Is it possible to access a master’s degree with an advanced vocational training?
A few years ago, a surprisingly high number of graduates were wondering whether a Higher Vocational Training qualification could open the door to advanced postgraduate study. This question was a real concern for those who wanted to keep growing professionally without following the traditional university route. Today, the debate is still very much alive, because educational pathways are changing faster than ever. It’s no longer a simple bureaucratic issue.
At Planeta Formación y Universidades, we want to guide you step by step through this decision-making process. We understand that moving from a higher-level vocational qualification to more specialised studies can transform your profile, and that’s why we want to explain clearly what you can and can’t do, the nuances between an official university master’s degree, a university’s own degree, or specialisation courses, and the real implications for your professional career.
Furthermore, if you’re looking to specialise and take a qualitative leap in your training after vocational training, we invite you to explore our range of master’s programmes at Planeta Formación y Universidades, where you’ll find a wide selection of options designed for different profiles and sectors, with a practical approach and aligned with the needs of today’s market.
Can you get a master’s degree with an advanced vocational training?
This is where the greatest confusion usually arises. In Spain, to access an official university master’s degree, it is mandatory to hold a university degree. A Higher Vocational Training qualification, on its own, does not meet that requirement. It’s not a question of prestige or level, but of academic regulations: official master’s programmes are part of the university system and require prior completion within that system.
This does not invalidate the vocational training route at all. In fact, more and more people enter university with a Higher Vocational Training qualification, take a related bachelor’s degree, and then go on to an official master’s programme. It’s a real, common, and fully recognised pathway.
Key differences between university master’s degrees and non-official degrees
Official master’s degrees (university)
These are master’s programmes regulated by the Spanish and European university systems. They have a clearly defined academic structure, ECTS credits, official assessment, and recognition throughout Spain and the European Union. They serve to specialise, but also to access a PhD, competitive public examinations, and processes where an official qualification is required.
The entry requirement is an official university degree. In addition, each university may require specific prior training or assess academic records. These are typically more demanding programmes at a theoretical and methodological level, designed to go deeper and to continue within academia or research, as well as in professional practice.
Lifelong learning master’s degrees or non-official degrees
Here the approach changes considerably. University own degrees, also known as continuing education master’s degrees, are not regulated by general university legislation. This allows universities and centres to design their programmes with greater flexibility. As a result, in many cases they do admit students with Higher Vocational Training qualifications, especially if their profile matches the programme content or if they have relevant professional experience.
These programmes are usually closely connected to the reality of the labour market. They focus on specific skills, up-to-date tools, and the real needs of businesses. They don’t lead to a doctorate or replace an official master’s degree from an administrative point of view, but they do have clear value in terms of employability and specialisation.
In this sense, there are programmes specifically designed for technical profiles who want to specialise without first completing a university degree, such as continuing education master’s degrees focused on practical skills and sectors with high professional demand.
Vocational specialization programs (vocational master’s)
Within Vocational Training itself, there is another route that sometimes goes unnoticed. Specialisation courses, popularly known as “FP master’s”, are designed specifically for those who already have a Higher Vocational Training qualification and want to go deeper into a specific technical area without leaving the vocational training environment.
They are highly practical programmes, with a direct focus on employability and on specific sectors such as technology, industry, digitalisation, or sustainability. Access is easier, the duration is usually shorter, and the aim is clearly to improve your professional profile immediately, rather than follow a university academic pathway.
For those who want to keep growing within Vocational Training, the vocational training master’s programmes from Planeta Formación y Universidades represent a clear route to specialise in specific areas without leaving the vocational training setting.
How to access a master’s degree with a higher vocational training
- Define what type of master’s programme you are looking for
The starting point is to be clear about your goal. If you want to access an official university master’s degree, the route necessarily involves first completing a university degree, usually related to your vocational training. Many universities facilitate this transition by recognising credits or giving special consideration to applicants with vocational training backgrounds in certain degree programmes.
- Consider continuing education master’s degrees or university own degrees
If what you’re looking for is direct specialisation without completing a degree first, this is a very common route. It’s advisable to review the entry requirements carefully, the programme’s focus, and its real relevance to the professional sector. Not all postgraduate programmes offer the same value, so it’s essential to look at the skills they develop and the career opportunities they can lead to.
- Explore specialisation courses within vocational training
For those who prefer to remain within the Vocational Training system, specialisation courses are a clear and direct option. They are designed to deepen knowledge in specific areas, with simpler admission processes and a very practical focus, aimed at improving your professional profile in the short term.
- Analyse your starting point and decide how far you want to go
Whatever route you choose, the whole process begins with personal reflection. Knowing where you are starting from and what kind of professional development you are looking for will help you make coherent decisions and make the most of each stage of your training.
Advantages of doing a master’s after an advanced vocational training
- Impact on employability
A well-chosen master’s degree can make all the difference in recruitment processes, especially in sectors where specialisation is valued more highly than generalist training. It gives you a more rounded profile, combining a technical foundation with a more strategic perspective, and can help you apply for roles with greater responsibility or higher earning potential.
- Technical specialization in strategic sectors
Many vocational training graduates already master the operational side of their sector. A master’s programme allows them to go one step further and specialise in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability, project management, data analysis, and technological innovation. This blend of hands-on experience and advanced training is particularly valued in fast-growing sectors.
- Professional networking development
Beyond the content, a master’s programme is also a networking environment. You share the classroom with a range of profiles, including lecturers connected to the sector and working professionals. This network, if you cultivate it effectively, can open doors to projects, collaborations, or new job opportunities that don’t appear on job boards.
Are there scholarships for vocational students moving to master’s degrees?
Yes, there are options, although they depend heavily on the type of master’s programme you choose. In the case of official university master’s degrees, once you complete a bachelor’s degree and continue your studies, you can apply for public scholarships, such as those from the Ministry of Education, as well as regional and university grants.
For university own degrees and continuing education master’s programmes, it’s common to find scholarships and discounts offered by the institutions themselves, along with financing plans or grants linked to academic performance or specific personal circumstances. There are also foundations and private organisations that support the training of technical professionals in strategic sectors.
Conclusion
One striking fact is that almost 3 out of every 10 graduates with a Higher Vocational Training qualification (around 27.6%) continue their studies at university within three years of completing their programme. In other words, a significant share of those who continue their education do not stop at Vocational Training and look to take another step forward in their academic and professional career.
This reminds us of something essential: the key is to gather information in advance, calmly analyse the options, plan each stage, and rely on useful tools like this academic orientation test to understand better which path suits you and how to take the next step strategically.
