Secondary vocational education

Secondary vocational education (in Dutch: middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO) prepares students for the professional practice or further study. This type of education follows on from VMBO. The duration i of the MBO training will depend on the chosen level.

MBO consists of 4 different levels:

• Level 1 (assistant training, entreeopleiding) lasts 1 year and leads to an MBO diploma at level 1.
• Level 2 (basic vocational training, basisberoepsopleiding) lasts 2 years and leads to an MBO diploma at level 2.
• Level 3 (professional training, vakopleiding) lasts 3 years and leads to an MBO diploma at level 3.
• Level 4 (middle-management training, middenkaderopleiding) lasts 3 or 4 years and leads to an MBO diploma at level 4.
• Level 4 (specialist training, specialistenopleiding) lasts 1 year, is open to students who have completed a vocational or middle-management training, and leads to an MBO diploma at level 4.

In addition to the levels and training described, MBO students can choose between 2 learning pathways:

• The school-based pathway (BOL) – students spend at least 20% and no more than 60% of their study programme working in the professional practice.
• The work-based pathway (BBL) – students spend at least 60% of their study programme working in the professional practice.

The professional practice makes up a key aspect of both pathways. Both pathways are leading to the same diploma.

You can find further information on MBO diplomas on these websites:

• the central government’s website;
• KiesMBO, a Dutch portal about MBO programmes and career choices;
• the SBB website, SBB is the Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and Labour Market.