Theoretical programme (theoretische leerweg, VMBO-T) is the most theoretical of the four. It prepares for middle management and vocational training at the MBO level of secondary education and it is needed to enter Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs (HAVO).
Pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO) VMBO is a four-year programme offering theoretical and practical courses.
Vmbo. The preparatory secondary vocational education has 4 learning paths: vmbo-tl, vmbo-gl, vmbo-kbl, vmbo-bbl. You can read here what those four years look like and how the vmbo levels differ.
The VMBO, replacing VBO and MAVO, is made up of engineering and technology, economics, agriculture and care, and welfare. Students choose among three learning pathways: theoretical (MAVO), vocational (available at two levels), or combined theoretical and vocational.
VMBO diploma Pre-vocational secondary education (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, VMBO) prepares students for further studies in secondary vocational education (MBO).
VMBO is not designed as terminal education but is intended to lay the basis for further education. The majority of pupils with VMBO qualifications go on to MBO. The four learning pathways were introduced in VMBO in an attempt to facilitate the transition to MBO.
The Dutch system sorts students into distinct secondary tracks (VMBO, HAVO, VWO) that determine typical routes into vocational training (MBO), applied universities (HBO), or research universities (WO).
Secondary education (vmbo) After primary school, students will attend secondary education, which has different levels: vmbo, havo and vwo. Vmbo is more practice-oriented, havo is a preparation to higher professional education and vwo is directed at university.
It is a four-year course with four tracks, each with a fixed curriculum and set final exams: VMBO theoretical programme, VMBO combined theoretical and vocational programme, VMBO middle-management vocational programme and VMBO basic vocational programme.