University entrance exam, PAU (Catalonia)

The university entrance exam (PAU) is anonymous and identical for everyone, and passing it is a requirement to study at university. In Catalonia, students in year 2 of Bachillerato pre-register in February and register in May (in 2026, from 19 to 27 May). Those who already have Bachillerato or an equivalent from previous years, or come from outside Catalonia or from a foreign education system, register freely on the University Access Portal (in 2026, from 5 to 11 May). Those who have completed a higher vocational training cycle (CFGS) do not need to take the PAU, since their cycle grade is their admission grade, but they can sit up to three subjects to raise it. Registration for the September sitting ran from 21 to 23 July 2026. Registration has a fee and results are checked on the University Access Portal.

Official sources

• Prova d'accés a la universitat per a l'alumnat de batxillerat, de CFGS i amb títols equivalents de sistemes educatius estrangersESOfficial guidance · Checked on 2026-10-26