Overview of the General Education System

Spain’s educational system is structured yet decentralized. The authority is shared among the central government, with the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training having the responsibility for establishing broad educational policies, and the 17 independent communities, which have its own Department for Education. The Spanish education framework is guided by legislation, under the Organic Law on Education (LOE) of 2006, which is then later amended by the Law on Education (LOMLOE) in 2020. The reformations aimed for digital competence, sustainability, inclusive education, and personalized learning, in order to be aligned with the European standards of highlighting the students' holistic development.

In terms of educational pathways, Spain’s educational ladder is divided into several steps: pre-primary, primary, secondary, post-secondary, and higher education. Pre-primary education is offered as an option yet starts from age three. Primary education (Educación Primaria) is compulsory from ages six to twelve, followed by secondary education (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, ESO) from ages twelve to sixteen.

Upon the completion of ESO, students obtain a Secondary Education Certificate. After that, they can choose between the two options offered under the upper secondary, either the Bachillerato, a two-year preparatory program for university, or vocational training. The Bachillerato is an academic instruction of various disciplines such as the sciences, humanities, and arts. Meanwhile, the vocational education has programs, Grado Medio and Grado Superior, that specialize in practical skills, including plumbing, electronics, and agriculture.

Moreover, the government initiates adult education to support those over 18 and, exceptionally, people over 16 who work and cannot attend school. There is also specialized education, and learners can choose between Language Education and Artistic Education.

The Ministry of Education plays a role in establishing the national curriculum guidelines and managing the non-university education, whereas universities fall under separate legislation. Schools in Spain may be public, private, or state-subsidized private institutions. As for the language used, instruction is generally delivered in Spanish, however, regional languages such as Catalan, Basque, and Galician are utilized in their respective communities. English and other foreign languages are also employed as languages of instruction.

The compulsory education in Spain occurs at age six and ends at age sixteen, which encompasses six years of primary education and four years of secondary education (ESO). Although early childhood education is not obligatory, the government strongly encourages it, so most children start attending pre-primary school from the age of three. During the primary and secondary education, students have subjects in Spanish language, mathematics, social and natural sciences, physical education, and a foreign language. Regional languages are also part of the curriculum in the specific communities. After completing secondary education, students are granted a Graduate of Secondary Education Certificate, which qualifies them for further educational advancements.

Spain has recently reformed its secondary education curriculum to boost students’ critical thinking skills and application of knowledge to the real world. The LOMLOE reforms also increased the integration of subjects like technology, gender equality, and digital literacy into school curricula to align Spain’s endeavor to modernize education to suit globalization. This also strengthens the educator’s greater decision-making on students’ progression.

Apart from that, the changes in the educational structure aim to decrease dropout rates and to improve Spain’s quality of education further. In fact, the World Bank reported that in 2020, Spain’s literacy rate among those aged 15 and above was 99%. These statistics show the country's successful efforts in promoting literacy across all demographics.

As of the academic year 2023-2024, Spain boasts a diverse higher education system that includes 91 universities. Among these are 50 public universities, 47 of which provide traditional on-site educational experiences for students and one offering distance learning options. Statistics also recorded that the enrollment in public universities for the academic year 2022-2023 hit approximately 1.30 million students. On the private side, Spain has 41 private universities; 35 also provide on-site courses, while six have adopted distance teaching methodologies. In recent years, enrollment has reached approximately 424,000 students.

In addition, admission into these universities requires a Bachillerato certificate and passing the university entrance exams (Selectividad). Students can pursue a four-year Bachelor’s degree, a one—to two-year Master's degree, or a Doctoral degree that entails several years of research.

Higher artistic education is also offered in specialized institutions, granting equivalent qualifications. Aside from university degrees, after completing Grado Superior, vocational training offers programs for professional qualifications that can also lead to university pathways. According to reports, the tertiary education enrollment rate in Spain is 52% of among individuals ages 25-34 in 2023.