Education in Spain

Overview of Education System

The Spanish education system is overseen by the state, but the individual autonomous regions have a degree of flexibility in their curriculums
Education in Spain is compulsory from the ages of 6 to 16, with the option to continue to higher education
The system includes primary education (Educación Primaria), compulsory secondary education (Eduación Secundaria Obligatoria, or ESO) and post-compulsory education (Bachillerato)

Schools

There are public schools (colegios públicos), which are state-funded, and private schools (colegios privados), some of which are funded via a voucher system
Independent international schools are also available, offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme
Religion, especially Christianity, is usually taught in schools, even in public schools.

School Life

A typical school day runs from around 9am to 5pm, with a lunch break and shorter breaks throughout the day
Schools in Spain typically have a uniform policy, particularly in private schools
The school year in Spain begins in mid-September and ends in late June

Curriculum and Assessment

The education system in Spain puts a large emphasis on written exams
Students are evaluated at the end of each academic year, and the results determine their ability to progress to the next stage of education
The main academic subjects taught in schools include Spanish language and literature, maths, biology, physics/chemistry, history, English and physical education

Higher Education

Spain has a well-established network of universities and technical colleges
Many Spanish universities are renowned globally for their quality and are particularly noted for programmes in business and humanities
Tuition fees for Spanish higher education institutions vary considerably, depending on the degree programme and the student’s personal circumstances

The education system in Spain is comprehensive and does a good job of accommodating the varied needs of its students. It prioritises a high degree of literacy, numeracy, and expressive ability in its students. The rich history and distinct cultural practices in Spain make its education system particularly unique.