Legal education requirements
Summa offers programs at all vocational (MBO) levels. Not every student can start every program. The law stipulates the minimum prior education required to start a program. You can find these below and under the specific programs on this website.
Each Summa school invites you beforehand for an introductory meeting or personal interview, so you can get to know the school and we can see if the program is a good fit for you.
If you have any questions or if the information for your chosen program differs from the information below, please contact our study choice coaches.
More information
Entry requirements for entry-level training (level 1)
For the entrance course (level 1) you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You are at least 16 years old on August 1 of the year in which you start the course.
- You cannot follow a level 2, 3, or 4 vocational education course because you do not meet the admission requirements for those courses.
Entry requirements for basic vocational training (level 2)
For basic vocational training (level 2) you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You have a diploma in lbo, vbo, vmbo basic or intermediate vocational education, vmbo theoretical education, mavo, mavo-vbo or vmbo mixed education.
- You have an entry-level training or basic vocational training diploma (level 2).
- You have proof that you have successfully completed the first three years of pre-university or senior general secondary education (havo) or pre-university education (vwo). This proof is recognized by the government.
Entry requirements for vocational training (level 3) and middle management training (level 4)
For the vocational training (level 3) and middle management training (level 4) you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You have a diploma in lower vocational education (lbo), pre-vocational secondary education (vbo) or pre-vocational secondary education (vmbo) with a ... theoretical learning pathway, senior general secondary education (mavo), senior general secondary education (mavo-vbo) or mixed pre-vocational secondary education (vmbo) with a mixed learning pathway.
- You have a basic vocational training diploma (level 2) or a diploma from another vocational training course (level 3).
- You have proof that you successfully completed the first three years of pre-university or senior general secondary education (havo) or pre-university education (vwo). Or you have another diploma or certificate recognized by the government.
Entry requirements for specialist training (level 4)
You can take the specialist training program (level 4) if you have obtained the level 3 diploma for the same profession. Some specialist training programs can be completed via a shortened track. If this is an option, we will discuss it with you.
Entry requirements for entry-level training (level 1)
For the entrance course (level 1) you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You are at least 16 years old on August 1 of the year in which you start the course.
- You cannot follow a level 2, 3, or 4 vocational education course because you do not meet the admission requirements for those courses.
Entry requirements for basic vocational training (level 2)
For basic vocational training (level 2) you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You have a diploma in lbo, vbo, vmbo basic or intermediate vocational education, vmbo theoretical education, mavo, mavo-vbo or vmbo mixed education.
- You have an entry-level training or basic vocational training diploma (level 2).
- You have proof that you have successfully completed the first three years of pre-university or senior general secondary education (havo) or pre-university education (vwo). This proof is recognized by the government.
Entry requirements for vocational training (level 3) and middle management training (level 4)
For the vocational training (level 3) and middle management training (level 4) you must meet one of the following conditions:
- You have a diploma in lower vocational education (lbo), pre-vocational secondary education (vbo) or pre-vocational secondary education (vmbo) with a ... theoretical learning pathway, senior general secondary education (mavo), senior general secondary education (mavo-vbo) or mixed pre-vocational secondary education (vmbo) with a mixed learning pathway.
- You have a basic vocational training diploma (level 2) or a diploma from another vocational training course (level 3).
- You have proof that you successfully completed the first three years of pre-university or senior general secondary education (havo) or pre-university education (vwo). Or you have another diploma or certificate recognized by the government.
Entry requirements for specialist training (level 4)
You can take the specialist training program (level 4) if you have obtained the level 3 diploma for the same profession. Some specialist training programs can be completed via a shortened track. If this is an option, we will discuss it with you.