What happens if you fail subjects (normas de permanencia)

Terms used

• Normas de permanencia — The normas de permanencia are each university's rules on the minimum credits you must pass to keep your place in a degree.
• ECTS — ECTS are the credits used across European universities; a full-time year is 60 ECTS.
• Convocatoria de gracia — A convocatoria de gracia is an exceptional extra enrolment or exam attempt granted in special circumstances.
• Consejo Social — The Consejo Social is a public university's board that includes outside members and approves its permanence rules.
• Recurso de alzada — A recurso de alzada is a formal appeal against a university decision, filed with the rector.
• Tiempo parcial — Tiempo parcial is the part-time study regime, with fewer credits per year and longer to finish.
• Precios públicos — Precios públicos are the yearly tuition prices per credit that each region sets for public universities.

Key rules

• Who sets the rules: Each public university sets its own permanence rules, so the numbers for your degree may differ from the typical ones here.
• First year: The first year is the most important: missing the minimum credits can end your place in that degree.
• Exceptions: You can usually ask for an exception for illness, disability, work or family reasons, so apply before you are excluded.
• Cost: Each repeat enrolment in the same subject costs more than the last.
• Private universities: Private universities set their own rules and fees.

The short answer

Spanish universities expect you to pass a minimum number of credits, especially in your first year. If you don't, you can lose your place in that degree. Repeating subjects also costs more each time.

These rules are called normas de permanencia. Each public university writes its own, so read your university's current version before you enrol. Private universities set their own rules and fees, so ask them directly.

How many credits you must pass

Credits are counted in ECTS. A full-time year is 60 ECTS.

• First year: the minimum is usually small, commonly 6 to 12 ECTS. Some universities ask for 12 to 24, or a percentage of the credits you enrolled in.
• Later years: many universities ask you to pass a minimum share of the credits you enrolled in. Others set a total to reach within a set number of years.
• Attempts per subject: the usual limit is 4 enrolments. A 5th or 6th may be possible only through a tribunal or an exceptional grant.

The figures differ widely between universities and often between degrees. Degrees with a high entry mark may be treated differently.

What happens if you don't meet the minimum

You cannot continue in that degree at that university. Usually you are excluded for a waiting period, often one to two years at some universities. At others the exclusion from that degree is permanent. You can normally start a different degree.

You can ask for an exception. Most universities allow an extra enrolment (convocatoria de gracia) or a review if you had illness, a disability, work or family circumstances. A rector's commission or the Consejo Social decides. Ask for it promptly and bring evidence, such as medical or employer documents.

If the decision goes against you, you can challenge it with a recurso de alzada before the rector.

What repeating a subject costs

Yes, you pay more. Each region sets public prices (precios públicos) every year. The price per credit rises with each enrolment in the same subject. The second enrolment is often around 1.5 times the first, and the third and fourth cost more again. The multipliers differ by region, such as Madrid, Catalonia or Andalusia. Check the current decree for your region.

Part-time study

Public universities offer a tiempo parcial regime. You usually request it when you enrol and justify it with work, care responsibilities, disability or elite sport. Some universities allow it freely.

• You typically enrol in about 24 to 30 ECTS a year instead of 60. The minimum is often around 24 and the maximum around 36.
• The pass thresholds are reduced in proportion, including the first-year minimum.
• You get longer to finish the degree.
• You pay per credit enrolled.

The decision below helps you choose between full-time and part-time.

What to do now

1. Find your university's normas de permanencia on its website and note the first-year minimum.
2. Check the limit on enrolments per subject.
3. If you work or have caring duties, ask about part-time before you enrol.
4. If you fail subjects, contact the secretaría de alumnos about exceptions before any deadline passes.

Choosing between options

Should you study full-time or part-time?

• Study full-time: Fits if you can handle about 60 credits a year. You face the full first-year minimum of credits to pass, and the normal time limit to finish.

• Study part-time: Fits if work, care duties, disability or elite sport limit your time. You enrol in about 24 to 30 credits a year, the minimum to pass in the first year is lowered in proportion, and you get longer to finish. Fees are charged per credit enrolled.

If you cannot realistically pass the first-year minimum on a full load, ask for part-time when you enrol. Many universities want a reason, so bring proof of your work, care duties, disability or sport.

What to watch out for

• Failing the minimum credits can end your place: If you do not meet your university's permanence rules, you cannot continue in that degree there. You are usually excluded for a waiting period, often one to two years, or permanently from that degree at that university. Find your university's normas de permanencia early, note the minimum credits for year one, and plan your enrolment to meet them.

• Repeating subjects costs more: Each new enrolment in a subject you already failed is charged at a higher price per credit, so repeated failures add up quickly. Check your region's current price list before you enrol, and prioritise passing subjects you have already failed.

• Missing the chance to ask for an exception: If illness, disability, work or family problems hurt your results, you may lose your place without ever asking for an extra enrolment (convocatoria de gracia) or a review. Ask your university's student office how to apply and gather proof of your circumstances. If refused, you can file a recurso de alzada before the rector.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study part-time to lower the pass requirements?

Yes, public universities offer a part-time regime (tiempo parcial), usually on request when you enrol, with a reason such as work, care duties, disability or elite sport. You enrol in about 24 to 30 credits a year instead of 60, the minimum to pass in the first year is lowered in proportion, and you get longer to finish the degree.

Can I switch degrees if I am excluded for failing too many credits?

Usually yes, being excluded stops you from continuing in that degree at that university, but you can normally start a different degree.

Is there any way to get extra time after failing the permanence rules?

Yes, most universities let you ask for an exceptional extra enrolment (convocatoria de gracia) or a review if you had illness, disability, work or family problems.

Do I pay more when I repeat a failed subject?

Yes, at public universities each repeat enrolment in the same subject costs more per credit than the one before. The second enrolment is often around 1.5 times the first, and later ones are higher still.