Each year about 10,000 youths signed up to enter as regular students, of whom around half were admitted and given scholarships for courses of study such as electronics, aeronautics, management, marine engineering ("mecánico naval"), radio operation, meteorology, and oceanography. The students lived in the complex from Monday through Friday, taking 8 to 10 hours of classes per day. The degrees could be completed in up to three years of studies, with the students receiving the degree of "técnico" ("technician"), with the option of continuing either as naval servicemen, professional army or air force NCOs or working elsewhere either in the public or private sector.