From Spanish Public High School to University: A Complete Guide to the Admission Process costs of public high schools in Spain
For those new to Spain, is the education system here a bit confusing? It can be especially overwhelming if you have children preparing for high school. As someone who’s been through it, I’d like to share insights into the most common path in the Spanish public system: from high school to university, hoping to help clear things up.
In Spain, ‘high school’ typically refers to the final two years, known as Bachillerato. This stage is crucial because it’s directly linked to the university degree you’ll want to pursue. Students must choose a specialization based on their interests and goals, such as Science and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, or Arts. Choosing the wrong track can make it difficult to apply for certain university programs later, so it’s essential to discuss this step thoroughly with your child.
After completing the two years of high school, students face Spain’s university entrance exam, the EBAU (also known as Selectividad). The importance of this exam cannot be overstated. The final university admission score is a weighted average of your high school grades and your EBAU exam results. This means it’s not a single exam that determines your fate; your hard work throughout the two years of high school is equally crucial!
The final university admission score is calculated as follows. Here’s a table to make it clear:
| Component | Weight |
|---|
| Two-year High School Average Grade | 60% |
| EBAU General Phase Score | 40% |
| EBAU Specific Phase Bonus Points | Up to 4 additional points |
The quality of public university education in Spain is very high, and compared to countries like the UK or the US, the tuition fees are incredibly affordable. Universities like the Complutense University of Madrid and the University of Barcelona are world-renowned institutions. As long as students meet the grade requirements, they can access top-tier educational resources at a very low cost, offering excellent value for money!
Overall, Spain’s public education system is quite clear and fair. With proper planning and hard work, getting into a desired university is not an unattainable dream. I hope this information has been helpful. If you have any questions or anything to add, please feel free to discuss in the comments below!
