Understanding Dutch Education – Levels and Curriculum

Understanding Dutch Education – Levels and Curriculum

The Dutch education system is one that is highly valued, and it is considered to be among the best in the world. But like all education systems, it can be difficult to understand. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the levels and curriculum of the Dutch education system so you can understand it better.

At the core of the Dutch education system is the learning program which follows a nationwide curriculum and is divided into primary, secondary and higher education. Within this structure, educational institutions may introduce their own curricula, but they must also adhere to certain government guidelines.

Primary Education

Children in the Netherlands typically start their schooling at age 4, when they begin their primary education. Dutch primary schools are either openbaar (government-funded) or bijzondere (private). Regardless of their type, all primary schools in the Netherlands must provide a broadly based curriculum in accordance with national guidelines.

The school year lasts 36 weeks and is separated into two semesters. During these weeks, students attend school for five days every week. A typical day is split into three hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.

At the end of primary school, students take an exam called the Central Secondary Education Exam (CSE). This exam tests their knowledge and skills acquired during their primary education, and the government uses it to assess the quality of their teaching.

Secondary Education

The next step of the Dutch education system is secondary education. This level, also known as voortgezet onderwijs, consists of four types of schools. These include: vmbo, havo, pre-university (vwo) and vocational education.

Vmbo is the most basic level of secondary education and it typically takes four years to complete. The havo and vwo programmes take five or six years to complete. Finally, vocational education is aimed at preparing students for specific trades.
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The CSE exam is used to measure the students’ ability and decide which level of secondary education is appropriate for them.

Higher Education

The final stage of the Dutch education system is higher education, which is typically divided into two levels. The first level is the hoger beroepsonderwijs (HBO) or university of applied sciences, which offers three-year bachelor’s degrees and two-year master’s degrees. The second level is the universiteit (academic universities), which offers two-year master’s degrees and three-year doctoral degrees. Some institutions offer courses that can lead to a doctorandus or doctorandus/doctoraal degree.

In order to be accepted into a higher education institution, students must pass certain entrance exams. All higher education programmes also involve some research and a number of credits.
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Conclusion

The Dutch education system is highly valued and it is considered to be among the best in the world. It follows a nationwide curriculum with levels of primary, secondary and higher education. Each of these levels has its own curriculum and requirements which must be met in order for students to progress to the next stage.

Understanding the structure and content of the Dutch education system is an essential part of navigating the Dutch education landscape. We hope this article has helped you to gain some insight into the levels and curriculum of the Dutch education system.

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