Secondary education in the Netherlands begins at age 12 and is highly structured, with students placed into different academic pathways based on performance and teacher recommendations at the end of primary school.
VMBO (Preparatory Vocational Secondary Education, 4 years)
HAVO (Senior General Secondary Education, 5 years)
VWO (Pre-University Education, 6 years)
Only VWO graduates qualify directly for research university admission, while HAVO graduates typically enter universities of applied sciences. VMBO prepares students for vocational education (MBO).
Education is compulsory from ages 5 to 16, with partial compulsory education until age 18.
The Netherlands has over 650 secondary schools.
More than 95% of students complete upper secondary education.
The country consistently ranks among the top OECD performers in education quality.
The Dutch system is known for early academic streaming, strong student independence, and a balance between academic and vocational pathways.
The Netherlands is one of Europe’s most international study destinations, offering a large number of English-taught programs.
The country has two main types of higher education institutions:
Research Universities (WO) – focused on academic and research-oriented programs
Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO) – practice-oriented education with strong industry links
Leading institutions include the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Leiden University, and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Bachelor’s degrees typically last 3 years (4 years at universities of applied sciences).
Master’s degrees usually take 1–2 years.
Wide range of programs taught entirely in English.
Interactive, student-centered teaching style emphasizing group work and critical thinking.
The Netherlands hosts approximately 800,000 higher education students.
Over 120,000 international students study in the country.
The Netherlands offers one of the highest numbers of English-taught programs in continental Europe.
Dutch universities are particularly strong in engineering, business, logistics, sustainability, water management, social sciences, and design.
The Netherlands offers various summer schools and short-term academic programs, particularly at research universities.
Academic summer courses in business, law, international relations, engineering, and sustainability
Dutch language courses (15–20 hours per week)
Cultural excursions to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Delft
Accommodation in student residences
The Netherlands is one of the most English-proficient non-native English-speaking countries in the world.
Dutch universities are highly ranked for international outlook and research collaboration.
Summer programs in the Netherlands combine academic rigor with a modern, innovative, and internationally oriented environment, often serving as a gateway to full-degree study.