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Gain insights into the Mexico higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.
Most Tec de Monterrey (a private university) plans: 8 semesters. A semester is half a year.
First university degree.
Maestría (master's)
Second degree, after a licenciatura.
Doctorado (doctorate)
Research degree.
The main university degrees in Mexico.
Public universities and private universities with official recognition.
Such as UNAM and UAM.
•UNAM's bachelor's admission steps are free apart from the exam fee of MXN 490 (Mexican pesos) in 2026.
Such as Tec de Monterrey, ITAM (a private university in Mexico City) and Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO).
•Check RVOE for your course.
UNAM teaches in Spanish, though some schools offer subjects in English.
Grades are usually given out of 10. At UNAM (the National Autonomous University of Mexico, a public university), passing grades are 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and 6 is the minimum to pass.
| Letter Grade | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pass (UNAM) | 6 to 10 | Passing grades at UNAM. |
| Not passed (UNAM) | Below 6 | The subject is not passed. |
Check your own university's grading rules.
Most bachelor's students at UNAM start in August. The 2026 dates below have passed. Check the 2027 dates on UNAM's notice (convocatoria).
Tec de Monterrey bachelor's plans mostly have 8 semesters of 18 credits each.
Private universities need RVOE (Reconocimiento de Validez Oficial de Estudios, the official approval of a private programme) for each study plan.
The education ministry (Secretaría de Educación Pública, SEP) publishes the list.
Search private higher education institutions with RVOE.
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