The Dutch system streams students earlier than elsewhere, not only in terms of academic ability, but also in terms of a future career. The school week can be more dynamic than in many countries. Students might start and end their day at differing times, according to their studies.
Many schools offer a bridging class (brugklas - MAVO/HAVO or HAVO/VWO) for the first 1 or 2 years. These are combined-level classes, and only at the end of the bridging class are students streamed into the appropriate level. Under certain circumstances, it is possible to change levels (up or down) during secondary school, depending on the results at the end of the year. It is also not unusual for students to repeat a year (blijven zitten) if they have not passed the year.
VMBO
VMBO and MAVO (preparatory vocational secondary education) take 4 years and prepares students for vocational training or further education. There are different levels within VMBO and the highest level, VMBO-TL (theoretical education), is also known as MAVO. The other 3 levels are VMBO-GL (mixed vocational/general education), KBL (intermediate vocational education) and BBL (basic vocational education). Pupils follow a general curriculum for the first 2 years and then choose an occupational sector. Go to Pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO) | Secondary education | Government.nl for more information.
After VMBO, students can go to MBO and following that to HBO (bachelor's degree). MAVO students can also go the 4th class of HAVO (provided certain scores have been obtained).
Practical training (Praktijkonderwijs)
There is another option, practical education (praktijkonderwijs), which focuses on vocational training. This six-year course has smaller classes and falls under tailored education (passend onderwijs). A declaration of admissibility for practical education (Toelatingsverklaring - TLV PrO) is required. The school applies for this.
HAVO and VWO
HAVO (senior general secondary education) takes 5 years and prepares students for higher professional education. After HAVO you can go to the 5th class of VWO (there may be some additional requirements) or to a university of applied science (HBO).
VWO (university preparatory education) takes 6 years and prepares students for research universities. VWO is further split into atheneum and gymnasium, with gymnasium students studying Latin and Greek as additional subjects. After VWO you can go to a research university (WO) or to a university of applied science (HBO).
A range of subjects are taught during the first 3 years for HAVO and VWO, and at the end of the third year, students choose one of four profiles:
- Science and technology (natuur en techniek - N&T)
- Science and health (natuur en gezondheid - N&G)
- Economics and society (economie en maatschappij - E&M)
- Culture and society (cultuur en maatschappij - C&M)
Each profile has some set subjects and some optional subjects relating to the profile. Mathematics, Dutch and English are core subjects that are followed by all HAVO and VWO students. For VWO students a second modern foreign language is also compulsory. For the school leaving examinations, HAVO pupils take seven subjects and VWO pupils take eight.
Bilingual secondary education (TTO)
An increasing number of Dutch schools offer bilingual education (tweetalig onderwijs, TTO). In this system, which follows the Dutch curriculum, about 50% of subjects are taught entirely in English for the first 3 years for HAVO and VWO students. After this time all subjects are taught in Dutch to prepare for the central exams, but TTO students often continue to follow an enhanced English program, usually taking either the IB English examination or Cambridge English examinations, which are accepted as proof of English level at universities worldwide. Bilingual education is also offered at MAVO in some schools.
You can find a list of all TTO schools in the Netherlands on the Nuffic website.
Tip:
Most schools only recommend this option for children who already have a good understanding of Dutch.
Enhanced English as an additional subject
Some secondary schools offer additional language programmes, where students can choose to follow a more advanced English programme (Cambridge English). Students then follow additional classes at different levels and take an official examination with an internationally recognised certificate. It is important to note that these classes are in addition to the regular Dutch curriculum. Some school also offer this option for other languages, such as French or German.
Help for non-native Dutch speakers
Some Dutch secondary schools offer additional classes for NT2-students (students for whom Dutch is not their native language) to help improve their level of Dutch. For example, Stedelijk College Eindhoven and Sondervick College. For more information, visit the website of each individual school or school group.
Important to know – extra time for exams
If Dutch is not your native language, the school principal can decide to allow you extra time in the school exams and the central exams. You will need to meet all 3 of the following conditions:
- You do not have sufficient command of the Dutch language AND
- Dutch is not your native language AND
- You have completed less than 6 years of education in the Netherlands.
The school principal might also give you permission to use a dictionary.