Secondary education
After the primary school children go to secondary education. These schools have different levels.
Students can choose between Preparatory Vocational Education and training (VMBO), followed by Senior Secondary Vocational Education [MBO] or General Secondary Education. General Secondary Education prepares the student for a continuing education: Higher Vocational Education [HBO] or University Education [WO]. There are also two levels in general education: Senior Secondary Education [HAVO] and University Preparatory Education [VWO].
Preparatory Vocational
Education [VMBO]
VMBO means Preparatory Vocational Education and lasts four years. After this school the students can find a job in a chosen field of interest or they can continue to study at either the MBO or HAVO (see below).
In the first two years the student gets a broad variety in subjects. At the end of the second year they choose a certain sector or course of study. The course of study is linked to the manner of studying, which is either oriented towards more theoretical or practical application of skills. The sector is linked to continuing education or the work the student would like to do after his school.
This form of education only knows Dutch as the instructing language.
Senior Secondary Vocational Education [MBO]
MBO means Senior Secondary Vocational Education and is the possible continuing education for students who have finished VMBO. This form of education provides a training that prepares the student for a chosen work field. It is also possible to study at the MBO after having finished the HAVO (see below).
The MBO is divided into
four sectors: economics, agriculture, technology, and social services. This
form of education has four levels: training to assistant level, basic
vocational training, professional training and middle-management training. Each
level of qualification corresponds to a different duration of the study time:
from the 1-year training at assistant level to the 4-year middle-management training.
Only the 4-year educational route of the MBO gives entry to the Higher
Vocational Training [HBO].
In the Arnhem Nijmegen Cool Region there are several
institutions for Senior Secondary Vocational Education:
- ROC-Nijmegen (site only in Dutch)
- Rijn IJssel (site only in Dutch)
- Helicon (site in English)
- ROC-A12 (site only in Dutch)
Most of the Senior Secondary Vocational Education
institutions use Dutch as the instructing language, but slowly more and more
schools are using English in the classroom. It is wise to contact one of the
institutions to get more information about this matter.
Prevocational Secondary Education [HAVO]
HAVO means Prevocational Secondary Education and lasts five years. This form of education is the preparation for Professional Higher Education [HBO]. This type of education is divided into a general part and a specialisation. In the last two years students have to choose a profile, which prepares them for a specific field of interest.
In the first three years the students take all subjects. After this period there is a choice to either move on to the Senior Secondary Vocational Education [MBO] or to stay at the HAVO, which most students do.
In the last two years there is a choice of four profiles:
- Nature and Technology
- Nature and Health
- Economics and Society
- Culture and Society
University Preparatory Education [VWO]
VWO stands for University Preparatory Education and lasts six years. The diploma allows the student to study at any university [WO] or university of applied sciences [HBO]. There are two types of University Preparatory Education, namely Gymnasium (with Greek and Latin required) and Athenaeum (no Greek or Latin).
In the first three years of the VWO students take all subjects. After this period they choose a profile, which prepares them for their continuing education:
Read more about
secondary education in English on the Arnhem International School
Schools for
secondary education in the Arnhem Nijmegen Cool Region can be found via
official websites of the mentioned municipalities
