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From CITO to cycling exam: cracking the Dutch education system with Lila

Chris Wind MAG Going Dutch

Ever wondered why Dutch students seem to have life sorted at 16? Daria and Natasha unpack the Dutch education system with Dutch student Lila.

In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the Dutch education system—a confusing tangle of acronyms, early decisions, and surprising levels of independence. It’s a must-listen for international students trying to make sense of it all, and honestly, for anyone who’s ever wondered how Dutch teens go from classroom to career faster than you can say “HAVO”.

So, how does it work? Lila breaks it down: after primary school, Dutch kids are funnelled into one of three tracks—MBO, HAVO, or VWO—based on their performance and something called the CITO toets. MBO is the more hands-on, vocational route, HAVO leads to universities of applied sciences (like Hanze), and VWO is the research-oriented track for academic universities. You basically choose your educational destiny around age 12. No pressure.

Switching tracks

But don’t worry—it’s not totally set in stone. Lila explains how there are ways to switch tracks, like taking extra years of school or doing a pre-master if you want to move from HBO to university later on. She herself switched paths after starting at Hanze and eventually found her place in media studies at a university. Plot twist: that’s where she met Daria.

Aside from school stuff, the trio chats about why Dutch students seem so absurdly independent. Turns out, most of them start working at 15 or even earlier. Supermarkets, gardening gigs, and newspaper delivery are all part of growing up Dutch. While some of this is about earning cash, Lila points out it also builds a sense of responsibility—and yes, time management skills most internationals only dream of.

Another fun Dutch quirk? Study associations vs student associations. Study associations are tied to your actual program and help with academic stuff, while student associations are more about partying in bunny costumes on a Wednesday afternoon. Lila shares her experience with both, admitting she prefers the unofficial route: hanging out with friends and keeping things chill.

Cycling exam

Oh, and did you know Dutch kids can take a cycling exam around age 11? Yep, complete with hand signals and real-life traffic situations. Daria jokes about needing a cycling diploma herself, having learned to bike in the Netherlands under very wobbly circumstances.

To wrap things up, the episode features rapid-fire questions where Lila shares her favourite Groningen spots—from studying at the UB, to grabbing drinks at De Pintelier, to proudly recommending her sister’s restaurant, The Olive Tree.

This episode is a fun, honest look at student life in the Netherlands—from the education maze to the madness of themed parties. Whether you’re Dutch, international, or somewhere in between, you’ll definitely walk away feeling a little more geïnformeerd.