Is it possible to study for British qualifications and gain access to both Spanish and international universities? At Dallington College, our Year 12 and Year 13 students can combine A Levels with preparation for the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE), keeping a range of university pathways open.
Our Double Bac programme combines the academic specialisation of the British system with the preparation students need to improve their university admission scores in Spain.
What is Dallington College?
Dallington College is the pre-university stage of Dallington School, covering Year 12 and Year 13, equivalent to the two years of the Spanish Bachillerato.
During these years, students study A Levels, internationally recognised British qualifications that allow them to specialise in the subjects most closely aligned with their interests and university ambitions.
Unlike the Spanish Bachillerato, A Levels allow students to focus on three or four subjects, exploring them in greater depth while developing research, analytical and critical-thinking skills.
This flexibility helps each student shape an academic pathway suited to their strengths and aspirations.
How does Dallington’s Double Bac work?
Dallington College’s Double Bac combines two elements:
- A Levels: British qualifications that form the foundation of students’ academic studies and enable them to apply to universities in Spain and internationally.
- PCE (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas): subject-specific examinations that can improve admission scores for certain Spanish universities and degree courses.
Together, these options allow students to prepare for university in Spain or abroad without having to rule out either route when they begin College.
Which subjects can our students study?
At Dallington College, students can choose from a range of A Levels according to their interests and the entry requirements of their preferred universities.
Our offer includes subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business, History, English Literature, Spanish Language & Literature, Psychology and French.
For students planning to apply to Spanish universities, we also offer the following PCE subjects in the 2026/27 academic year:
Sciences
- Mathematics I and II.
- Physics.
- Chemistry.
- Biology.
Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences.
- Business and Business Model Design.
- History of Spain.
Subject choices depend on the degree each student hopes to pursue and the weighting criteria and entry requirements set by individual universities.
Can students enter a Spanish university with A Levels?
Yes. A Levels provide a route into the Spanish university system through the relevant accreditation and admissions procedures, without the need to sit the general phase of the PAU under the conditions applicable to this admissions route.
Grades achieved through A Levels can be converted into an access score out of 10.
Students who need a higher score for more competitive degrees can take PCE examinations and gain up to four additional points, reaching a maximum admission score of 14, depending on the applicable subject weightings.
At Dallington College, we help each student plan their combination of A Levels and PCE subjects around their university goals.
Why choose A Levels rather than the traditional Bachillerato?
One of the main advantages of A Levels is the opportunity to specialise before university.
A student interested in Engineering can focus on Mathematics and Physics, while someone hoping to study Medicine can choose a pathway centred on Biology and Chemistry.
This specialisation allows students to develop advanced knowledge in their chosen areas and become more independent learners.
A Levels also nurture essential university skills, including research, reasoning, problem-solving and time management.
How do we support students as they plan their future?
At Dallington College, we understand that choosing a university degree involves much more than achieving good grades.
That is why our Teen Career Programme provides personal and university guidance to help students identify their strengths, discover their interests and explore different academic and career options.
Through the programme, students receive support in choosing their pathway and navigating university applications and scholarship processes, both in Spain and abroad.
Our aim is to help every student make informed decisions and build a future that reflects their abilities and aspirations.
What makes Dallington College different?
Dallington College is the culmination of a British educational journey that supports pupils from Early Years through to Year 13.
Our programme combines academic rigour, flexibility and personalised attention in a welcoming environment where we know our students and help them fulfil their potential.
Developing independence and personal responsibility is central to our educational approach: both are essential for a successful transition to university.
That is why our students’ timetables combine A Level and PCE lessons with independent study periods, helping them organise their time, manage their responsibilities and take an active role in their own learning.
To support this, Dallington College has two spaces designed for different ways of learning: a Silent Study Room for individual study and concentration, and a Collaborative Group Study Room where students can work together, exchange ideas and develop joint projects.
As Mr Day, Head of College, explains:
“We recognise that students’ ability to work independently is crucial for their academic and personal development. As a result, we provide our students with two dedicated study rooms: a silent study room and a collaborative group study room.”
He adds:
“Students’ timetables balance A-level and PCE classes with independent study periods, fostering responsibility and giving students the opportunity to lead their own learning.”
This approach gradually introduces students to a style of learning similar to what they will encounter at university, helping them develop not only academic knowledge but also the maturity, initiative and confidence to embrace new challenges.
They are also supported by specialist teachers and an educational team who offer individual guidance during this important stage of their lives.
At Dallington College, we believe a good education should expand students’ future options, not limit them.
Our Double Bac enables every student to forge their own path, with the preparation needed to explore university opportunities in Spain and around the world.
Discover Dallington College
Would you like to find out more about our Double Bac programme and the university pathways we offer?
Our admissions team will be delighted to explain how A Levels, PCE examinations and university guidance work at Dallington College.
