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For the full picture of senior provision, start with our international schools in Madrid directory, which lists every school by curriculum and stage. The schools below all run an examined Years 12 to 13 programme that leads directly to university entry, and they admit by application rather than by residential catchment. This is a shortlist to research, not a ranking, and provision changes, so confirm current pathways with each school.
If you are weighing the qualification itself, our guides to A-levels and the International Baccalaureate explain how each is examined and recognised by universities. Families comparing senior options should also read our wider Madrid secondary schools guide and the related shortlists for university preparation and boarding.
The shortlist
King's College, The British School of Madrid
King's College, on its Soto de Viñuelas campus to the north of the city, is unusual in offering both A-levels and the IB Diploma in English within one school, so a family can choose between the three or four subject specialism of A-levels and the broader Diploma without changing schools. It runs the English National Curriculum through to Year 13 and also offers boarding, which suits sixth formers relocating without family. For students who want the option to weigh both routes under one roof, King's College is a natural first call.
Runnymede College
Runnymede College, founded in 1967 and based in La Moraleja, is an academically selective British school that teaches the English National Curriculum, with IGCSEs at the end of Year 11 followed by A-levels in Years 12 and 13. It is a strong fit for families who want a wholly British sixth form with the subject specialism A-levels allow, and the school reports a long record of leavers progressing to selective universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain and the Netherlands. Places are sought after, so register interest early.
International College Spain
International College Spain, in the La Moraleja area and part of Nord Anglia Education, teaches all three IB programmes and runs the IB Diploma in the sixth form. It suits families who want a fully through-school IB pathway rather than a switch into the Diploma late, and the school reports an average Diploma score above the global average. As an internationally mixed school with global academic links, it appeals to mobile families who may move again before university.
SEK International School Ciudalcampo
SEK International School Ciudalcampo, in the north of Madrid and part of the SEK Education Group, offers the IB programme continuum through to the IB Diploma in the sixth form and enrols students from a wide range of nationalities. It also offers boarding, which broadens the option for sixth formers relocating to Madrid. Confirm the current Diploma subject list and any post-16 entry requirements directly with the school.
How we chose
We included only Madrid schools we could confirm run a genuine, externally examined sixth form leading to university entry, A-levels, the IB Diploma or both, and that enrol students through to Year 13 or its IB equivalent. We did not rank them, score them or attach ratings, because the right sixth form depends on your child's subjects, the qualification universities in your target country prefer, and the fit of the school. Verify current subject lists and pathways directly, as schools add and retire options year to year. Note too that Madrid international schools admit by application and assessment rather than by catchment, and the most selective sixth forms weigh prior attainment, so eligibility and timing matter as much as the academic fit.
Shortlist Madrid schools for your child
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Start the school finderFees and next steps
Sixth form fees in Madrid sit at the top of each school's fee scale, and the established A-level and IB Diploma schools, including King's College, Runnymede College, International College Spain and SEK International School Ciudalcampo, are in the upper fee tier, with boarding charged on top where it is offered. Rather than quote figures that move each year, we keep the live bands in one place: see our guide to international school fees in Madrid for current tuition by school and curriculum, and confirm the exact sixth form figure, plus any examination and registration costs, with the school before you apply.
To build a shortlist around your child, use the school finder, browse the full Madrid schools directory, or compare the related shortlists for university preparation and boarding.
Common questions
Runnymede College in La Moraleja teaches the English National Curriculum with IGCSEs followed by A-levels in Years 12 and 13, and King's College, The British School of Madrid offers A-levels alongside the IB Diploma. Confirm the subject list with each school for the year of entry, as A-level options are reviewed year to year.
International College Spain and SEK International School Ciudalcampo both run the IB Diploma Programme in the sixth form, and King's College, The British School of Madrid offers the Diploma as an alternative to A-levels. Check the current Diploma subject options directly with each school.
A student takes one pathway, not both, but King's College, The British School of Madrid is notable for offering both A-levels and the IB Diploma in English within the same school, so families can choose between specialising and breadth without changing schools. Verify the current options with the school before applying.
Sixth form sits at the top of each school's fee scale, and the established A-level and IB Diploma schools in Madrid are in the upper fee tier. Rather than quote a figure that dates quickly, we keep current bands in our international school fees in Madrid guide, and you should confirm the exact post-16 fee with each school.
No. Madrid international schools admit by application and assessment rather than by where you live, and demand for the strongest sixth forms is high. Apply directly, check entry requirements and prior-attainment expectations, and start early for the most sought after schools.