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Catalonia brings forward its extraordinary university entrance exam to July
Catalonia is making changes to its university entrance exams: the extraordinary exam will no longer be in September, but in July. The regular exams remain in June, and the PAP for Education is also moving to earlier dates. This is how the university calendar will look in 2027.
Ordinary exams keep their June dates and the PAP changes too
Were you one of those who always thought of summer as extra time to prepare for the university entrance exams? Time to change your mindset: from now on, the extraordinary PAU exam in Catalonia will take place in July, not September. A change that might catch some people with their towels still wet.
The Department of Research and Universities, through the Consejo Interuniversitario de Cataluña, has published the new university entrance calendar. The main change: the extraordinary session of the university entrance exam is being brought forward and will be held on 6, 7, and 8 July. Until now, those needing a second chance had to wait until September. Now, the gap is reduced to barely a month after the ordinary session.
Key dates for the PAU in 2027
The ordinary PAU session keeps its usual dates: 1, 2, and 3 June. So, if all goes well, students can start the summer with their exams already done. But if they need to retake, the date will be right in the middle of July, just as Barcelona starts to fill up with tourists and the heat sets in.
This change aims to speed up university access and avoid students having to wait until September to find out if they can enrol. The extraordinary university entrance exam in July is a new development that will undoubtedly force many young people to reorganise their study and holiday plans.
The PAP and exams for mature students also move forward
It’s not just the PAU that’s changing its calendar. The Prueba de Aptitud Personal (PAP) for access to Educación Infantil y Primaria degrees in 2027 also brings its extraordinary session forward to July. The ordinary session will be on 3 April and the extraordinary on 2 July.
As for the exams for those over 25 and 45, the general phase will be held on 10 April and the specific phase for over 25s on 17 April. Those over 45 will also have their exam on 10 April. It’s a tight calendar that leaves little room for mistakes.
What does this change mean for students?
The change in dates means that those who need the extraordinary session will have less time to prepare, but they’ll also find out sooner if they can get into university. The summer of uncertainty is over: now, decisions come earlier and enrolment deadlines are adjusted to the new pace.
This change may be a relief for those who want to finish the academic year as soon as possible, but also a challenge for those who were counting on the summer to revise. In any case, the calendar is now set and it’s time to adapt. University in Catalonia doesn’t wait for September: the future starts in July.