Vwo graduates more likely to choose higher vocational education degree

Outgoing minister Robbert Dijkgraaf is keen to encourage young people to opt for a programme in higher vocational education, and it seems the campaign is paying off.

Last September, almost 8,900 vwo students started in higher vocational education: 7.9 per cent more than last year. But when compared to senior general secondary education students (havo, some 42,800 first-years) and secondary vocational education graduates (mbo, some 32,350 first-years), this is a relatively small group.

Basic grant

A total of 107,524 first-year students entered higher vocational education this academic year. Compared to last academic year (107,705), the intake remained almost the same. Remarkable, the universities of applied sciences think, as there were fewer exam candidates. They suspect that the reintroduction of the basic grant has something to do with it. “This measure may have encouraged school leavers to postpone the start of their studies for a year.” (HOP, BB)