When we talk about the most difficult university degrees to get into in Spain, we don't necessarily mean the most difficult to study. In this ranking, we analyze another issue: which degrees required the highest entrance scores to gain admission to a Spanish public university.
The cut-off score is not decided beforehand by the university. It is the admission score of the last student who gets a place, so it depends on factors such as demand, the number of places offered, and the grades of those applying for a degree program.
The University of Seville itself, for example, defines its cut-off marks as the admission grade of the last applicant admitted to each degree program and center.
And there is one fact that is particularly striking: Physics and Mathematics clearly dominate the top positions.
The 10 university degrees with the highest cut-off scores in Spain
This is the ranking obtained from the cut-off scores we analyzed for the 2025/2026 academic year:
| Position | Degree | University | Passing score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathematics – Physics | Complutense University of Madrid | 13,698 |
| 2 | Joint Programme in Physics and Mathematics | University of Zaragoza | 13,638 |
| 3 | Physics + Mathematics | Sevilla University | 13,590 |
| 4 | Double Degree in Physics and Mathematics | University of Valencia | 13,578 |
| 5 | Industrial Engineer (PARS) | Polytechnic University of Madrid | 13,525 |
| 6 | Computer Engineering – Mathematics | Complutense University of Madrid | 13,465 |
| 7 | Physics Engineering + Industrial Technology Engineering | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid | 13,464 |
| 8 | Simultaneous enrollment in Mathematics and Physics degrees | University of Santiago de Compostela | 13,456 |
| 9 | PARS Industrial Engineering via Industrial Technologies Engineering | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid | 13,414 |
| 10 | Aeronautical Engineer (PARS) | Polytechnic University of Madrid | 13,411 |
The figures have been compared with the official publications of the UCM, University of Zaragoza, University of Seville, University of Valencia, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Carlos III University of Madrid, Community of Madrid and Interuniversity Commission of Galicia.
1. Mathematics – Physics
Cut-off score: 13,698 — Complutense University of Madrid
The Double Degree in Mathematics and Physics at the Complutense University of Madrid tops this ranking with a score practically at the maximum possible of 14 points. The UCM itself officially confirmed the score of 13,698 for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Why is it so difficult to access?
The combination of Mathematics and Physics attracts students with exceptionally high academic records and has a very limited number of places available. For the 2025/2026 academic year, the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) indicated an offer of 25 places for new students in this double degree program.
In addition, both disciplines have a strong mathematical and scientific foundation, and the double degree allows for highly specialized training in areas such as research, modeling, computing, theoretical physics, and data analysis.
Where can I study Physics and Mathematics?
In addition to the Complutense University of Madrid, there are joint programs or double degrees that are particularly outstanding at the University of Zaragoza , the University of Seville and the University of Valencia.
2. Joint Program in Physics and Mathematics
Cut-off score: 13,638 — University of Zaragoza
The FisMat program at the University of Zaragoza achieved a cut-off score of 13,638 and was the degree with the highest score in the entire university in that admission process.
Why is it so difficult to access?
The number of places available here helps to quickly understand the grade: the University of Zaragoza offered only 10 places for the joint Physics-Mathematics program.
With so few places available, a relatively small concentration of students with excellent academic records is enough to raise the cut-off score to levels close to 14.
Where can I study for a similar qualification?
Among the public universities with Physics and Mathematics programs, the University of Zaragoza , the Complutense University of Madrid , and the University of Seville stand out.
3. Physics + Mathematics
Cut-off score: 13,590 — University of Seville
The combined Physics and Mathematics program at the University of Seville reached 13,590 in the 2025/2026 academic year. The University of Seville itself includes this figure in its official access and admission documentation.
Why is it so difficult to access?
Once again, a particularly competitive combination occurs: a scientifically demanding degree, a limited number of places, and students who usually arrive with very high admission scores.
Their position also confirms that the phenomenon is not exclusive to Madrid: programs that combine Physics and Mathematics have very high scores in different Spanish university districts.
Featured Universities
You can find equivalent or closely related programs at the University of Seville , the Complutense University of Madrid , the University of Zaragoza and the University of Valencia.
4. Double Degree in Physics and Mathematics
Cut-off score: 13,578 — Universitat de València
The Double Degree in Physics and Mathematics at the University of Valencia registered a cut-off score of 13,578 in 2025/2026 , making it the degree with the highest score at the university and one of the highest in the Valencian university system.
Why does it have such a high grade?
Physics and Mathematics appears in the ranking for the fourth consecutive time. This is no coincidence.
These are degrees that attract very strong academic profiles and, when combined in a double degree with few places, competition increases significantly.
Demand remains high: for 2026/27 the Faculty of Physics at the University of Valencia indicates that its degrees have more than 1.200 people on waiting lists, although the grade for this double degree has changed since the data used in this ranking.
Where to study Physics and Mathematics
The University of Valencia , the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) , and the University of Zaragoza are three of the main public alternatives if you are looking for this type of joint training.
5. Industrial Engineer
Cut-off score: 13,525 — Polytechnic University of Madrid
The UPM's Academic Program with Successive Tracks for Industrial Engineer reached 13,525 . The Polytechnic University of Madrid offered 50 places for this program.
What does PARS mean?
In this case it is important not to confuse it with a conventional degree.
A Sequential Academic Program (PARS) organizes a bachelor's degree and a master's degree consecutively. In the case of Industrial Engineering at the UPM, the program integrates the Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technology Engineering and the subsequent Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering. The student obtains both official degrees sequentially.
Why is it so difficult to access?
The program allows the student to join from the beginning a path aimed at the profession of Industrial Engineer, one of the traditional reference trainings within Spanish engineering.
The combination of a highly specialized engineering university, a defined academic path, and a limited number of places results in strong selection in admissions.
Where to study Industrial Engineering
The Polytechnic University of Madrid , the Carlos III University of Madrid and the University of Seville have pathways related to Industrial Technology Engineering and the subsequent qualifying training in Industrial Engineering.
6. Computer Engineering – Mathematics
Cut-off score: 13,465 — Complutense University of Madrid
The Double Degree in Computer Engineering and Mathematics at UCM reached 13,465 in the 2025/2026 academic year, becoming the second degree with the highest cut-off score at Complutense University itself.
Why is it difficult to access?
Computer science and mathematics form a particularly attractive combination in fields related to artificial intelligence, algorithms, data science, cryptography, scientific computing, and technological development.
The high demand for computer science degrees is compounded by the quantitative nature of mathematics. The result is a double degree program sought after by students who typically have very high entrance scores.
Universities where you can study Computer Science and Mathematics
In addition to the Complutense University of Madrid , there are related joint or simultaneous programs at the University of Zaragoza and the University of Santiago de Compostela.
7. Physics Engineering and Industrial Technology Engineering
Cut-off score: 13,464 — Carlos III University of Madrid
With just one thousandth less than the previous degree, the Double Degree in Physics Engineering and Industrial Technology Engineering at Carlos III University reached 13,464 . It was the degree with the highest cut-off score at UC3M for 2025/2026.
Why is it so competitive?
This dual degree combines advanced physics with a cross-disciplinary background in industrial engineering. It is a rare profile within the Spanish university system and is especially geared towards technology, industry, energy, materials, and applied research.
The scarcity of equivalent programs limits the available alternatives. To give an idea of the scale of the offering, UC3M has allocated 15 places for this double degree in 2026/27.
Where can I study for a similar qualification?
The exact title is particularly characteristic of the Carlos III University of Madrid . Related alternatives include studying Physics Engineering at other universities or Industrial Technology Engineering at technical institutions such as the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
8. Simultaneous enrollment in Mathematics and Physics degrees
Cut-off score: 13,456 — Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
The University of Santiago de Compostela also appears among the most selective degree programs with its joint program in Mathematics and Physics, which registered a cut-off score of 13,456 . This data appears in the official series of cut-off scores from the Interuniversity Commission of Galicia.
Why does it have such a high grade?
The program allows combining two particularly demanding scientific degrees and offers an alternative in Galicia to the double degrees and joint programs found in Madrid, Aragon, Andalusia or the Valencian Community.
A limited supply and the concentration of students with high grades once again place access very close to the maximum of 14 points.
Featured Universities
To study Mathematics and Physics together, you can also consider the University of Santiago de Compostela , the Complutense University of Madrid , the University of Zaragoza , the University of Seville or the University of Valencia.
9. PARS Industrial Engineering via Industrial Technologies Engineering
Cut-off score: 13,414 — Carlos III University of Madrid
Carlos III University appears again in the ranking with its Academic Program of Industrial Engineering via Degree in Engineering in Industrial Technologies, which reached 13,414.
The Community of Madrid officially included this program among the degrees with the highest cut-off score for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Why is it difficult to access?
The appeal of this itinerary lies in offering, from university access, an academic route oriented towards the complete training of Industrial Engineering.
Furthermore, UC3M has a high demand for various technological studies, which means that several of its engineering degrees appear among the Madrid degrees with the highest scores.
Where to study this itinerary
Carlos III University of Madrid and the Polytechnic University of Madrid are two leading institutions in Madrid. The University of Seville also offers a degree in Industrial Technology Engineering, which leads to a subsequent Master's degree in Industrial Engineering.
10. Aeronautical Engineer
Cut-off score: 13,411 — Polytechnic University of Madrid
The ranking is closed by the Academic Program with Successive Path of Aeronautical Engineer of the Polytechnic University of Madrid, with a cut-off score of 13,411 and an offer of only 20 places for the analyzed course.
Why is it so difficult to access?
Aeronautical training combines high demand with a high level of technical specialization and a limited supply from public universities.
In the specific case of the PARS at UPM, the small number of places makes the selection process particularly competitive.
Furthermore, the UPM Higher Technical School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering offers this program as an academic path that incorporates undergraduate and subsequent master's level training.
Universities where you can study Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering
The Polytechnic University of Madrid is one of the leading institutions. Aerospace Engineering programs are also offered at universities such as Carlos III University of Madrid and the University of Seville , although the degree titles and academic paths may differ.
Why do Physics and Mathematics dominate the highest cut-off scores?
The most striking fact in this ranking is obvious: five of the top ten degrees are directly related to a combination of Physics and Mathematics.
This happens because these programs have several characteristics that raise the cut-off score: they usually have few places, attract students with very high academic records, and offer joint training that is not available at all universities.
The example of Zaragoza is particularly illustrative. With only 10 places, Physics-Mathematics reached 13,638. At the UCM, the double degree had 25 places and reached 13,698.
Are these the most difficult degrees to study?
Not necessarily.
A high cut-off score measures the difficulty of getting a place , not the academic difficulty of the degree once inside the university.
A degree program can have a cut-off score of 5 and still be academically very demanding if there are enough places for all applicants. Similarly, a degree program might have a cut-off score of 13,5 because it offers very few places compared to high demand.
Therefore, “difficult to access degree” and “difficult to pass degree” are different concepts.
What does it mean to have a cut-off score higher than 13?
The admission score can reach a maximum of 14 points . Therefore, to gain admission to a degree program with a cut-off score of 13,5, applicants must achieve a score very close to the maximum.
In this context, a few tenths of a point can determine whether a student gets a place or not.
It's also important to remember that cut-off scores are not predetermined requirements and they don't remain fixed . They change every year depending on applications, available places, and candidates' scores.
How can I access these degrees if I have foreign qualifications?
For students with studies completed outside of Spain, achieving a competitive grade requires proper planning of the entire access process.
It's not enough to simply look up the cut-off score. First, you need to determine which access route is appropriate according to the education system, which UNEDasiss services are necessary, and which PCE subjects will allow you to achieve the highest possible admission score.
In degree programs where the minimum grade is above 13, it's especially important to review each university's weighting system . A poor choice of subjects can cause a student to lose crucial points in the competition for admission.
Therefore, the correct order is to first choose a degree and universities, then consult the cut-off scores and weightings, and finally decide which PCE subjects to prepare for.
En Escuela PCE We help students with foreign qualifications prepare for the PCE exams and plan their access to Spanish universities, taking into account their degree program, target universities, and required subjects. If you need our help, Contact us.
💡 If you want to find more cut-off scores, we recommend our cut-off score search engine, and if you want to see the weighting of subjects by degree and university, we recommend our weighting search engine.
Frequently asked questions about degrees with the highest cut-off scores
Which degree program has the highest cut-off score in this ranking?
Mathematics-Physics at the Complutense University of Madrid occupies the first position with a cut-off score of 13,698 for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Why do Mathematics and Physics have such high cut-off scores?
Joint mathematics and physics programs typically have limited places and attract students with very high academic records. This leads to intense competition for places.
Does a high cut-off score mean the degree is more difficult?
No. The cut-off score indicates the difficulty of admission, not the academic difficulty of the program. It depends primarily on the number of places available and the grades of the students applying for the degree.
What is the highest grade required to get into university?
The admission score can reach up to 14 points. Therefore, degrees with scores above 13 require grades very close to the maximum possible.
Do the cut-off scores change every year?
Yes. The cut-off score is generated in each admissions process based on demand, available places, and applicants' scores. It can rise or fall from one year to the next.
Can a foreign student access these programs?
Yes, provided you meet the entry requirements for your education system and achieve a sufficient admission score. Depending on your situation, you may need UNEDasiss accreditation, validation of prior learning, and/or take the PCE exams.
Which PCE should I prepare for a degree with a high cut-off score?
It depends on the degree program and the university. You need to consult the weighting tables and select the subjects that will allow you to meet the admission requirements and obtain the highest possible additional points.
*Data corresponding to the 2025/2026 academic year. Revised from official sources of universities and university districts.
