Life Planning Information Website - Education Bureau

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The 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 in state schools, caters to students who are between 4 and 6 years of age. There are also chartered (subsidized by the government) and private schools. Tuition fees in the latter may vary from 300 to 2,000 Euros per month.

Primary Education

It is organised in grades that students take between the ages of 6 and 12. Students begin the 1st 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 areas that might be established, which are taught by school teachers with the relevant specialisation or qualifications.

Primary education is free of charge in state schools, but there are also chartered (subsidized by the government) and private schools. Tuition fees in the latter may vary from 300 to 2,000 Euros per month.

Secondary and Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education

Education in Spain is compulsory up to the age of 16. Students have several options:

Compulsory Secondary Education (E.S.O.) - It lasts 4 school years for students aged 12 to 16.
Basic Vocational Training: Students who do not want to complete their E.S.O. studies or who find it hard to finish the four years of this program may opt for a 2-year cycle when they are 15.

Once students have completed their Compulsory Secondary Education (E.S.O.) or their Basic Vocational Training they have two different streams:

Bachillerato (post-compulsory secondary education) - It lasts 2 school years for students aged 17 to 18. Students who choose this option are normally geared toward university.
Intermediate Vocational Training (post-compulsory secondary education). 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 also 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 in Bachelor Degrees (4-year long or 240 ECT credits), Master’s Degrees and PhD programmes.

There are 93 universities in Spain, 50 public universities and 43 private universities, offering more than 800 degrees. Many Master’s 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 49 European countries.

Advanced Vocational Training - It comprises a series of programmes related to many professional fields. They equal to a level 5 of the European Qualification Framework. 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 studies:
http://www.sepie.es/aplicaciones-web/i18n/html/tablagrados.html
http://siiu.universidades.gob.es/QEDU
Master’s Degrees:
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	It is free of charge in state schools. There are also chartered (subsidized by the state) and private schools. Tuition fees in the latter may vary from 300 to 2,000 Euros per month.
Secondary Education	Free of charge in state schools There are also chartered (subsidized by the state) and private schools. Tuition fees in the latter may vary from 300 to 2,000 Euros per month.
Degree (1)	750 to 12,000 Euros 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 to 15,000 Euros 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 to the university.

Life Planning Information Website - Education Bureau

Spain