Study in Spain. 199 best institutions in Spain

Study in Spain: An Overview No matter what is the goal of a student, he can obtain pre-school, primary, secondary, or higher education in Spain. Spain's educational institutions, governed by the Ministry and other regulatory bodies, ensure a high academic standard for all.

Pre-School Education in Spain (Preescolar) Children up to 6 years old receive pre-school education known as 'Preescolar'. This initial phase emphasizes intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. Study in Spain for preschoolers means diving into the language, foundational reading and writing, basic math, and even subjects like music and IT in certain private institutions.

Primary Schooling Accepting children aged 6-12, primary schooling spans 6 academic courses. It's the mandatory first stage of academic education. The curriculum in Spain has a block structure to ensure optimal learning. A unique aspect of primary education here is the continuous assessment, ensuring that students receive feedback on their goals, accomplishments, and skill acquisition.

Secondary Education (ESO) ESO, the next educational level, spans 4 academic courses. The aim of ESO is skill acquisition and preparation for further academic pursuits.  In their final year, students opt for subjects aligned with their future goals and interests. To successfully complete ESO, students must pass exams; failing 3 subjects can hamper further admissions, although students can retake the ESO courses.

In addition to the standard middle school curriculum, schools in Spain offer preparatory language courses. There are also special programs to enhance language proficiency.

Language Study in Spain Language education is pivotal in Spain. In the case of studying or working in Spain, an applicant is required to pass the DELE exam, which certifies Spanish proficiency. Numerous preparation methods for DELE exist, including language vacations in private schools, children's summer camps, and adult tour trips.

• Cost-Effective: Education in Spain is not expensive, especially compared to the UK and the US.

• Rich Academic Traditions: Spain combines ancient academic traditions with modern teaching methodologies.

• Prestige: Studying abroad in Spain is seen as prestigious; European education paves the way for a successful global career.

• High Standards: Spain's educational institutions adhere to top international standards.

• Language Mastery: Their language courses help improve command over foreign languages.

Types of Schools in Spain

• Public Schools

• Parastatal Schools: Also known as dual-funding schools.

• Private Colleges

In line with Spanish laws, studying at primary and secondary schools is compulsory for  pupils aged 6 to 16 years old. Enrollment in Spanish schools gives foreign students a chance at bilingual education. Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to join the best universities in the UK or France. 

Spanish-English private colleges, like Caxton College International Europa in Valencia and King’s College, are popular choices among foreign students. For instance, certificates from Chester College International School in Santiago de Compostela are highly regarded by top US universities.

On average, the tuition fee in Spain varies between 500 to 700 euros monthly, excluding extras like excursions and meals. If students opt for residence in private college campuses, the tuition fees might double.

The age of 10 and 12 years old is optimal for pursuing education in Spain.

Cost of Study in Spain In terms of affordability, higher education in Spain costs less in comparison with other European nations. It aso concerns living costs. For instance, a Master's program typically costs between 2500-3000 euros.

University Choices Spain boasts 50 state universities and 10 private ones.

Popular Subjects Among Students In today's competitive global landscape, students focus on aligning their interests with university programs. It's advisable to liaise with school administrators and tutors to select relevant subjects aiding future careers. Current popular electives include computer science and multimedia design. Core subjects that remain in demand are English, foreign languages, math, science, and social studies.

Spain is considered as an ideal destination for improving language skills. Foreign students are offered a myriad of opportunities:

• Accredited Language Boarding Schools: These top-tier schools are recognized by the Cervantes Institute. Upon graduation, students can take the international DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) exam, a testament to their Spanish proficiency. This course is designed for students, who are interested in studying or working in Spain or Latin American countries.

• Spanish Summer Camps: These camps seamlessly blend language learning with sports activities like football, tennis, and basketball.

• Elite Private Boarding Schools: Ideal for tourists, these institutions allow students to enjoy Spain’s pristine beaches while elevating their Spanish to a native speaker's level.

Study in Spain Fees: The tuition for these premier language courses starts at a minimum of 200 euros per week. Opting for long-term programs can decrease the weekly fee. Foreign students are usually accommodated in school residences.  It's important to note that the DELE exam fee is separate and exams are typically held in May, August, or November.

Spain also offers specialized sports schools such as:

• FCB Escola, based on FC Barcelona

• La Escuela de Fútbol 7, affiliated with FC Valencia

• Real Madrid's football club school

Additionally, the Academia Sanchez-Casal in Barcelona offers both tennis training and academic programs for international students.

Popular Subjects for International Students

In today's fiercely competitive world, students are encouraged to align their academic choices with their career interests. Regular interactions with school administrations and tutors can aid in choosing subjects that would be advantageous in the long run.

Recent trends show a surge in popularity for electives like computer science and multimedia design. However, foundational subjects such as English, other foreign languages, mathematics, science, and social studies remain pivotal. Students are always encouraged to prioritize these areas.

Educacion Secundaria Obligatoria (Compulsory Secondary Education): This foundational stage is mandatory for every student. After its completion, students can:

• Enroll in professional schools

• Start working

• Begin pre-university preparations

The Bachillerato Program: Under the program, studying lasts for two years, and resembles the British A-level system. Here, foreign students are provided with a wide choice of specialized subjects, allowing them to study only those disciplines, which comply with their intended university majors in Spain. The best programs to study in Spain categorize specializations into natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, arts, and technology. After completing their high school, students undertake a critical university entrance examination.

Selectividad Certificate: This certificate, which is essential for pre-university preparations, comprises three obligatory written exams in Spanish, Spain's history or philosophy, and a foreign language.  Students are provided with the opportunity to select an additional subject of their choice. Languages offered include German, Italian, French, and Portuguese.

British and American international boarding schools affiliated with NABSS offer the chance to obtain the Selectividad certificate. After completion, students receive a Spanish or English secondary education certificate. The instruction medium is English. Notably, the top schools in Spain are accredited by both the British Council and Spain's Ministry of Education.

The Spanish educational system consists of several stages: primary (Infantil), secondary (Secundaria), higher education (Superior) and postgraduate education (Postgrado). Primary education includes three levels: kindergarten (Infantil), which is divided into two cycles, and primary school (Primaria), lasting 6 years.

Studying at secondary school stipulates two main levels: General Education (ESO), with a duration of 4 years, and Bachillerato, lasting 2 years. Upon completion of ESO, students receive the degree "Diploma de Educación Secundaria".

The duration of higher education depends on the level and chosen specialty. Bachelor's programs usually take 3-4 years, and master's programs another 1-2 years. A doctorate may require several more years.

Most local universities conduct studying in Spanish. In addition, foreign students can take courses in English and other languages.

Foreign students can benefit from information resources, advice and support which are offered by universities and local organizations to successfully study and adapt to Spain. Many universities also provide language training programs.

Upon graduation, foreign students are allowed to apply for Spanish citizenship, but this is a process that requires certain conditions to be met. One of the key factors is legal and continuous residence in Spain for a certain period of time, usually 10 years. However, there are exceptions, such as for citizens of Latin American countries, which can simplify the process.

Spanish universities are active members of the Erasmus exchange program. So, students are provided with the opportunity to obtain education in other European countries, also attracting students from other countries to Spain. In addition, many universities have developed their own exchange programs and agreements with educational institutions, located in various countries.

In Spain, the Ministry of Education is responsible for the quality of education. Academic performance is assessed based on exams, coursework and projects. The assessment system stipulates a scale from 0 to 10 points.

Upon graduation, foreign students are allowed to work in Spain. Special visas and programs can also make it easier to start a career.

In most cases, to enter a Spanish university, it is necessary to provide the language certificate such as the DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) to demonstrate their language proficiency. In the case of an English program , knowledge of English is necessary to confirm.

Statistics of English courses in Spain

Students Accommodation Options in Spain

Language-General statistics