bachillerato

Bachillerato is a stage of post-obligatory secondary education in Spain and many Spanish-speaking countries. It typically lasts two years for students roughly aged 16 to 18 and serves as preparation for higher education or for entry into the workforce. The term usually refers to a general secondary diploma rather than a university degree, though its exact role varies by country.

In Spain, Bachillerato follows the Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) and is organized into modalities such as Ciencias y Tecnología, Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales, and Artes. The program lasts two academic years and ends with a university entrance examination, currently called Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad (EBAU), formerly known as Selectividad. The final grade, together with other requirements, determines university admission. Students may also opt for vocational post-Bachillerato tracks or Ciclos Formativos at some centers.

In many Latin American countries, Bachillerato denotes the last phase of secondary education and yields a diploma that enables enrollment in higher education. The duration and naming vary by country, with some systems offering science, humanities, or technical tracks. As in Spain, the diploma signals completion of secondary studies and may include regional or national examinations.

The word derives from the Latin baccalaureus via Old French bachelier, and in contemporary Spanish usage the term Bachillerato should not be confused with a university bachelor's degree, which is a different qualification (licenciatura, grado, or similar).