The national government as well as the local governments of Spain fund the Spanish education system in Spain. Primary and secondary schools are compulsory and free for all students aged six to 16. Students will receive a graduation certificate after completing secondary education and will be able to pursue higher education if they so desire.
The decentralization of Spain’s education system is one of its most notable characteristics. This implies that the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and the authorities of each autonomous region, respectively their Departments for Education, share educational responsibilities in Spain’s educational system.
Both public and charter schools teach students in Spanish, and the co-official languages in regions that have them, such as Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia and the Valencian Community. Schools often offer additional language courses for children who need help with the language, especially in towns with a large international population.. Extra language courses are generally provided by schools for children who require assistance with the language, especially in locations with a large international population.
Universities in Spain provide Spanish-taught degree programs, but there are also possibilities for overseas students who want to take lectures in English. Bilingual courses, which employ both Spanish and English, are also available.
In Spain, day care is entirely voluntary. There are both public and private day care centers. The cost of public day care centers depends on the income of the parents. Children up to three years of age can be enrolled in day care centers.
Levels in Spain’s education system
Education from preschool through high school is completely free of charge. Pre-school education is compulsory for children from the age of six. At this stage children learn to read, write and learn the alphabet, as well as physical and brain skills. This stage is less about academics and more about teaching children practical skills.
Secondary education is the third and last level of the Spanish educational system, and it is also required. Students between the ages of 12 and 16 are enrolled in secondary school. State schools, private schools, and state-funded private institutions make up Spain’s secondary education system. Secondary school, unlike basic education, comprises just two cycles, each lasting two years, ranging from 12 to 14 and 14 to 16 years old. In Spain, compulsory secondary school finishes at the age of 16.
Students in secondary school study the same topics as in primary school, but at a more advanced level. Language, literature, mathematics, history, biology, and geography will almost certainly still be required of pupils. Students can also select from a variety of extra disciplines, including music, foreign languages, science, and the arts. Students who do not earn satisfactory scores at the conclusion of the year, much like in elementary school, will be required to repeat the year.
Higher studies
In Spain, students have the option of continuing their education beyond high school. After completing compulsory secondary school, students in Spain have the option of pursuing 2-year studies for the Bachillerato credential, which qualifies them for university study, or vocational training, which qualifies them for the skilled labor market.
In Spain, upper secondary education covers the following subjects:
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Bachillerato
To achieve the Bachillerato credential (Spanish Baccalaureate), 16-year-olds in Spain who have completed secondary education must complete a two-year course of study and pass a test at the end. This credential will allow students to enroll in university and continue on to higher levels of study. Following the Bachillerato, pupils have the option of pursuing vocational training or taking the “Selectividad” examinations for university entrance.
Bachillerato is structured in such a way that students can obtain specialized instruction in a variety of fields, including science, humanities, and social sciences, as well as the arts. There are three sets of topics offered over the course of two years: core subjects, particular subjects, and subjects structured by the Autonomous Communities.
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Vocational
In Spain, vocational training (Ciclos Formativos) permits students to gain instruction in a variety of practical skills over the course of four years. Students can choose between two options: Grado Medio, which gives fundamental instruction and lasts two years, or Grado Superior, which lasts an additional two years. The latter may only begin when a student is 18 years old, which means that even pupils who have completed Bachillerato may be able to enroll in it if they choose to pursue vocational education.
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Universities
In Spain, there are 76 universities, 45 of which are supported by the government. In order to attend university in Spain, students must have completed their Bachillerato and passed the ‘Selectividad’ university entrance tests.
Spain’s higher education system is very appealing to international students as well as Spanish students. There are roughly 194,743 international students enrolled in Spanish institutions, out of which 56,892 are international students on mobility programs, out of a total of 1.6 million students in higher education.
Advantages of the Spanish educational system
Spain’s educational system offers a number of advantages, including effectively preparing students for the labor market and delivering high-quality education and internationally recognized certifications.
Since the material is decided by the central government, all schools, nurseries, and high schools in Spain are obligated by law to teach the same topic. As a result, there will be no difference in terms of the information to be obtained.
The methods utilized to teach such subjects, on the other hand, might differ significantly, and this becomes the deciding factor in whether you select one choice over the other.
Furthermore, all schools in the nation (at all educational levels) work hard from an early age to be as inclusive as possible and embrace diversity, so foreign students normally have little trouble blending with their peers.
If you need advice on the educational system in Spain and require assistance in enrolling your children in a Spanish school, do not hesitate to contact Orience. The Asset Management & Concierge Services department will be happy to assist you.