The Baccalaureate System of Education
The Baccalareate system is taught in Spanish state schools and in some private schools.
The system explained
The Bachillerato or Bachiller (as it is called in Spain) provides pupils with 2 years academic training to prepare them for higher education, specialized higher grade and vocational training or to start a career.
The first year is divided equally between natural sciences, maths, language & humanities, whilst in the second year students take optional and specialist subjects.
Under COGSE reforms the compulsory core subjects are Spanish, a regional language (if applicable), Literature, foreign language, history, philosophy and physical education.
Three specialities in the arts, Science and technology and humanities and social sciences. Some subjects are obligatory in order to enroll in certain higher grade vocational training and university courses.
After two years pupils take a final exam known as the Prueba General Bachillerato PGB and if they pass this and all the exams during the two years baccaleareate they are awarded the titulo de Bachiller which includes the average mark obtained.
The Bachiller together with an oral exam in a foreign language (usually English) also allows pupils to study at Spanish University and is recognized as an entrance exam by universities throughout the world - providing the language of the country they wish to study in is up to the standard required.
Pupils who fail this are awarded a certificate of attendance and can continue to study in vocational training if they pass the entrance exam.