Life Planning Information Website - Education Bureau

Back

EDUCATION SYSTEM

Early Childhood Education and Care

Pre-primary education is the first stage of the Spanish education system, catering for children from birth to age 6. It is non-compulsory and organized into 2 cycles of 3 years each:

the first one, up to 3 years of age.
the second one, which is free of charge, from 3 to 6 years of age.

Primary Education

It is organised into 6 grades that students take between the ages of 6 and 12. Students begin the 1^st year of the stage in the calendar year in which they reach the age of 6. It is taught by school teachers who are responsible for all the areas of this educational stage, except for Artistic Education, Physical Education and Foreign Languages, or any other area that might be established, which are taught by school teachers with the relevant specialisation or qualification.

Secondary and Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education

The educational provision of secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education comprises the following types of provision:

Compulsory secondary education: along with primary education, it constitutes the basic, compulsory and cost-free education period of the education system. It lasts for 4 school years for students aged 12 to 16.
Basic vocational training
Bachillerato (post-compulsory secondary education). It lasts for 2 school years for students aged 17 to 18.
Intermediate vocational training. Post compulsory. Training cycles vary in length and include theoretical and practical contents corresponding to the different professional fields.

Language, Artistic and Sports Education are considered as specialised studies.

Students who complete compulsory education may have access to intermediate vocational training, intermediate Plastic Arts and Design professional studies and intermediate Sports Education.

Higher Education

Higher education is integrated by:

University education which is organised into Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes.
There are 91 universities in Spain, 50 public universities and 41 private universities, offering more than 800 degrees. Many Master degrees, particularly in the area of economy and business administration, are totally or partially taught in English.
As Spain belongs to the European Higher Education Area, degrees obtained in Spanish universities are recognised in 48 European countries.
Advanced vocational training that comprises a series of programmes related to any of the 26 professionals, which provide qualifications for a number of professional fields. Dual vocational programmes are available in many fields.
Specialised education which includes advanced Artistic Education, professional Plastic Arts and Design studies, and advanced Sports Education.

Additional information on Higher Education - where and what to study - (English or partially in English):
Undergraduate:
http://www.sepie.es/aplicaciones-web/i18n/html/tablagrados.html
http://siiu.universidades.gob.es/QEDU
Master:
http://www.sepie.es/aplicaciones-web/i18n/html/tablamasters.html
https://www.educacion.gob.es/ruct/home

Study Cost

Course	Tuition Fees (in€)
Primary Education	Free of charge
Secondary Education	Free of charge
Degree (1)	750-12,000 € per academic year (60 ECTS credits) depending on the region where the university is located, and if the University is public or private.
Master (1)	1,600-15,000 € per academic year (60 ECTS credits) depending on the region where the university is located, and if the University is public or private.

(1) Fees are solely for reference. Please contact the Spanish institution of interest for more accurate information.

Application Procedures

See the information in the links below:
https://unedasiss.uned.es/home&idioma=en
http://sepie.es/internationalisation.html
In some cases, you can apply directly with the university.

Life Planning Information Website - Education Bureau

Spain