What is the PCE Modality?
The high school track (Bachillerato) is one of the requirements that may be requested for admission to Spanish universities. This requirement is specific and only required by certain universities, so you may not have to meet it. We'll explain where it's requested and how to obtain it.
Universities that request Baccalaureate Modality
You will have to meet this requirement if you want to study at a public university in the Community of Madrid or Castilla-León (Salamanca, León, Valladolid and Burgos).
In all of these regions, the exams will be PCE (Competition for Higher Education) and the maximum grade (up to 14 points) can be obtained by taking only 4 subjects. In other regions, such as Valencia or Murcia, it is also possible to take 4 subjects in the UNEDASISS Selectividad (University Entrance Exam), but this requirement is not enforced.
In other parts of Spain, such as Andalusia or Catalonia, this criterion will not be required either. However, we will have to prepare for 6 subjects to achieve the highest possible grade ( PCE type EBAU ).
You can see the choice of subjects in our post about What subjects do I have to choose?
How to get the baccalaureate modality in 2025?
Once you know that you have to comply, we will explain how to obtain it. There are two ways, but first we want you to see this image.
As you see in this image, we indicate the different itineraries that exist. There are several types.
- Sciences and Engineering Modality
- Social Sciences Modality
- Humanities Modality
- Arts Modality
If we want to access any of the universities that we have mentioned, we will have to choose a valid configuration to complete the requirement. As there are 4 subjects, it is advisable to choose one from the block of general core subjects, the modality subject that we have to take according to our choice and two specific ones, which may be the ones we like and value the most. And now the important thing. How to get the Baccalaureate Modality?
- Passing the core subject, the modality subject and at least one of the specific subjects. That is, we can not approve just one. If we suspend any of the aforementioned, WE DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENT.
- This new criterion comes into force in the PCE 2020 call and is not valid for previous years. In this case it is only necessary to have an average grade of 5 points or more among the 4 subjects of an itinerary. That is, we can pass 2 and fail 2 and achieve the criterion if we have a joint average passing grade.
Requirements of the universities of Madrid and Castilla – León
If you're planning to attend a university in Madrid or Castile and León, you should read the agreement the universities have signed . There are no changes for 2025. You still need to take four subjects to achieve the highest possible grade and qualify for the chosen specialization, which we're explaining in this post.
How do you apply for the Baccalaureate Modality?
This criterion is requested when we register for the UNED PCE exams , and it usually carries a cost of around 50 euros in the final fee.
Unlike the university entrance grade, which is determined year by year (meaning you can't combine subjects from different years in the general phase to generate that final access grade), the Baccalaureate Specialization can be achieved year by year. For example, if you have an acceptable final grade but failed Mathematics II the previous year, you can take only that subject to fulfill the requirement the following year. However, fulfilling the Specialization requirement over several years is only permitted based on the number of subjects passed, not on the average of the four subjects.
Conclusion
You may have questions about this requirement. You must know that its fulfillment is a true (or has been) nightmare. Having to pass Mathematics or a core such as Language has been a real problem for many students who saw their dream of studying at one of the universities in Madrid or Castilla y León cut short.
The solution until 2020 was to go to another region, such as Valencia, and begin university studies there, given that in those universities the requirements are more lax. Starting in 2020, fortunately, there is another way to accomplish it, and we hope it is not that big problem that has been scaring many applicants.
FAQ
What is the PCE High School Modality?
The Baccalaureate Modality is one of the requirements that can be requested for our access to a Spanish university.
What subjects do I have to take to achieve the Modality requirement?
- A general topic, such as Language, English or History of Spain.
- A modality core, such as CCSS Mathematics, Mathematics II, Latin, a language, or Art Foundations.
- Two specific ones, which depend on the branch of study to be prepared.
What universities request it?
The universities of Madrid and Castilla León.
