Master's, doctorate and adult study

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain who already holds a degree, is an adult without school-leaving papers, or wants flexible or non-university study. These students follow different calendars, documents and rules from school-leavers, so they get their own guide.

Start with "Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree". It shows how to prove your degree gives access and how to complete the application.

From there, pick the page that fits your plan:

• "Which Spanish master's degrees you need to practise a profession" helps you choose study that leads to a licence to practise.
• "Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain" covers admission through a supervisor, funding contracts, fees and thesis stages.
• "Entering university as an adult without school papers" explains the adult access routes.
• "Studying for a Spanish degree online or at a distance" compares options, exams, cost and recognition.
• "Higher arts education (enseñanzas artísticas superiores) outside universities" covers conservatoires and arts schools.
• "University programmes for over-55s (programas universitarios para mayores)" is for non-degree study offered to retirees.

Undergraduate entry from school qualifications, recognition of qualifications for work, and the researcher residence route are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Language level: Spanish-taught master's usually ask for B2 Spanish, and English-taught ones usually ask for B2 English, though some programmes require C1.
• PhD length: A full-time doctorate lasts up to 3 years, extendable by 1 year, while part-time lasts up to 5 years, extendable by 2 years.
• EHEA degrees: A degree from an EHEA country gives you direct access to a master's.
• Other degrees: A degree from outside the EHEA needs a university level check, not homologation.
• Qualifying master's: For a regulated profession, only a master's approved as habilitating leads to a licence, so confirm this before you enrol.
• State exam: Lawyers and court representatives must also pass a state exam after their master's; most other qualifying masters have none.

Master's, doctorate and adult study: the whole process, step by step

From first step to last

• Check how your foreign degree gives access to a master's or doctorate: read "Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree": Before you apply, and at application time for the level check, before enrolment

• If you plan to practise a regulated profession, check which qualifying master's you need: read "Which Spanish master's degrees you need to practise a profession": Before you choose a master's

• If you have no school papers, register for the adult access test: read "Entering university as an adult without school papers": Registration roughly February to April; tests usually March to May, sometimes a second call in autumn

• Pre-enrol at the university after the adult test results: June and July, a few weeks after results are published

• If you study at a conservatory or arts school, look into grants: read "Higher arts education (enseñanzas artísticas superiores) outside universities": Deadlines are set in each year's call; apply when it opens

• Apply for a paid four-year predoctoral contract such as the FPU or FPI: read "Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain": Calls usually open in the second half of the year or early in the next

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Passport or ID — Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree
• Valid work and residence authorisation — Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain
• Passport or national identity document — Entering university as an adult without school papers
• Proof of legal residence in Spain — Entering university as an adult without school papers

Translations and legal papers

• Sworn translation into Spanish — Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree

Other documents

• A CV
• Full academic transcript with grades — Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree
• Language certificate for the teaching language of the programme — Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree
• Your bachelor's and master's degrees — Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain
• The commitment document — Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain
• Your research plan — Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Master's, doctorate and adult study: questions that cross several articles

Does getting into a master's with a foreign degree let me practise my profession in Spain?

No, admission to a master's only lets you study it and does not recognise your foreign degree. For regulated professions you usually need your degree recognised by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities too. Read "Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree" and "Which Spanish master's degrees you need to practise a profession".

Do I need an exam after a qualifying master's?

Only for lawyers and court representatives (procuradores), who must pass a state exam after their master's. Teaching, architecture, engineering and general health psychology need no state exam.

Can I start a doctorate with a degree from outside Europe?

Yes, if your degree gives access to doctoral studies in its own country and the university verifies its level, with no homologation needed. Programmes often add a CV, research proposal or interview. Read "Doing a doctorate (doctorado) in Spain" and "Getting into a Spanish master's with a foreign degree".

Can I get a state grant as a foreign student in higher arts education?

Yes, if you are a legal resident in Spain, under the requirements set in each year's call. Non-resident foreign students generally cannot. Regional grants and fee reductions may also exist.