Structural organization and features of the Basque Educational Sistem (pdf, 2,63 Mb)

  Infant Education (from 0 to 6 years)

• Non-compulsory
• Public administrations coordinate and guarantee number of places
• Divided into two stages: the first one from 0-3 years and the second from 3-6.

  Primary Education (from 6 to 12 years)

• Compulsory, tuition-free
• Divided into three 2-year cycles or phases: ages 6-8; ages 8-10; and ages 10-12
• Children may only be kept back one year in one of the Primary Education cycles.

  Secondary Education

Compulsory Secondary Education (from 12 to 16 years)

• Basic Education, compulsory, tuition-free
• Organised into two 2-year cycles or phases: ages 12-14 and ages 14-16
• For every grade level, students may be kept back one year until the age of 18
• Pupils who pass their subjects receive a Secondary Education Graduation Certificate, which allows them to go on to take the baccalaureate or medium-level training phases

Post-Compulsory Secondary Education

Baccalaureate

• Non-compulsory. Leads to Secondary Education Graduation Certificate
• Structured into four systems: Arts, Natural Science and Health, Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, in addition to the Baccalaureate in Music and in Dance
• Two-year programme
• Students completing this course receive a Baccalaureate Certificate, which allows them to go on to university or higher-level training cycles

Medium-level Specific Vocational Education

• Non-compulsory. Accessible with a Secondary Education Graduation Certificate
• Accessible either with a Secondary Education Graduation Certificate or by passing the entrance exam
• Variable duration, between one and a half and two years

  Post-Secondary Education

Higher-level Specific Vocational Education (less than three years)

• Accessible with a Baccalaureate Certificate or by passing a specific test for those over the age 20
• Duration between one and a half and two years

University Education (three years or more)

University access

• Successful completion of upper level secondary education (bachillerato) and pass an exam.
• Successful completion of higher level vocational training or music and art studies.
• Through specific exams for adults aged 25 and over.

Organization of studies

• To be expired (As of 2010-2011 student may no longer initiated these study programmes. All programmes initiated under earlier schemes will be governed by the previous regulations until students have completed their studies)
• Short-cycle studies (Diploma courses, Technical Engineer or Technical Architect, Teacher Education)
• Long or two-cycle courses (Bachelor's degree [licenciatura], Engineer, Architect)
• Doctorate programmes
• European Space for Higher Education (all official university study plans must be fully adapted to the European Space for Higher Education by the 2010-2011 academic year)
• Official Undergraduate degree studies
• Official Masters degree studies
• Official Doctorate degree studies
• more information