While the majority of the 700+ vocational courses in the Netherlands are given in Dutch, there are some available in English. Summa College in Eindhoven, for example, has a few MBO courses that are taught in English. However, Dutch is a mandatory subject for all these courses, and students must pass the Dutch exams in order to obtain their diploma. This can be challenging and, therefore, some level of Dutch is required in order to enrol on Summa College’s English-taught courses.
MBO courses take up to four years, depending on the level of training. There are four different levels:
- Level 1: assistant training
- Level 2: basic vocational training
- Level 3: professional training
- Level 4: middle-management training
Students who have successfully completed the theoretical (TL), combined (GL) or middle-management (KBL) vocational programme at VMBO level can enrol in MBO level 3 and level 4 courses (professional and middle-management training).
Each MBO course has two learning pathways:
- Vocational training (BOL) - school-based with between 20% and 60% of the course consisting of practical training
- Block or day release (BBL) - a combination of work and study with more than 60% of the course consisting of practical training
From the age of 18 students have to pay tuition fees, which are set by the government. Upon completion, students can either start work or go on to another form of education. Students with an MBO level 4 certificate can go on to higher professional education (HBO).