What is a qualifying master’s degree and how to choose the right one?

Today, having a university degree is no longer enough. The job market is more demanding, more competitive, and above all, more specialised. Companies look for candidates who combine solid academic knowledge with practical, up-to-date training. This is why more and more people, either right after graduating or after gaining a few years of experience, decide to take the next step and pursue a master’s degree.

In many professions, that step is not optional; it is a legal requirement. This is the case with qualifying master’s degrees. These programmes are designed to allow university graduates to enter regulated professions such as architecture, law, or general health psychology. They offer the perfect blend of academic training and professional practice, bridging the gap between university and the real-world workplace.

At Planeta Formación y Universidades, that is precisely our goal: to offer qualifying master's degrees that prepare you to practise, to excel, and to grow.

What is a qualifying master’s degree and how does it differ from other master’s degree?

A qualifying master's degree is, in short, the step that turns a graduate into a practising professional. It is not just another degree or an optional specialisation: it is the training that allows you to legally enter a regulated profession. Spain has many such professions: architecture, law, engineering, psychology… Your undergraduate degree gives you the foundations, but the qualifying master’s is what gives you the key.

Unlike other university master’s degrees, which help you advance or specialise academically, qualifying master’s degrees are designed for one clear purpose: to train you to practise a specific profession under current regulations. Their content is set by law and combines theory with professional practice, following a structure that reflects real day-to-day work.

Why do some undergraduate degrees require a qualifying master’s?

The reason lies in the level of responsibility involved in certain professions. Designing a building is not the same as writing a research paper. In the former, lives, safety standards, and public wellbeing are at stake. For that reason, before anyone can sign off on a project or work in fields such as healthcare or justice, the State requires them to complete training that guarantees professional competence.

The qualifying master’s ensures that future professionals master practical skills, understand the legislation, and have undergone supervised training before practising independently.

Which careers require a qualifying master’s in Spain?

In Spain, several university degrees require this type of master’s programme in order to practise. The clearest examples are: Architecture, Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering, Law, General Health Psychology, and Secondary Education Teaching. Without the corresponding qualifying master’s degree, graduates cannot join a professional association, sign projects, or legally practise their profession.

How to know if your bachelor’s degree will require it

The easiest way to find out whether your degree leads to a profession that requires a qualifying master’s is to check if it is considered a regulated profession. You can consult the official lists published by the Ministry of Universities or visit the websites of relevant professional associations. If your degree appears on those lists, the answer is yes.

Another clue is the name of the programme itself: when a master’s degree includes the words “qualifying” or “for admission to the profession of…” in its title, it means it is mandatory to practise. You can also check your university’s website or contact the academic advisory office, where they can confirm whether your degree requires this additional step.

How does a qualifying master’s work and what are its requirements?

Qualifying master’s degrees are regulated by the Ministry of Education and generally follow a clearly defined structure. They typically last between one and two years and include 60 to 120 ECTS credits, depending on the profession. These are official university programmes that combine theoretical and practical training, along with a final Master’s Thesis (TFM).

Their design aims to balance academic learning with practical application, which is why many include internships in companies, studios, or professional offices, supervised by experts. This practical component is not optional; it is compulsory and counts towards the final qualification.

Duration, credits, and program structure

Although the length may vary, most qualifying master’s degrees are completed in one to one and a half academic years. They include core modules, elective subjects, and a Master’s Thesis (TFM) that often develops a real case study or professional project. They also include a significant number of external internship hours, which in some programmes represent up to a third of the total credits.

Entry requirements: which previous degrees are needed

To enrol in a qualifying master’s degree, you need an official degree directly related to the profession. Not just any university degree is valid; it must be in the appropriate field. For example, to access a Master’s in Architecture, you need a Bachelor’s in Architectural Studies; for a Master’s in Law, you need a Bachelor’s in Law. For foreign degrees, recognition of the qualification is often required.

If you studied outside Spain, you will generally need to have your degree officially recognised before enrolling in a qualifying master’s programme. Each case is different, but the Ministry of Universities provides a clear procedure for recognition and equivalency. Universities can guide you through the process so you know what documents are required and how to submit them.

Mandatory internships, thesis, and links with professional associations

External internships are a key component. They take place in real professional settings—offices, schools, hospitals, or companies—and are supervised by professional mentors. This enables students to gain hands-on experience before working independently.

The Master’s Thesis (TFM), meanwhile, usually consists of an applied project or professional research piece that demonstrates the student’s ability to address real challenges within their field.

In addition, many qualifying master’s programmes maintain agreements with professional associations, which facilitate future registration and entry into the job market.

Benefits of pursuing a qualifying master’s

• Studying a qualifying master’s degree is not merely about fulfilling a requirement. It is a direct investment in your professional future. These programmes give you the official accreditation you need to practise, but also offer practical training that prepares you to begin working from day one.
• During the programme, you gain firsthand experience of the profession. Internships allow you to understand the inner workings of a studio, office, or company and to work alongside active professionals. Moreover, many programmes collaborate with professional associations, making it easier to join them later and connect with potential employers.
• Another key advantage is employability. Employers value graduates who have completed a qualifying master’s degree because they know these individuals have mastered not only the technical aspects of the profession, but also its ethical and legal dimensions. In fields such as law, architecture, or engineering, this qualification is what determines whether you can sign off on a project—or not.

Frequently asked questions about qualifying master’s degrees

Does a qualifying master’s allow me to work across the EU?

In many cases, yes. A Spanish qualifying master’s degree grants access to a regulated profession, which makes recognition in other European Union countries easier. However, each country sets its own requirements and may ask for additional procedures. If you plan to work abroad, it is advisable to check the regulations of your destination country or consult the European portal for regulated professions.

Is it mandatory to take a qualifying master’s right after finishing my degree?

It does not have to be done immediately. You can work in related fields or continue studying while deciding when to take the step. However, if your goal is to enter a regulated profession, you will eventually need to complete the programme. Many professionals choose to do so after gaining some work experience, which often helps them fully benefit from the master’s.

What happens if I don’t take a qualifying master’s but want to work in the field?

If the profession you are interested in requires a qualifying master’s degree and you do not earn it, you will not be able to practise legally. This means you cannot register with a professional body, sign projects, or take on legally regulated responsibilities. You might work in related areas, but not as a licensed professional. Therefore, for many degrees, a qualifying master’s degree is not just an option, but the final step in the university pathway.

Conclusion

A qualifying master’s degree is more than another academic qualification; it is the bridge between what you have learned and actual professional practice. It is the step that turns knowledge into experience, theory into action, and the classroom into a gateway to the professional world. It provides the preparation needed to practise confidently, the ability to face the challenges of your profession, and the reassurance that you meet every legal requirement.

Choosing wisely is therefore essential. Look for an official programme with real-world internships, lecturers with firsthand industry experience, and genuine links to the professional world. At Planeta Formación y Universidades, that is exactly what we work for: to offer you master’s programmes that not only qualify you, but also help you move forward. And if you are considering taking this step, you can explore here the full range of qualifying master’s degrees offered by our universities and find the programme that best fits your profile and goals.