All children between the ages of 5 and 16 living in the Netherlands are required to go to school. This rule also applies to children from Ukraine. Young people between the ages of 16 and 18 must obtain an initial qualification. Further continuation of training is optional. At the same time, young people can enter Dutch universities with Ukrainian secondary education certificates after their assessment by Nuffic.
Reminders for Ukrainians on the education system in the Netherlands
In late January - early February 2023, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science issued three leaflets in Ukrainian for displaced persons from Ukraine on the education system in the Netherlands:
- Reminder 1. How does primary education work in the Netherlands?
- Reminder 2. How does secondary education work in the Netherlands?
- Reminder 3. Education in higher education institutions in the Netherlands.
The information in the memos will help to dot the i's on many issues of organizing the educational process for Ukrainian children, since the war is still going on, refugees are arriving in the Netherlands, and almost always with a lot of questions.
How do Ukrainian and Dutch schools compare?
| Age | In Ukraine | In the Netherlands |
| 4-5 years | 1st grade: Primary school | |
| 5-6 years | 2st grade: Primary school | |
| 6-7 years | 1st grade: Primary school | 3st grade: Primary school |
| 7-8 years | 2st grade: Primary school | 4st grade: Primary school |
| 8-9 years | 3st grade: Primary school | 5st grade: Primary school |
| 9-10 years | 4st grade: Primary school | 6st grade: Primary school |
| 10-11 years | 5th grade: High school | 7st grade: Primary school |
| 11-12 years | 6th grade: High school | 8st grade: Primary school |
| 12-13 years | 7th grade: High school | 1th grade: High school |
| 13-14 years | 8th grade: High school | 2th grade: High school |
| 14-15 years | 9th grade: High school | 3th grade: High school |
| 15-16 years | 10th grade: High school (secondary education) | 4th grade: High school |
| 16-17 years | 11th grade: High school (secondary education) | 5th grade: High school |
| 17-18 years | 6th grade: High school |
What school can I enroll my child in?
Your child(ren) can be enrolled in a school in your area. The school management will then review the options with the parents. Ukrainian children can also go to special schools for newcomers. For more information on how to register your child for school upon arrival in the Netherlands, see our article.
What are International Preparatory Classes?
These are institutions for newly arrived children who do not speak Dutch well. In secondary education, these schools are often referred to as international preparatory classes: here, students are educated, paying great attention to the study of the Dutch language. The idea is for students to move into the general middle Dutch classes after 1 or 2 years. More about such schools - on the website of the organization LOWAN.
In what language is teaching: Ukrainian or Dutch?
Teaching is conducted in Dutch. At the same time, Ukrainian language lessons can be additional. For example, students can continue learning Ukrainian online at a school in their home country or attend a weekend school.
What does primary education look like?
Children from 4 to 12 go to elementary school. There are 8 groups in the elementary school. Groups 1 and 2 - classes for kids from 4 to 6 years old. Starting from the 3rd group, children learn to read, write and count. After elementary school, the child moves on to secondary school, having previously passed the final test and received a recommendation. Children who have lived in the Netherlands for less than four years and still have poor command of the Dutch language do not take the final test.
Secondary comprehensive schools
The system of secondary education includes three levels:
- VMBO (Primary Vocational Secondary Education), which lasts four years;
- HAVO (general secondary education), which lasts five years and prepares students for study at a vocational university;
- VWO (preparatory science education), which lasts six years and prepares students for university studies.
When are school holidays in the Netherlands?
Accurate information on the vacation schedule in a particular school is contained in the so-called school guide - each school offers such a guide for the convenience of parents. Learn more about the 2022-2023 school holiday schedule. you can learn from our article.
Higher education
Young people who have completed their secondary education in Ukraine have the right to study at a college or university in the Netherlands, but only if their certificate of complete secondary education (certificate) passes a preliminary assessment in Nuffic. After that, the college or university decides whether the applicant meets the requirements of the program or level of language proficiency. To enter, you may need to pass an entrance exam or a language test. More about getting higher education in the Netherlands here.
There are two types of higher education:
- higher professional education (HBO);
- university science education (WO).
This includes the following levels:
- HBO Associate Program - 2 years. After receiving a diploma, you can enter the HBO bachelor's program.
- HBO Bachelor's Program - 3 years at a university or 4 years at another university.
- Master's degree at a university or university (HBO) - from 1 to 2 years.
