Summary - Alternative routes in Dutch higher education

Original title: Wikken en wegen in het hoger onderwijs

Dutch higher education can be accessed via a variety of routes. For example, higher professional education (HBO) can be accessed both via senior general secondary education (HAVO) and by students who have completed senior secondary vocational education (MBO). Similarly, students can access university degree programmes without a pre-university qualification (VWO), by transferring from higher professional education. However, students' higher education careers do not always proceed smoothly. A sizeable number of students give up their original choice of study and switch to a different programme mid-stream, and quite a high proportion of students leave higher education without obtaining a qualification. The Dutch government has introduced several measures in recent years to try and ensure that students choose an appropriate course of study, and to foster success in higher education.

This study describes the use of different routes to Dutch higher education, and explores the background of the students who use those routes. It also examines changes in students' educational careers and differences between students from different educational backgrounds. Interviews were also held with representatives of universities and universities of applied sciences (providers of higher professional education) on how they implement the policy aimed at ensuring appropriate placement of students and promoting successful study, and also to discuss their experiences with this policy.