The Spanish school system is governed by national laws, the latest being the LOMLOE of 2020, but it is run by the autonomous communities, which set part of the curriculum and, in bilingual regions, the use of co-official languages. Education is compulsory and free from 6 to 16. Alongside state schools there are many concertadas, private schools funded by the state, often religious, and private schools.
Stages
| Stage | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Educación Infantil | 0-6 | Two cycles, 0-3 and 3-6; the second is free and attended by almost all children |
| Educación Primaria | 6-12 | Six compulsory years |
| ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) | 12-16 | Four compulsory years, ending with the Graduado en ESO |
| Bachillerato | 16-18 | Two optional years, with science, humanities and social science, arts and general tracks |
| Formación Profesional (FP) | from 15-16 | Basic, intermediate and higher vocational cycles |
| University | from 18 | Grado (4 years), Máster, Doctorado |
Secondary and bachillerato
ESO lasts four years and includes core subjects such as Castilian language and literature, maths, foreign languages, geography and history, science and PE, and in bilingual communities the community's language and literature; in the final years students choose options according to their path. Afterwards they can go on to bachillerato, vocational training or work.
Bachillerato lasts two years and both broadens education and prepares for further study. To enter university students take the PAU (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad, called EBAU or EvAU for some years), a regional exam whose mark, together with the bachillerato average, determines the nota de corte needed for courses with limited places.
Vocational training
FP has been strongly revived in recent years and is increasingly valued by employers. It includes intermediate cycles after ESO, leading to the title of Técnico, and higher cycles after bachillerato or an intermediate cycle, leading to Técnico Superior and giving access to university. There are also special-regime programmes in art and design, music, dance, drama and languages, taught at the escuelas oficiales de idiomas.
University
Spain has about eighty public and private universities, including some of the oldest in Europe, such as Salamanca, founded in 1218 (see Salamanca), and Santiago de Compostela. The system follows the Bologna model: four-year grado, one- or two-year máster and doctorate. Fees at public universities are set by the autonomous communities and are generally moderate. Spain is the top European destination for Erasmus students.
For families moving to Spain
Families moving to Spain can enrol their children at the local state school through the town hall or the community's education office; in bilingual communities such as Catalonia, many lessons are taught in the regional language. Madrid and Barcelona also have international and foreign state schools, including Italian, French, German and British schools (see moving to Spain).