Student Exchange Program Netherlands

Starting with the 1999-2000 school year, a major restructuring of general secondary education was implemented. These changes mainly affect VBO, the last two years of MAVO, the last two years of HAVO and the last three years of VWO. Secondary education consists of VBO (pre-vocational education), MAVO (junior general secondary education), HAVO (senior general education) and VWO (pre-university education). Those with a VBO Diploma can then go on to the MBO. The MAVO prepares for senior secondary vocational education (MBO). Starting with the 1999-2000 school year, MAVO and MBO have been officially classified in the same category of education known as VMBO (Voorbereidend Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs) or preparatory secondary education. Depending on interest and capacity, students can choose from one of four learning tracks or routes: 1) the theoretical route granting admission to long MBO or HAVO; 2) the vocationally-oriented route granting admission to long training in secondary vocational education (MBO) or to short training programmes; 3) a mixed educational route with a combination of general subjects and a vocationally-oriented subject; and 4) a professional practice route, oriented towards the labour market and aimed at a specific group for which VMBO is the last educational stage. HAVO prepares for higher professional education (HBO). Students go on to the VWO or choose senior secondary vocational training instead of higher professional education. VWO prepares for university studies, but many pupils continue in HBO. There are 3 kinds of VWO Certificates: Atheneum, Gymnasium and Unified VWO Certificate. An important result of the recent educational reforms regarding VMBO, HAVO and VWO is that pupils in the last two years of VMBO, the last two years of HAVO and the last three years of VWO have to complete the curriculum requirements for one of four subject clusters. VMBO pupils can choose between Technology, Health and Personal Care and Welfare, Economics and Agriculture. HAVO and VWO pupils can choose between Nature and Technology, Nature and Health, Economics and Society and Culture and Society.  Beginning in January 1997, a new national qualification framework for adult and vocational education (beroepsonderwijs) went into effect  with four levels of training and two learning paths. This new system incorporates the senior secondary vocational educational courses (MBO) and apprenticeship training courses (leerlingwezen) that had existed before. Under the new system, each level of qualification corresponds to a different type of course: 1) assistentopleiding, training to assistant level lasting 6 months to 1 year, 2) basisberoepsopleiding, basic vocational training (2-3 years), 3) vakopleiding, professional training (2-4 years) and 4) at level 4, middle-management training (3-4 years) and specialist training (1-2 years). Students can take these courses consecutively, the Diploma for one course serving to gain entry to the next.

The Dutch education system is a government-subsidized system divided into two sections: a six-year primary education program and a secondary education program. The secondary education may last four to six years, depending on the type of career the student wishes to follow. Many vocational schools last only 4 years, while students who wish to attend a university must attend a 6-year program. Two Worlds United students will attend a local secondary high school. Typical subjects in a Dutch high school include: Dutch, English, Geography, Math, History , Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, Social Science, Physics, Religion, Music, Economics, Drawing and Physical Education.

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: Jun

Long vacation from: 15 Jul to: 1 Sep

Languages of instruction: Dutch

Higher Education: Netherlands