International education is changing, and Spain is increasingly positioning itself as an attractive destination for families from around the world. Catalonia, and particularly its private schools, has an opportunity to be part of this evolution.
For many years, when families were looking for an international education, the most common destinations were countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States or Canada. Today, however, families’ priorities have changed. It is no longer simply about finding a school with a strong academic reputation. Families also value quality of life, safety, languages, wellbeing, future opportunities and, increasingly, the possibility of building a complete educational journey.
This is one of the ideas highlighted in a recent article by The PIE News, which examines how Spain is gaining prominence on the international education map.
A trend that goes beyond international schools
According to the data featured in the article, Spain currently has more than 445 international schools across more than 28 cities, making it one of Europe’s leading markets in this field. But what is most interesting is not simply the number of schools, but the way families’ understanding of international education is changing.
Increasingly, schooling and university are seen as parts of the same educational journey. A family may look for a school where their child can grow up in an international environment, develop language skills and later continue their university studies within the same ecosystem. And this is where Spain has a significant strength.
The Spanish university system has more than 1.8 million students and, during the 2023–2024 academic year, there were 149,280 international students, representing 11.5% of the total university student population. In addition, the offer increasingly includes programmes taught in English or delivered through bilingual models.
What role can Catalonia play?
Barcelona and its surrounding area have a strong international profile and are home to a diverse business, cultural and university community. This is complemented by a private education sector with schools that have been committed for years to multilingualism, internationalisation and educational projects with a global outlook.
For these schools, the growth of international education is not simply a sector trend. It is also an opportunity to showcase educational projects that are already part of their identity. The appeal of an international school depends on more than the curriculum it offers. Families are also looking for environments where their children can learn languages, interact with different cultures, develop independence and prepare for an increasingly global future.
In this regard, Catalonia has many of the ingredients needed to establish itself as an attractive educational destination.
International education that goes beyond the classroom
One of the aspects most highlighted by The PIE News is precisely this broader understanding of international education. Today, families are not simply looking for “a good school”. They are looking for an educational project that prepares their children for the future.
This means combining academic excellence, languages, personal skills, wellbeing, international experiences, and guidance towards university and the professional world.
International education is not simply about teaching classes in English or following a foreign curriculum. It is about creating an environment where students learn to navigate diverse contexts, interact with people from different backgrounds and develop an open and global perspective. And this reality is already present in many private schools across Catalonia.
Discover EPIC’s member schools
EPIC member schools are a good example of the diversity of educational projects currently available in Catalonia. Schools with different models, methodologies and areas of specialisation that share a common commitment to quality education and a forward-looking approach.
Among them are schools with a clear international focus, multilingual educational projects and schools offering internationally recognised curriculum and educational programmes. There are also schools with strong connections to their local communities, innovative projects and educational approaches adapted to the evolving needs of students and families. This diversity is precisely one of the sector’s strengths.
Getting to know EPIC’s member schools also means discovering part of the private and independent education offer that helps make Catalonia a region with a diverse, high-quality and globally minded educational proposition.
An opportunity for Catalonia’s education sector
At EPIC, we believe this evolution should also be an opportunity for Catalonia.
The growth of international education can help strengthen the region’s appeal, create new opportunities for schools and consolidate an education ecosystem that is increasingly connected to the international landscape.
For this reason, it is important that public authorities and the education sector as a whole are able to support this transformation and create the conditions for schools to develop educational projects with an international outlook, autonomy and the ability to adapt.
Catalonia is an attractive place to live, work and study. It can also be an attractive place to educate.
The challenge is to seize this opportunity and continue building a diverse, high-quality education system capable of attracting families from around the world while preparing our students to thrive in an increasingly international society.
For EPIC, private schools have an important role to play in this process. And the growth of international education in Spain represents a valuable opportunity to continue moving in this direction.