music, there’s genuinely nowhere INDIVIDUAL GOALS. I KNOW more exciting than Berlin. THAT IT’S MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO MY CAREER AND HAS HELPED ME TO REALISE MY AMBITIONS.” CHARLIE MCCLEAN, BIMM GRADUATE 6 BERLIN - THE PLACE TO STUDY BERLIN - THE PLACE TO STUDY 7 THE BIMM STUDY EXCHANGE HAMBURG LONDON Having a vast network of colleges across complete sense for your future music Europe means we can provide something career to study in multiple cities truly unique which can’t be matched by with BIMM... any other contemporary music college – The BIMM Study Exchange! This exclusive 1. Networking – being able to build your initiative means that BIMM students can musical network in two different cities complete music degrees in two different will lead to an enviable contact database, European cities by studying across two giving you a solid base from which to of our BIMM colleges in London, Berlin, launch your career. Hamburg, Brighton, Manchester, Bristol or Birmingham.* 2. Experience – meeting different kinds of people in different cities will broaden You’ll begin your studies at one BIMM your life perspective, and you’ll learn how college, before transferring to another to communicate varied types of subject for your second year… and then you can matter for creative output. decide whether to remain in your new city BIRMINGHAM MANCHESTER for your third year or return to your ‘home’ 3. Variety – different cities generate college. The locations of our colleges are contrasting musical styles and have their carefully chosen in cities where music own unique scenes, giving you a breadth of matters most, and your future career will knowledge across the musical spectrum. benefit from the strong musical history, diverse musical styles and current music 4. Initiative – being part of the music scene buzz of your choice of two scenes of multiple cities will give you BIMM locations. hands-on access to a diverse range of venues, events and business ideas, This one-of-a-kind opportunity has come broadening your knowledge of the wider about because, for the first time, all BIMM music industry. degrees in these locations will be validated by the prestigious University of Sussex, And remember, whether you’re studying at meaning courses and classes are totally one of our UK locations, or in Berlin, all our seamless across all seven European cities. classes are taught in English, so you don’t In case you need further convincing, need to worry if your German could do with BRISTOL BRIGHTON here are just four reasons why it makes some improvement! 8 THE BIMM STUDY EXCHANGE *Terms and conditions apply THE BIMM STUDY EXCHANGE 9 NO TWO DAYS ARE THE SAME AT BIMM. GIGS FROM TRACKING AT TOP RECORDING Live music is a vital part of the modern STUDIOS TO PLAYING MAJOR FESTIVALS, industry, so don’t expect your life at BIMM to YOUR COURSE WILL TAKE YOU FAR be spent snoozing in a classroom.