From pre-university education to intermediate vocational education/higher professional education
With a HAVO transfer certificate, you can often progress to MBO, usually at level 4. Sometimes you can complete an MBO program at an accelerated pace because you have already built up knowledge and study skills during your HAVO years. MBO is a good fit if you prefer practical learning to theoretical study, want more guidance, and wish to learn a profession before potentially progressing to HBO.
Want to switch from pre-university education (havo) to vocational education (mbo)? These are your options.
You can transfer from 3rd to 4th year HAVO or VWO to MBO.
You can then start at almost all MBO level 4 courses.
Do you have a transfer certificate from 4 to 5 havo or vwo, or a havo diploma?
Then you can often complete a vocational training course at an accelerated pace.
Why choose MBO after HAVO?
✅ Career-oriented learning – You are working on a subject you enjoy, with less theory and more practice. Learning by doing suits many students better.
✅ Work & earn faster – An MBO program is often shorter than an HBO program, and you can start working sooner.
✅ Internship experience – You complete an internship and experience what it is like to work in practice.
✅ Profile doesn't matter – It doesn't matter which HAVO profile you chose; you can even switch to a completely different track.
✅ Good preparation for higher professional education – You already have practical experience, learn to work independently, and gain project experience. With an MBO level 4 diploma, you can progress to higher professional education.
✅ Extra time to make your choice – Not quite sure what you want yet? In secondary vocational education, you get extra time to discover which profession or sector really suits you.
FACT
More and more senior general secondary education (HAVO) students are choosing vocational education (MBO). This number has more than doubled in three years, according to figures from the Education Executive Agency (DUO).
FACT
With a transfer certificate from 3rd to 4th year of pre-university secondary education (HAVO), you can enroll in almost all level 4 vocational education (MBO) programs. If you have a transfer certificate from 4th to 5th year of HAVO, you can often complete the MBO program on an accelerated basis.
Are you not in the right place at pre-university education (havo)?
For example, for one of these reasons:
🛠️ You want to do more instead of reading more.
🏫 You're tired of high school and are ready for something different.
😕 Some subjects are boring or incomprehensible.
🤔 You doubts whether you will make it.
If you're in the fourth or fifth grade, you can transfer to vocational education (MBO). You don't necessarily need to obtain your HAVO diploma first. In vocational education (MBO), you can pursue a program that suits you.
Happier than ever at secondary vocational education
Glad I got one first have done
Frequently asked questions
Can I go to vocational education (MBO) without a pre-university education (HAVO) diploma?
You can enroll in vocational education (MBO) without a HAVO diploma. It's common to enroll in MBO with a certificate of transfer to the fourth year of HAVO or VWO. This allows you to start in almost all level 4 programs. If you have a certificate of transfer from the fourth year to the fifth year of HAVO or a HAVO diploma, you can often complete an MBO program on an accelerated basis.
What is the difference between higher general secondary education (havo) and intermediate vocational education (mbo)?
- At secondary vocational education, you listen less in class.
- At pre-university education (havo) you learn a lot from books, at intermediate vocational education (mbo) you learn by doing, with practical subjects that connect to your future higher professional education (hbo) study or profession.
- At secondary vocational education (MBO) you do an internship at a company.
Which vocational education level can I do after senior general secondary education (HAVO)?
There are four different levels within MBO. If you come from HAVO and have progressed from the third to the fourth year of HAVO, you can enroll in MBO levels 2, 3, and 4. Together, we will determine which level suits you best.
Can I go to vocational education (MBO) without a pre-university education (HAVO) diploma?
You can enroll in vocational education (MBO) without a HAVO diploma. It's common to enroll in MBO with a certificate of transfer to the fourth year of HAVO or VWO. This allows you to start in almost all level 4 programs. If you have a certificate of transfer from the fourth year to the fifth year of HAVO or a HAVO diploma, you can often complete an MBO program on an accelerated basis.
What is the difference between higher general secondary education (havo) and intermediate vocational education (mbo)?
- At secondary vocational education, you listen less in class.
- At pre-university education (havo) you learn a lot from books, at intermediate vocational education (mbo) you learn by doing, with practical subjects that connect to your future higher professional education (hbo) study or profession.
- At secondary vocational education (MBO) you do an internship at a company.
Which vocational education level can I do after senior general secondary education (HAVO)?
There are four different levels within MBO. If you come from HAVO and have progressed from the third to the fourth year of HAVO, you can enroll in MBO levels 2, 3, and 4. Together, we will determine which level suits you best.
Need help with your study choice?
We are happy to help you.
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Which MBO programs are a good fit for HAVO?
With these MBO programs, as a HAVO graduate, you have a chance to obtain your diploma faster. If you have previously completed certain subjects or components, or at a higher level than required for the program, you may be eligible for an exemption for that subject or component.
Need help with your study choice?
We are ready for you!
Are you hesitating between courses or do you not know at all which direction you want to go? Then take the study choice test and talk to our study choice coaches. We are happy to help you on your way.
