Education System

The education system of Spain has the following institutions:

• Departments
• Facultades
• Universitarias
• Escuelas
• Tecnicas
• Superiores
• Escuelas
• Univeritarias
• Institutos Univeritarias

Types of higher education institutions:

The following types of higher education institutions are present in Spain:

• Universidad (University)
• Facultad (Faculty)
• Universidad Politécnica (Polytechnic University)
• Colegio Universitario (University College)
• Escuela de Especialización (Specialized School)
• Escuela Técnica Superior (Higher Technical School)
• Escuela Técnica (Technical School)
• Escuela Universitaria (University School)
• Instituto Universitario (University Institute)

Ley Organica de Ordenacion General del Sistema Educativo (LOGSE) (Law on the General Organization of the Education System), the education Law of 1990 has established a new system of education with effect from 1991-92 school year. The highlights of this new system are:

• Basic education is to be provided free of charge and is compulsory and is extended upto the age of 16, the legal age of starting work.
• The educational system includes general and special education, i.e., the different levels of education is adapted to suit students with special needs.
• It is required that all students have vocational training, which is provided to them in secondary education. However, a specific vocational training is organized at two levels, the first at the end of the compulsory education and the other at the end of 'Baccalaureate
• For artistic and language learning education, special systems are applied.

General education system in Spain is organized as follows:

• Nursery infant education (0-6 years)
• Primary education (6-12 years)
• Compulsory secondary education (12-16 years)
• Post-compulsory education, including the baccalaureate and the middle grade of vocational training.
• Training in upper grade vocation.
• University education.

The Ministry of Education along with other departments of higher education maintains the activities of both the private as well as public institutions and proposes the educational policy. The guideline for the creation of universities, centers and institutes is set up by Consejo de Universidades.