Master's Degree in Media and Communication Management: Music Management Specialisation
Music, along with painting, is one of the oldest art forms. It transports emotions like no other and is part of everyday life all around the world. In the industrial nations, music is closely connected with the media industry, show and entertainment business, with fashion and personal style and, especially in youth culture, with identification and a group identity.
Hardly any other industry has changed as radically as the music industry in the last 10 years. Once selling recordings in the form of vinyl records, cassettes or later CDs, there are currently three dominant business areas in which companies generate high turnover. The streaming or downloading of music is by far the most important distribution channel for music today. The second branch is concert management, because in addition to listening to music, the intensive, communal experience of witnessing a soul singer, a hip-hop band or a famous jazz trumpeter live is booming. The third area is the trading of music rights for various purposes, e.g. film music, sports events, commercials, branding etc.
A music manager also has the task of discovering and promoting musicians, bands and songwriters on behalf of the music industry and developing them into stars. As Artist & Repertoire Manager, a typical position in music management, you are constantly on the lookout for unknown talents with potential. In order to promote an up-and-coming artist, you will need to use the full range of marketing and public relations tools. Social media and video portals such as YouTube and Vimeo also play a decisive role.
If you love music and are looking for a varied profession in which you can also personally deal with artists, the Master's degree in Music Management is just the right thing for you.
Content of the Music Management specialisation
In the Music Management specialisation, which is offered at the Macromedia University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, you will acquire all the necessary qualifications for product, project and concert management to be able to manage artists and bands professionally and successfully. You will learn to think conceptually and act operatively in order to make the right decisions at the right moment. Distinct knowledge of target groups and market mechanisms, contract, copyright and exploitation law, concert management as well as music sociology and psychology are as much a part of the course content as music history and artist management.
In addition to specialist knowledge, promoting artists or music productions also requires a high degree of personal identification and commitment. Behind every great artist - be it Rihanna, Justin Timberlake or Ariana Grande - there is also intelligent management.
The curriculum includes:
- Social Media Management
- Music Production
- Artist Management & Music Marketing
Due to the distribution of classes on 2-3 days per week (e.g. Thursday, Friday, Saturday), many students are able to study alongside their job. Our student advisory service will be happy to advise you.
If you decide to specialise in Music Management in the master's programme Media and Communication Management, you can expect a wide-ranging and coordinated modular curriculum. In addition to scientific work and methodical competence, including project management, several practical projects will be a focus of your studies. With business management expertise and insider knowledge of the music market, you will be in demand as an employee in the music industry.
Career prospects after Music Management specialisation
Graduates of our Media and Communication (M.A.), Music Management studies have excellent career opportunities at their respective study location in Berlin, throughout Germany or abroad. The jobs that await you after the Master's degree are as varied as the music industry itself. Positions are available with concert promoters of all kinds, in the cultural and event sector or in music production. Alongside some major international companies, agencies and even young, smaller companies with innovative products and services for the music market are possible employers. Possible career paths include:
- Artist Manager
- Cultural management
- Label Manager
- Artist & Repertoire Manager
- Executive in the music business
Visit our
Alumni page and discover some inspiring career stories of our past graduates.
Strong focus on practice with more than 500 practice partners
At the heart of our teaching approach is our focus on practical application of knowledge. You will learn tangible skills and insights from your study projects within our partner network of more than 500 company partners during the Master's programme. In our
project portal, you can get a first impression of our student projects and cooperation partners in the industry. These include, among others, Microsoft, Adidas, the Sky Group, ProSiebenSat.1 and Rolls Royce.
Our
professors guide you during your entire studies and run interesting projects that allow you to apply your knowledge in a practical context helping you gain hands-on skills that will be valuable in your professional life.
Who can apply
Following the non-consecutive philosophy at Macromedia University, our programmes are open for students from all backgrounds. You do not necessarily need to have a related undergraduate degree. Our master students come with undergraduate degrees in a wide range of areas, such as business management, humanities, engineering, social sciences and so on.
The programme is targeted at innovative thinkers who aim to build a career in smart cities design, urban services management, mobility services and so on.
Programme Schedule
This programme begins in March in the Summer Semester 2019. The on-campus
Pre-Semester begins in October 2018. If you have less than 210 ECTS from your undergraduate degree, you need 30 ECTS more to be eligible to join the Master's programme. You can earn the extra 30 ECTS by completing the Pre-Semester.
Admission requirements
1. A recognised Bachelor's degree
A Bachelor's degree with 210 ECTS for admission to the 3-semester Master's programme with 90 ECTS or a Bachelor's degree with 180 ECTS for admission to the 4-semester Master's programme with 120 ECTS.
2. English language proficiency
TOEFL test with at least 72 out of 120 points or IELTS with at least 6.0 out of 9 is required. Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted, as applicable.
For more information, see
how to apply.
Do you have any questions?
We would be happy to answer your questions and give you personalised advice on our programmes and university. Get in touch with us now using one of the following ways:
We are eager to help you find a study programme that’s perfect for you.
