What are the differences between a Master’s degree and other postgraduate degrees? What types of Master’s degrees are there in Spain? And which one best suits your objectives? Choosing a Master’s degree may seem complicated if you are finishing your university degree or have just graduated, so it is the perfect time to get answers to your questions.
In this article, we break down the different types of Master’s degrees, their key differences, and which one might be the most suitable for your profile. Reading it to the end will help you clear up ideas. In addition, we encourage you to explore Esade’s range of Masters in Management MSc and specialist Executive Masters programs. These international benchmarks for excellence offer a practical approach and a global vision.
How many types of Master’s degrees are there in Spain, and which one best suits your profile?
In Spain, talking about types of Master’s degrees is not only an academic matter: It involves understanding the legal structure of the education system, the needs of the labor market, and the personal goals of each student.
From a general point of view, we can divide them into two broad categories:
- Official Master’s degrees: regulated by the Ministry of Education, these allow access to doctorates and are validated throughout Europe (European Higher Education Area).
- Private (or professional) Master’s degrees: Designed by universities or business schools to respond to the specific demands of the professional world.
Both types of Master’s degree (official and private can have the same duration (60 or 90 ECTS) and be very academically demanding, but they are aimed at different objectives:
- Official Master’s degrees: Recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Education and adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This is the right route if you want to access a doctorate, practice a regulated profession (such as medicine, psychology, or education), or if you need an official qualification for competitive examinations or automatic international recognition. This is the case of Esade MSc programs.
- University-specific (private) Master’s degrees: Designed by the university in collaboration with the professional world, these respond to the needs of the labor market. They are ideal if you are looking to specialize in a specific area, improve your professional profile, or acquire practical tools to advance in your career. They include programs such as the Esade’s Executive Masters programs.
What is the difference between a Master’s degree and a postgraduate degree?
Although they are sometimes used synonymously, they are not necessarily the same. A postgraduate degree is a shorter study program:
- A Master’s degree has at least 60 ECTS credits (duration of one or two years)
- A postgraduate degree can be 20-30 ECTS (one-year duration)
- A Master’s degree involves a final project and, sometimes, compulsory internships
Both can be valid depending on your goals:
- If you’re looking for a quick and specific introduction to an area, postgraduate studies can be useful.
- If you want a profound transformation of your professional profile, a Master’s degree is recommended.
Types of Master’s degrees in Spain that you should know about
#1. Official or private Master’s degree: What’s the real difference?
You already know the main difference between a private (or university’s) Master’s degree and an official Master’s degree, but what are their main characteristics?
Master’s degree (official)
- Approved by the State and adapted to the European Higher Education Area EHEA
- Access to doctorates
- Requirement for competitive examinations or regulated professions
- Homogeneous evaluation
- Qualification valid throughout the EU
Private (university-specific) Master’s degree
- Degree issued by the university; it does not have official accreditation from the State
- Practical and market-oriented approach
- Greater flexibility and constant updating
- It is important to consider the prestige of the institution
#2. Executive Masters for specialization
Executive Masters are specialization programs, designed for experienced professionals who want to deepen their knowledge in an area, update themselves, reorient their career, or step up into senior management positions.
Their format is compatible with existing work commitments (with Friday afternoon and Saturday morning classes, for example) and they usually combine face-to-face and online sessions, high-level networking, and practical applied projects.
Executive Masters are usually specific to the university, so the prestige of the institution is an important consideration. In this sense, choosing Esade Business School is a guarantee of success, as its programs occupy top positions in the main international rankings.
Esade’s Executive Education is #5 in the world according to the prestigious Financial Times ranking.
In addition, Esade’s Executive Masters offer a wide variety of specialization options, with programs such as the Executive Master in Finance, Digital Business, and Marketing and Sales.
#3. Master in Management (MSc)
If you are finishing your undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree and are looking to specialize before fully entering the job market, a Master of Science (Msc) is the most recommended option.
This type of Master’s degree is aimed at recent graduates or people with less than two years of experience, and a strong analytical, methodological, and global foundation.
Get full information about Esade’s MSc Master of Science programs and find the specialization that fits your interests: Finance, Marketing, Management, Business Analytics, and more.
Don’t know what to choose? Take our online MSc Quiz. It will help you find the perfect specialization.
#4. Qualifying Master’s degree
Some types of official Master’s degrees are qualifying; that is, they are mandatory to practice certain professions in Spain. The best known are:
- Master’s Degree in Teacher Training (to be a teacher in secondary school)
- Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology
- Master’s Degree in Law and Procurement (a program that we teach at Esade Law School that helps participants stand out, since it also includes a Master’s degree specialization in a legal area)
These Master’s programs must be official and meet the requirements established by professional associations or sectoral laws. If you feel that your career future is in one of these areas, it is essential that you verify that the Master’s degree is officially approved.
Ready to move forward? Discover Esade’s Master’s degrees
Choosing the right Master’s degree is one of the most important decisions of your academic and professional life.
At Esade we offer you a range of programs that combine academic excellence, practical orientation, and direct connection with the business world.
How to choose yours?
The first step is to assess which stage of life, education, or career you are in:
- Are you in your last year of your Bachelor’s degree and want to learn with the best? Explore our MSc Masters of Science in Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, or Innovation, and take the MSc Quiz. In just 4 minutes, it will help you find out which MSc is the most suitable for you.
- Do you have a little more experience and want to give your career a boost while you continue working? Discover our Executive Masters.
With an international community, a transformative approach, and direct contact with the business world, Esade will boost your career and prepare you to become a leader with impact. Now that you know the different types of Master’s degrees, choose yours!
