{"id":23870,"date":"2023-01-25T11:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T11:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/additioapp.com\/sistema-educatiu-a-holanda-tot-el-que-necessites-saber\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T12:03:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T12:03:00","slug":"education-system-in-netherlands-all-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/additioapp.com\/en\/education-system-in-netherlands-all-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Education system in Netherlands: all you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You have probably heard about the education system in many countries, such as Canada, China, Finland, Singapore\u2026 These education systems have achieved excellent results and they are role models in other parts of the world. In fact, in Additio’s blog we have already talked about the Canadian education system<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the ideal academic systems is the Netherlands<\/strong>. Perhaps this is not the first name that comes to your mind when you think about an education role model, but their system has some particularities you should be aware of. to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s see them in this post!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image by Alexander in Unsplash
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How is the Netherlands academic system organized?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Primary school<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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From 4 to 12 years old, children attend basic school, which is mandatory since they are 5 years old. Primary education is divided into 8 groups, and it is in the last group (group 8) that students take the CITO. CITO is a test that suggests the  type of education appropriate for each student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Secondary education: general considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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After primary school, the students can continue their studies in three different types of secondary schools. These three types of schools are VMBO, HAVO or VWO, and the decision is taken according to the suggestions of the student council and the results of the CITO test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Secondary education: VMBO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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One of the options that the students have to pursue secondary education is the VMBO. This lasts for 4 years (normally takes from 12 to 16 years) and it\u2019s what 60% study in the whole country.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this kind of education, the theoretical education and the vocational education it\u2019s combined, in different grades in the level you choose. Exist more theoretical, practical levels and the ones focused on the work market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Secondary education: HAVO and VWO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The HAVO and VWO are more demanding than VMBO, the courses take longer. HAVO takes 5 years, from 12 to 17 years. Whereas, VWO takes 6 years, from 12 to 18 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first 3 years of HAVO and VWO are basic formation years, and the last 2 or 3 years are focused on the specialization, as students need to choose a profile out of four options. This four profiles are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n