Spain Guide: Education
Find information about universities, admission processes, tuition fees and how the education system works. You will also find information about other learning opportunities in further education.-
Introduction The spanish education system
Although Spain’s state schools aren’t among the best in Europe, the Spanish educational system has improved dramatically in the last few decades. Until the ’80s, there were insufficient places in state schools in many areas and parents who could afford it were forced to pay for private education. more » -
Pre-School education Kindergarten and nursery schools in Spain
Spain has a long tradition of state-funded pre-school (educación infantil), with over 90 per cent of children aged three to five attending for at least a year before starting compulsory schooling. more » -
State schools Grades, enrolment and school-hours in Spain
Although state-funded schools are termed public schools in Spain, the term ‘state’ has been used in preference to public in this book to prevent confusion with the term ‘public school’, which, in the UK, refers to a private, fee-paying school. The state school system in Spain differs considerably from the school systems in, for example, the UK and US, particularly regarding secondary education. more » -
School life in Spain Language, holidays and school hours
There are many considerations to take into account when choosing an appropriate school in Spain, not least the language of study. The only schools in Spain using English as the teaching language are foreign and international private schools. A number of multilingual international schools also teach pupils in the English and Spanish languages. more » -
Private schools in Spain School degrees, fees and other criteria
There’s a wide range of private schools in Spain, including parochial schools, bilingual schools, international schools and a variety of foreign schools. Around a third of children in Spain are educated at private school. Most private schools are co-educational, Catholic day schools, although a number of schools take weekly or term boarders. more » -
Making the right choice How to choose a private school
To help you choose an appropriate private school for your child(ren), you should ask the following questions: more » -
Higher Education Universities, qualifications and fees
Spain has 70 universities (universidades), 48 of them state-run and 22 run by private enterprises or by the Catholic church. There are a number of other higher education institutes specialising in physical education, tourism, dramatic arts, dance and music, as well as a number of highly rated business schools. more » -
Studying in Spain Applications and costs
Competition for places at Spanish universities is high, as there are generally too few places for all the students wishing to attend. Applicants must pass the Prueba General de Bachillerato (PGB) examination. more »