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HAVO and VWO | Profiles
In the lower years of secondary school (Brugklas), students follow a broad curriculum and attend classes in fixed groups. In the upper years of HAVO and VWO, students select one of four subject combinations (profiles) based on their interests, abilities, and future career aspirations. The groups then divide accordingly, allowing students to attend classes tailored to their chosen profile. 

These profiles are typically offered within HAVO (Higher General Secondary Education) and VWO (Pre-University Education) tracks. Here's an overview of the main profiles:

1. Nature and Health (Natuur en Gezondheid): 
This profile focuses on subjects related to natural sciences, health sciences, and biology. Students who choose this profile often have an interest in pursuing careers in medicine, healthcare, biology, environmental science, or related fields.

2. Nature and Technology (Natuur en Techniek): 
This profile emphasizes subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and technology. It's suitable for students interested in engineering, technology, architecture, or other technical fields.

3. Economics and Society (Economie en Maatschappij): 
This profile covers subjects related to economics, business studies, social sciences, and law. Students who choose this profile may have ambitions to work in business, finance, law, politics, or social sciences.

4. Culture and Society (Cultuur en Maatschappij): 
This profile focuses on subjects like history, literature, arts, languages, and social sciences. It's suitable for students with interests in humanities, languages, arts, culture, journalism, or social work.

These profiles are designed to provide students with a more specialized education that aligns with their career goals and interests. By choosing a specific profile, students can tailor their secondary education to better prepare themselves for further studies or entry into the workforce. Additionally, these profiles can also influence the subjects and electives students take during their final years of secondary education, helping to deepen their knowledge in their chosen field. After completing secondary education, students have the option to continue their studies at a university, such as the University of Applied Sciences (HBO), or enter the workforce with their vocational qualifications from MBO.

Would you like to register your child at a Secondary Education (VO) school of your choice? You must register your child during the central registration week. Are you moving or coming from abroad, and does your child need to attend a new secondary school? Then, you can register your child throughout the year.

Would you like to register your child at a secondary school? Then consider the following:

Check the secondary school's website and inquire about the application procedure. In some municipalities, school boards have made agreements on the distribution of students among secondary schools. For instance, sometimes, there is a draw.

The secondary school board decides whether your child will be admitted. In doing so, the school board looks at the primary school's recommendation, among other things. This will tell you which level best suits your child, such as VMBO, HAVO, or VWO.

If you come from abroad and your child does not have a Dutch school recommendation, please bring the school reports (translated into Dutch or English) from the foreign school. If your child does not (yet) speak Dutch, it is wise to choose a secondary school with an ISK or newcomer class (see section on newcomer classes.)

When a (Dutch) family has no school recommendation due to a stay abroad, the level of education can be determined by taking a placement test (this can be done via Edufax: Educational testing by Edufax). The test can take different forms, including written tests, interviews, observations, and assessments of previous school performance.

It is important to register your child at several schools because there will be a draw at (almost) every school.

Does your child need extra support? Sometimes, a secondary school cannot offer this. The school may then decide not to admit your child. In that case, the school does have a duty of care for your child. The school will then search for another suitable place in consultation with you, for example, by signing your child up with another secondary school or a school for (secondary) special education.

What documents are required for secondary school enrolment:

• Proof of identity and citizen service number (BSN)
• Proof of identity of the pupil
• If the child comes from another secondary school in the Netherlands, please bring the certificate of deregistration from that school.
• When registering at secondary school, your child will be given an education number, usually the same as the BSN. If your child does not yet have a BSN, please bring proof of registration from the municipality.

MBO | Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs
Secondary vocational education 

Secondary vocational education takes up to four years, depending on the level of training. Those who complete their training can start work or go on to another form of education. More than 700 vocational courses are provided in the Netherlands.

Levels of training

Secondary vocational education (MBO) prepares students for a wide range of occupations, from franchise manager to mechanic or nursing assistant. In the future, demand for skilled workers is expected to increase sharply in the Dutch job market.

MBO courses are given at four different levels of training, each leading to a specific job qualification:

• Level 1: Assistant training (mbo niveau 1) - for basic executive work;

• Level 2: Basic vocational training (mbo niveau 2) - for executive practical work;

• Level 3: Professional training (mbo niveau 3) - to become an independent practitioner;

• Level 4: Middle-management and specialized training (mbo niveau 4) - after which a person can practice a profession fully independently, with a wide range of applications and/or specialization.

Pupils who have successfully completed the theoretical, combined, or middle-management vocational program at the VMBO level can enroll in professional and middle-management training (MBO levels 3 and 4). Holders of a level 4 MBO certificate may go on to higher professional education (HBO).

Practical training and classroom learning.
There are two learning pathways for each MBO course: vocational training (BOL), where practical training takes up between 20% and 60% of the course, and block or day release (BBL), where practical training takes up more than 60% of the course.

International accreditation
Secondary and pre-vocational education certificates are recognized abroad. The website of SBB, the Foundation for Cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and Labour Market, provides more information on accreditation and certificates.