#dutch explained

0-4 years old

When kids are 2 years old they can go to preschool (peuterspeelzaal). Note that I wrote ‘can’! They don’t have to go anywhere yet, you are free to choose what you think is best at this point.

Preschool is organized by the municipality so how it is organized exactly will depend on where you live. It can cost a maximum amount of 8,46 per hour your child spends there. Again, the exact costs will depend on where you live.

4-12 years old

Children can start primary school when they are 4 years old. Depending on their birthday month they either do the first grade (groep 1) for less or more than one year. Children have to go to primary school when they reach the age of 5, they will then start in the second grade (groep 2).

Primary school takes eight years when the kids start in first grade. The grades are numbered sub-sequentially (groep 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8). In the last year (groep 8) a lot of schools let the kids take a test, often a “CITO-toets”, that provides a score. This score is sometimes requested by the Secondary institution.

12-16/18 years old

After Primary School all children go to Secondary School. Which one depends mainly on how they performed in the last few years of Primary School. Kids can shift during their secondary school between these levels however, up is more difficult than down.

VMBO comes in many levels, from practical and very simple up to a level that combines practical skills with theoretical skills, they all prepare the students for a profession that is taught further at another school (MBO).

VMBO-t takes four years to complete and prepares for MBO-4.

Havo takes 5 years to complete and prepares for a Bachelor at the University of Applied Sciences, in the Netherlands, it is commonly called HBO.

VWO takes 6 years to complete and prepares for a University Bachelor.

Almost every secondary school offers an in-between level class for the first year or the first two years:

Kids leave primary school with an expected fit for their secondary school, stemming from the teacher and their score on the main, final test;

The advice is could for example indicate that 'Havo' would be best suited;

However, the child may believe that VWO is best suited;

Most schools then offer a solution, a class that combines the kids with 'Havo' and 'VWO' advice;

This can last up to two years and each child gets a grade on 'Havo' level and on 'VWO' level for all subjects;

The grades and how the child behaves in class indicate which level would be best suited.

Choosing the main specialisation courses

In the third grade (kids are around 14 years old) a general interest choice has to be made. In very generalising terms you could call it choosing alpha- or beta-sciences. Different kinds of math are offered and the kids can drop or pick some languages (German, French, Spanish) and subjects like economics, geology or physics.

N&T offers a lot of beta oriented subjects and offers the possibility to pick not one but two math varieties;

N&G offers a lot of beta oriented subjects but leaves room for some more alpha oriented subjects and includes biology;

E&M offers a lot of economic and alpha oriented courses;

C&M offers the possibility to pick the most simple math variety and more alpha oriented and artsy subjects.

16/18+ years old

MBO has four levels and level 1 educates for very simple, practical jobs. It goes till level 4 and educates for doing a profession on your own with often a very specialized expertise with a practical as well as a theoretical side.

HBO is internationally known as the University of Applied Sciences. In the Netherlands we have 180 of them, some are private institutions and cost a lot of money. However, in our country, the public institutions are of good quality so there is no need for this. You can get a well-paid job if you study at a public institution.

University uses the bachelor and master system. The Netherlands has 48 universities, some are private institutions and will cost you a lot of money. However, here in the Netherlands, the public institutions are of excellent quality so there is no need for this.

Higher Education and Academic Career Options

In Higher Education, all kinds of titles and degrees are thrown around worldwide. Each country has their own system and it isn’t always as clear what kind of background someone with a BSc has. What is actually the difference between “ing.” and “ir.”? The two people with this title are both engineers but don’t have the same background.