Music, language, sports and arts schools outside the usual route

Terms used

• Conservatorios — Conservatorios are public schools that teach music and dance, from elementary to superior level.
• Escuela Oficial de Idiomas — The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) is a public language school for teenagers and adults, with modest fees.
• Bachillerato — The Bachillerato is the two-year upper-secondary school course taken after ESO, usually from age 16.
• ESO — ESO is the compulsory secondary school stage, and its title is the certificate for finishing it.
• Prueba de clasificación — The prueba de clasificación is a placement test that lets you start a language course above the basic level.

Key rules

• Separate entry: These schools have their own tests and age limits, apart from the usual school route.
• Regional rules: Each region sets calendars, fees and many details, so confirm with the school.
• EOI ages: You can join an EOI from 16, or from 14 for a language other than your first foreign language at school.
• Superior music: You need the Bachillerato or an access test, plus a specific test, and you must be 17 in the year of the test.

The short version

Specialist public schools run in parallel to ordinary school. Each has its own entry test and age limits. Regions set the calendars, fees and many details, so always check with the school or your region's education department.

Music and dance (conservatorios)

Elementary music usually admits children from about 8 years old. There is an aptitude test, and places are limited. Regions set a maximum age.

Professional music lasts 6 years. You take an entry test in your instrument and in music language. Entry is usually from age 12, or earlier if the child has finished the elementary level. To join a later year, you take a test at that level.

Superior music needs the Bachillerato (the upper-secondary school certificate). If you don't have it, you can take an access test for over-18s or over-25s. You also pass a specific entry test. The minimum age is 17 in the year of the test.

Dance works in a similar way. Professional dance has entry tests from around age 10. Superior dance also needs a specific test.

Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOI)

An Escuela Oficial de Idiomas is a public language school with modest fees.

• You can enter from age 16.
• From age 14 you can study a language that is not the first foreign language you study at school. For example, a student of English at school can take French at 14.
• The basic level needs no previous qualification.
• To start at a higher level without passing the earlier ones, you take a placement test (prueba de clasificación).
• Levels run from A2 to C2, and which ones a school offers varies.
• Places are given by application and a draw.
• Schools generally don't admit native speakers of the language. Studying your own mother tongue is only possible exceptionally.

Check your region's admission calendar and which languages your nearest EOI offers.

Sports and arts and design

Sports training (técnico deportivo) has a medium level (grado medio) and a higher level (grado superior).

• Medium: you need the ESO title (the end-of-compulsory-school certificate) or equivalent, and a minimum age of 16.
• Higher: you need the Bachillerato, and a minimum age of 19 (or 18 with a medium title).
• Both need a specific test of sports aptitude, or proof of sports merit.
• If you lack the qualification, there is an access test.

Arts and design (artes plásticas y diseño) also has medium and higher cycles.

• You need ESO for medium and Bachillerato for higher.
• You pass a specific entry test (prueba específica), unless a related qualification exempts you.
• Without the qualification, you can take an access test. The age is 17 for medium and 19 for higher (18 if you hold the technician title).
• Higher arts degrees need the Bachillerato plus a specific test.

Exact ages, tests and exemptions depend on the region and the specialty. Ask the regional education department or the school before you plan.

Before you apply

Entry tests and applications have fixed windows, and these differ by region. Find the dates early, because places are limited. The questions below cover common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

Can my 14-year-old study a language at an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas?

Yes, a 14-year-old can join an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, but only for a language that is not their first foreign language at school. For example, a student of English at school can take French at 14. From age 16 you can study any language the school offers.

Can my child study their own mother tongue at an EOI?

Generally no, because these schools do not admit native speakers of the language studied, except in exceptional cases. Places are given by application and a draw, so apply in your region's admission period.

Can I start at a higher level at an EOI without passing the earlier one?

Yes, you can enter a higher level without passing the previous one if you pass a placement test (prueba de clasificación).

Can I enter sports or arts and design cycles without the school certificate?

Yes, you can take an access test if you lack the required qualification. For arts and design the minimum age is 17 for grado medio and 19 for grado superior (18 with the technician title). Sports cycles set a minimum age of 16 for medio and 19 for superior (18 with a medio title), plus a sports aptitude test or proof of sports merit.

What is the minimum age for superior music studies?

The minimum age is 17 in the year of the entry test. You also need the Bachillerato, or an over-18 or over-25 access test, plus a specific entry test.