International education on the Costa Blanca

Education for expats on the Costa Blanca: what options?

Education for expatriates on the Costa Blanca: what options?
The Costa Blanca, a popular destination for European expats, offers a varied range of educational options tailored to international families, from public schools to international private institutions, and including multilingual programmes that meet the needs of expats on the Costa Blanca.
Map of international private schools and multilingual public schools at primary and secondary levels on the Costa Blanca:

1. Public schools: multilingual sections and specific programmes

Families seeking education within the Spanish public system can benefit from several multilingual programmes of very good quality.

International students are naturally also welcome in regular public schools on the Costa Blanca. These institutions follow the standard Spanish educational curriculum, with mainly high‑quality Spanish instruction. They also offer options to learn other foreign languages such as English, French or German alongside the main curriculum. This allows expat children to integrate gradually while acquiring a solid linguistic and cultural foundation.

Specific multilingual programmes and sections:

• European Sections: These sections reinforce the teaching of a foreign language (mainly English, sometimes French or German) and allow part of the curriculum to be followed in that language. They are mainly offered at secondary school (colleges and high schools).

• Official bilingual programmes: In primary and secondary, many public schools offer Spanish‑English bilingual education, where several subjects are taught in English.

• Bachibac Programme: The Bachibac is a dual qualification scheme allowing students to obtain the French Baccalauréat and Spanish Bachillerato simultaneously. This programme is available in some public high schools, particularly around Alicante, but is rare in small towns. It eases access to French and Spanish universities.

List of multilingual public schools in North Costa Blanca:

• CEIP Les Marines (Jávea) – Primary – Official bilingual – Spanish, English – Bilingual programme

• CEIP Santísimo Cristo del Mar (Altea) – Primary – Official bilingual – Spanish, English – Bilingual programme

• IES Bellaguarda (Altea) – Secondary & Bachillerato – European Section – Enhanced English – Additional language options

• IES Xebic (Jávea) – Secondary & Bachillerato – European + bilingual section – English, optional French/German – Possible Bachibac preparation

2. International private schools: multilingualism and international curricula

For expats seeking a full and diverse offering, international private schools on the Costa Blanca are very attractive. They often provide multiple internationally recognised curricula, and teaching in several languages. These private schools perfectly meet the needs of European expatriates, often offering continuity from kindergarten to high school, as well as preparation for international exams such as IGCSE, A‑Levels, or the French Baccalauréat.

• King’s College Alicante (Alicante) – 3 to 18 years – English – British curriculum

• Laude Newton College (Elche) – 3 to 18 years – English, Spanish – British + Spanish curriculum

• Laude The Lady Elizabeth School (Benitatxell) – 2 to 18 years – English – British curriculum

• Elian’s British School (La Nucía) – 1 to 18 years – English – British curriculum

• Lope de Vega International School (Benidorm) – 3 to 18 years – English, Spanish, French – Bilingual international curriculum

• European School of Alicante (San Juan de Alicante) – 4 to 18 years – English, French, German, Spanish – Official European multilingual

• Lycée Français d’Alicante (El Campello) – Preschool to secondary – French, English, Spanish, German – Official French curriculum

GOOD TO KNOW

Support for expat families
Several specialized agencies on the Costa Blanca can help families navigate school registration procedures, particularly for private and international schools. These agencies offer personalised assistance to ease school integration.

Support classes for international students
International students enrolled in public or private schools usually have access to tailored support classes to facilitate language learning and help integrate them into the local education system.

3. Top universities accessible from the Costa Blanca

For expatriate students wishing to pursue higher education, several renowned universities are easily accessible from the Costa Blanca:

• Universidad de Alicante (UA) – Alicante – Public university – English programmes – Erasmus exchanges

• Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) – Valencia – Engineering, architecture, technology – International dimension

• Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH) – Elche – Health, social sciences – Good reputation

• Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera – Elche – Private university – Spanish and English programmes – Health, law, economics

• Universidad de Valencia – Valencia – Large public university – Multilingual – Options in English and French

Conclusion

The Costa Blanca offers a complete range of quality educational solutions for expatriates, from bilingual public schools and European sections to international private schools with globally recognised curricula. Depending on your linguistic and pedagogical needs, you can choose between strong public education or advanced multilingual private schooling. Specialized agencies can assist you with the procedures, and international students benefit from support classes to facilitate integration.