a lot of people don't seem to understand that - they just think that because it's in Spanish it won't be accepted

my 14 year old also would like to go to uni in the US - or maybe here in Spain or maybe in the UK - it just depends upon where they do the best course for what she eventually decides to do

I believe that a Spanish Bachi + fluent English can only be an advantage, wherever she wants to go or whatever she wants to do

Just to make those aware you dont know.
If your child goes to a Spanish uni it will work out immensely cheaper than going to a UK uni.

As far as I know, if you are resident in Spain you do not get help with the fees at UK unis. Which means it will cost £3k per year in tuition fees, and then of course the money for accomodation, living etc. I dont even think that a non-UK resident can get a student loan in the UK, meaning you'd have to have the cash available to give your child.

At a Spanish uni, the tuition fees are a max of a few hundred euros per year (depending on income). Yes the courses are longer and arguably more difficult (and some of the unis are not so good) but if you're child is bright and wants to do a serious degree subject e.g. engineering, law, medicine etc it is a good option.

yes, I know

she's already been warned that she'd be needing some sort of bursary if she wants to go 'abroad'

...... and totally fluent in Spanish!!

My son wants to be a pilot and my son in law is a pilot so he's pointing him in the right direction. I cant remember where he recommended but he mentioned a "flying" college place in Jerez I think it was and apparently its in English!???

fortunately my son has a trust fund that will be available to him when he's 18 so that should cover the costs

Jo xxx

well of course

but if they can get a good Bachi grade they will be anyway


as for your son - I think English is the 'international language' as far as flying is concerned

Goes without saying. Although some unis do a 1 year bridging course to get student's Spanish up to the required level.

Lucky son!

A friend of my sons went to New Zealand for 2 years to complete his pilot licence xxx

Yes, but it is a good option for those who have done GCSEs and A-levels as well. If someone gets a grade A at A-level in Spanish and then does the 1 year bridging course in Spanish that some unis offer, then they'll be then at the level needed to start their full Spanish degree

I hadn't thought of that

I suppose the UK/US might well do a similar thing for non English speaking students

not that my dd would need it

Yes my old uni certainly did in the UK

When my daughter has finished her 4th year they get ther graduate certificate its similar to passing so many GCSE,( how many though who knows) so she could go on to do A levels the levels she got in the spanish school would get convalidated into GCSE's so doing A levlels wouldnt be a problem. My daughters level of spanish is fantastic considering she has only been here 5 years she get 8s in her lengua on her notas. The problem is as the work gets harder she is struggling with her level of fluency. In class now when they talk politics she cant contribute to the class, it is getting increasingly difficult. At the moment she is in the process of doing her IGCSE in Spanish. I have been told unless you want to stay in spain there is little point in doing the SB as she would really struggle, it would be easier to do 3 A levels. I suppose in the end we will do the right thing just find it so difficult knowing the right path to go down. I enjoy reading everybody's comments.

Yes if she is taking her bach exams next year then yes that is equivalent to GCSEs. Remember you can only do an A-level if you get at least a C at GCSE in that subject, so I guess the levels for the Spanish exams would need to be equivalent (probably notables or something).

Personally I wouldnt bother with the iGCSE in Spanish, the level is so low its kind of pointless. Your daughter will have passed the Spanish exams anyway which is the best Spanish qualification money can buy, it essentially shows she is native in Spanish!

At the end of the day it is up to your daughter I guess. Whatever educational system she goes down she can eventually go to any country she wants (as long as her grades are good!). The key within the Spanish system is exactly what grades she gets next year - and then how good her grades are for the university selection exams the following year. Just like in the UK, the best courses and the best unis ask for the best exam grades

It is a worry whichever the country you live in..knowing what's the best path to take.

I agree with Cricketman about the IGCSE in Spanish, not worth taking because when your daughter gradutes High School, that will be worth so so much more.
Just wondering who told you that about the SB..that she would struggle? Did the school say ?
I know with my own daugher who came to Spain when she was 9 struggles with new learning in Spanish..I know if it was English, she'd would find it much easier and contribute more in class.

She is in year 3 ESO now next in september goes into 4 ESO then she has another 2 years doing either Bach or A levels. The reason we did the spanish IGCSE it was something she could get quite easily and it is a qualification. What is getting me, is she going to really struggle with the SB because she has only been in the spanish education system for 5 years thats were i thought this new school might come in as they are bi lingual and 60% of the work will be in English how this will work I dont know. The school she is in at the moment she is in a bi lingual class but its not so great. After saying all that she is bright she gets NT and SB mostly on her notas but I dont want her to get out of her depth its too important, with hindsight maybe i would have done things differently. Or maybe I just worry too much!!! Where she is doing to Spanish IGCSE it was the spanish teacher there who told her she would struggle because she would need to be in her 20s before she was totally fluent.

Where she is doing the spanish IGCSE the spanish teacher there said she would struggle doing the SB because she has only been here for 5 years she would need to be in her 20s before she is totally fluent. I havent spoken to her teachers at her school yet but I will and see what they say. Thanks for all the comments I does make me see things a bit differently.