The International Baccalaureate is a fantastic alternative for those young students who wish to extend their knowledge beyond what they receive in the usual Spanish Baccalaureate and enjoy greater possibilities of being admitted to a foreign university. This will considerably increase their options in both the academic and professional world.

There are currently around 118 centres offering the International Baccalaureate in Spain. The IB programme lasts two years and can be taken in Spanish, English or French. In fact, in some schools there are no language requirements at all.

There are also special studies within the international academic framework which can be taken by students from the Primary level onwards. This type of student has an even greater chance of being admitted to the IB programme. However, any student who has passed ESO and wants to continue their studies with a focus on university can apply for the International Baccalaureate, without having studied this type of course previously.

But do you know what the requirements of the International Baccalaureate are?

Academic requirements for the International Baccalaureate 

The International Baccalaureate programme is normally taken between the ages of 16 and 19, depending on the institution. There is a wide range of options to choose from in Spain, so it will not be difficult to find a school that suits your needs and budget. However, in order to be admitted, it is necessary to meet a number of requirements.

Admission criteria 

To be admitted on the International Baccalaureate, the minimum access requirements are as follows:

  • Be between 16 and 19 years old.
    • Completion of ESO with all subjects passed.
  • Have an academic profile with a strong research attitude, academic excellence and a critical sense.
  • Have a B2 level in English, as the second language is very important during training.
  • Payment of the corresponding fees for enrolment, which may vary between public and private centres.

It should be noted, however, that some institutions may also set their own admission requirements.

Scores and assessment 

Another of the International Baccalaureate’s requirements is related to grades. Generally, schools require an average mark of 8 in ESO subjects when assessing admission.  And, normally, from 9 upwards, additional points are given for the scale.

In addition, the selection process can be very competitive, so there are also other criteria that programme coordinators usually take into account for the admission of student applicants. These include if the applicant lives in the same locality as the school, if they have a B2 level of English, if they have interests in line with the type of programme, if they have a research disposition and a critical point of view, if they have references from former teachers and if they have extracurricular activities that demonstrate their versatility.

IB administrative requirements 

Among the requirements of the International Baccalaureate, there are also some administrative requirements, which are related to the necessary documentation to be submitted when applying for enrolment and also with the application process and dates.

Documentation required 

The documentation must be submitted directly to the centre where the programme is to be taken. In most cases, the paperwork is fairly easy to put together:

  • Complete the formal application form that must be submitted to the International Baccalaureate Coordinating Department at each school.
  • A valid ID card or passport of the student and parents or legal guardians.
  • Written statement explaining the motivation for why the student wishes to join the programme.
  • A file with the ESO grades certified and signed by the secretary’s office of the school where the student studied, even if it is the same school.
  • A written record of all extracurricular activities completed to date. In addition, any technical knowledge that the student has should be reported.
  • Certificates in English and French language skills. This is more important for private schools.
  • Interview with the programme coordinator. In some schools, an interview is conducted with the student and the student’s family in order to deepen the student’s interests and willingness to attend and complete the programme.

Application process and important dates

To gain access to the International Baccalaureate, the first thing to do is to find out which institutions in Spain are authorised by the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organisation).  

Once you are clear about the centre where you want to apply, you can start the application process, which normally takes place during the month of March.  In the case of being admitted, the registration will generally take place between the months of June and July.

In summary, the International Baccalaureate is a study programme designed to broaden students’ academic and employment opportunities, providing them with the necessary skills to face the challenges of university from a more global and innovative point of view.  

It is a much more up-to-date, dynamic and effective type of education, where critical thinking is much more highly valued and where the particularities of each student’s individual experience are taken into account. Based more on strengthening research skills, which is highly valued by the best universities around the world, it is ideal for opening doors both in Spain and in the rest of the world.