Studies
NON-UNIVERSITY HIGHER EDUCATION: SPECIALISED COURSES
The 1990 LOGSE provides for certain kinds of art courses within enseñanzas de régimen especial, which may lead to certificates that are equivalent to university degrees: advanced-level music and dance, dramatic arts, conservation and restoration of cultural artefacts and advanced studies in ceramics, design and glasswork. It also provides for ciclos formativos in plastic arts and design. The advanced level of these courses is equivalent to the higher-level ciclos formativos in specific vocational training. The conservatorios superiores are the public establishments responsible for offering advanced-level music and dance courses. The other art education courses take place in escuelas superiores (higher schools) and authorised private higher education establishments. These authorised private establishments can also provide advanced-level music and dance courses.
Admission requirements
In order to enrol in advanced-level art courses, applicants must have a Bachiller and pass a special examination, as in the other types of courses. It is only for advanced-level music and dance courses that students must also have successfully completed the courses of the third cycle of intermediate-level music and dance.
Academic year
The academic year is the same as that of compulsory secondary education
Courses
Advanced-level music courses comprise one single cycle. Its duration varies depending on the characteristics of the different specialisation. These courses include 35 specialities covering the four main fields of musical expression (composition, interpretation, musicology and pedagogy). Each specialisation has four grades, with the exception of courses in composition, choral conducting and orchestral conducting, for which the education services can arrange five grades.
The teaching methods applied in art courses
vary according to the type of art concerned. In
general, basic theory is reinforced by a
predominantly practical approach. In music
courses, personalised education is stressed.
Courses leading to the qualification of higherlevel
sports technician include between 750 and
1,100 hours of training, and they are divided
into theoretical-practical modules which include
a common part, a special part devoted to the
type of course or sport speciality and further
complementary and practical training.
Assessment / Certification
Assessment is continuing and integrated, but the procedure varies according to the different subjects on the curriculum. It should take account of the set assessment objectives and criteria. As in courses in mainstream education, the assessment should cover both pupil performance and teaching processes and practice. After completing advanced-level music and dance courses, students are awarded a higherlevel certificate, which is to all intents and purposes equivalent to a university Licenciado degree, which is required to teach these subjects at the various levels.
Source: www.eurydice.org The information network on education in Europe