Dutch education system An introduction

Welcome You want to learn (more) about the Dutch education system, this module will support you with this process. The module is designed as a self-study module. After following this module you can: develop your personal attitude on teaching in the Dutch education system at the University of Twente (UT). describe the structure and culture of the Dutch education system.

Index Starting teaching at the UT Type of schools in general Higher education in detail Educational culture Grading system Quality of education Food for thoughts

Starting Teaching at the UT (1) The UT is producing outstanding graduates who excel by combining expertise from a range of fields as they design solutions that meet the demands of the future, in the Netherlands and throughout the world. As a lecturer you play an important role in preparing the student for his/her future career. Read more about the vision of the UT.

Starting teaching at the UT (2) The UT offers several other workshops with the purpose to get to know the UT and the environment you work in as a lecturer: Taste of teaching Introduction to the Twente Educational Model (TOM)

Type of schools in general (1) Education in the Netherlands is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. The Dutch education system consists of 8 years of primary education, 4, 5 or 6 years of secondary education (depending on the type of school) and 2 to 6 years of higher education (depending on the type of education and the specialization). Learn more about the Dutch education system.

Type of schools in general (2) For a quick overview of the Dutch education system watch this video.

Higher education in detail (1) Higher education in the Netherlands is a binary system. Binary in this context means there are two types of higher education: research-oriented and profession-oriented: Research-oriented education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) is traditionally offered by research universities. Higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO) is offered by universities of applied sciences (hogescholen). Read more about the binary system.

Higher education in detail (2) University preparatory education (VWO) prepares in six years a student for studying at a university. The first three years of the VWO offers a broad range of subjects that is in principle accessible for everyone. In the senior stage (class 4, 5 and 6 of the VWO), education is given on the basis of subject clusters with a general component that is the same for all pupils and a component of their own choice.

Higher education in detail (3) To further the transition to higher education, all pupils must choose one of the four clusters: culture and society, economics and society, science and health or science and technology. For admission to higher education, all the requirements of the chosen cluster must at least be satisfied.

Higher education in detail (4) The UK and the USA education system differ from the Dutch Education system, but also differ from each other. Both the UK as the USA education system provide an excellent environment for learning, but there are also differences between the two countries regarding the structure of the university as well as student life.

Educational culture In the Dutch education system student and lecturers are equal to each other. Learn more about the Dutch way of teaching.

Grading system In the Netherlands a ten point grading system is used in both secondary as higher education. Learn more about the Dutch grading system.

Quality of education The basic themes concerning the quality of Dutch education are explained in this video.

Food for thoughts Many aspects of the Dutch education system are handled in this module. Think about the following questions: In which way differs the Dutch education system from what you are used to in your own study career? What does this mean for your preparation in your role as a lecturer and interaction with students on the UT?

Thank you We hope this online module gave you inspiration for your future career as a lecturer at the UT! Version: CES/CELT 20-03-2017