Spanish National Baccalaureate

Spanish National Baccalaureate

Spanish Baccalaureate in Barcelona, Sant Just Desvern

Ages 16–18: Preparation for Top Universities

Our Spanish Baccalaureate Programme in Barcelona, Sant Just Desvern, is a prestigious academic pathway that combines educational excellence with strong university preparation. Designed for students progressing from 4º de ESO or equivalent qualifications, the programme provides a comprehensive foundation for admission to top universities in Spain and abroad.

With a focus on academic rigour, personal growth, and future-ready skills, the Spanish Baccalaureate Programme prepares students to achieve their goals and access exceptional opportunities in higher education and professional careers.

Benefits of Studying the Spanish Baccalaureate

Recognised across Spain and respected by universities abroad, the Spanish Baccalaureate Programme offers students a direct route to competitive degrees in medicine, law, economics, engineering, humanities, and other cornerstone disciplines. It provides a strong academic framework in which students gain mastery of core subjects while developing proactivity, work ethic, and adaptability – qualities highly valued by leading universities and employers.

The Spanish Baccalaureate is ideal for students who wish to excel in rigorous academic environments, pursue professional careers grounded in knowledge and expertise, and secure admission to established institutions of higher learning. Through a balance of in-depth study, analytical training, and continuous assessment, our students learn to write at university level, present their ideas effectively, manage demanding workloads, and achieve consistently high results. By graduation, they are fully prepared to access selective university programmes and succeed in demanding academic and professional pathways both in Spain and internationally.

What are the advantages of the Spanish National Baccalaureate?
 

Why Choose Our Spanish Baccalaureate Programme in Barcelona?

Our Spanish Baccalaureate Programme at La Miranda prepares students to achieve strong Selectivitat and PAU results for Cataluña, enabling access to competitive universities in Spain and abroad. Recognised as one of Barcelona’s top-ranked and most innovative schools, La Miranda offers cutting-edge resources and tailored support from our University & Careers Counsellor. This includes PAU preparation, subject guidance, and personalised study strategies.

Our students develop practical skills through research projects, interdisciplinary assignments, and group initiatives. Participation in competitions and community projects allows them to earn achievements that showcase abilities beyond the classroom.

With a curriculum combining the Catalan syllabus and enriched English instruction, students strengthen bilingual competence. Award-winning professional coaches also provide elite-level training to help students excel in sports. By graduation, they have the knowledge, skills, and experience to progress to top universities and professional pathways internationally.

What is the Spanish Diploma curriculum like

Spanish Baccalaureate Curriculum

At La Miranda, we offer the Spanish National Bachillerato with a distinctive multilingual approach that sets us apart. Learners choose the Science or Humanities pathway, tailoring their studies to individual goals. 

Core subjects follow the Catalunya curriculum, while key modules – particularly in the first year – are taught in English, such as World History and Philosophy. These help students strengthen their dual-language skills and develop a global outlook. Specialist teachers focus on subject mastery, exam technique, and independent study, with structured PAU preparation built in. Staff dedicated to university and careers counselling assist with subject choices and advise on applications, and our graduates regularly gain places at Spain’s top universities.
 
Bachillerato students at La Miranda benefit from exceptional facilities, inspiring extracurriculars, and a thriving multilingual environment, gaining the skills, knowledge, and guidance they need to excel globally and embrace limitless opportunities.

What subjects are included in the Spanish National Baccalaureate?

Spanish Baccalaureate Subjects

First Year (1º Bachillerato)   

Students follow a balanced set of core and pathway-specific subjects, including:

  • Catalan Language and Literature
  • Spanish Language and Literature
  • English Language
  • Philosophy
  • World History
  • Physical Education

Depending on the pathway, students also study: Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Latin, or Economics. Modules such as World History and Philosophy are taught in English, strengthening bilingual skills and preparing students for multilingual university contexts.

Second Year (2º Bachillerato)  

The focus shifts to specialisation, with students selecting advanced subjects aligned with PAU requirements:

  • Science pathway: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Technical Drawing
  • Humanities pathway: Latin, Greek, Economics, Geography, History of Art

Our University & Careers team provides personalised support throughout, guiding students to optimise performance in Selectivitat while keeping options open for top universities in Spain and abroad.

What options are available in the Spanish National Baccalaureate in Catalonia

Facilities for Spanish Baccalaureate Students

Our Sant Just Desvern campus offers state-of-the-art facilities to support upper secondary learning. Students benefit from:

  • Fully equipped science labs for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
  • Dedicated Baccalaureate study areas for independent research and collaboration
  • iTech suite with VR, robotics, and design studios
  • 1:1 iPad programme enabling digital research and interactive learning

Beyond academics, students can access:

  • Theatre and music facilities for cultural and creative development
  • Comprehensive library and quiet study areas
  • Semi-Olympic swimming pool and outdoor sports spaces

These facilities support a holistic education that nurtures intellectual growth, creativity, and physical wellbeing.

What support is available for Spanish Baccalaureate students

Spanish Baccalaureate Dedicated Teachers

The National Baccalaureate programme is delivered by highly qualified subject specialists, many of whom hold postgraduate degrees and have served on Selectivitat (PAU) panels. At La Miranda, our professors bring lessons to life through immersive bilingual teaching, and their deep familiarity with the National Programme ensures students benefit from expert guidance aligned with its structure and expectations. Several faculty members even contribute directly to examination panels, giving learners valuable insights into exam standards and strategies.

Many of our teachers have studied within the Spanish higher education system themselves, offering first-hand understanding of its pathways and demands. Others bring perspectives from professional careers outside education, enriching the classroom with practical applications and broader contexts that prepare students for success beyond school.

Our educators combine rigorous teaching with personalised tutoring, detailed feedback, and tailored university guidance – creating a holistic support system that helps every student excel both academically and strategically.

Extra Support for Spanish Baccalaureate Students

Our National Baccalaureate students receive:

  • Structured PAU revision programmes
  • University workshops and one-to-one guidance
  • Campus visits, sample timetables, and curriculum overviews

Our admissions team provides personalised support to help new families make informed decisions about their child's academic pathways and university ambitions.

Additional Services for Spanish Baccalaureate Students

Healthy On-Site Dining
Healthy eating is a cornerstone of our wellbeing approach. Meals are freshly prepared on-site, overseen by a dedicated nutritionist, with options for vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, and stage-specific diets. With a sugar-free policy and locally sourced ingredients, Spanish Baccalaureate students are encouraged to develop lifelong healthy eating habits.

Bus routes
We offer a secure school bus service across Barcelona, with age-appropriate transport for students and convenient pick-up and drop-off times for families.
     
 

Learn more about the Spanish Baccalaureate

 

Admission typically follows ESO completion or the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Prospective students submit school reports and participate in personalised guidance interviews. From Year 4 onwards, diagnostic assessments may be used to evaluate academic readiness.

Our assessment framework aligns with Catalan and Spanish national standards, culminating in the PAU examinations. Students are evaluated through coursework, laboratory practicals, and written exams designed to develop skills and knowledge.

Recent results demonstrate a 100% PAU pass rate, with average scores above regional and national benchmarks. Our combination of personalised guidance, targeted revision, and continuous monitoring ensures students exceed national standards and excel in university entrance evaluations.

While both programmes prepare students for higher education, they each have a different focus:

National Baccalaureate: Focuses on deep understanding of Spanish national subjects and thorough preparation for the PAU exams. Designed for students aiming for top universities in Spain and across Europe.

IB Diploma Programme (IBDP): An internationally recognised, inquiry-driven programme that develops each learner's critical thinking and independent research skills while broadening their global perspective. Ideal for students seeking universities worldwide and a well-rounded, challenging academic experience."

During MYP5, staff recommend the pathway – National Baccalaureate or IBDP – that is best suited to each student’s strengths and university goals. The Dual Diploma option can be completed alongside either programme for a U.S. High School credential, which expands pupils' international university opportunities.

Contact Us Today

Begin your National Baccalaureate journey at La Miranda. Get in touch, and explore the PAU preparation, personalised academic pathways, and expert university guidance that we offer.

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