The cut-off grades reflect this academic year once again a deep gap between the most in-demand degrees in the Spanish university system and those that continue to register places with practically guaranteed access. Facing the historic leadership of Medicine, the double degrees linked to Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering are once again among the most inaccessible studies in the country, with grades close to 14 out of 14 in public universities in Madrid, Valencia, or Catalonia.
The trend confirms the rise of STEM degrees —science, technology, engineering, and mathematics— driven by high employability, the limited number of places, and the growing interest in profiles linked to artificial intelligence, advanced engineering, or data analysis.
At the other extreme, degrees linked to Humanities, Geography, Tourism, or certain Philologies continue to present some of the lowest grades in the Spanish university system, in many cases close to the minimum passing grade.
Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia concentrate the highest grades
Madrid once again stands out as one of the most competitive territories for access to public university. The Complutense University of Madrid leads some of the highest cut-off grades in the country with the double degree in Mathematics and Physics, which is around 13.7 out of 14. Combined degrees in Computer Engineering and Mathematics or international programs in International Relations and Law also stand out.
Catalonia also maintains a high level of demand in degrees linked to advanced engineering and applied sciences. At the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, some aerospace degrees have even surpassed the traditional entry grades for Medicine.
The Valencian Community has also consolidated itself among the territories with the highest academic pressure. The University of Valencia has once again placed the double degree in Physics and Mathematics among the degrees with the highest entry grades in all of Spain.
Medicine remains among the most in-demand degrees
Although it has lost absolute leadership to some scientific double degrees, Medicine continues to be one of the most competitive degrees in the Spanish university system.
Universities such as Seville, Granada, Barcelona, or Complutense maintain grades above 13.2, driven by high demand and the limited number of places offered each year.
Andalusia especially reflects this academic pressure. The Andalusian Single District system allows for observing differences between provinces, although Medicine continues to register very high figures in practically all public faculties of the community.
Humanities and Tourism remain among the most accessible options
At the other end of the system appear degrees that continue to hover around the minimum passing grade. Humanities, Geography, Art History in certain campuses or some philologies present significantly lower entry grades than STEM or health-related degrees.
Also, some careers linked to Tourism, Public Management, or Nautical studies maintain relatively low entry grades despite retaining reasonable levels of employment.
Experts recall that the cut-off grade does not measure the quality of a degree, but only the demand pressure on available places. In fact, some degrees with more affordable entry present good employability levels due to the scarcity of specialized professionals in certain technical or industrial sectors.