Spain after compulsory school: Bachillerato, vocational training and what follows

Terms used

• Bachillerato — Bachillerato is the two-course upper secondary stage after ESO that prepares students for university or higher vocational training.
• ESO — ESO is compulsory secondary education, four courses normally for ages 12 to 16.
• PAU — The PAU is the university entrance exam taken after Bachillerato.
• FP — FP is formación profesional, Spain's vocational training system.
• Técnico — The Técnico is the qualification earned by completing FP Grado Medio.

Key rules

• Bachillerato not required: You do not need Bachillerato to start FP Grado Medio.
• Regional offer: Regions decide which Bachillerato modalities each school offers.
• Working age: The legal minimum working age is 16.
• Company time: All vocational training includes time in a company.

The short version

Most students finish ESO at 16 and then choose between two main paths: Bachillerato, which leads to university or higher vocational training, or a medio vocational course, which leads to work or higher vocational training. You do not need Bachillerato to start a medio vocational course. Other routes exist for arts, sports, music, dance, adult learners and young people who start work.

Where the system starts

Schooling is compulsory from 6 to 16. ESO is four courses, normally for ages 12 to 16. Students can stay in ESO until the year they turn 18, and in some special cases until 20. When ESO ends, school is no longer compulsory and the routes below open up.

Bachillerato

Bachillerato lasts two courses, normally for ages 16 to 18. It can be spread over up to three or four years if needed.

There are four modalities:

• Ciencias y Tecnología
• Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales
• Artes, with one track for visual arts, image and design and another for music and performing arts
• General

Each region decides which modalities a school offers. The General modality is offered in few places, so check what your local schools have.

Where it leads: the university entrance exam (PAU) and then university, or FP Grado Superior.

Vocational training (FP)

Vocational training is called FP (formación profesional). It is organised in grades, but the one most families deal with is the ciclos formativos, which still use the older names:

• FP Básica: a basic-level course for students who have had difficulty in ESO.
• Grado Medio: two years, normally after ESO, leading to the Técnico qualification.
• Grado Superior: the higher level.

Where Grado Medio leads: straight to work, or on to Grado Superior. A bridging path is needed to move up if the student has not done Bachillerato. The other FP grades cover shorter options, such as competence certificates and specialisation courses, mostly for people already working.

All vocational training includes time in a company. In the general regime this is at least 20% of the hours, and under 30%. The intensive regime has over 30% in the company.

Arts, sports, music and dance

Students can also go from ESO to:

• medio-level arts and design studies
• medio-level sports studies
• professional music and dance studies

These are separate from Bachillerato and FP. Entry requirements and places vary by region, so ask the education department of your region.

Adult education, occupational training and work

Young people who do not continue in school can take adult education or occupational training courses. The legal minimum working age is 16, so starting work after ESO is allowed.

Choosing

The decision tool below helps you compare the options. The quick answers below it cover costs, course lengths and switching between routes.

Choosing between options

Choosing your route after ESO

Which route should you take after finishing ESO at around 16?

• Bachillerato: Choose it if you want to go to university or on to FP Superior. It lasts two courses, normally for ages 16 to 18, and leads to the university entrance exam (PAU) or to FP Superior.

• FP Grado Medio (vocational training): Choose it if you want a practical trade. It lasts 2 years and leads to the Técnico qualification. You do not need Bachillerato first. It leads to work or to FP Superior, with a bridging path.

• Arts, sports, music or dance studies: Choose it if your focus is design, sport, music or dance. Medium-level arts and design studies, medium-level sports studies and professional music and dance studies are all open after ESO.

• Adult education or occupational training: Choose it if you want to keep studying in a more flexible way or train for a specific job without going back to a standard school course.

• Start work: Choose it if you want to earn now.

If you want university, take Bachillerato. If you want a practical qualification quickly, take FP Grado Medio, which does not need Bachillerato. If your interest is arts, sport, music or dance, look at those specialist routes. Any route except work can still lead on to further study.

Quick answers about Bachillerato and vocational training

Is Bachillerato free in public schools?

Yes, Bachillerato in public schools has no tuition fees and enrolment is free, but you still pay for textbooks, materials, transport and school trips. Canteen and parent association fees may also apply. Concertado and private schools can charge fees, and grants (becas) or textbook loan schemes may help depending on your region.

Is public FP free, and what other costs come up?

Public FP has no tuition fees, but you pay a school insurance fee (seguro escolar) up to age 28. Books, materials, tools, work clothing and transport can add up, and private FP charges tuition. State and regional grants exist, and the work-placement stage of dual FP is sometimes paid.

How long do the FP courses last?

FP Básica, Grado Medio and Grado Superior each normally last 2 years, at about 2,000 hours. Grado Medio hours can range from 1,300 to 2,000 depending on the course. Some courses are shorter or longer, and a dual FP may stretch to three years.

Can FP graduates go on to university?

Yes, the Técnico Superior title from Grado Superior gives direct access to university without the PAU, the university entrance exam. Your FP average grade (up to 10 points) sets your mark, and you can sit the specific phase of the PAU to raise it up to 14. Places go by cut-off marks per degree, and Técnico Superior holders have reserved places, normally around 7%.

Can a student switch between FP and Bachillerato?

Yes, with the ESO title you can enter either Bachillerato or Grado Medio, and a Técnico (Grado Medio) title opens any Bachillerato modality. A Bachillerato holder has direct access to Grado Medio and Grado Superior. Some subjects may be validated, and the details depend on your region.