A postgraduate degree differs from a master's degree by its duration and the degree awarded at the end
of the course. Prestige is also considered as one of the points that distinguish some specialization
studies from others.

Any type of training given after completing the degree (diplomas or degrees) is considered a
postgraduate study.

1st Difference between master and postgraduate: duration

Within postgraduate studies, one of the modalities is master's degrees, a type of training that lasts longer
— from 1 to 2 years, depending on the study plan.

2nd Difference between master and postgraduate: final project

The master, unlike the postgraduate, usually includes the development of a final project similar to the
TFG. Another characteristic that defines the master's degree is that its program frequently includes the
option of doing an internship.

3rd Difference between master and postgraduate: recognition

The master's degree is generally positioned above any postgraduate degree. Companies value
candidates whose CV appears a master's degree in a relevant area more highly and they consider it
more highly than postgraduate studies on the same subject.

Why choose a master's degree?

Many master's degrees usually include an attractive job board that makes it easier for students to access
the world of work and find the job opportunity they are looking for for their professional development.

It is usually the most appropriate option if you want to specialize in a professional area or acquire specific
skills to highlight your professional profile. For these reasons, it is usually one of the postgraduate
courses that attracts the attention of companies and helps them validate the preparation or profile of a
candidate.

On the other hand, those who study a master's degree will receive a master's degree and to do so, they
must first have obtained a bachelor's degree or another equivalent. Therefore, the vast majority of
master's degrees implies that the candidate has a university degree that accredits them to access with a
minimum knowledge.

In some cases, experienced professionals without a degree are qualified, but instead of the mentioned
degree, they are given a certificate of achievement. Furthermore, when we say postgraduate degree we
are not referring to postgraduate training in a broad sense, but rather to a specific type.

Why choose a postgraduate degree?
The postgraduate degree, like the master's degree, requires a previous university degree, although, if
you do not have one, it is easier to access this type of training. Its duration is usually shorter, around 15
credits (150 teaching hours).

In general, a postgraduate course is a shorter and more specific training, which is usually oriented to a
very specific aspect of a field of knowledge. It is usually very useful as a complement to a master's
degree or for professionals in continuous training who want to learn a new skill or update knowledge.

Within the postgraduate training we can also find the doctorate. In this, researchers and academics are
trained. It lasts two years and the student graduates once she prepares her doctoral thesis and defends
it in front of a court.

So is it better to study a master's or a postgraduate degree?
According to the experience of other professionals and the recommendation of experts, it is argued that,
if you want to enter to work in a private company or an industry, it will be better for you to do a
postgraduate or master's degree, since this training will qualify your professional profile and contribute
great value to your training.

However, if your goal is to enter a public institution or be a professor at a university, it is best that you opt
for a doctorate. Keep in mind that many doctoral plans, depending on the university and type of career,
require that the student have first completed a valid master's degree to access the doctorate.

In this case, it is focused on the master's degree being official, approved and with a credit load accepted
for this validation. If it is very possible that you want to doctorate, find out well about the requirements
that you must meet and which master's degree may be the most appropriate for your specialty or
research, taking into account that the Master's Final Project may be the prologue to the development of
your thesis.