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Studying
Last updated: 25/09/2024, 11:31
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After secondary school, you can continue your studies. You can study at different levels. The level of your studies depends on your secondary school diploma. In this article, you will find information about the different levels if you are going to study.
Different types of studies
In the Netherlands, there are three different levels you can study:
Intermediate vocational education (MBO)
Higher vocational education (HBO)
University, this is also called scientific education (WO)
Below you can read about the features of each type of education.
The MBO
Middle-level vocational education (MBO) is a school where you learn a profession. You can follow an MBO program after getting your VMBO diploma.
During your studies, you will learn a lot from practice
While studying at MBO, you do not just learn from books. You also learn many things in practice. During your training, you will go to a company to learn how things work there. This way you can really experience what it is like to work. The MBO offers courses at different levels, from level 1 to level 4. At level 1, you learn most from practice. At level 4, you learn more from theory.
After your MBO training.
The school-based learning path (BOL)
Most students in the MBO follow a BOL education. In a BOL course, students receive a lot of theory at school and assignments are sometimes done at home. In addition, students complete an internship to gain practical experience.
The job-based learning path (BOL)
Students in the MBO can also follow a BBL education, provided they are 16 years old or older. They mainly work and go to school for 1 or 2 days. Students mainly learn in practice by doing and experiencing for themselves.
At MBO you can take different types of courses, depending on what your interests and goals are. For example:
The HBO
Higher general secondary education (HBO) is a school where you learn a profession or trade after you have a HAVO diploma. Or where you learn more about your profession after middle-level vocational education (MBO).
During your studies, you will learn a lot from practice and theory
The HBO is less hands-on than the MBO. You learn more from theory. In addition to lessons, you often do projects and assignments that prepare you for real situations in your work. You also do 1 or more internships during your training.
After your HBO studies
In HBO, you can do three different training courses. Most people follow an HBO bachelor. After a bachelor's degree, you are trained for a profession and can start working.
This training course is a general training course around a topic. It lasts for 4 years. After you have received your diploma, you will be named bachelor.
After your bachelor's degree, you can continue studying for a master's degree for 1 to 3 years. During this program, you become an expert in a particular subject.
An associate degree program is a 2-year program. The final level of the associate degree is between MBO-4 and HBO bachelor. You can start an HBO bachelor in the same subject after obtaining this degree.
In HBO, you can take a variety of training courses, just as you can in MBO. These training courses go deeper into a particular field. Examples of studies are:
Nursing training
Teacher training
Journalist training
Manager training
University (WO)
At university in the Netherlands you become a researcher. You often do not learn for 1 profession but you learn very extensively about a field or subject. You can go to university if you have a VWO diploma or HBO diploma. Also, sometimes you can go to university if you have passed the first year of your HBO program.
During your studies, you will learn a lot from theory
While studying at university, you will study and research themes or topics extensively. This means you do a lot of reading and research. You gain little practical experience. In some studies, you do do some kind of internship. But most of your study is theory.
After you graduate from university
A university education consists of a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. You can choose to pursue only a bachelor's degree. But most people pursue a bachelor's and a master's degree.
This training course is a general training course around a topic. It lasts for 3 years. After 3 years you will be named bachelor.
After your bachelor's degree, you can continue studying for a master's degree for 1 to 3 years. During this program, you become an expert in a particular subject.
Medicine, with this course you can become a doctor, for example
Psychology, with this course you can become a psychologist, for example
Law, with this course you can become a lawyer, solicitor or judge, for example
Architecture, with this course you can become an architect, for example
While studying at university, you will be trained as a scientist or researcher. This means that you are not trained for one profession. You can often do several professions after completing your studies.
Find your study programme through Study in Holland
On the Study in Holland website you have an overview of all English-language college and university programmes in the Netherlands. You will also find information on study costs.
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