The 14 Dutch green education institutes offer a wide range of study programmes at different levels.

The study programmes of the 9 VET colleges are primarily offered in the Dutch language and lead to a MBO diploma (EQF levels 2-4).
The 4 Universities of Applied Sciences offer a number of English-taught Bachelor and Master programmes for Dutch and international students (EQF levels 5-7).
Wageningen University and Research (WUR) offers almost all Bachelor and Master programmes in the English language, and offers PhD positions (EQF levels 6-8). WUR also teaches online courses as part of their Virtual Exchange Portfolio.

In addition, Dutch institutes also offer short courses, summer courses and tailor-made training programmes, for Dutch and international professionals from companies, governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and civil society organisation

Different education levels

The Dutch green educational system represents different levels and related institutions. Students can study agricultural and other green subjects, such as agriculture, food production, horticulture, nature and environment. Levels range from (pre-) secondary vocational education and training (VET) up to university level. In the Netherlands, green education is primarily offered at:

9 institutes for secondary vocational education and training (VET) (in Dutch: MBO) – offering technical vocational education and training (EQF levels 2-4)
4 universities of applied sciences (in Dutch: HBO) – offering higher professional education (EQF levels 5-7)
1 research university (in Dutch: WO) – offering academic education (EQF levels 6-8)

Study programmes in English

All English-taught study programmes can be found on https://studyinnl.org.

Online or blended ?

Green education in the Netherlands is known for its high quality and excellent content. It is not always necessary to travel to the Netherlands for these trainings and courses. Since the Covid-pandemic, development of e-learning modules, often in combination with live or online coaching sessions, has really taken off.

Has Green Academy has an interesting offer for courses that can be (partly) followed online.

Aeres Training Centre has developed a specific elearning on pig husbandry

Wageningen University and Research has developed a number of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) that can be accessed here.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

The Dutch VET system (in Dutch: MBO) is one of the best in the world, according to international organisations such as the OECD. The VET system in the Netherlands is highly inclusive, comprising high-quality expert and specialist courses as well as support for groups with special needs. It also offers positive labour market perspectives. Not surprisingly, there is considerable interest of other countries in the Dutch green VET system and in visiting its schools.

The 9 green VET colleges offer courses involving 3 graduation levels (EQF 2, 3 and 4) and a wide range of subjects, as part of specialisations in animal, plants and food.

The TVET colleges also maintain intensive relationships within their regions with regional authorities and labour market parties, linking education to the world of work and matching needs and demands.

Increasingly the TVET colleges are internationally orientated, aiming to facilitate an intercultural and international experience for students and staff, and contributing to capacity development in other countries.

Studies & courses

Customized training

Most green education institutes offer customized training programmes for different types of target groups, such as professionals, teachers or managers. Training can be organised in the Netherlands, but also on location abroad. Hybrid forms of teaching and learning are common practice, as well as train-the-trainer approaches. Duration of the training can vary: from one week to one year.

Apprenticeships, internships & graduation assignments

Apprenticeships and internships are important components at the Dutch VET schools and Universities of Applied Sciences. At research universities they are not mandatory.

At VET level, professional practice at a ‘learning company’ (apprenticeship or work placement), is compulsory. Companies have to be formally accredited as a ‘learning company’.
For students of the Universities of Applied Sciences an internship is common practice. A graduation assignment in a professional environment is mandatory. The universities often have institutional contacts with companies in their region, who often bring on specific requests and specific assignments. But students can also look for opportunities themselves.
For students of research universities, like Wageningen University and Research, internships are often not mandatory. Students nevertheless can opt for a period of practical experience. An important part of the study is thesis research. More and more students prefer to do their research within a business or public sector organisation. They look for opportunities via institutional contacts of the university and special websites for internship and thesis research.