MrsTT
29-05-2011, 00:12
Levels
From 3 to 5 years of age - Educación Infantil (Pre-school)
From 6 to 11 years of age - Educación Primaria (Primary School) Years, 1º, 2º, 3º, 4º, 5º and 6º
From 12 to 16 years of age - Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (Compulsory Secondary Schooling) Years, 1º, 2º, 3º, 4º
From 17 to 18 years of age - Bachillerato (Post-Compulsory Schooling), years 1º, 2º
Children from 3 to 5 years old in Spain have the option of attending the infantil (popularly known as preescolar) or Pre-school stage, which is non-compulsory and free for all students. It is regarded as an integral part of the education system with infants' classes at almost every primary school. There are some separate Colegios Infantiles, or nursery schools.
Spanish students aged 6 to 16 undergo primary (Colegio) and secondary school (Instituto) education, which are compulsory and free of charge. Successful students are awarded a Secondary Education Certificate, which is necessary for entering further (optional) education as is Bachillerato for their University or Formación Professional (Vocational Studies). Once students have finished their Bachillerato, they can take their University Entrance Exam (Pruebas de Acceso a la Universidad, popularly called Selectividad) which differs greatly from region to region.
The secondary stage of education is normally referred to by their initials, eg. ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) for secondary education.
Educación Infantíl y Primaría (Infant & Primary Education)
Educación Infantil (Nursery schooling)
Structure: 2 education cycles of three academic years each one, called:
Jardín de Infancia (0-3 years of age)
Preescolar (3-6 years of age)
Educación primaria (Primary schooling)
Structure: Three cycles of two years each one:
First Cycle (6-7 years of age)
Second Cycle (8-9 years of age)
Third Cycle (10-11 years of age)
Educación Secundaria (Secondary education)
Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) or Compulsory Secondary Education
Structure: two cycles of two academic years each (total 4 years):
1st Cycle (12-14 years of age)
2nd Cycle (14-16 years of age)
On finishing ESO the student has a number of options:
To do Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio (Vocational training) (1º technical college)
Access to Bachillerato.
Start work (because ESO is compulsory up to the age of 16, and you have to be at least 16 to get a job)
Garantía Social (learning a profession in a year)
Bachillerato
This term encompasses grades 11 and 12, and is the first non-compulsory educational option (among few) for many, particularly those wishing to go on to university. A substantial change in pressure and workload can be found, even within the same institution, as this option is (arguably) the hardest (but shorter). Upon completion, it entitles the student to either sit the university-entrance exam ("selectividad"), in order to go on to undergraduate studies, or to attend some kind of higher vocational training.
There are currently five branches to choose from (it is possible, though, to take up a double option), a fact that directly influences almost half of the curriculum (the other half being made up of compulsory subjects, the so-called "core" curriculum). The common curriculum is as follows (for both years unless otherwise stated): Language and Literature (of both Spanish and another subject with a usually comparable workload only in case another language of Spain is co-official), a first foreign language (both years, usually English, but German and French are also common, and depending on the institution, Italian), Philosophy (1st year), Physical Education (1st year), Spanish History (2nd year), History of Philosophy (2nd year), and an optional one, which depends on both the school's offer and the student's interests.
Each branch is made up of three core subjects, and usually a further one can be chosen.
Arts: History of Art, Volume (sculpture), Colours (painting)
Nature and Health Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Earth Sciences/Mathematics
Sciences & Engineering: Physics, Maths, Chemistry/Technical Drawing
Social Sciences: Applied Maths, Economics, Geography, Sociology/Psychology
Humanities: Latin, Greek, History of Art/Psychology
At undergraduate level, every degree has its own branch requirement (entrance is usually possible from two different branches or more, even though some degrees have no such specification). Arts has a limited choice of related degrees at University, mainly History of Art. Humanities have a wider choice, including Physiolology, Oriental Studies, Philosophy. Social studies have preference for entering degrees in Law, Economics, Business, Geography. Sciences & Engineering, as its name states, has preference in all engineering careers, and also in Maths, Chemistry and Physics. The main requirements for nature and health sciences are; Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Biology, Physiotherapy, Chemistry, Dentistry, Geology, Environmental Sciences. Despite this, some courses accept students from any branch, such as Philology, History, Social Work, Educational Sciences or Tourism are a preference to some branches over others when applying for entrance.
Higher Education
Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior (2º technical college)
Access: with the Bachillerato degree or through a Ciclo Formativo de Grado Medio being 18 before 31st of December and passing an entrance exam.
Structure: it covers a set of formation cycles that are organized in professional modules.
On finishing: Access to University studies related to the Ciclo Formativo studies. For example, if you get the Grado Superior degree in Computer Science, you can do computer science engineering. It has no access exam but the marks are considered for the university admission.
University
University courses are structured in cycles, and have the credit as a measure for the lessons.
Structure and access:
First cycle courses: Access with pre-enrollment.
These are 3-year terminal studies, and when finished, a student can obtain a certificate as well as a teaching or engineering diploma. This also allows students to study in the second cycle.
Studies of 1st and 2nd cycle (4 or 5 years): Access with the university preinscription. Passing it gives the right to obtaining an academic degree (Licenciatura), architecture or engineering qualification.
Passing the first cycle, for anyone in these studies, does not qualify for obtaining an official title, but it can be of worth for incorporating into other studies of the second cycle.
Studies of second cycle: Access through the first university cycle, or with the possession of a graduate, architect, engineer (diploma level) or teacher, whenever these studies conform to the norm of access for each second cycles. Passing it gives the student the right to obtain a university degree, architecture degree or engineering degree.
Studies of 3rd cycle: they are the called Ph.D. programs (doctorate). The access is regulated by the university itself, through the Doctorate Commission. It is necessary to have the degree course, architecture or engineering.
Own degrees: are nonregulated studies leading to an unofficial degree, recognized only by the granting university.
These courses have the same structure as the regulated studies: therefore, there are first cycle degrees, first and second cycle degrees, and second cycle degrees.
The universities regulate access to their own degrees and they fix the academic fees. They can also offer unofficial postgraduate degrees.
Spain has internationally recognized universities, the most notable being the University of Barcelona, the Complutense University, the University of Navarra, the Technical University of Madrid, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the Pompeu Fabra University, and the Carlos III University. Other universities of historical relevance and reputation are the University of Salamanca and the University of Alcalá.
The Bachillerato is equivalent to A levels. Therefore, Spanish students obtaining the appropriate grades required for entrance into universities in Europe, including England, are not precluded.
Last edited by KirstyJay; 26th October 2008 at 20:38.
From 3 to 5 years of age - Educación Infantil (Pre-school)
From 6 to 11 years of age - Educación Primaria (Primary School) Years, 1º, 2º, 3º, 4º, 5º and 6º
From 12 to 16 years of age - Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (Compulsory Secondary Schooling) Years, 1º, 2º, 3º, 4º
From 17 to 18 years of age - Bachillerato (Post-Compulsory Schooling), years 1º, 2º
Children from 3 to 5 years old in Spain have the option of attending the infantil (popularly known as preescolar) or Pre-school stage, which is non-compulsory and free for all students. It is regarded as an integral part of the education system with infants' classes at almost every primary school. There are some separate Colegios Infantiles, or nursery schools.
Spanish students aged 6 to 16 undergo primary (Colegio) and secondary school (Instituto) education, which are compulsory and free of charge. Successful students are awarded a Secondary Education Certificate, which is necessary for entering further (optional) education as is Bachillerato for their University or Formación Professional (Vocational Studies). Once students have finished their Bachillerato, they can take their University Entrance Exam (Pruebas de Acceso a la Universidad, popularly called Selectividad) which differs greatly from region to region.
The secondary stage of education is normally referred to by their initials, eg. ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) for secondary education.
Educación Infantíl y Primaría (Infant & Primary Education)
Educación Infantil (Nursery schooling)
Structure: 2 education cycles of three academic years each one, called:
Jardín de Infancia (0-3 years of age)
Preescolar (3-6 years of age)
Educación primaria (Primary schooling)
Structure: Three cycles of two years each one:
First Cycle (6-7 years of age)
Second Cycle (8-9 years of age)
Third Cycle (10-11 years of age)
Educación Secundaria (Secondary education)
Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) or Compulsory Secondary Education
Structure: two cycles of two academic years each (total 4 years):
1st Cycle (12-14 years of age)
2nd Cycle (14-16 years of age)
On finishing ESO the student has a number of options:
To do Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio (Vocational training) (1º technical college)
Access to Bachillerato.
Start work (because ESO is compulsory up to the age of 16, and you have to be at least 16 to get a job)
Garantía Social (learning a profession in a year)
Bachillerato
This term encompasses grades 11 and 12, and is the first non-compulsory educational option (among few) for many, particularly those wishing to go on to university. A substantial change in pressure and workload can be found, even within the same institution, as this option is (arguably) the hardest (but shorter). Upon completion, it entitles the student to either sit the university-entrance exam ("selectividad"), in order to go on to undergraduate studies, or to attend some kind of higher vocational training.
There are currently five branches to choose from (it is possible, though, to take up a double option), a fact that directly influences almost half of the curriculum (the other half being made up of compulsory subjects, the so-called "core" curriculum). The common curriculum is as follows (for both years unless otherwise stated): Language and Literature (of both Spanish and another subject with a usually comparable workload only in case another language of Spain is co-official), a first foreign language (both years, usually English, but German and French are also common, and depending on the institution, Italian), Philosophy (1st year), Physical Education (1st year), Spanish History (2nd year), History of Philosophy (2nd year), and an optional one, which depends on both the school's offer and the student's interests.
Each branch is made up of three core subjects, and usually a further one can be chosen.
Arts: History of Art, Volume (sculpture), Colours (painting)
Nature and Health Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Earth Sciences/Mathematics
Sciences & Engineering: Physics, Maths, Chemistry/Technical Drawing
Social Sciences: Applied Maths, Economics, Geography, Sociology/Psychology
Humanities: Latin, Greek, History of Art/Psychology
At undergraduate level, every degree has its own branch requirement (entrance is usually possible from two different branches or more, even though some degrees have no such specification). Arts has a limited choice of related degrees at University, mainly History of Art. Humanities have a wider choice, including Physiolology, Oriental Studies, Philosophy. Social studies have preference for entering degrees in Law, Economics, Business, Geography. Sciences & Engineering, as its name states, has preference in all engineering careers, and also in Maths, Chemistry and Physics. The main requirements for nature and health sciences are; Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Biology, Physiotherapy, Chemistry, Dentistry, Geology, Environmental Sciences. Despite this, some courses accept students from any branch, such as Philology, History, Social Work, Educational Sciences or Tourism are a preference to some branches over others when applying for entrance.
Higher Education
Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior (2º technical college)
Access: with the Bachillerato degree or through a Ciclo Formativo de Grado Medio being 18 before 31st of December and passing an entrance exam.
Structure: it covers a set of formation cycles that are organized in professional modules.
On finishing: Access to University studies related to the Ciclo Formativo studies. For example, if you get the Grado Superior degree in Computer Science, you can do computer science engineering. It has no access exam but the marks are considered for the university admission.
University
University courses are structured in cycles, and have the credit as a measure for the lessons.
Structure and access:
First cycle courses: Access with pre-enrollment.
These are 3-year terminal studies, and when finished, a student can obtain a certificate as well as a teaching or engineering diploma. This also allows students to study in the second cycle.
Studies of 1st and 2nd cycle (4 or 5 years): Access with the university preinscription. Passing it gives the right to obtaining an academic degree (Licenciatura), architecture or engineering qualification.
Passing the first cycle, for anyone in these studies, does not qualify for obtaining an official title, but it can be of worth for incorporating into other studies of the second cycle.
Studies of second cycle: Access through the first university cycle, or with the possession of a graduate, architect, engineer (diploma level) or teacher, whenever these studies conform to the norm of access for each second cycles. Passing it gives the student the right to obtain a university degree, architecture degree or engineering degree.
Studies of 3rd cycle: they are the called Ph.D. programs (doctorate). The access is regulated by the university itself, through the Doctorate Commission. It is necessary to have the degree course, architecture or engineering.
Own degrees: are nonregulated studies leading to an unofficial degree, recognized only by the granting university.
These courses have the same structure as the regulated studies: therefore, there are first cycle degrees, first and second cycle degrees, and second cycle degrees.
The universities regulate access to their own degrees and they fix the academic fees. They can also offer unofficial postgraduate degrees.
Spain has internationally recognized universities, the most notable being the University of Barcelona, the Complutense University, the University of Navarra, the Technical University of Madrid, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the Pompeu Fabra University, and the Carlos III University. Other universities of historical relevance and reputation are the University of Salamanca and the University of Alcalá.
The Bachillerato is equivalent to A levels. Therefore, Spanish students obtaining the appropriate grades required for entrance into universities in Europe, including England, are not precluded.
Last edited by KirstyJay; 26th October 2008 at 20:38.