How is the Dutch education system structured?

Primary education (primair onderwijs; po) 

Children usually start primary education around the age of four. School attendance becomes compulsory from the age of five. Primary education typically consists of eight grades (group 1 to group 8), after which students continue to secondary education. There are four forms that fall under the sector of primary education in the Netherlands:

Regular primary education (regulier basisonderwijs)

The majority of children in the Netherlands, who do not have any significant additional needs, attend regular primary education. Children start in group 1 and are taught by one or more teachers according to a set weekly schedule through group 8. Subjects include math, Dutch spelling and grammar, history, geography and physical education.

Special needs primary education (speciaal basisonderwijs; sbo) 

In the Netherlands there are also special needs primary schools. These schools are intended for children who have extensive learning needs that regular primary schools (reguliere basisscholen) cannot attend to. For example, due to learning disabilities or developmental and educational challenges. These schools apply the same learning goals as schools in regular primary education, only the teaching material is offered in a way that takes into account the specific situation and needs of each child.

Special needs education (speciaal onderwijs; so)

A school for special needs education (so) is meant for children who cannot find a suitable place within regular primary education or special needs primary education because of significant developmental challenges. Schools with special needs education do not apply the same learning goals and students follow a customized path. Therefore, many children who start off in special needs education continue to secondary special needs education (vso), although some might transfer to regular secondary education (vo). 

Special needs education (so) is organized into four clusters: 

• Cluster 1: blind and visually impaired students; 

• Cluster 2: deaf or hearing-impaired students or students with a language-speech development disorder; 

• Cluster 3: physically or mentally disabled students and students with long-term illnesses; 

• Cluster 4: children with psychological and behavioral challenges. 

Secondary special needs education (voortgezet speciaal onderwijs; vso)

Although students in secondary special needs education (vso) are generally the same age as students in regular secondary education (vo), secondary special needs education falls under the umbrella term primary education (po) according to the Primary Education Act (Wet op het primair onderwijs). 

Secondary special needs education (vso) primarily includes children who transit from special needs education (so). It is meant for students who need specialized support that regular secondary schools cannot provide. The learning goals can therefore differ from the learning goals in other forms of secondary education. Some may obtain a preparatory vocational secondary education (vmbo) diploma and continue their studies. Others may not and will then move on to guided daytime activities (dagbesteding). 

According to estimations approximately 110.000 children in the Netherlands follow some form of special needs education.

Secondary education (voortgezet onderwijs; vo) 

After group 8 in primary school, children attend a secondary school (middelbare school). This education form is referred to as secondary education (vo). Students in secondary education on average are between twelve and eighteen years old. In the Netherlands secondary education is offered at different levels (note that not all vo-schools offer the same levels): 

Practical training (praktijkonderwijs; pro) 

Practical training (pro) is a fice year pathway in which students (with an average IQ between 55 and 80) receive intensive instruction and guidance. Teachers explicitly help students to develop important general skills, such as self-reliance, communication skills and general employee etiquette that is deemed essential in any workplace.

*Often you can teach at praktijkonderwijs with a primary education qualification too.

Preparatory vocational secondary education (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs: vmbo) 

Preparatory vocational secondary education (vmbo) is a four-year program that prepares students for post-secondary vocational education and training (mbo). There are four paths: 

• Basic vocational pathway (beroepsgerichte leerweg; vmbo-b) that prepares students for post-secondary vocational education and training level 2 (mbo-2); 

• Middle-management vocational pathway (kaderberoepsgerichte leerweg; vmbo-k) that prepares students for post-secondary vocational education and training level 3 or 4 (mbo-3/mbo-4); 

• Combined education pathway (gemengde leerweg; vmbo-gl) that prepares students for post-secondary vocational education and training level 3 or 4 (mbo-3/mbo-4). With a combined education pathway (vmbo-gl) diploma;

• Theoretical education pathway (theoretische leerweg; vmbo-t) that prepares students for post-secondary vocational education and training level 3 or 4 (mbo-3/mbo-4). With this diploma, students can also continue their studies at senior general secondary education (havo) level.

Senior general secondary education (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs: havo)

Senior general secondary education is a five-year path that prepares students for higher professional education (hbo) with a more fundamental theoretical base. At the end of their third year (onderbouw), students choose one of the following subject profiles:

• Culture and society – C&M (cultuur en maatschappij) 

• Economics and society – E&M (economie en maatschappij) 

• Science and health – N&G (natuur en gezondheid) 

• Science and technology – N&T (natuur en techniek) 

After passing the final exams, some students may continue their studies at university preparatory level (vwo).

University preparatory education (voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs: vwo)

University preparatory education is a six-year pathway that prepares students for enrolling at a research university (universiteit). The main focus is in-depth theoretical learning. At the end of their third year (onderbouw), students choose one of the following four subject profiles: 

• Culture and society – C&M (cultuur en maatschappij) 

• Economy and society – E&M (economie en maatschappij) 

• Science and health – N&G (natuur en gezondheid) 

• Science and engineering – N&T (natuur en techniek)

There are two different tracks within university preparatory education:

• Atheneum is the main track, with 15 foundation subjects and 8 exam subjects. 

• Gymnasium is a track with the additional subjects Latin, Greek and classical cultural education.

Bilingual education (tweetalig onderwijs) 

Ga naar artikel is a branch within secondary education. In bilingual schools or study paths, some courses are offered in English, such as history, geography and gymnastics. English is not only the language of instruction, but also the language of communication: the teacher speaks English to the students and the students speak it among each other.

Tertiary education (vervolgonderwijs)

Tertiary education refers to all forms of post-secondary education, including post-secondary vocational education and training (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs) and higher education (hoger onderwijs).

Post-secondary vocational education and training (mbo) 

Mbo courses prepare you for a specific trade or profession, such as baker, electrician, hairdresser or administrative assistant. There are approximately 500 courses in which you can obtain an mbo diploma. 

Mbo has four levels:

• Level 1: Assistant training (mbo niveau 1) - for basic executive work; 

• Level 2: Basic vocational training (mbo niveau 2) - for executive practical work; 

• Level 3: Professional training (mbo niveau 3) - to become an independent practitioner; 

• Level 4: Middle-management and specialized training (mbo niveau 4) - after which a person can practice a profession fully independently, with a wide range of applications and/or specializations.

Secondary general adult education (voortgezet algemeen volwassenonderwijs; vavo)

Secondary general adult education (vavo) is usually meant for people of 18 years and older. For example, adults who did not yet obtain a secondary school diploma, adults who want to obtain a secondary school diploma at a different level, or those who want to obtain a partial certificate for certain subjects because of their further education. Vavo is officially part of the mbo education sector and is therefore offered by mbo institutions, even though one obtains a secondary education diploma.

Higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs: hbo)

After obtaining a havo or vwo diploma, secondary school students can continue to higher professional education (hbo) at a university of applied sciences (hogeschool). In addition, students who have an mbo diploma on level 4 can also continue their studies at a university of applied sciences.

Higher professional education is divided according to the bachelor-master system. There are three levels of higher professional education: 

Associate degree (ad)

This is a practice-oriented, two-year program. The level is between mbo-4 and hbo-bachelor. 

Professional bachelor (hbo-bachelor)

This is a four-year program resulting in a bachelor's degree in higher professional education. 

Professional master (hbo-master)

This is a specialized one or two year program resulting in a master’s degree in higher professional education.

Research oriented education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs: wo)

After vwo, secondary school students are eligible to follow research oriented education at a university. Students who have completed their propaedeutic year at a university of applied sciences may also go on to study at a university bachelor program. Students who have completed a full hbo bachelor can opt for a research university master through a pre-master program.

Research oriented education (wo) in the Netherlands, like higher professional education (hbo), is divided according to the bachelor-master system:

University bachelor (wo-bachelor)

This is a theory-based, three-year program after which you receive a bachelor's degree. Following your bachelor's degree, you can pursue a university master's program. 

University master (wo-master)

This is a more specialized theory-based, one or two year program. You will complete this program with a master's degree.

PhD

A PhD is the highest academic degree you can obtain. If you aspire a career in science or if you want to become a researcher or professor later on, you need to complete a PhD. Upon completion you receive the title doctor of science. The average duration of a PhD is 4 years.

More information about education in the Netherlands can be found on Nuffic’s website.