🇳🇱 Study · NT2 Programma II · B2

Dutch for study — what hbo and universities ask for

Dutch-taught programmes at hbo and university level almost always require the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II. Programma I is aimed at mbo, so choosing it for a university application is the most common and most costly mistake.

⭐ Check your programme's admission page before booking. Most Dutch-taught hbo and wo programmes state Programma II explicitly.

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Which programme needs which exam

University (wo) and hbo, taught in Dutch — Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II.
mbo — Programma I is normally sufficient.
English-taught programmes — usually IELTS or TOEFL instead; NT2 may still help for daily life and part-time work.
Onderwijsroute under Wi2021 — a taalschakeltraject toward a Dutch diploma, at B1.

Plan the timing

Components pass independently and the diploma does not expire, so there is no downside to starting early. Reading and listening tend to come first; writing and speaking usually need the longest lead time. Because you re-register only for a failed component, a staged approach is cheaper than sitting everything at once and missing two.

FAQs

Will Programma I get me into hbo?

Generally no. Programma I certifies B1, and hbo and university programmes taught in Dutch typically require B2, which is Programma II.

How long before applying should I pass?

The diploma has no expiry, so as early as you can. Admission deadlines, not the certificate, are the constraint.

Do I still need NT2 for an English-taught programme?

Usually not for admission, but it is often needed for internships, part-time work and daily life.

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Practise Programma II before you apply

Know your level per component before the admission deadline.

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Mock results are indicative practice scores, not official DUO outcomes. Each component is graded separately against the 500-point pass mark.