Entry and Admission

For entry and admission to any of the UPM master's programmes, applicants should apply online for the programme within the stipulated deadlines. The application/admission schedule for the next academic year is available on the Course page for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Students are asked to submit all required documents online in order to assess whether they meet the entry requirements. Submitted documents should be in Spanish or English (if the original documents are in other language, an official translation into Spanish or English should be provided).

Entry

Entry refers to the right of a qualified candidate to apply for possible admission to a particular higher education level. Under the terms of the Lisbon Convention, it means the right to apply for admission to a particular higher education institution to complete a programme of study.

The degree entry requirements are as stipulated in R.D.822/2021, article 18:

  • Candidates shall hold an official Spanish higher education or other degree issued by a higher education institution in the European Higher Education Area qualifying the holder for entry to master's programmes in the issuing country.
  • Also, holders of degrees earned in conformance with educational systems outside the European Higher Education Area shall qualify for entry without having to gain official approval of their qualifications provided that the higher education institution finds that their degrees certify to an equivalent educational level to the respective Spanish university degrees and entitle holders to enter postgraduate education in the issuing country. Admission shall in no case imply official approval of the earlier degree held by the applicant or its recognition for any other purposes than taking the master's programme.

The student entry requirements briefly describe the minimum personal (abilities and attitudes) and academic achievement (knowledge) that are considered necessary and duly expected of applicants for students to perform satisfactorily. The recommended student profile is:

  • Personal achievement:
    • Be able to learn independently, upgrade their knowledge, and identify the knowledge that they are lacking in the field of informatics
    • Know how to work under pressure in situations where there is a shortage of information, coming up with new ideas and being creative
    • Be able to work as part of a team, organizing, planning, making decisions, negotiating and resolving conflicts, relating to other team members and adopting a critical and self-critical attitude
    • Have the ability to take the initiative, an enterprising spirit, and a flair for leadership, governance, and team and project management
    • Be a good communicator, both orally and in writing, in more than one language with audiences from diverse backgrounds
    • Have an interest in research in the software and systems field
  • Academic achievement:

    The Master in Software and Systems targets holders of bachelor degrees in any field of informatics or similar, as well as degree holders working as practitioners in the informatics field. A good knowledge of English is needed.

  • Applicants should have a knowledge of:
    • Programming
    • Databases
    • Networks
    • Operating Systems

Admission

Admission means the action by the respective university giving a qualified candidate access to the respective higher education programme at the aforesaid institution. It is equivalent to the effective acceptance of a student for a specified course of study at a particular university.

The Master in Software and Systems Academic Policy Committee is the body responsible for student admission to the master's programme.

Having checked that students meet the entry requirements set out in R.D.822/2021, article 18, the Master in Software and Systems' Academic Policy Committee shall, in accordance with that article, select and admit new students according to the following criteria:

  • Candidates that fit the admissions profile shall be eligible for admission to the Master in Software and Systems: holders of higher education degrees in any field of informatics or similar, as well as degree holders working as practitioners in the informatics field [Accepted or Rejected].
  • Consideration shall be given to student academic education and academic record, especially degrees with competencies and knowledge related to fields akin to the admissions profile [from 0 to 4 points].
  • Consideration shall be given to professional experience, especially activities related to fields akin to the admissions profile [from 0 to 4 points].
  • Credentials certifying a level of English and Spanish (if applicable) language proficiency sufficient to easily understand instruction delivered in either language is needed (at least a CEFR B2 level or equivalent) [from 0 to 2 points].
  • Consideration shall be given to the statement of purpose that candidates are required to submit expressing their interest in taking the Master's programme and explaining the specific topic that they would like to research if admitted [from 0 to 1 points].
  • Consideration shall be given to the submission of a letter of recommendation from accredited professionals in scientific and professional fields related to the Master's programme [from 0 to 1 points].
  • Consideration shall be given to the interview, if any, held with a member of the Master's Programme Academic Policy Committee [from 0 to 2 points].
  • If a candidate's education is insufficient for admission, the Master in Software and Systems' Academic Policy Committee shall establish which bridge courses related to the admissions profile the candidate shall have to take and pass to qualify for the Master's degree.

The Master in Software and Systems Academic Committee will evaluate the documentation and will publish the decision in the established dates after checking all the documentation. This Committee shall contact candidates, if necessary, to gather any additional or fill in any missing information.

The evaluation and decision about the entry is made by the Vice-Rectorate for Academic Strategy and Internationalization of the UPM. The admission procedure is made by the Master in Software and Systems Academic Committee (COAMUSS).

The list of admitted students will be published on the UPM website at the end of the application period. If admitted to the master’s programme, students shall be entitled to enrol. The UPM establishes the enrolment schedule. There are at present two enrolment periods: one in July-September, for the first semester, and another one in February, for the second semester.

The Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Informáticos' Internal Quality Assurance System has in place a procedure for selecting and admitting students for any of its degree programmes (PR/CL/007), addressing student admission processes and requirements.

Credit Transfer and Recognition

The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid's Governance Council shall establish the application periods for credit recognition and transfer, as well as the schedule for decision making on applications and notification of applicants.

The UPM's Credit Recognition and Transfer Committee shall be responsible for deciding on applications for credit recognition and transfer from School committees. The UPM's Credit recognition and transfer policy describes the membership, functions and responsibilities of the UPM's Credit Recognition and Transfer Committee and the credit transfer and recognition periods and procedure.

The Master in Software and Systems' Academic Policy Committee shall analyse and report on the applications for credit recognition by students from other degree programmes, which it shall forward to the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Informáticos' Academic Policy Committee. The Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Informáticos' Academic Policy Committee shall examine and forward the reports to the UPM's Credit Recognition and Transfer Committee.