In this article, we will explain what high school studies are, what the procedure for validating a high school degree in Spain involves, and what the benefits of validating your high school diploma are, among other things. Discover everything you need to know.
What is High School in Spain?
Bachillerato is a non-compulsory educational stage that follows Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO). It lasts for two years and is designed for students typically aged between 16 and 18. Its main goal is to prepare students for access to higher education, such as university or higher vocational training cycles, as well as for entry into the labor market.
Bachillerato is a key stage in the Spanish education system, as it marks a transition to higher education and allows students to delve deeper into specific knowledge areas that are relevant for their academic and professional future.
What is the Validation of the High School Degree?
The validation of a high school degree is an administrative procedure through which a high school diploma obtained in a foreign educational system is declared equivalent to the Spanish high school diploma. This process is managed by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training in Spain or the educational delegations in autonomous communities.
To check if you can validate your high school diploma, visit this link and verify that the country where you completed your studies is on the list.
What is the Purpose of High School Degree Validation?
- Official Recognition: It ensures that the diploma obtained in another country has official validity in Spain, allowing the individual to continue their studies or access job opportunities that require this academic level.
- Access to Higher Education: The validation of the high school diploma is essential for those who wish to attend university in Spain or enroll in higher vocational training cycles. Without this equivalence, the Spanish education system will not recognize that the student meets the prerequisites.
- Equal Opportunities: It allows for the alignment of the academic level of students from different educational systems, ensuring that all meet the standards established in Spain for Bachillerato.
- Academic and Professional Mobility: The validation facilitates the integration of foreigners into the Spanish educational and labor systems, ensuring their studies are officially recognized.
- Standardization of Criteria: The validation ensures that the content and competencies acquired in the country of origin are comparable to those taught in Spain, aligning with the Spanish curriculum.
Validation Procedure
To validate a high school diploma in Spain, certain requirements must be met. Some key aspects of the process are:
- Required Documentation:
- A certified copy or original of your passport, NIE, or another valid document to verify your identity.
- Application form, which you can complete at the following link (You must register and bring the form to your appointment).
- Proof of payment for the corresponding fee, which amounts to €49.76. You can download it online and pay it at any bank.
- A certified copy or original of the official diploma or title obtained in your country of origin, which you wish to validate in Spain. If necessary, you will need to provide an official copy issued by the educational institution certifying the approval of the final exams granting the title to be validated.
- A certified copy or original of the study plan, detailing the subjects taken, grades obtained in each subject, and the academic years.
- Basic Requirements:
- The studies completed must be equivalent to the Spanish Bachillerato in terms of duration, level, and content.
- The educational system of the country of origin must be officially recognized.
- Resolution of the Procedure:
Once all documentation is submitted, the Ministry evaluates whether the title meets the requirements and issues a resolution approving or denying the validation. If approved, a certificate of validation will be issued, which is equivalent to the Spanish Bachillerato.
Benefits of Validating a Foreign High School Degree to the Spanish High School Degree
- Direct Access to Higher Vocational Training: With validation, the diploma is officially recognized as equivalent to the Spanish Bachillerato, allowing you to directly enroll in Ciclos Formativos de Grado Superior (Higher Vocational Training) without needing additional exams. This removes administrative barriers and facilitates continued education in the Spanish system.
- Eligibility for University Entrance Exam (EvAU) or “Selectividad”: Validation allows you to take the EvAU, which is the required exam for university access in Spain. Without validation, you cannot prove the necessary academic level to take this exam.
- Meeting University Admission Requirements: By validating your diploma, the Spanish education system recognizes that you meet the prerequisites to enroll in a university, opening the doors to undergraduate studies in any field.
- Official Recognition in Educational and Labor Institutions: Validation grants official validity to your diploma within Spain, which is essential for continuing higher education and for certain job opportunities that require the Bachillerato as a prerequisite.
- Equal Opportunities with National Students: With a validated diploma, you have the same opportunities as Spanish students to access professional or university education, ensuring equitable treatment.
- Elimination of Administrative Barriers: The validation simplifies the procedures for continuing your academic training in Spain, avoiding the need for additional processes like specific access exams (except in cases where they are required for everyone, like the EvAU).
- Ease of Access to Scholarships and Public Aid: A validated diploma allows you to apply for scholarships and educational aid provided by the Spanish government, many of which require the applicant to hold an officially recognized diploma.
- International Academic Mobility: By validating your diploma, you gain recognition within the European Union and other countries that collaborate with the Spanish educational system, facilitating future academic mobility.
Waiting Time for High School Degree Validation
The process usually takes between three and seven months. Therefore, it’s advisable to plan ahead.
The Relocate Abogados team is committed to our clients that, from the moment all the documentation is obtained, we will initiate your validation file within a maximum of 10 working days, including the management of the payment of the fee.
Contact us for more information.
