When a school receives more applications than it has vacancies, places are allocated by means of applying an assessment system that takes account of various specific and general criteria, on the basis of which points are assigned. The system only determines priority in relation to each pupil's first-choice school.
Non-compulsory studies for young people aged 16 to 18, successful completion of which qualifies them to attend university. The Catalan term for the resulting qualification is Batxillerat (higher secondary education certificate).
Economic aid. The most common grants in primary and secondary education are for school meals and textbooks. There are also state grants for university studies. Applications for grants must be made within an established period.