Spanish vocational levels (FP) and your equivalent

Terms used

• FP — FP is Formación Profesional, Spain's vocational training system, with basic, medio and superior levels.
• Grado Medio — The Grado Medio is the intermediate FP level, leading to the title of Técnico.
• Grado Superior — The Grado Superior is the advanced FP level, leading to the title of Técnico Superior.
• Homologación — The homologación is official recognition that a foreign title has the same effect as a specific Spanish title.

Key rules

• Three levels: Spanish FP has basic, medio and superior levels, and your foreign title is placed in one of them.
• Match: If your title matches a Spanish FP title you get homologación; if not, you can get equivalence to a Spanish academic level.
• Grado Superior: A Grado Superior is not a university degree.

The exact European level of FP Básica and the Ministry's assessment criteria should be confirmed with the Ministry of Education before you apply.

Your title ends up in one of three levels

Spanish vocational training is called FP (Formación Profesional). It has three main levels. Your foreign qualification is placed at one of them, or it is treated as not matching any Spanish title.

• FP Básica: a two-year programme. It sits at European level 2.
• Grado Medio: gives the title of Técnico. It sits at European level 4.
• Grado Superior: gives the title of Técnico Superior. It sits at European level 5.

After a Grado Medio or Grado Superior you can take a short specialisation course (curso de especialización). It sits at the same European level as the course it follows: level 4 after Grado Medio, level 5 after Grado Superior.

How the authority decides your level

The Ministry of Education compares your foreign title with Spanish FP titles. It looks at:

• the legal level of the title in the country that issued it;
• how long you studied and what the course covered;
• whether the title gives access to higher studies in that country;
• the learning outcomes or competences it certifies.

The decision rests on the documents you supply and a technical review, so complete, official papers matter.

There are two possible results:

• Your title matches a Spanish FP title. You get homologación, which gives it the same effect as that Spanish title.
• It matches none. The Ministry can still declare equivalence to a Spanish academic level, such as Técnico or Técnico Superior.

Where FP sits next to university

A Grado Superior is not a university degree. It is classed as level 1 on Spain's higher-education scale, below a university Grado (level 2). A Máster is level 3 and a Doctorado is level 4.

Other vocational routes

Certificates of professionalism (certificados de profesionalidad) have levels 1 to 3. Spain's vocational law also groups training into five grades, from partial accreditation of work experience up to specialisation courses. These are useful if you have experience but no formal title. The comparison below sets the ways to formalise a trade skill side by side.

Before you apply, check which level your foreign title is likely to match, then gather your transcripts and course details for that level.

Three ways to formalise a trade skill, side by side

The fastest route depends on what you already have: a foreign qualification, years of work experience, or neither.

Which route is fastest for you

• You hold a foreign qualification in your trade: start with homologación. It uses what you already have and needs no classes.
• You have worked in the trade for years but have no diploma, or yours does not match: choose accreditation of experience. Collect proof of your work early, because missing documents are what slow it down most.
• You have neither a qualification nor enough proven experience: studying FP is the only route open to you. It takes longest, but it works for everyone.

You can combine routes. Accreditation of experience may cover only part of a qualification, and you can study FP to complete the rest.

Fees, waiting times and the dates when rounds open change from one region and year to the next. Check the current figures with the education office of the region where you will live before you choose.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my foreign title does not match any Spanish FP title?

If no Spanish title matches yours, the Ministry can still declare an equivalence to a Spanish academic level instead of full homologación. The level it gives is, for example, Técnico or Técnico Superior. Homologación is only granted when your title matches a Spanish one.

What does the Ministry look at when it sets the level of my foreign title?

The Ministry looks at the legal level of your title in the country that issued it, plus how long you studied and what the course covered. It also checks whether the title gives access to higher studies there, and the skills you gained. The decision rests on the documents you send.

Is a Grado Superior the same level as a university degree?

No, a Grado Superior (Técnico Superior) is EQF level 5, while a university Grado is EQF level 6. Grado Superior sits at MECES level 1, and a university Grado at MECES level 2. A Grado Medio is EQF level 4.