How much does studying in secondary vocational education cost?
The costs of an MBO education consist of tuition fees or course fees and additional costs for books, licenses, and materials. For BOL, you pay tuition fees from the age of 18; for BBL, you pay course fees from the age of 18. You can apply for student finance for BOL from the age of 18.
How much does a vocational education cost?
That depends on three things:
- Your age
Are you under 18 on August 1st? Then you do not pay tuition or course fees. - Your learning path
With BOL, you mainly go to school. With BBL, you usually work at a training company and go to school alongside that. - Your education
Some courses have extra costs for books, software, clothing, materials, or tools.
Important: you do not always have to pay for everything yourself. Sometimes you receive student finance, a student travel pass, help from your parents/guardians, your employer, or support through the school.
How much do tuition and course fees cost for MBO?
Tuition fees at bol
Are you following a full-time vocational training program and are you 18 years or older on August 1st? Then you pay statutory tuition fees to DUO. For the 2027-2028 academic year, the tuition fee is €1.554. DUO usually sends the payment request in early September. You can pay in a single lump sum or in installments.
Course fees for BBL
For BBL, you pay tuition fees if you are 18 years or older on August 1st. The amount depends on your level. For 2027-2028, the statutory tuition fee is €323 for level 1 and 2 programs and €784 for level 3 and 4 programs. These amounts are determined nationally.
Are you under 18? Then you do not pay statutory tuition fees or course fees. However, you may incur costs for books, licenses, clothing, or materials.
What are the extra costs for books and materials?
In addition to tuition or course fees, there are often extra costs. These vary by program. You can find an estimate of the costs on the program page.
Examples of additional costs
| Cost item | Examples |
| Books | Theory books, workbooks, readers |
| Digital resources | Licenses, online teaching materials, software |
| Laptop or device | Laptop, tablet, calculator |
| Workwear | Safety shoes, chef's clothing, healthcare clothing, overalls |
| Materials | Tools, knife set, drawing materials, hairdressing supplies |
| Journeys | Travel expenses to school, internship, or training company |
| Exams/certificates | Sometimes extra certificates associated with a profession |
Where can you find the costs of your education?
The additional costs vary by course. On the course page, you will find whether you need a laptop and clothing or materials. This allows you to estimate the costs. You will also receive a list of learning materials before your course starts, which includes items such as books and licenses.
You don't have to buy just anything. Only buy items if you are certain they are on the official learning materials list.
Do you receive student finance?
Are you doing a full-time vocational program? Then you can receive student finance from the age of 18. You must apply for this yourself at DUO.
Student finance can consist of:
- basic grant;
- supplementary grant;
- student travel pass;
- loan.
Do you want student finance? Apply for it yourself at DUO on time. You won't receive it automatically. Sometimes you can get a student travel product even before you turn 18.
Are you doing a work-study program (BBL)? Then you will not receive student finance. This is because, as part of a work-study program, you work and often receive a salary from your training company.
Do you have to pay for everything yourself?
No, not always. That depends on your situation.
If you are under 18, your parents or guardians often contribute to the costs. If they cannot pay for everything, help may be available through the Mbo Student Fund.
Are you in a vocational program and are you 18 years or older? Then you can apply for student finance from DUO. You might also be eligible for a student travel product.
Are you doing a work-study program? Then you work at a training company. You often receive a salary. Sometimes your employer contributes to the cost of books, clothing, or materials.
Are you under 18 and do you need mandatory study materials? Then there is a government reimbursement. For the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 academic years, this reimbursement is €80.
Frequently asked questions about costs in secondary vocational education
How much does a vocational education cost?
Tuition and course fees are set annually by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Read more on the Central Government website . You can also view our page about the costs of an MBO education .
Indicative costs
Want to know what you can expect to pay for your chosen program? The program description provides an estimate of the tuition fees.
In our school costs guidelines (pdf), you can read which costs are paid by the school and which you must pay yourself. If you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) are unable to pay, assistance may be available from the Mbo Studentenfonds.
What are the extra costs for books and materials?
You often pay extra costs for books, digital licenses, software, a laptop, or activities. The costs vary per study program. Therefore, always check the study program page. For some study programs, additional educational supplies are required, such as clothing and materials. If your school is not listed below, then no specific clothing or materials are required for your study program.
- Other educational supplies Summa Beauty & Lifestyle
- Other educational supplies Summa Bread & Pastry
- Other educational supplies Summa Facilitair
- Other educational supplies Summa Fashion
- Other educational supplies Summa Horeca
- Other educational supplies Summa Sport
- Other educational supplies Summa Safety
- Other educational supplies Summa Leisure
- Other educational supplies Summa Living & Design
- Summa Aviation Services Dress Code
The MBO Council has established agreements regarding school costs with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Youth Organisation for Vocational Education. These agreements clarify who – student or school – is responsible for what.
Do you have questions about purchasing educational supplies? Please contact the administration of the school where you are registered.
Do you receive student finance in secondary vocational education?
If you are 18 or older and following a full-time vocational education program (BOL) in secondary vocational education, you can apply for student finance from DUO. The amount of your student finance depends on many different factors. You will find out when you apply for student finance . Also read more information for students who are almost 18.
Many MBO students are also entitled to a supplementary grant . If you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) are unable to pay, assistance may be available from the MBO Student Fund.
Do I pay tuition fees if I am 16 or 17?
Usually not. Statutory tuition fees for BOL apply if you are 18 years or older on August 1st. You may, however, incur costs for books, licenses, work clothing, or materials.
Will I get a student travel pass?
MBO students following a full-time (BOL) program are entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses for public transport.
With a student travel pass, you travel for free or at a discount. You can read more about this on the DUO website.
Even if you are not yet 18
The student travel product is available to all bol students, even if you are not yet 18 years old.
You must apply for it yourself via My DUO.
If you are doing level 3 or 4, your travel product is free if you obtain your diploma within 10 years. Otherwise, you have to repay it. For MBO 1 or 2, the travel product is always free. For levels 3 and 4, you receive the travel product for a maximum of 7 years. For MBO 1 and 2, you receive it without limit. The DUO website will tell you all about it. You can also apply for your travel product there.
How much does a vocational education cost?
Tuition and course fees are set annually by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Read more on the Central Government website . You can also view our page about the costs of an MBO education .
Indicative costs
Want to know what you can expect to pay for your chosen program? The program description provides an estimate of the tuition fees.
In our school costs guidelines (pdf), you can read which costs are paid by the school and which you must pay yourself. If you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) are unable to pay, assistance may be available from the Mbo Studentenfonds.
What are the extra costs for books and materials?
You often pay extra costs for books, digital licenses, software, a laptop, or activities. The costs vary per study program. Therefore, always check the study program page. For some study programs, additional educational supplies are required, such as clothing and materials. If your school is not listed below, then no specific clothing or materials are required for your study program.
- Other educational supplies Summa Beauty & Lifestyle
- Other educational supplies Summa Bread & Pastry
- Other educational supplies Summa Facilitair
- Other educational supplies Summa Fashion
- Other educational supplies Summa Horeca
- Other educational supplies Summa Sport
- Other educational supplies Summa Safety
- Other educational supplies Summa Leisure
- Other educational supplies Summa Living & Design
- Summa Aviation Services Dress Code
The MBO Council has established agreements regarding school costs with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Youth Organisation for Vocational Education. These agreements clarify who – student or school – is responsible for what.
Do you have questions about purchasing educational supplies? Please contact the administration of the school where you are registered.
Do you receive student finance in secondary vocational education?
If you are 18 or older and following a full-time vocational education program (BOL) in secondary vocational education, you can apply for student finance from DUO. The amount of your student finance depends on many different factors. You will find out when you apply for student finance . Also read more information for students who are almost 18.
Many MBO students are also entitled to a supplementary grant . If you or your parent(s)/guardian(s) are unable to pay, assistance may be available from the MBO Student Fund.
Do I pay tuition fees if I am 16 or 17?
Usually not. Statutory tuition fees for BOL apply if you are 18 years or older on August 1st. You may, however, incur costs for books, licenses, work clothing, or materials.
Will I get a student travel pass?
MBO students following a full-time (BOL) program are entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses for public transport.
With a student travel pass, you travel for free or at a discount. You can read more about this on the DUO website.
Even if you are not yet 18
The student travel product is available to all bol students, even if you are not yet 18 years old.
You must apply for it yourself via My DUO.
If you are doing level 3 or 4, your travel product is free if you obtain your diploma within 10 years. Otherwise, you have to repay it. For MBO 1 or 2, the travel product is always free. For levels 3 and 4, you receive the travel product for a maximum of 7 years. For MBO 1 and 2, you receive it without limit. The DUO website will tell you all about it. You can also apply for your travel product there.
Do you have any further questions about the costs of your course?
Ask the administration of the school where you have registered. We are happy to help you.