SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
The quality of education in Spain is largely comprehensive
and efficient and their medium of instruction is Spanish.
Schools in Spain are governed by the Ministry of
Education and Vocational Training
The main characteristics of the education in Spain is its
decentralization
It is supported by the national government and the
individual governments of each of the 17 autonomous
regions in Spain.
PRESCHOOL EDUCATION IN
SPAIN
It is completely optional.
It is split into two cycles: Nursery (primero ciclo) for
children up to the age of 3 and Preschool (Segundo
ciclo) for children aged 3 to 6.
Nursery school is not funded by the state.
Preschool is free of charge.
This stage teaches children numerous real-life skills.
PRIMARY EDUCATION IN SPAIN
It is compulsory and mandatory.
It begins at 6 years old and ends at 12 years old.
It is free and students learn general subjects like
Languages, Mathematics, Literature, Natural and Social
Sciences and Arts.
At least 50% of teaching time is dedicated to these core
subjects.
It allows students to develop subject-specific interests
while offering a wide range of subjects.
SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SPAIN
It is known as Educacion Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO).
It is compulsory and mandatory.
It includes students in the range between 12 and 16
years old.
Students get to learn the same subjects as in primary
education but on a more advanced level
After finishing obligatory secondary education (ESO),
students are awarded a Graduate of Secondary
Education Certificate.
After finishing ESO, students may proceed to upper
secondary education and choose either to take
Bachillerato or Vocational training
At the age of 16, after completing
the mandatory schooling, the student
receives a certificate as a secondary
education graduate which is
equivalent to a high school diploma.
At this point the student can choose:
1. To enter directly into the work
force or
2. Complete a two-year vocational
training or
3. Complete the Bachillerato
UPPER SECONDARY
EDUCATION
(Not Compulsory)
What is Bachillerato?
It is a two-year course which makes
students eligible for university education.
It is equivalent to 11th and 12th grades.
It allows students to receive specialize
training in numerous branches like
Sciences, Humanities and Social
Sciences as well as Arts.
What is Vocational Training?
It is known as Ciclos Formativos which
allows students to obtain training in
numerous working skills.
Two-year course for basic vocational
training known as Grado Medio
Students who have completed their basic
vocational training can go on higher
vocational training (Grado Superior) and
after will receive a technician certificate
How to enter universities in Spain?
Higher education in Spain
comprises 76 universities, 45 are
funded by state. To enter university
students must have:
Bachillerato certificate
Passed the university exams
known as “Selectividad”
UNIVERSITIES
SPAIN’S MINISTRY OF
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Financial aid and scholarship
Educational support for expats
Support for children with special
educational needs (SEN)
Parental involvement in schooling
HIGHER EDUCATION
The higher education system in Spain
follows the Bologna system, meaning
official degrees follow the three-cycle
format and are recognized around Europe.
University degree programs are aligned
with the European Credit Transfer System
(ECTS), and you will be able to obtain
bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees
in a variety of fields.
Spain Education During Covid-19
(2020-2021)
Schools replace this time in class with online
learning and home schooling, in most cases
facilitated by teachers and parents.
In order to be effective, there was a pre-service
training in ICT for teachers and students.
They have virtual classes while attending
school in person on alternate days.