NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

2. optional subjects.
The final pass marks awarded in the examination are determined on a scale of 0 to 10 by the arithmetical mean between:
the total marks awarded for the papers;
the average of the grades for the upper secondary and COU courses.
For a pass in the entrance examinations the final mark must be 5 or above, and the overall grade for the papers must be at least
4. Students may not present themselves for the entrance examinations more than four times.
There is a special version of the entrance examination for foreign or Spanish students who have had part or all of their
secondary education abroad. This procedure is governed by a recent ministerial order and the Universidad Nacional de
Educación a Distancia has been given the task of organising it. Examinations may be taken at Spanish embassies or
consulates abroad if the number of students registered in the country or city in question justifies it.
II.1.1. Qualifications for admission to
non-university higher education
Entry to non-university higher education institutions is, with the exception of advanced art studies (Enseñanzas Superiores
Artísticas) which have a structure and format of their own, dependent upon the successful completion of secondary education
(Bachillerato) and the orientation course for institutions of higher education (Curso de Orientación Universitaria).
In general, within the non-university higher education sector, two types of studies may be distinguished: education which
leads to qualifications that have been formally stated to be equivalent to similar qualifications gained from various university
courses, and specific educational courses which are not equivalent.
With regard to the first group of studies (tourism), the academic requirements are the same as those for university entrance
(see II.1.2), in addition to which there are some specific entrance examinations geared to the particular features of such
studies.
The second group contains special studies with exceptional features (dramatic art, singing and conservatories of music). The
usual requirement is a pass in an entrance examination or test and an academic level equivalent to Graduado Escolar
(completion of primary education) or Bachillerato (secondary school).
II.1.2. Qualifications for admission to university
Although there are several different ways of entering a university, it has to be said that the majority of students take the COU
and the pruebas de acceso (see II.1).
Entry to Facultades, Colegios Universitarios and Escuelas Superiores Técnicas
Students who wish to be admitted to one of these institutions must have successfully completed secondary education (BUP),
the one-year orientation course (COU), and also must have passed university entrance examinations (pruebas de acceso).
Entry to Escuelas Universitarias
Students who wish to study at Escuelas Universitarias are not required to pass the entrance examinations. Although it is not
an express requirement, in practice, students who have passed this examination have a better chance of being admitted to their
first choice of study area.