The Ministry of Higher Education (MES) announced that for the 2025-2026 academic year, more than 100,000 spots for higher education will be available in Cuba, distributed across 113 university majors and 65 short-cycle training programs.
The information was released by the Cuban News Agency, which reported statements from Deisy Fraga Cedré, the General Director of Undergraduate Professional Training at the MES, who reminded that the month of April is crucial for many Cuban families, as it marks the beginning of the pathway to university admission.
The entrance exams for the subjects of Spanish, Mathematics, and History will be held on May 6, 9, and 13 for the first session, and on May 23, 25, and 27 for a special session for those who cannot attend the first.
Although passing these tests guarantees a place in the university system, not all candidates will be able to access the course they wish to study.
The MES itself acknowledges that the assignments take into account "the demands of the country," which is why students often have to settle for a field of study different from their preference and, once enrolled, attempt a change, if the system allows it.
Only those who have achieved outstanding results in provincial, national, Olympic, and international competitions will be able to directly enter certain degree programs without having to undergo traditional exams.
Fraga Cedré stated that the admission system aims to respect both the rights of students and national priorities, a formula that has been criticized for years in practice for conditioning the vocational dreams of many young people to administrative or strategic criteria defined by the State.
Among the admission options, the university college remains available, a model that has been in place in the country for over 10 years.
This pathway allows pre-university students to complete their final year at universities such as the University of Havana, with an early vocational focus and intensive academic support.
"With passing, everyone already has a guaranteed position," insisted Fraga Cedré. However, that statement, while technically true, does not mean that the position corresponds to the degree each student wishes to pursue, which has been a constant source of frustration in the Cuban admission model.
Recently, the Cuban regime announced that pre-university students who wish to study Medical Sciences will not even need to take entrance exams, further relaxing the requirements for access to higher education.
A post from the University of Medical Sciences of Holguín indicated that by simply having completed the tenth grade with an average of 90, and having achieved the same score in the first semester of the eleventh grade, students will be able to take the last year of high school at the University of Medical Sciences and gain direct entry to the program.
According to that entity of the regime, the proposal is "in line with decisions made by the Ministry of Public Health to create university colleges in the Medical Sciences Universities".
In this way, students will be exempt from taking the entrance exams for higher education: the degree will be awarded directly.
However, during the recent annual review of the Ministry of Education (MINED) held in Havana, Miguel Díaz-Canel resorted to empty rhetoric that was disconnected from the national reality.
In his address, broadcasted by the National Television News, the leader proposed as the focus of his efforts towards teachers to provide greater “spiritual, emotional, and material support”, in a statement that borders on the surreal in light of the alarming deterioration of the Cuban educational system.
Frequently Asked Questions about the University System and Educational Policies in Cuba
How many university spots will Cuba offer for the 2025-2026 academic year?
For the 2025-2026 academic year, Cuba will offer over 100,000 university places distributed across 113 degree programs and 65 short-cycle training programs. However, students will not always be able to access the degree they desire due to the priorities set by the government.
What criteria are used to assign university majors in Cuba?
Career assignments in Cuba take into account "the country's demands." This means that students often have to settle for a field different from their preference and then attempt to change it if the system allows. Only those with outstanding results in contests and Olympiads can directly enter certain fields of study.
How was access to the Medical Sciences program in Cuba made more flexible?
Pre-university students who wish to study Medical Sciences in Cuba will not be required to take entrance exams. By finishing the tenth grade with an average of 90 and maintaining that score in the first semester of eleventh grade, they will be able to enroll directly in the program after completing their final year at the University of Medical Sciences.
What role does the university college play in the Cuban education system?
The university college allows pre-university students to take their final year at Cuban universities, such as the one in Havana, with an early vocational focus and intensive academic support. This modality has been in place in Cuba for over 10 years.
What is the Cuban regime's stance on political education in universities?
The Cuban regime prioritizes political-ideological training in universities. It focuses on instilling values and principles aligned with the Revolution, reinforcing ideological control in a context where social media and access to independent information challenge the official narrative.
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