The Netherlands has many different learning paths in secondary education. A total of six different learning paths can be distinguished in secondary education. The different learning pathways are classified according to the level of learning, including the average IQ of the students. The different learning paths do not all take the same length. Furthermore, there are various courses that link up with the different learning pathways and the learning pathways link up with each other, so you can move on to the next learning path with a diploma from a particular pathway if you wish.
From primary school to secondary education
At the end of grade eight, all students choose a secondary school. The secondary school is chosen at the level of learning appropriate to the student. The teacher assigns each student one of the six learning paths. They do this with the help of the results of the student tracking system. The student tracking system contains all tests that the student has taken in his or her primary school period. The six learning paths all have different durations and have their own level of difficulty. Furthermore, the learning pathways are all connected and there are different courses that the student can do after secondary school.
The six different learning paths
| learning path | expensive | further education | average IQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical education | 5 years | These students can manage by themselves after high school and can go to work | lower than 80 |
| VMBO-B | 4 years | level 2 mbo | between 80 and 90 |
| VMBO-K | 4 years | level 3 and 4 mbo | between 90 and 100 |
| VMBO-T | 4 years | level 3 and 4 mbo | between 100 and 110 |
| havo | 5 years | HBO level | between 110 and 130 |
| VWO | 6 years | HBO and WO level | higher than 130 |
Additional information about the six learning paths
Practical education
You must have a special admission statement for this pathway to be admitted. This learning path is for children who are extremely difficult to learn. The students in practical education only receive practical lessons and the aim is for the student to be able to manage at home and at work after this training. After five years of practical training, the aim is for the student to look for a job and start working.
VMBO-B, VMBO-K and VMBO-T
At the end of the second grade, all students must choose one of ten profiles.
- Economy & entrepreneurship
- Hospitality, bakery & recreation
- Healthcare
- Green
- Building, living & interior
- Production, installation & energy
- Mobility & transport
- Media, design & ICT
- Maritime & technology
- Services & products
In addition, in 2019 there are five compulsory subjects in the upper years, namely: Dutch, English, social studies, physical education and a culture subject. In addition, the students get many more subjects, but these differ per school. All students in VMBO-B and VMBO-K receive practical lessons for 12 hours a week. During these lessons, students do not learn from books, but learn by doing things. Examples of practical subjects are cooking, gardening and flower arranging. Each school has a different range of practical subjects.
Havo
At the end of the third grade, all students must choose one of the four profiles.
- nature and technology
- nature and health
- economy and society
- Culture and Society
For the HAVO program, there are also six compulsory subjects in the upper years of 2019, namely: Dutch language and literature, social studies, arithmetic, English language and literature, cultural artistic training and physical education. Besides these subjects, the students also take other subjects, but that differs per school.
VWO
All pupils must choose one of the four profiles at the end of the third grade, these are the same as in HAVO.
- nature and technology
- nature and health
- economy and society
- Culture and Society
Within the VWO program you have two categories, namely the atheneum and the gymnasium. These two categories have the same level of difficulty, but when you are in the gymnasium you have to meet two extra requirements. You have to follow the course Greek or Latin and the course classical cultural education and pass this on your final exam.
The compulsory subjects at VWO in 2019 are Dutch language and literature, social studies, English language and literature, cultural art education (for the gymnasium this is classical cultural education), arithmetic, physical education and a second foreign language (for the gymnasium this is Greek or Latin). In addition to the compulsory subjects, each school chooses more subjects that the students take and these differ per school.
The conclusion
The six learning paths differ very much from each other in terms of difficulty, duration and content. However, for most learning pathways you have to choose a profile after a number of years so that you can focus more on one field. Because there are six different learning paths, there is often one learning path that suits you and as you progress, you can adapt your own learning path to your own talents by choosing an appropriate profile.
