This article discusses the higher education of musicians and music industry workers
within the field of Popular Music in Germany. For a successful education, which en-
ables a long-term sustainable career within the music industry, we argue that stu-
dents need both artistic as well as entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. The last 15
years have seen the introduction of new degree programs with a strong focus on
practical skills by giving their students a good knowledge of the music industry and
a broad network to draw on as well as by encouraging creativity. This is in part
done through cooperation with actors in the industry – be it through the teachers,
the teaching projects or through tours and artistic collaborations with bands. This
article demonstrates this approach through two case studies – one artistic (Popa-
kademie Baden-Württemberg) and one music business (Macromedia University of
Applied Sciences). The article also lists the current artistic and business-oriented de-
gree programs at state-funded as well as private universities to give an overview of
the available degree programs.