Secondary vocational education (mbo) is a form of education provided at regional training centres (roc, regionale opleidingscentra) and agricultural training centres (aoc, agrarische opleidingscentra). There are also specialist institutions that provide mbo courses for a single sector. Mbo is governed by the Adult and Vocational Education Act (Wet educatie en beroepsonderwijs, WEB) and consists of four different levels. Unlike secondary education, it has no central (national) exam. This page describes the situation in the Netherlands.
Progression arrangements
Pupils following a course in pre-vocational secondary education (vmbo) can move on smoothly to mbo. Vmbo mainly aims to give pupils an orientation on the labour market, while mbo has to actually qualify students for the labour market. Smooth progression is decisive for the success of the individual pupil and of the course as a whole. Good progression should also help to prevent early school leaving.
Middle-management vocational programme (kblw)
The middle-management vocational programme (kaderberoepsgerichte leerweg, kblw) is a learning pathway within pre-vocational secondary education. This pathway is designed especially for pupils who like to be practically engaged and want to gain knowledge that way. Pupils who follow the kblw pathway in secondary education can go on to mbo (level 3 and level 4).
Combined programme (gl)
The combined programme (gemengde leerweg, gl) is a learning pathway in vmbo. This pathway is for pupils who are able to study well, but who mainly want to prepare for a specific profession. This means that they want to be trained both theoretically and practically. The combined programme prepares pupils for level 3 and level 4 in mbo.
Theoretical programme (tl)
The theoretical programme (theoretische leerweg, tl) is a learning pathway in vmbo. It is for pupils who like to gain knowledge by processing theoretical information. These pupils have many theory subjects. The theoretical programme prepares pupils for mbo (level 3 and level 4) and also offers the option of moving on to senior general secondary education (havo).
Two learning pathways in mbo
Within mbo there are two variants: bol (beroepsopleidende leerweg, the school-based pathway) and bbl (beroepsbegeleidende leerweg, the work-based pathway). The school-based pathway is fairly theoretical. Students then spend more hours at school. The bbl is more practical, with students spending more hours on work placements. Most students follow a bol course with a short work placement and go to school five days a week. Students aged at least sixteen can also follow a bbl course. They then go to school one or two days a week. The study load is the same in both cases. For bbl students, it is generally a bigger step to move on to higher, more theoretical courses.
Admission requirements for secondary vocational education
Mbo courses are offered at several levels. The first level is that of assistant (assistent beroepsbeoefenaar). Level 2 is that of employee or basic professional (medewerker or basisberoepsbeoefenaar). Level 3 is that of independent employee, independent professional or vocational course (vakopleiding). The highest level is level 4 (middle manager or specialised professional). The highest level gives access to higher professional education (hbo). Depending on the level, admission requirements may apply.
Admission to mbo
There is no prior education requirement for level 1 (entree). For level 2, you need a vmbo diploma, an entree diploma or a certificate of progression from year 3 to year 4 of havo or pre-university education (vwo). For levels 3 and 4, you need a vmbo diploma from the kblw, gl or tl pathway, a certificate of progression from havo/vwo year 3 to year 4, or an mbo diploma at level 2; for level 4, an mbo diploma at level 3 is also sufficient (article 8.2.1 WEB). With a vwo or havo diploma, it is also possible to take part in an accelerated programme.
Practical admission requirements for mbo
In addition to any diploma requirement, extra requirements may apply. For example, you must apply for the course before a deadline. Sometimes participation in intake activities is also compulsory. This differs per course. Additional requirements apply to some courses. For sports courses, for example, physical requirements may be set. In a number of cases, the school can refuse admission to the course for practical reasons, for example if there are not enough places available.
Enrolment requirements for mbo
In addition to the admission requirements and prior education requirements, a number of enrolment requirements also apply. This means that the school will want to receive a copy of the student's prior education diploma. The student must also be able to show that the course fees or tuition fees have been or will be paid. An education agreement (onderwijsovereenkomst, OOK) must also be signed. For minors, the parents must sign as well. After all, parents have a say in the choice of course and also have a right to information. Only when all this is in order can the school enrol the student.
Admission requirements per level
A certificate of progression from havo/vwo year 3 to year 4 is issued by your own secondary school; the mbo school asks for proof of prior education at enrolment.
| Level | Prior education requirement (article 8.2.1 WEB) |
|---|---|
| 1 (entree) | None |
| 2 (basic vocational course) | Vmbo diploma (any pathway), entree diploma or certificate of progression from havo/vwo year 3 to year 4 |
| 3 (vocational course) | Vmbo diploma kblw, gl or tl, certificate of progression from havo/vwo year 3 to year 4 or mbo diploma level 2 |
| 4 (middle-management course) | Vmbo diploma kblw, gl or tl, certificate of progression from havo/vwo year 3 to year 4, mbo diploma level 2 or 3 |
Rules for exams in vocational courses
Unlike in secondary education, there is no central exam in mbo. That does not mean, however, that educational institutions are free to teach whatever they like. Nationally set attainment targets and competences still apply. Educational institutions are only free to decide how they examine these attainment targets and competences. They can do so with tests and exams they have developed themselves. The Education Inspectorate (Inspectie van het Onderwijs) supervises both the curriculum and the examination of the attainment targets and competences.
Types of exams in mbo
The course can choose for itself how it examines. Often, a so-called proficiency test (proeve van bekwaamheid) is chosen. This involves acting out practical situations. In other words, what is examined is the practice of the profession itself. Practical assignments and written projects are also common. Usually, it is a mix of exam types. Schools always draw up their own exam regulations containing the most important rules for the exams. In practice, many schools buy exams from a certified exam provider. This is allowed.
Qualification files in mbo
The qualification files (kwalificatiedossiers) contain the requirements that students must meet at the end of their course. The curricula and exams are drawn up on the basis of the requirements in these qualification files. The starting point is therefore to check whether the mbo student meets the qualification requirements. The qualification files are not drawn up only by education experts: representatives of employers (and employers' organisations) and employees (and employees' organisations) also contribute. This ensures that the requirements match what the working world expects of new employees. The qualification requirements are always set nationally. The Regeling vaststelling modellen kwalificatiedossier en keuzedeel en toetsingskader kwalificatiestructuur mbo 2016 (the 2016 regulation on the models for mbo qualification files and elective modules and the assessment framework for the mbo qualification structure) contains the models used to set the qualification file and the elective module (keuzedeel).
Supervision of the quality of mbo exams
The quality of the exams at mbo schools is checked by the Education Inspectorate. If exams do not meet the requirements, the school will receive a warning. The school must then make sure that its mbo exams do meet the requirements. If the school takes no action or makes insufficient progress, its exam licence can be withdrawn. The school may then still teach the course, but may no longer hold exams for it. The exams for this course must then be outsourced.
Mbo diploma, certificate and statement
When a student completes a full mbo course in one of the learning pathways, the educational institution will in principle award an mbo diploma. For this, students must sit exams. With these exams, the student shows that all mbo requirements have been met. Besides the mbo diploma, mbo also has other forms of proof, such as the mbo certificate and the mbo statement. This offers more room for a tailored approach for people who want to retrain or upgrade their skills.
Mbo statement
Anyone who stops an mbo course without obtaining a certificate or diploma can still receive an mbo statement (mbo-verklaring). The mbo statement lists the results achieved during the course. This makes it possible to show that the student has learned a number of things or has successfully completed a number of (partial) exams. This improves their chances on the labour market. Anyone who is no longer enrolled on a course, does not yet have a basic qualification (startkwalificatie) and is younger than 27 automatically receives an mbo statement. In other cases, the student can apply for an mbo statement from the school's examination board (article 7.4.6a WEB).
Mbo certificate
Students can agree with the educational institution to follow an mbo course for which an mbo certificate has been established. The certificate can be established for an elective module or for a vocational component. The student must follow the course component and sit exams. These assess whether the student meets the certificate requirements. Afterwards, the student receives the mbo certificate. This is an interesting option for jobseekers and working people who want to upgrade their skills or retrain.
Mbo diploma
If a student meets all the requirements of an mbo course, the educational institution awards an mbo diploma. With the mbo diploma, the graduate can show that he or she meets the mbo requirements and is ready for the next step in their career. To obtain an mbo diploma, the student must complete a full mbo course in the school-based pathway (bol), the work-based pathway (bbl) or the third pathway (derde leerweg).
Compulsory education and mbo
Pupils are subject to compulsory education up to and including the age of 16. This means that they must go to school. By following an mbo course, pupils meet their compulsory education obligation. This compulsory education in principle ends at the end of the school year in which the pupil turns 16. For pupils who do not have a basic qualification, for example an mbo diploma at level 2 or higher, a qualification requirement (kwalificatieplicht) applies. Young people subject to the qualification requirement must follow full-time education. If they wish, they can follow the bbl in mbo to combine learning and working.
Funding of vocational education (lump-sum funding)
Educational institutions that offer vocational education receive a lump sum. This is an amount to fund staff and materials. Vocational schools also receive additional budget for quality agreements, for example for the professional development of the teachers at the school.
Lump sum for mbo
The lump sum for mbo is set by the government. This money is allocated freely, and the board of the mbo school can decide for itself how it is spent. When allocating the lump sum, the government takes into account the number of diplomas and the number of students. The contribution is set again every year. Regional training centres, specialist vocational schools and agricultural training centres all receive money from the government.
Extra budget for quality agreements
In addition to the lump sum, mbo institutions also receive a contribution that is used for the individual quality agreements. These individual quality agreements cover, among other things, study success, the quality of the course design, tackling early school leaving and the professional development of teachers and school leaders. The extra budget is used to invest in measures to meet the agreements made.
Frequently asked questions about secondary vocational education
Secondary vocational education (mbo) gives young people the opportunity to prepare for a practically oriented career. There are quite a few legal rules surrounding secondary vocational education. This sometimes raises questions.
How many levels does mbo have in the Netherlands?
Mbo in the Netherlands consists of four levels: level 1 up to and including level 4. Level 1 is the lowest level and level 4 is the highest level.
What are the admission requirements for mbo in the Netherlands?
The admission requirements for mbo in the Netherlands differ per course and level, but in general candidates must have a vmbo diploma. Sometimes extra admission requirements apply.
What different types of mbo schools are there?
There are different types of mbo schools. These are mainly regional training centres (roc) and vocational colleges, but there are also private mbo schools.
How much does an mbo course cost?
Every mbo course involves costs. These costs depend on, among other things, the chosen course, the level, the learning pathway and whether you study full-time or part-time. The Education Executive Agency (DUO) collects the tuition fees (lesgeld) (bol, aged 18 or over on 1 August; €1,511 in 2026-2027); course fees (cursusgeld) (bbl, 18+; €314 for levels 1-2, €762 for levels 3-4) are paid to the school (Rijksoverheid). Anyone aged eighteen or over can apply for student finance. More about student finance and DUO can be found on the page about conflicts with DUO.
What can I do after obtaining my mbo diploma?
An mbo course is first and foremost a springboard to a good job with a good salary. However, you can also choose to go on to further education. This can be at mbo level or at the higher hbo level.