Education in Spain is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 16. The Spanish education system consists of three levels: primary education, secondary education and higher education.
Primary education lasts four years and ends with an external exam that must be passed to obtain a school-leaving certificate.
After completing primary education, students can continue their studies in secondary education or immediately opt for higher education.
Higher education in Spain is available at public universities, private universities and state universities. Most courses have three degrees: bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. Students must pass an entrance exam to enter a public university or state university.
Education in Spain
Primary school (Educación Primaria)
Primary education in Spain lasts nine years, from the age of 6 to 16. The curriculum is set by the Ministry of Education and includes all important subjects such as Spanish, mathematics, history, geography, biology, physics, English and religion. Pupils also have the opportunity to study other languages such as French and German, as well as elective lessons such as technology, art or music.
Pupils are assessed in regular tests and exams, which are compulsory for all pupils. Those who pass the examinations receive a certificate of completion of primary education.
Secondary school (Educación Secundaria/Bachillerato)
Secondary education in Spain consists of two stages: secondary school and middle school.
Students between the ages of 12 and 16 study in secondary school, which lasts four years. At this stage, students must choose one of two courses: general or professional. Completion of secondary school means gaining an educational certificate, which allows for further education.
The final stage of secondary education in Spain is middle school, which lasts two years. After completing grammar school, students receive an educational maturity certificate that allows them to pursue higher education.
Higher education
Higher education in Spain is offered by state and private universities and colleges. State universities are funded by the government and offer free studies to students from the state. Private universities are non-state schools but also offer a high level of education. The programmes usually follow the European system of higher education, which includes a three-stage cycle of study: bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate. Most universities now offer programmes in English, particularly in small towns that want to attract international students.
Education in Spain for foreigners
Education in Spain for foreigners includes a range of options, depending on how long the foreigner wants to stay in Spain. Language courses are the most common form of education in Spain for foreigners, as they allow the foreigner to learn Spanish quickly. After completing a language course, foreigners can apply for courses at Spanish colleges and universities.
Studying in Spain for foreigners includes a wide range of courses, from bachelor’s and engineering courses to master’s and doctoral degrees.
Those staying in Spain for less than a year can choose courses to prepare for language examinations. The most popular of these are the DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) language certificates.
In addition to language courses, foreigners staying in Spain can also take conversation courses, exam preparation courses, cultural courses or specialised courses.
In Spain, there are also study programmes available for teenagers who want to learn about the Spanish language and Spanish culture. These programmes usually include language classes, cultural activities, excursions and trips.
