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Entry requirements for Bachelor's Degrees in Design

Find out about the requirements for access to design degrees throughout Spain. 

With regard to the requirements for access to higher artistic education and the entrance exams for these, as well as the admission of students to the schools that offer them and enrolment in the courses, the provisions of the Order of 18 April 2012, which regulates the entrance exams for higher artistic education and the admission of students to the centres that offer these courses, shall be applied. Don't forget to check our deadlines to stay up to date. 

There are three entry routes to higher education studies in Design:

I am studying or have finished my baccalaureate or CFGS.

Access with Specific Test

For students who have the Baccalaureate or have passed the University Entrance Examination for the over 25s. They will have to pass the specific test organised by the different Education Departments. Once passed, it is valid for one year.

This test is different from the University Entrance Exam (PAU).

I am studying or have finished a CFGS at a School of the Arts.

Direct Access

For students who hold a Higher Technical Degree in Plastic Arts and Design. They will not have to take any kind of entrance exam. You will have to reserve your place at ESADA's facilities.

Direct access can be requested by students who are studying the 2nd year of the Higher Technical Degree, who must have completed it prior to enrolment.

Students who meet this requirement must apply for direct access and submit a certificate of the average grade of their transcript. This is a separate access procedure to the ordinary access with a different timetable and application form.

I don't have a baccalaureate

Access with Maturity Test + Specific Test

For people who are 18 years old or older and do not meet the academic requirements. They will have to pass TWO tests. First, the maturity test, which is equivalent to the Bachiller and once passed is valid forever. Then they will have to pass the specific test.

Admission to ESADA

Private centres, such as ESADA, have their own admission procedures, although in all schools you will need to pass these admission requirements. In the case of our school, students must apply for a place reservation in the degree they wish to study, which guarantees that they will be able to study at our centre.

Admission process to ESADA
Administración de ESADA
How to enter an official design degree program?

There are three ways of access to the higher artistic teachings of design:

  • Direct access: the student who is in possession of a CFGS degree in Plastic Arts and Design or finishing, may access without the need to take the specific test of access to the higher artistic teachings of Design.
  • Specific test. The student must have the baccalaureate degree or be in the 2nd year or have the University Entrance Exam for over 25 years old, you must take a specific test for access to higher artistic teachings of Design.
  • Maturity Test + Specific Test. If you do not have a baccalaureate degree or you have the University Entrance Exam for over 25 years old, you must take a test of academic maturity, in addition to the specific test for access to higher artistic education in Design.
Is the EBAU necessary? Can I access with it?

No, to access the Higher Artistic Education in Design you cannot access with the EBAU. You need to take the specific entrance exam for Higher Artistic Education in Design.

What are the deadlines to apply for the entrance exams?

The application for both tests is during the month of May. The maturity test is held during the month of June and the specific test in the first days of July. In September there is a second call for those places that have been vacated.

How valid is the maturity test?

Passing the academic maturity test will have permanent validity for access to higher artistic education in any of the centers of the State where Higher Artistic Education is offered.

What is the validity of the specific access test?

Passing the specific entrance exam will allow access to the Higher Artistic Education in Design, only in the academic year for which it has been called.