Structure of the education system

The Spanish education system comprises early childhood education, primary education, compulsory secondary education (ESO), upper secondary education (Bachillerato), vocational education and training (VET), language instruction, arts education, sports education, adult education, and university education.

Basic education includes primary education, ESO, and basic vocational education and training cycles.

Secondary education encompasses ESO and post-compulsory secondary education (upper secondary education, intermediate VET, professional arts education, and intermediate sports education).

Higher education comprises university education, higher artistic education, advanced VET, and advanced professional education in visual arts and design, and sports. Language, arts, and sports education are considered specialised education. Organic Law 2/2006 on Education (LOE), as amended by Organic Law 3/2020 (LOMLOE), regulates the structure of the system.

Non-university general education

Early childhood education is non-compulsory and organised in two cycles: ages 0-2 and ages 3-5, the latter being free of charge. Primary education and compulsory secondary education (ESO) comprise ten years of free and compulsory schooling. Primary education consists of six years, from ages 6 to 12, and includes a diagnostic assessment in the fourth year. ESO is completed between the ages of 12 and 16 and leads to the award of an official certificate.

Basic vocational education and training (FP Básica) is aimed at students aged 15 to 17 who have completed the third year of ESO (or exceptionally the second year) and have a recommendation from the teaching staff; it allows students to obtain the Basic Technician qualification and the ESO Graduate certificate.

Upper secondary education (Bachillerato) lasts two academic years and is usually completed between the ages of 16 and 18, providing access to higher education.

Vocational education and training includes intermediate-level and advanced-level cycles. To access intermediate-level VET, students must hold an ESO certificate, have completed a specific access course, passed an entrance examination, or hold a Basic Technician qualification; candidates accessing via a course or examination must be at least 17 years old. Successful students are awarded a Technician qualification, which also provides access to upper secondary education (Bachillerato). 

Access to advanced-level VET requires a Bachillerato qualification, the BUP (Unified and Multipurpose Baccalaureate, now repealed), a Technician qualification, a specific access course, an entrance examination, or a Higher Technician qualification or a university degree; candidates accessing via course or examination must be at least 19 years old. The Higher Technician qualification gives access to university studies. Students who do not complete their studies receive an academic certificate with partial accreditation effects.

Dual vocational education and training is available at basic, intermediate and advanced VET levels, combining training in educational institutions and companies. Organic Law 3/2022 extended dual VET to all students from the 2024–2025 academic year.

University education

Access to university for students holding a Bachillerato qualification requires passing a standardised university entrance examination administered at national level. In line with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), university education is structured into three cycles:

• Bachelor's Degree: 240 ECTS credits, with some programmes comprising 300 or 360 credits, normally organised as 60 credits per academic year;
• Master's Degree: 60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits.
• Doctoral studies: a maximum of three years full-time, with possible extensions, or five years part-time, renewable.

Bachelor's and Master's degrees are accompanied by the European Diploma Supplement.

Specialised Education Programmes

These include artistic, sports, and language programmes:

• artistic education comprises elementary and professional programmes in music and dance, intermediate and advanced programmes in visual arts and design, and higher studies in various artistic disciplines;
  • sports programmes are organised into intermediate and advanced levels;
  • Language education offers basic, intermediate, and advanced levels (A1-C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ​​CEFR). Students can enrol at age 16, or at age 14 if they are studying a language other than the one studied in compulsory secondary education (ESO).

Rights and duties in Compulsory Education

Article 27 of the Constitution recognises the right to education, and Article 4.1 of the Organic Law on Education (LOE) establishes the compulsory and free nature of basic education. Students have rights such as receiving a comprehensive education, educational guidance, and protection from violence, as well as participating in school life. Their responsibilities include studying, attending classes on time, respecting rules, teachers, and classmates, and taking care of the facilities.

Families have the right to a quality education, to choose a school, to receive information about their children's progress, and to participate in the school's operation. Their responsibilities include ensuring attendance at compulsory education, supporting the educational process, respecting rules, and collaborating with teachers. Rights and responsibilities are developed within each educational authority, in accordance with the autonomy of schools and their coexistence plans.

Educational Centres

There are public, private, and Publicly-funded private schools. Depending on the level of education they offer, they can be: preschools (ages 0-6 or 0-3), primary schools, CEIPs (3-16 years), secondary schools, Vocational Education and Training institutes, integrated Vocational Education and Training centres, special education centres, adult education centres and classrooms, and rural grouped schools. VET is also offered in nationally recognised centres. Universities can be public or private and are organised into schools, faculties, departments, research institutes, doctoral schools, and other centres. Special education programmes have specific centres depending on the type of program.

Homeschooling

Compulsory homeschooling is not permitted. It is only authorised in exceptional cases for health reasons, through home or hospital-based instruction. Hospital classrooms ensure the continuity of education for hospitalised students and require coordination between teachers at the hospital, the student's home school, and the healthcare team. Home-based programmes serve students who must remain at home due to medical advice and are organised by each educational authority, using tenured teachers or non-profit organisations.