If You Fail a Course: A Guide to the University's Special Make-up Exam Period

The make-up exam period is the second chance you have during the same academic year to pass a course that you failed (or did not take) during the regular exam period. At most Spanish universities, you have two exam periods per course per academic year: the regular exam period, right after classes end, and the make-up exam period, a few months later. Depending on your university, the make-up exam period for first-semester courses takes place in February or in June–July.

When you register for a course, that registration entitles you to two exam sessions during the academic year:

• Regular Exam Schedule: Exams at the end of the semester. January for first-semester courses, May–June for second-semester courses.
• Special Application Period: a second chance, usually in June or July. Some universities move it up to February for the first semester.

Be careful with the terms, because they vary from one university to another. In Seville, they refer to the first, second, and third rounds; in Málaga, to the first and second regular rounds. If you hear “second round” at your university, it’s essentially the same thing: your second chance this academic year.

If you pass the regular exam, there's nothing else you need to do. If you fail, you'll be eligible to take the make-up exam. You don't have to pay or re-enroll to take it: it's part of the same course.

If you fail the make-up exam as well, you'll have to re-enroll in the course the following academic year. And that's when it starts to cost money (we'll look at that below).

These are the dates published in this academic year's academic calendars:

Faculty Calendar. Dates may vary among campuses within the same university

Important: Don't assume that the make-up exam is in the summer. If you're studying in Granada or Málaga, you'll have a second chance to take the first-semester exam two weeks after the first one ends. Check your school's calendar before making plans.

It is not unlimited. The enrollment policies of almost all public universities set a maximum of six attempts per course over the course of the degree program. Here are three examples:

• Complutense University of Madrid: six exam sessions. The fifth and sixth sessions are graded by a panel of three professors.
• University of Seville: six application rounds. If you have three or fewer courses remaining (or 30 credits or fewer), there is no limit.
• University of Granada: six admission rounds.

And here's some good news for those who are unsure whether to show up: a “no-show” does not count against your attempt limit at Complutense or in Seville. In Seville, for example, failing to complete activities that account for more than 50% of the grade counts as a “no-show.” At other universities, the rules may differ, so check your university’s regulations.

The first year is also important. At Complutense University, students who fail any core or required course during their first year cannot continue in that program. Other universities have similar rules for the first year: check the academic standing regulations.

When you've used up all six attempts, some universities give you one more: the grace period. It goes by different names depending on where you study (“seventh grace exam” at Complutense, “grace exam” in Seville, “exceptional grace exam” in Granada), and you almost always have to request it, justify your need for it, and meet certain conditions, such as having few remaining credits. It’s a last resort for specific cases, not a plan.

There's another one you should know about if you're finishing your degree: the end-of-studies application period. Granada has a special application period from November 3 to 18, 2026; Málaga has a graduation application period in late November for students who have 18 credits or fewer remaining (including the final project). If you’re missing one or two courses to finish, check with your academic office.

The special enrollment period is included. What gets expensive is withdrawing from the program and re-enrolling, because at public universities, the cost per credit increases with each enrollment. These are the Complutense’s undergraduate tuition rates for 2026–27:

By the numbers: A 6-credit law course costs €101.52 the first time and €240.12 the second time—more than double. If you fail it again, the third time it costs €493.80. Each autonomous community sets its own prices, but the logic is the same across the board.

Practical lesson: An extraordinary opportunity deserves to be prepared for as if it were your last, because the next one will cost twice as much.

If your special day is in February:

1. When you leave the exam you failed, note what went wrong: theory, problems, or time.
2. Ask for a review. Seeing your corrected exam is the best study guide you'll ever have.
3. You have about two weeks: focus on the course you failed, but be sure to attend the first classes of the second semester.

If your special event is in June or July:

1. Don't put it off until May. Review it for one hour a week during the second semester.
2. Ask the professor if they keep notes from lab sessions or assignments for the make-up exam. They often do.
3. Plan your June schedule: you'll have to coordinate it with your regular second-semester schedule.

If your make-up exam is for the first semester, here's how to preparing for the January exams if you live in a dorm works almost exactly the same way: just change the dates and move the schedule up.

If your final exams are in late June or July and your residence contract ends before then, check the dates as soon as possible. StepHouse offers summer stays, so you can extend your stay by a few weeks and continue studying in the same place, with study rooms and coworking spaces (private rooms can be reserved at the front desk). Check availability well in advance at the StepHouse residences: groups and summer programs also stay there during the summer.

This is your second chance during the same academic year to pass a course that you failed or did not take during the regular exam period. It is included in your tuition.

It depends on the university. In Granada and Málaga, the first semester exam is in February. At Complutense, Carlos III, or Seville, it is in June or July.

No. Both sessions of the course are included in the tuition. You'll pay more if you fail both and have to re-enroll the following year.

Not at the Complutense University or the University of Seville. It may be different at other universities: check your university's retention policies.

Usually six over the course of the degree program. Once you've used them all up, some universities allow you to request an additional attempt.

An additional attempt that is granted, under certain conditions, to students who have used up their six attempts. You must apply for it, and it usually requires that you have few remaining credits.

Are you staying to study over the summer, or are you looking for a spot for the upcoming school year? Check out the StepHouse residence halls.