All about Masters in Spain

Would you like to specialize ordeepen your skills in a particular field after the first part of your university studies?
You've probably considered the possibility of continuing your studies with a Master's degree, and why not abroad, particularly in Spain.

In this article, we'll explore the opportunities that Spain can offer you to give your professional career a new boost.

What are the stages in the Spanish university system?

The Spanish university system has different levels of study.

Grado universitario in Spain: The Grado refers to university undergraduate studies. To obtain a "Grado" degree, 240 ECTS credits are required, generally spread over four years of study. However, some degrees, such as medicine (6 years) and veterinary medicine (5 years), require a longer period of study. In these cases, in accordance with European directives, the "Grado" diploma will require the validation of 300 or 360 ECTS credits.

Credits or ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) are a measurement system that evaluates the time a student must devote to each subject, where 1 ECTS is equivalent to between 25 and 30 hours of study or work on the part of the student.

Postgrado or Master in Spain : These graduate studies encompass several types of training focused on specialization or increasing skills in a specific field. In Spain, Master's degrees generally last 1 year and are worth 60 ECTS per year (there are a few exceptions to the duration of certain Master's degrees, notably in the health field, such as physiotherapy or dentistry, where the Master's degree can last 2 or 3 years).

Doctorado in Spain: A Master's degree is required to enter this cycle. Obtaining thetitle of Doctor involves writingresearch articles and defending a doctoral thesis before a jury. This process generally takes between three and four years.

Master's degrees in Spain

When we refer to graduate studies in Spain, we speak of "Master" and/or "Postgrado".

What is a Master's degree in Spain?

A Master's degree is a course of specialization in a particular field, open to university graduates with a Bachelor's degree (or "Grado"). These courses award between 60 and 120 ECTS credits, and last between one and three years.

Access to Master's degrees in Spain may not be automatic for holders of a Bachelor's degree in France, and may even prove complex, if not impossible, for some of them (particularly official Master's degrees). This is due to the length of the bachelor's degree, which is 3 years in France (180 ECTS credits obtained), whereas it is 4 years in Spain (240 ECTS credits obtained). To qualify for an official Master's degree in Spain, you need to have completed at least 240 ECTS credits.

Below you'll find a table comparing the higher education systems in France and Spain.

Despite this point, not all doors are necessarily closed for students wishing to follow a Master's course in Spain. To understand this, we need to explain the different types of Master's degree that exist.

Different types of Master's degree in Spain

Official Masters in Spain 

These masters programs are accredited by ANECA (National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation), an institution affiliated to the Spanish Ministry of Education, responsible for assessing and approving all official diplomas awarded in Spain.

Master's degrees are official diplomas, accredited by the State and therefore recognized at European level.

Enabling Masters in Spain

There is another specific category of official Master's degrees, the enabling Master's degrees. These programs enable thepractice of specific, regulated professions in the country, such as architecture, education, psychology, law or engineering. Examples of enabling Master's programs in Spain include the "Master habilitante de abogacía", the "Master habilitante de arquitectura", the "Master habilitante psicología General sanitaria", the "Master habilitante de Profesorado", etc.

Masters "Propios" in Spain 

These are master's degrees designed and certified by the university itself, not accredited by ANECA. However, their validity is often recognized, depending on the prestige of the university and the program, as they enable students in particular to enhance their skills in a specific field.

In some unregulated fields of study, it may be worthwhile to take a Master's degree with a "título propio", a "Propio" Master's degree. This is the case in the field of business, for example, where it's not so much the formality of the Master's degree that's fundamental, but the content of the program and the network it creates that are of interest.
A Master's degree in Business in Spain enables you to build up an international network, which can be essential for certain careers, and particularly for your CV.

How do I get an official master's degree in Spain?

Because of the difference in the length of studies required to obtain a bachelor's degree between France and Spain, access to an official master's degree in Spain can sometimes be complicated for a student with a foreign bachelor's degree.
In general, access to an official Master's degree in Spain is based on an assessment of the student's file by the university.

To apply, you must :

• Hold an official diploma allowing access to the Master's program in Spain (in the case of Master's programs in the health field, you will also be required to hold a diploma in the profession in question in order to apply for the corresponding official Master's programs).
• Provide official documents attesting to your diploma, translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
• Fluency in Spanish: level B2 or higher. Official certification such as SIELE or DELE may be required.

Please note: some official Master's programs may be difficult to access if the program requires a minimum of 240 ECTS.
The French licence allows only 180 ECTS to be validated. An official Master's degree in Spain may require 240 ECTS, i.e. an additional year of official university training, i.e. a Master 1 for students from the French university system.

Universities in Spain have autonomy in deciding on Master's degree admissions, even when the degree is officially recognized by the Spanish State.

How do I get a "propio" master's degree in Spain?

The prerequisites for access to these masters programs are generally less stringent than for access to the official masters programs. Each university defines its own eligibility criteria.

This type of Master's degree is therefore much more accessible to students with a French diploma, as it is not necessarily necessary to have obtained 240 ECTS credits to be able to access it. These studies do not give access to a doctorate, or "doctorado", at a later date.

Why do a Master's degree in Spain?

Choosing to pursue your studies with a Master's degree in Spain has many advantages, both academic and personal/professional.

Let's find out why you should make this wise choice:

• Academic diversity: Spain offers a variety of Master's degree programs covering diverse fields such as science, arts, business or technology. Whatever specialization you wish to undertake, there's a good chance you'll find a program in Spain that matches your interests. Opting for a Master's degree in Spain also allows you to choose a specialty that may not be available in France. For example, in the healthcare field, where in France courses are only offered in DU, masters programs in Spain offer many hours of hands-on practice with patients.

• Quality education: Spanish universities enjoy an international reputation for the quality of their teaching. Master's programs are carefully designed to provide in-depth skills in specific areas, enhancing your expertise. Some programs, such as official master's programs, are accredited by the Spanish state, adding value to your degree.

• Perfecting your language skills: Whether you're already fluent in Spanish or you'd like to learn the language, studying in Spain offers an exceptional opportunity to improve your language skills. Total immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment is a major asset in an increasingly globalized world.

• International experience: Studying abroad will broaden your horizons, open your mind and give you unique life experiences. Spain, in particular, is one of Europe's top quality of life countries, making for an unforgettable experience.

• Professional network: Studying in Spain gives you the opportunity to develop both a national and international professional network. Universities often maintain close links with local and international companies, opening doors to internships and collaborations that will enrich your career path.

Choosing to do a Master's degree in Spain can not only enrich your studies, but also have a positive influence on your personal and professional development.

Masters Universitarios VS Potsgrados in Spain

It's common to confuse "masters universitarios" with "postgrados". Although both types of degree form part of the second cycle of higher education in Spain, the degrees awarded, and the profile of the students enrolled, are completely different.

What is a "Postgrado" in Spain?

A "Postgrado" is a type of postgraduate education focusing on a very specific area of knowledge. The diploma is awarded by the university or institution where the master's degree was obtained. Postgrado" does not lead to an official degree. The maximum duration of a "Postgrado" is one year, and it provides between 15 and 60 ECTS credits.

This training program is distinguished by its practical, focused and specialization-oriented nature.

Here are some examples of "Postgrados" in Spain:

• Title of academic expert: This requires a bachelor's degree and professional experience in the field or sector related to the training. This qualification is worth between 20 and 30 ECTS credits, and lasts from a few months to a year. Completion of a thesis is not a prerequisite for graduation.

• University specialist title : A minimum of 35 ECTS credits and a maximum of 60 ECTS credits. With a relatively short duration of between 200 and 400 hours, it is possible to complete an end-of-study thesis, although this remains optional and is assessed at 5 ECTS credits. The diploma obtained is a specialization diploma.

• University degree : Reserved for professionals, this training does not necessarily require prior university studies. It requires at least 30 ECTS credits, with the duration of studies varying according to the university degree chosen.

How do you recognize a good Master's degree or "Postgrado" in Spain?

Here are my 5 tips for identifying a good master's degree or "Postgrado" in Spain:

• Check the university's reputation: Find out about the reputation of the university offering the Master's degree or Postgrado. Renowned universities often have quality programs and experienced professors who can give you the realities of their daily lives. I recommend that you read the testimonials of former students. Their experiences can give you valuable insight into the quality of the program, the mentoring, and the professional prospects after graduation. You can use LinkedIn to find out who the students in this master's program have become. FEEduc also offers a program to put you in touch with students currently studying in Spain.

• Program content: Carefully analyze the program content. Make sure it matches your career goals and offers relevant, up-to-date teaching in your field of specialization.

• Professional network: Find out about internship opportunities and the professional network that the university has to offer. A good Master's degree should enable you to develop useful contacts in your field during your training.

• Student profiles: Check the profile of students admitted to this master's program. Depending on your objectives, it's not the same to enroll in a program where students have already started their professional lives, as it is to enroll students who have just completed their bachelor's degree.

• Accreditation and recognition: Make sure you know whether your degree will be recognized in your own country for practice purposes. If so, you'll need to choose a Master's degree accredited by the Spanish education authorities, as is the case for official Master's degrees.

Keep these points in mind during your search to make sure you choose a Master's degree in Spain that matches your expectations and career ambitions.

In conclusion, if you have the desire to specialize, upgrade your skills and explore new perspectives after your first phase of university studies, opting for a Master's degree in Spain could prove to be a very wise decision. This country offers a dynamic education system with unique opportunities to enrich your academic, personal and professional career.

The quality of the education, the opportunity to improve your Spanish language skills, thestimulating international experience, the extensive professional network and the international recognition of Spanish diplomas make this option an exciting and memorable experience.

However, it's imperative that you choose your master's program carefully. FEEduc is at your disposal to guide you towards the optimal choice according to your profile and objectives.

As an expert in higher education in Spain, I encourage you to contact me without hesitation if you're thinking of broadening your horizons by pursuing a Master's degree in Spain. I'm committed to finding the right option for you.

Good luck with your Master's degree in Spain!

Expert on higher education in Spain for FEEduc (formerly FrancEspagne Éducation)