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EuroEducation.net The European Education Directory |
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| The Netherlands |
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Structure of Educational System Pre-higher Education System Higher Education System Administrative structure of higher education Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition |
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education
institutions: Universiteit
(University) Technische
Universiteit (Technical University) Landbouw
Universiteit (Agricultural University) Hogeschool
(University of Professional Education) Open Universiteit
(Open University) Instelling Voor
Internationaal Onderwijs (Institution For International Education) School leaving and higher education
credentials: HAVO Diploma VWO Diploma MBO Diploma Propedeuse HBO Propedeuse WO Diploma Getuigschrift hoger
Beroepsonderwijs Getuigschrift van
het afsluitend Examen Baccalaureus Bachelor Doctoraal Doctorandus Ingenieur Master Meester Apothekersexamen Artsexamen Dierenartsexamen Professional Title Tandartsexamen Post-Doctoraal Doctor's Graad Medical Specialist STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher
education: Duration
of compulsory education: Age of
entry: 5 Age of
exit: 16 Structure of school system: Primary Type of
school providing this education: Basisonderwijs (Primary School) Length
of program in years: 8 Age level from: 4 to: 12 Junior Secondary Type of
school providing this education: Junior General Secondary Education (MAVO) Length
of program in years: 4 Age
level from: 12 to: 16 Certificate/diploma awarded: MAVO Diploma Senior Secondary Type of
school providing this education: Senior Secondary Education (HAVO) Length
of program in years: 5 Age
level from: 12 to: 17 Certificate/diploma awarded: HAVO Diploma Prevocational Type of
school providing this education: Voorbereidend Beroepsonderwijs (VBO) (Preparatory
Vocational Education) Length
of program in years: 4 Age
level from: 12 to: 16 Certificate/diploma awarded: VBO Diploma Vocational Type of
school providing this education: Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (Senior Secondary
Vocational Education ) Length
of program in years: 4 Age
level from: 16 to: 20 Certificate/diploma awarded: MBO Diploma Pre-university Type of
school providing this education: University Preparatory Education (VWO) Length
of program in years: 6 Age
level from: 12 to: 18 Certificate/diploma
awarded: VWO Diploma School
education: Starting with the 1999-2000
school year, a major restructuring of secondary vocational and general
secondary education was implemented. These changes mainly affect VBO, the last
two years of MAVO, the last two years of HAVO and the last three years of VWO.
Secondary education consists of VBO (pre-vocational education), MAVO (junior
general secondary education), HAVO (senior general education) and VWO
(pre-university education). Those with a VBO Diploma can then go on to the MBO.
The MAVO prepares for senior secondary vocational education (MBO).Starting with
the 1999-2000 school year, MAVO and MBO have been officially classified in the
same category of education known as VMBO (Voorbereidend Middelbaar
Beroepsonderwijs) or preparatory secondary vocational education. Depending on
interest and capacity, pupils can choose from one of four learning tracks or
routes: 1) the theoretical route granting admission to long MBO or HAVO; 2) the
vocationally-oriented route granting admission to long training in secondary
vocational education (MBO) or to short training programmes; 3) a mixed
educational route with a combination of general subjects and a vocationally-oriented
subject; and 4) a professional practice route, oriented towards the labour
market and aimed at a specific group for which VMBO is the last educational
stage.HAVO prepares for higher professional education (HBO). Students go on to
the VWO or choose senior secondary vocational training instead of higher
professional education. VWO prepares for university studies, but many pupils
continue in HBO. There are 3 kinds of VWO Certificates: Atheneum, Gymnasium and
Unified VWO Certificate. An important result of the recent educational reforms
regarding VMBO, HAVO and VWO is that pupils in the last two years of VMBO, the
last two years of HAVO and the last three years of VWO have to complete the
curriculum requirements for one of four subject clusters. VMBO pupils can
choose between Technology, Health and Personal Care and Welfare, Economics and
Agriculture. HAVO and VWO pupils can choose between Nature and Technology,
Nature and Health, Economics and Society and Culture and Society. Beginning in January 1997, a new national
qualification framework for adult and vocational education (beroepsonderwijs)
went into effect with four levels of
training and two learning paths. This new system incorporates the senior
secondary vocational educational courses (MBO) and apprenticeship training
courses (leerlingwezen) that had existed before. Under the new system, each
level of qualification corresponds to a different type of course: 1)
assistentopleiding, training to assistant level lasting 6 months to 1 year, 2)
basisberoepsopleiding, basic vocational training (2-3 years), 3) vakopleiding,
professional training (2-4 years) and 4) at level 4, middle-management training
(3-4 years) and specialist training (1-2 years). Students can take these
courses consecutively, the Diploma for one course serving to gain entry to the
next. Higher
education: The Netherlands higher
education system is a binary system, composed of Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (WO
- university education) and Hoger Beroepsonderwijs (HBO - professional higher
education). In addition, there is the Open Universiteit (OU - Open University)
which offers fully recognized university degree programmes through distance
education. Internationaal Onderwijs (IO) (international education), generally
conducted in English, is mainly designed to meet the needs of foreign students.
Since 1991, university research schools have been founded to cater for young
researchers and to centralize research activities. Main
laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Adult and Vocational Education
Act Year: 1996 Decree: The Higher Education
and Research Act (WHW) Year: 1993 Concerns:
university
and HBO (Higher Professional education) Academic
year: Classes
from: Sep to: Jun Long
vacation from: 15 Jul to: 1 Sep Languages
of instruction: Dutch Stages
of studies: Post-secondary studies (technical/vocational
type): Non-university
level: HBO provides
theoretical and practical preparation for professional practice. The four-year
degree programmes are offered at
Hogescholen (Universities of Professional Education). Graduates of a four-year
technical or agricultural programme obtain the title of 'Ingenieur' (ing.). For
the other branches of study, the title is 'Baccalaureus'. Internationally, the
title of Bachelor may be used. The HBO Propaedeuse gives entry to the first
year of a university course. HBO graduates may proceed to postgraduate
programmes. University level studies: University
level first stage: First phase: This stage consists of a one-year Propedeutisch
course (42 credits). The Certificate awarded is the Getuigschrift van het
Propedeutisch Examen. University
level second stage: HBO or Doctoraal programme: The second stage consists of two types of
education: HBO and Doctoraal. A) HBO education combines practical training with
theoretical instruction. It is divided into seven sectors: Technology,
Administration and Economics, Health Care, Fine and Performing Arts, Education
and Teacher Training, Agriculture and Welfare Services. The HBO programme lasts
for four years (168 credits including the Propedeuse) in all fields. An
essential part of each study programme is the
'stage' (internship) and the "scriptie", or major paper,
written in the final year. Upon completion of the programme, the 'Getuigschrift HBO' is conferred and
students may use the title of Baccalaureus or, in Engineering, Ingenieur (ing).
B) Doctoraal: The purpose of the Doctoraal degree programme is to give students
a thorough background in a chosen discipline as well as the research skills
necessary to master it. Most university programmes require the completion of
126 credits (three years) after the propedeuse, but programmes in Engineering,
Agriculture, Mathematics and Science require the completion of 168 credits
(four years) following the propedeuse. A large part of the last year is devoted
to the preparation of a 'scriptie', where the student demonstrates his skill in
conducting independent research. Graduates of the 'Doctoraal' obtain the title
of Doctorandus (drs.), Ingenieur (ir.) or, in Law, Meester (mr.). University
level third stage: Doctoraat: The Dutch Doctoraat
is obtained through the 'Promotie'. It is a research degree which entitles the
holder to the title of Doctor (dr.), the highest university degree in the
Netherlands. After the Doctoraal, it can be obtained in two ways: 1. by serving
as 'Assistent in Opleiding' (AIO) or 'Onderzoeker in Opleiding' (OIO), i.e.
assistant researchers. The former also does some teaching. Candidates are
required to carry out the necessary research and to write a doctoral
dissertation over a period of four years. They are paid a small salary which
increases every year. Competition for these positions is tough. 2. By
researching and writing a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of a full
professor. The dissertation must be
defended in public. Post-doctoraal programmes are third stage training and
research programmes which do not lead to the title of Doctor but give access to
a wide variety of high-level professions in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, etc. Teacher education: Training
of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Both full and part-time courses leading to a
qualification to teach at primary level have a study load of 168 credits (four
years). Graduates are fully qualified to teach all subjects and all age groups
(4 to 12 years) at primary level. Training
of secondary school teachers Secondary school teachers may follow a teacher
training course at a university of professional education or follow a
postgraduate teacher training course at a university. In HBO training courses,
students may obtain a Second Level Qualification (Tweedegraads Bevoegdheid) in
a specific subject, a First Level Qualification (Eerstegraads Bevoegdheid) in
Physical Education or a First or Second Level Qualification in Arts and Crafts.
University graduates can take a post-doctoraal
teacher training course leading to a First Level Qualification. Courses
are available in all subjects in the secondary curriculum. Teachers with Second
Level Qualification are qualified to teach the first three years of VWO and
HAVO and all age groups in MAVO, VBO and MBO, while those with a First Level
Qualification are qualified to teach at all levels of secondary education. Training
of higher education teachers There are no special
credentials which qualify for teaching at the higher education level. Non-traditional studies: Distance
higher education The best example of non-traditional distance
education is the Open Universiteit. It offers courses in Law, Social Sciences,
Arts, Economics, Management and Administrative Science, Engineering and Natural
Sciences. The Central Government has laid down a statutory framework in which
the Open University must operate. The only entrance requirement is that
students be at least 18 years old. Students define their own programme and
proceed at their own pace, which means that the programme's length varies
according to the student. Qualifications are Certificates from one or several
courses, a Diploma awarded upon completion of several courses combined into a
short study programme, or a Doctoraal degree. Lifelong
higher education Regulated by the Adult Education Framework Act,
adult education comprises non-formal education and development work, adult
basic education and adult general secondary education (VAVO). Higher
education training in industry Post-secondary
courses offered by privately-owned institutions in business and industry are so
numerous and so varied in their admission policies that they cannot be
enumerated here. NATIONAL BODIES Administration
& co-ordination: Responsible
authorities: Department of
University Education, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, (Ministerie
van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschappen) Minister: L. Hermans PO Box
25000 Tel: +31(79) 323-2323 Fax: +31(79) 323-2320 WWW: http://www.minocw.nl Role of governing
body: Principal
authority responsible for administration, financing and coordination of higher
education Rectors' Conference
of the Netherlands (Rectoren College) Chairman: D.F.J. Bosscher Secretary: H.J. Graafland Postbus
19270 Tel: +31(71) 527-3130 Fax: +31(71) 527-3052 EMail: hj.graafland@bb.leidenuniv.nl Association of
Universities in the Netherlands (Vereniging van Samenwerkende Nederlandse
Universiteiten (VSNU)) Director: E.E.M. d'Hondt Postbus
19270 Tel: +31(30) 236-3888 Fax: +31(30) 233-3540 EMail: bestuur@vsnu.nl Role of governing
body: Drawing-up
a common policy of long-term development of education and research; promoting
interuniversity co-operation, and co-operation between university and the
Ministry. Netherlands
Association of Universities of Professional Education (HBO-Raad) Chairman: F. Leijnse Postbus
123 Tel: +31(70) 312-2121 Fax: +31(70) 312-2100 EMail: post@hbo-raad.nl ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission
to non university higher education studies Name of
secondary school credential required: HAVO Diploma For
entry to: Hogeschool (University of Professional Education) Alternatives
to credentials: MBO Diploma (level 4) grants
admission to HBO Admission
to university-level studies Name of
secondary school credential required: VWO Diploma For
entry to: Hogeschool and Universiteit Alternatives
to credentials: Students who have passed the first year (propedeuse) of higher
professional education (HBO) are eligible for admission to the universities. Numerus
clausus/restrictions: Numerus clausus for specific university and HBO
programmes are determined by the Ministry of Education and vary from year to
year. A numerus clausus still applies for university programmes in fields such
as Medicine, Dentistry; Pharmacy; and Veterinary Medicine. Other
admission requirements: Theology/Classical Studies: Latin and Greek; Medical
Sciences, Pharmacy: Biology, Physics and Chemistry; other Natural Sciences,
Mathematics and Engineering: Mathematics and Physics; Economics/Social
Sciences: Mathematics.The reforms in the upper secondary phase of HAVO and VWO
will have an enormous influence on the admission of students to higher
education programmes. Diplomas obtained upon completion of the old-style
curriculum will be phased out in 2004-2005. After that, the admission
requirements to many higher education programmes will be even more strictly
regulated than they are now and secondary graduates who have not completed the
required subject cluster or supplemented subject cluster for a particular
programme will not be admitted to that programme. Foreign
students admission Definition
of foreign student: For the purpose of evaluation: a student admitted to an
institution of higher education on the basis of a foreign diploma, whether he
has Dutch nationality or not. For the purpose of statistics, scholarships: any
student who does not hold a Dutch passport. Quotas: Medicine, 2% of all
applicants, Dentistry, 2% of all applicants, Pharmacy, 2% of all applicants. Admission
requirements: Foreign students in the Netherlands must have reached in their home
country a level of education considered at least equivalent to that required
for entry into the proposed university or HBO-programme. In addition, certain
programmes require sufficient preparation in subjects at the secondary level. Entry
regulations: Every foreign student needs a residence permit. To be eligible for this
permit one must: hold a valid passport, be registered in a full-time course of
study, have enough money to cover study and living expenses, have medical
insurance, have enough money to pay for a return ticket. Nationals of some
countries may apply and obtain a residence permit after their arrival in the
Netherlands; others must obtain an authorization of temporary residence (MVV)
from the Netherlands embassy or consulate of their country. Non EU students
need a visa. Health
requirements: none Language
requirements: A language test is usually required. Most universities organize Dutch
language courses. Application
procedures: Apply to
national body for entry to: First year of HBO or university education Apply
to: CBAP PO Box 30157 Application
closing dates: For
university level studies: 1 Dec Recognition
of studies & qualifications: Studies
pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): Main bodies for
accrediting credentials: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science; Ministry
of Agriculture; Ministry of Welfare, Health and Cultural Affairs. Studies
pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign
credentials): Department for
International Credential Evaluation, Nuffic (Netherlands Organization for
International Cooperation in Higher Education) Director: Jindra Divis PO Box
29777 Tel: +31(70) 426-0270 Fax: +31(70) 4260-395 Telex: 33565 nuffic nl EMail: divis@nuffic.nl WWW: http://www.nuffic.nl/index-en.html Deals
with credential recognition for entry to: University Services
provided & students dealt with: Evaluation of foreign qualifications upon request
of institution of higher education, ministries and individual diploma holders Other
information sources on recognition of foreign studies: Some universities carry out
their own evaluations. Special
provisions for recognition: For
access to university level studies: HBO and Universiteit: For holders of foreign
qualifications regardless of nationality there are no special provisions nor
practices. The institution decides and the applicants should contact the
Hogeschool or university of their
choice. For
access to advanced studies and research: Institutions are empowered by law
to make their own decisions. Multilateral
agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of
agreement: Unesco Convention On the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in
Higher Education in the States of the European Region Year of signature: 1981 Name of
agreement: European Convention On the Academic Recognition of University
Qualifications (1959) Year of signature: 1967 Name of
agreement: Protocol To the European Convention On the Equivalence of Diplomas
Leading To Admission To Universities Year of signature: 1964 Name of
agreement: European Convention On the Equivalence of Diplomas Leading To Admission
To Universities Year of signature: 1956 Name of
agreement: European Convention On the Equivalence of Periods of University Studies Year of
signature: 1956 Bilateral
agreements concerning recognition of foreign credentials Name of
agreement: Agreement On Equivalence of Degrees Year of
signature: 1985 Country/state involved: Austria Name of
agreement: Agreement On Equivalence of Degrees Year of
signature: 1983 Country/state
involved: Germany References
to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Study in the
Netherlands Publisher: Nuffic Title: The Education System
of the Netherlands Publisher:
Nuffic STUDENT LIFE Main
student services as national level Netherlands Office
for Foreign Student Relations Rapenburg 6 Category
of services provided: Special services/Centre for foreign students Netherlands Office
for Foreign Student Relations Oranje Nassaulaan 5 Category
of services provided: Special services/Centre for foreign students Special
student travel fares: By road:
Yes By rail:
Yes By air: No Available
to foreign students: No Student
expenses and financial aid Student
costs: Average
living costs: 8000 (US Dollar) Home
students tuition fees: Minimum: 2930 (Netherlands Guilder) Type of
financial aid available: Scholarships/grants/fellowships:
Higher
vocational/technical studies: Home: Yes Foreign:
Yes First
Degree studies: Home: Yes Foreign:
Yes Advanced/doctoral
studies: Home: Yes Foreign:
Yes Loans: Higher
vocational/technical studies: Home: Yes Foreign:
Yes First
degree studies: Home: Yes Foreign:
Yes Advanced/doctoral
studies: Home: Yes Foreign:
Yes Bodies
providing information on student financial aid: Informatiseringsbank Groningen WWW: http://www.ib-groep.nl Publications
on student services and financial aid: Title: Catalogue of
International Courses in the Netherlands 2000-2001 Publisher:
Nuffic Year of publication: 2000 Title: Study Abroad
2000-2001 Publisher:
UNESCO/IBE Year of publication: 1999 Title: Study in the
Netherlands 2000-2001 Publisher:
Nuffic Year of publication: 2000 Title: The Netherlands
Fellowships Programme Publisher:
Federation
of Institutes for International Education (FION) and NUFFIC Year of
publication: 2000 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES Principal
national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and
exchanges in higher education: Nuffic (Netherlands
Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education) PO Box 29777 Tel: +31(70) 426-0260 Fax: +31(70) 426-0399 Telex: 33565 nufic nl Cable: 33565 nufic nl EMail: nuffic@nuffic.nl WWW: http://www.nuffic.nl/index-en.html Participation
of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes Name of
exchange programme: Cultural Agreement Programmes Name of
exchange programme: Huygens Programme Name of
exchange programme: LEONARDO Name of
exchange programme: SOCRATES Name of
exchange programme: Tempus GRADING SYSTEM Usual
grading system in secondary school Full
Description: 10-uitmuntend(excellent);9-zeer goed(very good); 8-goed(good); 7-ruim
voldoende (very satisfactory); 6-voldoende(pass); 5-bijna voldoende
(fail);4-onvoldoende(unsatisfactory);3:zeer onvoldoende(very
unsatisfactory);2:slecht(poor);1:zeer slecht(very poor) Highest
on scale: 10 Pass/fail
level: 6/5 Lowest
on scale: 1 Main
grading system used by higher education institutions Full
Description: 10-uitmuntend (excellent); 9-zeer goed (very good); 8-goed (good); 7-ruim
voldoende (very satisfactory); 6-voldoende (pass); 5-bijna voldoende (fail);
4-onvoldoende (unsatisfactory); 3:zeer onvoldoende (very unsatisfactory);
2:slecht (poor). Highest
on scale: 10 Pass/fail
level: 6/5 Lowest
on scale: 1 Other
main grading systems voldoende/onvoldoende
(pass/fail) NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for
academic year: 2000-2001 Source: Department for International Credential Evaluation, Nuffic, 2000 Copyright © International Associations of Universities |
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