The baccalaureate is an important moment in the life of the student, because here begins his specialization and is the last door before entering the university. We show you its modalities.
The training cycle can be a real challenge. Several studies calculate that, only studying, a human being uses 3 full years, with its 24 hours included. Basically, from birth until we reach the age of majority we find ourselves on a path on rails: primary, secondary and baccalaureate, stages of education with their own characteristics and challenges that shape us, in part, for a life in the work environment.
Even so, once you finish 4 of ESO, the first moment of personal decision arrives: this is followed by the Baccalaureate, a post-compulsory education that lasts two years and whose entry usually occurs at the age of 16. It is time to choose, because this student modality is divided into 4 different branches that, in a way, determine the future of the student.
Whether you’re a parent or a teenage student: don’t worry. The choice of baccalaureate is important, but it does not condition the future work of those who study it. Did you know that, in certain countries, it is estimated that up to 2/3 of the workers do not work for which they were prepared in their university degree? By this we mean that self-realization comes in many forms, regardless of the path taken. Without worries, we tell you the 3 types of baccalaureate in the following lines.
- We recommend you read: “The 13 main types of learning (and their characteristics)”
What is high school?
According to the Oxford Languages portal, the baccalaureate is defined as “the set of studies, after compulsory secondary education, that qualifies for access to university”. It is a non-compulsory training period because, from the age of 16 (age that normally corresponds to the completion of 4 years of ESO), the student is free to leave the institute.
Today, there are a number of compulsory subjects for all types of baccalaureate, so the branches are not as different as initially might be expected. For example, in Spain, in the first year of baccalaureate all students must take the following blocks:
- Spanish language and literature I: syntax, writing and history of literature based on place of origin are included in this block. The language is universally used and, therefore, every student must be trained in it.
- Science for the contemporary world: basically, what in the past we knew as biology, only focused on genetics, the origin of life and everything that surrounds the world of science today.
- Physical education: exercise is essential in the life of any human being and, therefore, mandatory in any basic training cycle.
- Philosophy: a general review of the most important philosopher authors in history, among other issues that include critical thinking and the development of one’s own ideas.
- First foreign language: in general, this block includes the study of English, both spoken and written and read.
- Second foreign language: in this case, you usually choose between French and German.
- Religion/History and Culture of Religions (HCR): the second modality encompasses religions beyond Christianity, such as Islam or Judaism.
As you can see, whatever branch you choose, you will not get rid of syntax, Catholic monarchs or genetics. Fortunately or unfortunately, all this knowledge is considered basic for the development of the individual in modern societyand, therefore, is mandatory.
What types of baccalaureates are there?
With this long preface we wanted to make it clear that, indeed, this choice is not so important. Yes, it has some weight because, for example, to be able to present yourself to the exam of certain subjects in the entrance exam for the university (now known as EVAU), it is best that you have completed during the baccalaureate the relevant cycles that prepare you for it.
Next, we present the 3 different branches of baccalaureate. It will not take long because, as you may have seen, the bulk of the subjects are common to all variants. Let’s get to it.
1. Science and technology
As its name suggests, this modality is ideal for thosestudents who want to end up in the world of research and all its aspects (both public and private): chemistry, physics, biology and technology are the specialties that this branch of the baccalaureate will offer you.
Within it, there are two aspects when reaching the first year of high school: science and technology. Between the two, only one thing varies: in one biology and geology are taught and, in the other, industrial technology. On the other hand, the two blocks have as compulsory subjects physics and chemistry.
Undoubtedly, this is the most viable option in terms of employability and objective social utility. It is not a matter of opinion, because the numbers speak for themselves: the unemployment rate of electronic engineers is 0.9%, that is, only 1 in 100 graduates do not have a job. Medicine, computer engineering, human nutrition or industrial engineering are also careers with an exorbitant employability rate.
2. Humanities and social sciences
If your thing is sociology, journalism, philology or any career and job thatfinds its answer between books or letters, this is your place. The Baccalaureate of Humanities and Social Sciences comprises two other variants: humanities and social sciences.
In the first of the variants, you will find subjects such as universal literature, Latin and Greek. On the other hand, the social sciences focus more on history of the contemporary world, business economics and mathematics applied to the social sciences. All this is in the first year of high school, because in the second the thing changes a little and there are more slightly different branches between them.
3. Baccalaureate of Arts
We enter delicate terrain, because the baccalaureate of arts is the place where passion and foresight of the future come into conflict. We do not say that it is impossible to earn your bread with creativity and brush, but we do say that, of course, it is a much rockierand steeper road than in the case of those who decide to study computer science. The baccalaureate of arts is divided into two main branches: plastic arts, image and design and performing arts, music and dance.
Each of these modalities has its own subjects, which also differ even more once you reach the second year of high school. It is a very complete option for those who seek expression and monetary retribution through art but, of course, the work options are smaller.
A necessary final reflection
This is a reality: people who are dedicated to electronic engineering have a 97.5% chance of finding work as soon as they leave the degree, while careers such as literature and philosophy are presented with an unemployment rate of almost 20%, without counting the students who have left them before finishing the training cycle.
I can get personal and speak to the reader face to face in these final lines, because I too am young and have encountered these dilemmas earlier in my life. The best advice I can offer when in doubt is the following: the most appropriate thing is to find a balance between vocation and utility.
It is necessary to inform yourself about the global panorama of the country of residence (if you plan to stay in it) before choosing a life path and, above all, answer a question: what are my skills and what part of society can benefit from them? There is a real balance between passion and utility, and it is in it that, in my opinion, happiness and self-realization are found. A professional can practice as such in many different fields, so it is necessary to think carefully before choosing a path.
Summary
So, we have presented you quickly and easily the 3 existing types of baccalaureate, at least at European level. Although they dictate in some way the professional path of the student, it should always be borne in mind that many of the subjects are shared and that, fortunately or unfortunately, almostall of us go through a very similar training cycle until we reach university.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.