MCH Academic certification
Do you know the differences between and oficial master’s degree and an university-specific master? Let’s talk about Academic Certification
Studying a Master’s degree is one of the best ways to complement academic training and build a specialized, highly qualified professional profile. Universities around the world offer postgraduate programs whose prestige is supported by the reputation and academic excellence of the institutions themselves.
In Spain, there are two main types of postgraduate degrees: Official Degrees and University-specific Degrees (títulos propios). Both are designed to provide academic and professional specialization; however, they differ in structure, objectives, and recognition. Understanding these differences is essential for prospective students seeking the program that best matches their professional and academic goals. UPM-specific Master’s program, such as MCH, are governed by the “Normativa de las enseñanzas propias de la UPM”.
Access Requirements and Duration
In Spain, admission to an Official Master’s degree requires applicants to hold an official university qualification (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree). In contrast, admission requirements for University-specific Master’s degrees are determined independently by each institution and program. In the case of MCH, applicants must hold a degree that qualifies them as architects in their home country.
Official Master’s programs generally range between 60 and 120 ECTS credits (equivalent to approximately 600 to 1,200 hours of study). University-specific Master’s degrees usually follow similar academic standards and durations. MCH, for example, consists of a 600-hour program.
Academic Content and Professional Orientation
Official Master’s programs are typically oriented toward theoretical and academic specialization. They place strong emphasis on research and often adopt a more scientific and technical approach, enabling students to deepen their expertise in a specific field.
University-specific Master’s programs, on the other hand, are generally more practice-oriented. They are designed to complement and expand upon official academic curriculum by addressing emerging professional needs and offering highly specialized, applied training. Many participants are practicing professionals seeking to strengthen their expertise and develop new professional skills, as is often the case with MCH students.
The prestige of the institution and the academic excellence of the program itself are key factors distinguishing University-specific Master’s degrees. In the case of MCH, several rankings — including the highly respected ranking published by El Mundo newspaper – have recognized it as the best Master’s program in Architecture in Spain. Importantly, this ranking evaluates both Official and University-specific degrees.
Both Official and University-specific Master’s program may include practical training opportunities, internships, and professional placements, either as part of the curriculum or as extracurricular activities.
Access to PhD Program
Admission requirements for PhD programs are determined individually by each university and department. In some institutions, access to doctoral studies is relatively straightforward, while in others it is highly competitive due to the program prestige and the volume of applicants.
Within the Spanish higher education system, Official Master’s degrees are generally required for admission to PhD programs, as they are specifically designed to prepare students for advanced academic research. Current Spanish regulations usually do not recognize credits earned through University-specific Master’s programs as valid for direct admission to doctoral studies. Therefore, in most cases, a University-specific Master’s degree does not automatically grant access to a PhD program.
Faculty and Professional Expertise
As with undergraduate and doctoral programs, Official Master’s degrees are primarily taught by faculty members from the university awarding the degree. These programs often have limited flexibility to incorporate external professionals or visiting academics.
University-specific Master’s programs, by contrast, typically feature a more diverse faculty composed of academics from different institutions as well as leading practitioners from the professional field. This structure allows programs to incorporate highly specialized expertise directly connected to contemporary professional practice.
In the case of MCH, the proportion of faculty members external to UPM exceeds the limits normally established for Official degrees. Far from diminishing academic quality, this diversity strengthens the program by bringing together internationally recognized experts in housing, architecture, and urban practice. More than 50% of MCH teaching hours are delivered by international faculty members.
Financial Structure and Scholarships
Official Master’s program may receive public and/or private funding. In public universities, tuition fees are often partially subsidized by the State, with students covering the remaining cost. Tuition fees for Official Master’s degrees are usually standardized within each autonomous community, while private universities establish their own tuition structures independently.
University-specific Master’s program, such as MCH, are generally self-financed through tuition fees paid by students. These fees are typically the same for both domestic and international students.
In Spain, public grants and scholarships are commonly available for Official Master’s programs. University-specific programs often develop their own financial aid systems, including scholarships supported either by the university itself or by partner institutions. Both EU and non-EU international students may apply for these opportunities. In the case of MCH, the program offers limited direct scholarships but collaborates annually with external institutions that provide financial aid and define their own selection criteria.
International Recognition and Accreditation
Official Master’s degrees are generally recognized throughout the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), although such recognition does not automatically grant the right to practice a regulated profession in another country.
University-specific Master’s degrees are officially recognized within Spain, while their international recognition depends on the legislation and accreditation systems of each country. In practice, many University-specific degrees can also be recognized abroad when supported by the reputation of the awarding institution and the academic quality of the program.
Both Official and University-specific Master’s programs often share similar admission requirements and academic workloads in order to align with EHEA standards. In the case of MCH, as it is a double diploma, international recognition has frequently been achieved, as demonstrated by numerous alumni who have successfully completed accreditation and homologation processes in different countries.
Master in Collective Housing: A UPM-specific and ETH Official Master of Advances Studies Degree
The Master in Collective Housing (MCH) is an international postgraduate program with a unique academic structure. Although it is classified as a University-specific Master’s degree at UPM, it is simultaneously recognized as an Official Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) by ETH Zurich, since University-specific degrees do not exist within the Swiss higher education system.
The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) designation is widely used across Europe for advanced postgraduate education. Through a collaboration between UPM and ETH Zurich, the institutions jointly offer the “Master of Advanced Studies UPM/ETH in Collective Housing”.
In 2016, ETH Zurich, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious technological universities in Europe and the world, signed an agreement with UPM formally recognizing MCH as one of its MAS programs. This recognition grants MCH the same academic standing as other postgraduate programs offered by ETH Zurich. The agreement reflects MCH’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence since its foundation in 2006 at ETSAM Madrid.
This dual academic character gives MCH a unique position within both academic systems. The final degree awarded, Master of Advanced Studies UPM/ETH in Collective Housing, enjoys the same academic recognition as the other MAS postgraduate programs offered by ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading institutions in architecture and technology.
MCH is currently working toward establishing pathways that would allow graduates to access PhD programs through the Master, in collaboration with the ETSAM Department of Architectural Projects.