To access a university degree in Catalonia, it is essential to know and exceed the cut-off grades 2026, as they determine which students can enroll in each programme based on demand and the number of places available at public universities in Catalonia.
The cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia are calculated based on the university entrance score, which results from the combination of the average high school grade and the results obtained in the Selectividad (PAU) exams. These grades serve as a key reference for the university pre-enrolment process for the 2026–2027 academic year.
In this complete guide to the cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia, we explain what they are, how they are established, which factors influence their variation, and why they are so important when choosing a degree and university.
What are cut-off grades?
A cut-off grade for a specific degree programme is the lowest score required for admission. Each university offers a limited number of places for every degree, and when the pre-enrolment process begins, candidates are admitted in descending order according to their university entrance score, starting with those who have the highest marks. The last student admitted to the programme (the one who fills the final available place) sets the cut-off grade for that specific degree and university.
For this reason, students who plan to enter university in the 2025–2026 academic year should consult the cut-off grades 2025-2026 in Catalonia, both for their chosen degree and preferred university. These grades provide a realistic reference point to assess admission chances before completing the pre-enrolment process.
Importance of the cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia
The cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia are a key factor for prospective students, as they provide guidance on the required admission score for both the chosen degree programme and the university they wish to apply to during the pre-enrolment process.
These cut-off grades are determined by the number of available places and the academic performance of the students participating in the admission process. They are therefore published once the allocation of places has been completed. For this reason, they may vary each year depending on the number of applicants and their grades.
As a general rule, a cut-off grade usually changes by only a few tenths from one academic year to the next. However, more significant fluctuations may occur when a degree programme experiences a notable increase in demand or when the average entrance scores of students improve in the university entrance exams (PAU).
Key factors affecting the cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia
The cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia will determine access to public universities, which is why it is important for students to understand how they work and which factors may influence their variation from one academic year to another.
- Cut-off grades 2026 apply exclusively to public universities. In the case of private universities, admission is usually based on other criteria, such as internal entrance exams, personal interviews, or assessment of the student’s academic record.
- It is important to keep in mind that cut-off grades change every year. They usually vary by only a few tenths, either upwards or downwards. However, more significant changes may occur when a degree programme experiences a substantial increase in demand or when the average university entrance scores of students are higher.
- A high cut-off grade does not necessarily mean that a degree is more difficult. A cut-off grade primarily reflects the relationship between the number of places offered and the number of applications received for that specific degree and university.
- In this sense, there are many degree programmes that can be accessed with a minimum score of 5, as they do not receive enough applications to fill all available places.
- Cut-off grades should always be understood as a general reference. At Unihabit, we recommend prioritising the degree and university that truly match your interests, while also including well-ordered alternative options in your pre-enrolment. If your score is not sufficient for your first choice, it is advisable to explore other admission pathways that may allow you to access your desired degree.
Cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia: which degrees have the highest grades?
Below, you will find a list of the university degrees with the highest cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia for the 2025–2026 academic year, following the publication of the first official allocation of university places.
To access these programmes, students must achieve a very high score, resulting from the combination of their average high school grade and their results in the Selectividad 2026 (PAU) exams.
In the 2025–2026 academic year, the highest cut-off grade in Catalonia is once again, for the fourteenth consecutive year, the Double Degree in Physics and Mathematics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), with a score of 13.370 out of 14.
In second place is the same double degree at the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), with a score of 13.170, making them the only programmes exceeding 13 points out of 14.
Third place is held by a newly created programme: Aerospace Technologies Engineering + Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, offered at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), with a cut-off grade of 12.936.
The following positions include highly demanded degrees and double degrees such as Computer Engineering and Mathematics (UB) with 12.898, Biomedical Engineering (UB) with 12.740, and the Double Degree in Law and International Relations (UAB) with 12.714.
In the health field, Medicine maintains very high cut-off grades 2026 in the 2025–2026 academic year. The programme at the Clínic campus of the UB stands at 12.850, while Medicine at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and at the Bellvitge campus of the UB both have a cut-off grade of 12.650.
Other programmes with some of the highest cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia include Mathematics at the UPC (12.644), once again confirming the strong demand for scientific, technological, and health-related degrees within the Catalan university system.
Below, Unihabit has prepared the following list featuring the highest cut-off grades in Catalonia:
- Physics and Mathematics (UAB): 13.370
- Physics and Mathematics (UB): 13.170
- Aerospace Technologies Engineering + Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering (UPC): 12.936
- Double Degree in Computer Engineering and Mathematics (UB): 12.898
- Medicine (UB): 12.850
- Biomedical Engineering (UB): 12.740
- Double Degree in Law and International Relations (UAB): 12.714
- Medicine (UPF): 12.650
- Medicine (UB): 12.760
- Mathematics (UPC): 12.816
- Aerospace Vehicles Engineering (UPC): 12.574
- Medicine (URV): 12.696
- Medicine (UAB): 12.620
- Engineering Physics (UPC): 12.610
- Medicine (URV): 12.576
- Industrial Technologies and Economic Analysis + Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering (UPC/UPF): 12.540
- Data Science and Engineering (UPC): 12.514
- Medicine (UAB): 12.494
- Medicine (UdL): 12.467
- Medicine (UdG): 12.453
If you would like to consult the complete and updated list of the cut-off grades 2025 in Catalonia, as well as the subsequent allocation rounds, we recommend reviewing the official tables published by the Departament de Recerca i Universitats.
Most demanded university degrees in Catalonia
In addition to the programmes with the highest cut-off grades 2026, it is also important to highlight the most demanded university degrees in Catalonia for 2025–2026 as first-choice options, as they reflect students’ academic preferences.
According to the official university pre-enrolment data published by the Generalitat de Catalunya, these were the most demanded degrees as first choice in the 2025–2026 academic year:
| Degree | University | First-choice applicants | Available places |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicina | UB | 1.848 | 200 |
| Medicina | UAB | 1.161 | 385 |
| Dentistry | UB | 1.110 | 120 |
| Business Administration and Management | UB | 1.098 | 780 |
| Psicology | UB | 1.038 | 432 |
| Psicology | UAB | 938 | 360 |
| Law | UB | 849 | 430 |
| Nursing | UB | 845 | 395 |
| Medicine | URV | 830 | 130 |
| Architecture | UPC | 791 | 342 |
University degrees with the best career prospects
In addition to analysing the cut-off grades 2026, it is essential to consider employability. For this reason, Unihabit has selected the 10 university degrees with the highest graduate employment rates after completing their studies — in other words, those with the strongest career prospects in 2026.
These are the degrees with the highest employability rates:
- Medicine: 96.5%
- Software and Application Development: 91.3%
- Electrical Engineering: 90.4%
- Electronic Engineering: 90.0%
- Industrial Organisation Engineering: 88.5%
- Telecommunications Engineering: 87.2%
- Nursing: 86.7%
- Pharmacy: 86.2%
- Dentistry: 84.2%
- Energy Engineering: 83.9%
Combining information about the cut-off grades 2026 with graduate employment data can help you make a more strategic decision aligned with your professional goals.
Now that you have a clear overview of the cut-off grades 2026 in Catalonia, it is time to decide which degree programme and university best match your academic profile and career objectives.
Once you have made this decision, it is also important to plan practical aspects such as university accommodation, especially if you will be studying away from your hometown.
Choosing Unihabit student residences is an excellent option to begin your university life with comfort, security, and an experience designed specifically for students.
