Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO): Compulsory Secondary Education
Compulsory secondary education from the age of 12 to 16. This stage is called Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, or ESO for short.
Bachillerato
After finishing their ESO, the students may continue at school until the age of 18. If they want to go to the University, they join Bachillerato (Baccalaureate) in preparation for university.
Formación Profesional (Vocational Training)
Instead of joining Bachillerato, if they prefer profesional oriented studies they can choose from a wide range of vocational training studies. All vocational training education is called Formación Profesional (FP) and it combines theoretical instruction with practical application, aiming to enhance employability.
Spain's FP system is organized into three key levels:
- Basic Vocational Training (Ciclos Formativos de Grado Básico). Basic Vocational Training is an entry-level option for students over 15 years old, serving as a substitute for conventional secondary education.
- Medium Grade Training (Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio).
- Higher Grade Training (Ciclos Formativos de Grado Superior).
Medium Grade and Higher Grade Training offer more specialized and advanced skill sets, often incorporating internships to provide students with valuable workplace experience.