BiBac®: Bilingual Baccalaureate 

At our BiBac® school in Madrid, assessment combines internal evaluation, coursework, and external examinations across Years 12 and 13. Students complete essays, research projects, presentations, and practical assignments, developing independent learning and analytical skills. Continuous assessment encourages consistent performance alongside formal examinations.

External assessment includes the Spanish university entrance examinations (PAU/EvAU), supporting progression to Spanish universities. Students are prepared thoroughly for these exams while maintaining an international academic profile.

Regular feedback supports the development of exam technique, academic writing, and subject knowledge, helping students to achieve strong academic outcomes.

Our BiBac® teachers are native English or Spanish speakers and experienced subject specialists who understand the demands of Sixth Form study and maintain high expectations for every learner. All teachers hold university degrees and formal teaching qualifications, and many have trained and taught within the British education system, bringing strong expertise in bilingual education.

Teaching is interactive and encourages students to discuss, evaluate, and justify their thinking, with regular feedback to support progress. This approach helps students develop academic confidence and produce high-quality written work in both English and Spanish.

Teachers work closely with tutors and university counsellors to ensure that academic progress is aligned with each student’s future plans. They also act as mentors, guiding students throughout Sixth Form and preparing them for success at competitive universities worldwide.

The Spanish Bachillerato is a recognised qualification within Spain. BiBac® follows this framework while offering bilingual delivery and greater flexibility. It supports students who may prioritise university pathways in Spain, while keeping options open for the UK, US, and other international destinations.

BiBac® develops academic bilingualism, preparing students for degrees taught in English while ensuring they are fully prepared for PAU/EvAU requirements. It combines the Spanish curriculum with an international approach to Sixth Form study, providing students with a broader academic foundation for a wide range of university pathways.

When choosing a Sixth Form pathway, it is important to understand the differences between our BiBac® programme, the A Level system and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). While all three are academically rigorous routes offered at our school, they differ in structure, subject choice and academic focus.

BiBac® (Spanish–British Bilingual Pathway):
BiBac® is based on the Spanish Bachillerato and adapted for a bilingual learning environment. Students study core subjects and electives, with the flexibility to take subjects in either English or Spanish.

Assessment combines continuous evaluation with Spanish university entrance examinations (PAU/EvAU) and internal school assessment. This pathway is particularly suited to students who wish to keep university options open in Spain, the UK, Europe, and beyond, while studying within a single, integrated bilingual framework.

A Levels (UK Specialised Pathway):
A Levels are a UK-based qualification widely accepted for university entry in Spain and internationally. Students typically study three or four subjects in depth, allowing for early academic specialisation.

Assessment is primarily exam-based. This pathway is well suited to students who wish to focus on specific academic strengths and prepare for university study in the UK or other international destinations.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP):
The IB Diploma is a globally recognised programme in which students study six subjects across languages, sciences, humanities, mathematics, and the arts. It also includes core components: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). 

The programme is designed to promote breadth and depth of study, critical thinking, and global awareness. The IBDP qualification is accepted by universities worldwide.

In Summary

Each of our Sixth Form pathways offers a rigorous and well-respected route to university success, designed to suit different learning styles and future ambitions.

BiBac® provides a bilingual pathway rooted in the Spanish system with flexibility in language and subject choice. A Levels focus on depth and early subject specialisation within a UK framework. The IB Diploma offers a broad, internationally minded curriculum with a strong emphasis on global perspectives.

All three routes are highly respected by universities worldwide and can lead to excellent destinations. The most suitable choice depends on each student’s strengths, interests, language profile, and future aspirations—and our school provides full guidance to help families make an informed decision.