How is the Spanish education system?

If you don't know the types of studies you can do in Spain, don't worry. In this post we are going to try to help you and explain the types of access, the requirements and the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. From secondary education in Spain to the highest levels of study

Types of studies in Spain

Education in Spain currently has several levels of studies. The lowest level, apart from the age-specific school courses for the youngest children, is Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO).  This type of education occurs between the ages of 12 and 16, and is considered the basic level for which a degree is received. The previous study, that is, before the age of 12, constitutes the Primary. But it is when the ESO is finished that we will be able to obtain the call Graduated in ESO or Secondary. 

By having the ESO, 3 paths are open to us. The first is to study high school, which lasts two years. The second is to do an Intermediate Degree, the duration of which is one to two years. The third is to join the labor market, whose minimum age is 16 years. If we choose the second way, Middle GradeAt the end we will receive the corresponding degree, whose options are to get to work on what we have studied or take the Higher Degree Access test. Assuming that we choose the first route, the Baccalaureate, after two years we will have our bachelor's degree and the option to continue studying through two very different routes:

• Do a Higher Degree. This study is of a higher level than the Intermediate Degree mentioned above, having a high level of specialization. They are short studies, lasting just two years, that have a great introduction to the labor market, being well recognized by companies.
• Do the selectivity to access the university. If you want to study at a Spanish university, you must take the Selectivity exam and pass it. Then, with the grades weighted between high school and the EBAU / EVAU we will have an admission grade that will mark our choice to study for the next 4 years, at least. It goes without saying that a university degree is the highest degree within the study structure in Spain (then there are other higher studies, such as postgraduate degrees and doctorates, but that is another topic). The idea is that it is a study that can open many doors for the future in any corner of the world, especially if we then continue doing update studies and masters.

Having commented on the study organization system in Spain, we move on to explain the different accesses if you come from a foreign country.

Higher studies in Spain

What if I have a foreign bachelor's degree? What can I do? Well, there are several options to gain access within the Spanish educational system. Assuming that we are of legal age, we have several possibilities to access higher education in Spain.

1. Higher Degree. If you have a high school degree in Spain and want to study a Higher Degree, you are in luck. You will not have to take exams to access. Just request your entry in the month of June to start in the month of September. These studies have the advantage that, if you later want to enter university, you can access directly or only complete the specific phase. The drawback of this course is that it is not as high a level as a university study. Some students then opt for the university route, thus lengthening their student years.

And what happens if I don't have a high school diploma? Well, you can also enter. As? Well with the Higher Grade Access Test. This test is very affordable and easy. If you see our specialized page you will be able to know what it is like and be able to opt, without any qualification, for this study. So...don't miss the opportunity to study in Spain without any qualification from your country.

2. University. In order to study at a university in Spain you must know all the steps you must take. Our page is the most complete, with entrance exams and all the information related to access. In addition, we are a preparation academy for the PCE UNED exams, which will be the litmus test for your new university life.

What if I don't have a high school diploma? Well, unfortunately you cannot access it...unless you are 25 years old. If you are that age, or older, you can do the test for over 25 years, a very affordable test whose only requirement is to have no prior studies. That is, if you have a high school diploma and are 25 years old or older you could not do it, but if you do not have it or simply have not started with the homologation, you could. Among its advantages we can find that it is a simple test, with places reserved by each university for this entry. Its disadvantages are that there is only one call in March/April of the year and that there are few places assigned to this route.

Conclusions

1. If I don't have any studies in my country, I am under 25 years old and I want something easily accessible. The best thing is that you do a Higher Level Training Cycle (CGFS), whose access you can do through Higher Level Access Test.

2. If I do not have any studies in my country, I am 25 years old or older, and I want to study at university. In this case, there is no doubt. You have to do the University entrance test for those over 25 years of age.

3. If I have a high school degree in my country but I do not want to study to access a study. You already know, you can do a Higher Degree without having to do anything. Only apply for a place when applications are opened.

4. If I have a high school diploma and want to study at a university. Without a doubt, the most complicated option but the most profitable in the long term. You have to do the Specific Competence Tests (PCE) from UNED to be able to enter. Once you do them, you will have a credential, with which you will present your candidacy to the different universities in Spain.

5. Yes, I have a high school diploma but I have not yet approved it. In this case you can do two things. Homologize it and take the PCE UNED test or not do it and opt for access via the Over 25s route.