Education in Spain is highly regarded, with schooling being free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 16 (Primary and Compulsory Secondary Education, or ESO). Following ESO, students can choose to pursue a *Bachillerato* (preparing them for university) or enroll in vocational training (*Formación Profesional*).
Spain is home to an extensive network of public and private universities. The **University of Salamanca**, founded in 1218, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Other prominent public institutions include the **Complutense University of Madrid**, the **University of Barcelona**, and the **Autonomous University of Madrid**. Spain is also globally recognized for its elite graduate business schools, notably **IE Business School**, **IESE**, and **ESADE**, which consistently rank among the top global MBA programs.