How do I become a teacher in the Netherlands?

Step 1. Decide where you want to teach

In the Netherlands, teaching requirements differ between education sectors. Before you start, it helps to determine where you would like to work:

• Primary education (po)

• Secondary education (vo)

• Vocational education and training (mbo)

• Higher education (ho)

Read more about the Dutch education system in this article and more about teaching qualifications in this article. 

Step 2. Which situation applies to you?

Situation 1: I do not have a (foreign) teaching qualification.

If you do not yet have a teaching qualification, you will need to obtain one in the Netherlands through a teacher training program. Your next steps:

1. Make sure to elevate your Dutch language proficiency to at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of References (CEFR). As teacher training programs are mainly offered in Dutch, you will need to demonstrate this level of Dutch upon applying to the program.

2. Have your foreign diploma(s) assessed by Nuffic or SBB. These institutions analyse the education level of foreign diplomas by comparing them to a Dutch equivalent.

3. Choose your teaching training program. There are different Ga naar artikel for different age groups and levels, with different kinds of teacher training programs and admission requirements.

4. After having completed your teaching training program, you are qualified to teach in the Netherlands! You can start applying for teaching jobs. A job board for the education sector to keep a close eye on is www.meesterbaan.nl.

Situation 2: I have a foreign teaching qualification.

If you have obtained a teaching qualification in another country, it does not automatically mean that you are qualified to teach in the Netherlands. These are the steps you will need to take:

1. Apply for recognition by Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) and waiy for the outcome. They will examine your qualification and determine what the Dutch equivalent of your qualification is.

2.1 If you have a recognised teaching qualification, these are the next steps: 

1. Check whether you meet the Dutch language requirements according to the Common European Framework of References (CEFR). If you want to teach only at international schools where the language of instruction is not Dutch, you will not be required to speak Dutch. 

2. You can now look for a teaching job! Search for vacancies, or send out open applications to school boards in your neighbourhood to inquire about possibilities. It can be very insightful to a arrange a try-out day (meeloopdag) at several schools to get a bit of an impression of what different schools are like in terms of teaching methods and philosophy. Scholenopdekaart.nl offers a thorough overview of elementary schools and secondary schools per city.

   If you want to teach in primary education and you have a teaching qualification from outside the EU/EER, you will first need to demonstrate that your level of Dutch is at B2 or higher, before DUO can consider processing your request for qualification recognition.  

2.2 If your teaching qualification is not or only partly recognised, these are the next steps: 

1. Get in contact with a study advisor at university (of applied sciences) where they offer the teacher training program you wish to follow. Ask about fast-track options.

2. Improve your Dutch language proficiency if necesarry (B2/C1 level). If you want to teach only at international schools where the language of instruction is not Dutch, this is not a requirement. 

3. Complete the additional program and start looking for jobs.

Not sure which situation applies to you? Contact Onderwijsloket!