Country education guide
Netherlands
National attainment objectives and examination programmes sit alongside school autonomy and differentiated secondary pathways.
📚 School stages
Grades, stages, and local pathways
Primary school · Groups 1–2
Children enter primary school through local school-admission arrangements.
Primary school · Groups 3–8
Primary school finishes after Group 8 and includes a transition recommendation for secondary education.
Secondary pathways · VMBO, HAVO, VWO
Placement reflects school advice, attainment, and the receiving school pathway.
VMBO / HAVO / VWO school-leaving examinations
National and school examination components lead to pathway-specific diplomas.
MBO / HBO / WO
Programme providers and credential-evaluation services assess entry qualifications.
📝 Examinations and qualifications
Selectable records for Netherlands
Each record links to the authority that publishes its current rules.
VMBO / HAVO / VWO diploma
Three national secondary pathways with different duration, subjects, examinations, and progression rights.
- Completion or score rule
- Pass rules combine school examinations and central examinations and must be checked for the selected pathway and examination year.
- Where it applies
- Netherlands
🔗 Official source library