Degrees and diplomas

Students have various options: autonomous public universities, state public universities, technical institutes, free private institutions, private universities recognized by the state, teachers' colleges, and distance learning schools.
Before university, students attend a high school and obtain one of two types of diplomas: either a diploma permitting them to continue in higher education, or a diploma that leads directly to an active working life.
Students wishing to continue in higher education must also pass an entrance exam, which is usually a multiple-choice type aptitude test. Admission is based on test results and the number of available places.
The length of degree programs varies from school to school, but is generally four or five years.