FAQ Popular Music
When is the application deadline?
Every year on April 30. Upload until 23:59.Is there a numerus clausus?
No. There is no numerus clausus for the Popular Music programme. However, your final grade for your previous course of study will be taken into account in your application. Are there tuition fees at the Popakademie?
The Popakademie Baden-Württemberg is a public university of the state of Baden-Württemberg. There are no tuition fees for a consecutive master's programme at the Popakademie. However, there are tuition fees for some international students as well as those pursuing a second course of study. Can I study at the Popakademie even if I have a physical disability?
Yes, of course. It is possible to study here even if you have a physical disability, a chronic illness, or neurodivergent conditions. As with all applicants, the prerequisite is that you meet the formal admission criteria and pass the admissions process.
Provided you are suitably qualified, there is generally nothing standing in the way of your studies.
We recommend contacting the program director early on, and if necessary, our equal opportunity officer or representative for students with severe disabilities, to discuss individual needs, support options, and potential accommodations together.
For general questions about studying the arts, EUCREA (https://www.eucrea.de/) offers independent counseling services separate from the Popakademie.Is the Popular Music degree accredited?
Yes, the degree in Popular Music is accredited through ACQUIN.
Every year on April 30. Upload until 23:59.Is there a numerus clausus?
No. There is no numerus clausus for the Popular Music programme. However, your final grade for your previous course of study will be taken into account in your application. Are there tuition fees at the Popakademie?
The Popakademie Baden-Württemberg is a public university of the state of Baden-Württemberg. There are no tuition fees for a consecutive master's programme at the Popakademie. However, there are tuition fees for some international students as well as those pursuing a second course of study. Can I study at the Popakademie even if I have a physical disability?
Yes, of course. It is possible to study here even if you have a physical disability, a chronic illness, or neurodivergent conditions. As with all applicants, the prerequisite is that you meet the formal admission criteria and pass the admissions process.
Provided you are suitably qualified, there is generally nothing standing in the way of your studies.
We recommend contacting the program director early on, and if necessary, our equal opportunity officer or representative for students with severe disabilities, to discuss individual needs, support options, and potential accommodations together.
For general questions about studying the arts, EUCREA (https://www.eucrea.de/) offers independent counseling services separate from the Popakademie.Is the Popular Music degree accredited?
Yes, the degree in Popular Music is accredited through ACQUIN.
Degree Information
How many students are accepted?
There are 20 students accepted per year.
How long does the degree programme take?
Two years, i.e. four semesters.
Can I enrol at any time?
You can only enrol starting in winter semester.
Which musicians should consider the Popular Music programme?
This is for creative, talented composers, songwriters, lyricists, singers, rappers, DJs, instrumentalists (keyboard, drums, electric guitar, electric bass), music educators and producers from all areas of popular music, from the fringes of avant garde to commercially oriented compositions, e.g. pop, rock, progressive rock, singer/songwriter, country, funk, sould, latin, R&B, hip-hop, drum&bass, trip-hop, reggae, ska, dub, techno, clicks & cuts, ambient, industrial, wave, punk, hardcore, grunge and metal.
Do I have to play multiple instruments to apply?
No, but you will have to learn a second instrument, either guitar or keyboard, or voice.
As a Vocal Performance/songwriter, do I have to play an instrument to apply?
No, but you will have to learn an instrument, either guitar or keyboard.
Will I be eligible to start a doctorate programme upon completing this master’s degree?
Yes, as long as your grades suffice, your M.A. in Popular Music will entitle you to continue on to a doctorate degree.
Are there mandatory internships?
Yes, a three month long internship is required.
Can I get credits from a different degree programme counted?
Periods of study, courses and examinations from other master’s programmes may be recognised by filling out an application after being admitted to the Popular Music programme, as long as you can establish the equivalence of contents, scope and level of demand in relation to those of our programme.
Can I also become a sound engineer?
We do not offer a degree in sound engineering
Is there an Open House?
Yes, our Open House day usually takes place in February. The exact date will be posted on our calendar.
Application
How can I apply?
Applications are accepted online and will be available starting February 05, 2022.
Is there an age limit for applicants?
No.
What can I do if I don’t have my graduation diploma yet?
In place of your graduation diploma, please attach any final grades completed thus far to your application materials. You can deliver your graduation diploma at the time of the entrance exam or upon enrolment.
What kind of practical experience do I need to apply?
Several years of musical experience.
International Applicants
Can I apply as an international student?
Yes, of course! In order to apply, you need to get your (foreign) diploma recognised and show evidence of sufficient German language skills if you did not graduate from a German-speaking school. For refugees, more information can be found on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst).
How do I prove my German language skills?
German language skills are required for studying at the Popakademie. The following certificates are recognised: DSH-exam from a German university, assessment test from the Studienkolleg, German Language Diploma Level II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe II), Goethe Institute’s Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) or Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS), Goethe Institute’s Central Upper Secondary Exam.
Entrance Exam
When are the entrance exams?
The date for the entrance exam for the degree programme Popular Music will be announced under Facts.
What can I expect from the entrance exam?
TThe entrance exam consists of a written and a practical exam.
- The written exam involves a music-theoretical analysis of several musical pieces, focusing on melodic progression and harmonic and rhythmic structure. In addition, students are expected to provide an assessment of the pieces’ sound aesthetics, production techniques, and historical context. Furthermore, candidates must answer questions on general music theory and provide their opinion on a specific topic in the history and aesthetics of popular music.
- The practical exam begins with a recording session (only for bass, keyboards, and electric guitar), which takes place prior to the public live audition.
20-minute slots are allocated for this—please note the relevant notices! Task: Create an 8-bar playback to a given drum loop. There are no genre restrictions, and the tempo of the loop may be altered. Various sounds are available. At least one track must be recorded; spontaneous multitracking is possible.Bassists and guitarists should please bring their own instruments.Keyboardists will have access to a workstation with a preselected range of sounds.
The recording session will be followed by a public live performance, either with a backing band (up to three fellow musicians) or solo with a backing track.
Here, a maximum of three pieces with a total playing time of 10 minutes (original compositions or works by other composers in the candidate’s own interpretation) may be performed.Producing: Ad hoc exam: Creation of a rough mix from provided tracks.This is followed by a ad hoc exam will take place behind closed doors to assess musical abilities.
The exam concludes with an individual interview covering music-related questions and personal motivation. - Here you will find a sample exam to help you prepare for the entrance exam.
What are the requirements for the live audition?
Guitar
Keyboard
Bass
Drums
Vocal Performance/ Songwriter
Producing
- Stylistic confidence, good sound in music, sensitivity, having fun playing, good timing, flexibility and spontaneity
- Rhythm guitar: Knowledge of simple chords (major, minor, Min7, Maj7, Dom7)
- Solo guitar: Pentatonic (in several positions = different fingerings), scales (major in several positions = different fingerings)
Keyboard
- Musicality: melodic/harmonic, timing, style, versatility: from a solo piano performance to playing in a band or with playback, from solo to tasteful accompaniment and from traditional to unusual sounds. You do not have to present all aspects, but one is not enough! Show what you can do well, because then your enjoyment of playing usually speaks for itself!
- Next: play along to given playbacks, accompanying simple harmonies or soloing. Standard sounds are available (stage piano Korg "SV1" and a Workstation Korg "Kronos"), but you are welcome to bring your own equipment.
- More tips for preparing can be found in the preparation tips for keyboard applications (in German)
Bass
- Recording: 3 songs with a band or play-alongs that reflect your musical breadth. At least one of which must contain a solo or be a solo piece. The bass must be clearly audible.
- Live audition: 3 songs with band (max. 3 additional musicians) or with playback. Of particular interest is the band's suitability, the variety and stylistic confidence, timing, originality, sound and the technical skills (including a solo in at least one title or an entire solo piece).
- Ad-hoc exam: Questions about relevant styles of popular music. Recognising grooves (such as odd meter) and creating appropriate bass lines.
Drums
- Originality (unique style), timing, groove, sound, technical skills
- Ability to play simple rudiments at the skill level of All American Drummer, Ch. Wilcoxon.
- Playbacks can be recordings of your own band without drums or commercially available play-alongs.
Vocal Performance/ Songwriter
- Performance of 3 self-written songs or covers with self-accompaniment or with a band (or playback). We do not provide piano accompaniment for the audition.
- Improvisation: improvising over a musical pattern with and without lyrics, rhythm and call & response improvisation
- Phoniatric report: If necessary, the applicant’s vocal technique will be examined
Producing
- Playing self-produced tracks on CD or your own laptop (here with the possibility of listing to the original track). Please bring productions that are as close to finished as possible, and works that show off your musical breadth.
- Questions about your songs: how you created them, recorded them, produced them
- Questions regarding, taste, technical abilities and market-related aspects of your tracks
- Questions about current and past recording technologies and methods
- Ad-hoc exam: Creating a rough mix from provided tracks
Can you recommend useful materials for preparing for the music theory exam?
- Mike Schönmehl: Jazz und Pop Musiklehre
- Frank Haunschild: Die neue Harmonielehre
- Frank Sikora: Die neue Jazz-Harmonielehre
- Peter Wicke, Kai-Erik Ziegenrücker: Handbuch der populären Musik
- Peter Wicke: Von Mozart zu Madonna: Eine Kulturgeschichte der Popmusik (especially relevant from the 50s)
- Peter Wicke: Rock- und Popmusik. Handbuch der Musik im 20. Jahrhundert
- Martin Büsser: On the wild side: Die wahre Geschichte der Popmusik, Popmusik
- Peter Kemper, Thomas Landhoff, Ullrich Sonnenschein: Alles so schön bunt hier - Die Geschichte der Popkultur von den Fünfzigern bis heute
- Online-Pop-Lexikon, laut.de
Are all applicants invited to the entrance examination?
Unfortunately we are not able to invite all applicants to the entrance examination, which is why there is a pre-selection based on the submitted application documents.
How often can I take the entrance exam?
You can take the entrance exam twice.
Can I defer my acceptance and enrol at a later date?
Unfortunately that is not possible. If an applicant rejects his acceptance, admission will lapse and the candidate concerned will have to go through the selection process again.
What is a phoniatric assessment?
In a phoniatric assessment, a specialist, for example a phoniatrist or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor, certifies the suitability of the person being examined for voice-intensive courses of study such as singing as a singing/songwriting major.
The phoniatric assessment includes a thorough vocal examination. The report should show that the vocal cords function as required and that, in the doctor's opinion, there are no contraindications to studying singing. An examination of the vocal folds is essential.Applicants for Vocal Performance/Songwriting (Bachelor's and Master's) who have passed the pre-selection must bring the expert opinion with them to the live aptitude test. We advise you to make an appointment with a specialist practice in good time and not only after receiving the invitation to the aptitude test.
The phoniatric assessment includes a thorough vocal examination. The report should show that the vocal cords function as required and that, in the doctor's opinion, there are no contraindications to studying singing. An examination of the vocal folds is essential.Applicants for Vocal Performance/Songwriting (Bachelor's and Master's) who have passed the pre-selection must bring the expert opinion with them to the live aptitude test. We advise you to make an appointment with a specialist practice in good time and not only after receiving the invitation to the aptitude test.
Studying at the Popakademie
How high are the student union fees?
The student union fees are currently 85 € per semester.
Can I apply for BAföG funding as a student at the Popakademie?
Yes, as a Popakademie student you are entitled to funding through BAföG.
Is there a semester ticket for public transport?
The Popakademie is a member of the Mannheim Student Union. Since our students pay student union fees, they are entitled to a discounted semester ticket.
Is there a student dormitory at the Popakademie?
The Popakademie does not have its own student dormitories. However, through membership in the Mannheim Student Union, our students can take advantage of its housing referral service. One of the largest student dormitories is located very close to the Popakademie.
Can I attend a lecture as a guest?
Unfortunately it is not possible to attend a lecture as a guest. However, we offer open lectures during our Open House, which is usually in February - this is a good opportunity to see what a lecture is like.