Education level

Education level refers to the highest level of education completed. It can be classified in 5 or 3 levels.

The 5-level classification is:

1. Primary education and special needs primary education.
2. Prevocational secondary education (VMBO), secondary vocational education level 1 (MBO 1), first three years of senior general secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university secondary education (VWO).
3. Senior years of senior general secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university secondary education (VWO), secondary vocational education levels 2, 3 or 4 (MBO 2, 3 or 4).
4. Higher vocational education (HBO), university bachelor’s degree.
5. University master’s degree, PhD.

The 3-level classification is:

1. Low: primary education, special needs primary education, prevocational secondary education (VMBO), secondary vocational education level 1 or equivalent (MBO 1), first three years of senior general secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university secondary education (VWO).
2. Secondary: senior years of senior general secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university secondary education (VWO), secondary vocational education levels 2, 3 or 4 (MBO 2, 3 or 4)
3. High: higher vocational education (HBO), university bachelor’s or master’s degree, PhD.

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