Nederlands
EnglishGoing to school in the Netherlands
The Dutch education system consists of primary education, secondary education (also called high school) and further education. Children ages 4 through 12 attend primary education. From the age of 13, children attend secondary education until they are 16, 17 or 18. After that, they can continue studying in further education.
Primary education
Primary education in the Netherlands is divided into eight year layers, also called groups. Groups 1 and 2 are also called the kindergarten class. At some schools, a class consists only of children from the same group, while classes at other schools are combined and consist of, for example, groups 3, 4 and 5.
Transition from primary to secondary education
At the end of elementary school (grade 8), each child receives a level recommendation for secondary education. This recommendation is given by the teacher and is based on the learning results, test results and general development of the child. The recommendation is binding and is sent to the secondary school for which parents have registered their child. Read more about primary education on the Dutch government website here.
Secondary education
After elementary school, children attend secondary education. There are four levels within secondary education:
- practical education (PrO; 4 years)
- preparatory secondary vocational education (vmbo; 4 years)
- Higher general secondary education (havo; 5 years)
- preparatory scientific education (vwo; 6 years)
The first two grades of vmbo and the first three grades of havo and vwo are called the substructure. The last two or three years are called the superstructure. In the superstructure, students choose a field of study; this is called a profile. Once they have passed their final exams, children can continue studying in an advanced program. Which continuation course they can follow depends on the level they took in high school and their school results.
In high school and at some elementary school, children are given homework. Dutch parents often help their children with homework. Read more about secondary education on the Dutch government website here.
Dutch parents often help their children with homework
Further education
In the Netherlands, after graduating from secondary school, you can continue your studies at three different types of education:
- Secondary vocational education (mbo) trains people for a practical profession, such as hairdresser, cook or car mechanic. Most MBO courses are offered by Regional Training Centers (ROCs). There are also other institutions that offer MBO courses.
- Higher professional education (hbo) trains people for higher positions in government or business, such as nurse, accountant or construction engineer. Hbo courses are taken at a university of applied sciences.
- Scientific education (wo) is done at a university. At the university, people are trained for professions such as doctor or lawyer, but also for a career in the sciences.
From transition class to regular class
Foreign-speaking children receive education in a transition class before entering regular primary or secondary education. In the transition class, the emphasis is on learning the Dutch language and students become familiar with the Dutch school system. View an overview of elementary school with a transition class and secondary schools with a transition class.
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