Cut-off marks 2024 for university degrees in Catalonia

In order to access the degree and university you want, you first have to check that you meet the “requirements” to access it. How do you do this? By passing the cut-off mark established at each university depending on the degree you want to do! But first, let’s take a look at what the cut-off marks are, the factors that influence them and their importance.

The cut-off mark for a given degree is the lowest mark allowed for enrolment. The university offers a certain number of places for each degree programme, and when the pre-enrolment process begins, the universities accept applicants in order, starting with those who have the highest entry grade. The last student to access the degree (the one who occupies the last place), establishes the cut-off mark for that particular degree and university.

Therefore, students who are preparing to enter university should consult the cut-off marks for their desired degree programme in order to get an idea of whether they will be accepted or not.

There are several factors that influence the cut-off marks that you should be aware of:

• Firstly, the cut-off marks for university degrees are only valid for public universities, private universities use other methods.
• Secondly, these grades change every year. They usually vary by a few tenths of a point, but if a certain degree becomes fashionable, they can vary a lot.
• Finally, it should be noted that the cut-off marks are only indicative. This is because they are based on the marks of students from the previous year and the demand from the previous year. Therefore, if your entry mark does not reach the cut-off mark for the degree you wish to study, do not give up and write it as your first choice on the pre-enrolment form. You may be in for a surprise!

The cut-off marks are very important as they help prospective students to find out the required mark for access to the degree and university they are applying for. The cut-off marks are based on the marks of the previous year, so students should bear in mind that these may change. In most cases, the cut-off marks vary by a few tenths of a point from one year to the next, except if there is a high demand for a certain degree or if students raise their average in the entrance exams.

Here are the key points you need to know about the cut-off marks and university entrance:

• The cut-off marks are only for access to public universities. Private universities do not have cut-off marks as access is based on other criteria.
• It should be taken into account that the cut-off marks vary every year. As a general rule, the marks vary by very few decimal points, both upwards and downwards. However, if a degree becomes fashionable and in high demand or if students raise the average of a degree, they can vary a lot.
• If a cut-off mark is high, it does not mean that the degree course is more difficult; the cut-off mark represents the number of places for the degree at the university and depends on the number of applications.
• Related to the above, there are many university degrees that can be entered with a 5 because they do not receive enough applications to fill the places.
• The cut-off marks are only indicative. At Unihabit we recommend that you prioritise the degree you want to study and the university. However, choose other options and order them according to your priorities. If you have a clear idea of the degree you want to access but the grade is not enough, study what other possibilities you have to get there.

Below is a small list of the highest cut-off marks from the previous academic year:

In Catalonia, the degree with the highest cut-off mark is the Double Degree in Physics and Mathematics at the Autonomous University of Barcelona with 13.436 out of 14. Followed by the Degree in Mathematics at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia with 12.842 out of 14. This is followed by the Double Degree in Computer Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Barcelona with 12.800 and Engineering Physics at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia with 12.689. Medicine at Pompeu Fabra University with 12.643 and at the University of Barcelona with 12.528. Data Science and Engineering with 12.632. International Economics and Business Studies with 12.620, Biomedical Engineering with 12.536 at the University of Barcelona and 12.382 at the University Pompeu Fabra.

These are the highest cut-off marks established in the previous academic year, in 2023. Unihabit has prepared the following list of the highest cut-off marks in Catalonia:

• Physics and Mathematics (UB) 13,192
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics (UPF) 12,260
• Biomedical Sciences (UAB) 12,207 – (UB) 12,431
• Aerospace Vehicles Engineering (UPC) 12,574
• Law and International Relations (UAB) 12,886
• Law, Business Administration and Economics (UPF) 12.406
• Audiovisual Communication (UPF) 11,614
• Double degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (URV) 10.980
• Double degree in Business Administration and Mathematics (UB) 12.086
• Physics (UB) 11.716
• Double degree in Pharmacy and Human Nutrition and Dietetics (UB) 11.780
• Human Biology (UPF) 11.823
• Biotechnology (UB) 11.793
• Biochemistry (UB) 11.608
• Double degree in Biology and Biotechnology (UdG) 11.420
• International Business (UB) 11.683
• Double degree in Early Childhood and Primary Education (UAB) 11.260
• Business Administration and Management (UPF) 11.316
• Double degree in Business Administration and Law (UB) 11.406
• Double Degree in Animal Science and Production and Veterinary Medicine (UdL) 11.252

If you want to see more cut-off marks, here is the list of cut-off marks of Catalonia where you can see all the cut-off marks of the last five years.

It is also important to highlight the most sought-after first-choice degrees by students in 2024. Those most in demand in Barcelona were;

• Information and Communication Technologies
• Business Administration and Management (ADE)
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Design and Architecture
• Health Sciences