Offer of Study Programs from the Examencommissie Secondary Education

Welcome to the overview of study programs offered by the Examination Board for secondary education. Here, you can find information on the available study paths that can be pursued through self-study.

More Information on Course Content

Each subject in your exam program has a course guide. This guide details what you need to know and do. It also includes a list of textbooks, websites, and other study materials. View Course Guides

Grades and Study Programs

You enroll for a complete grade (1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade). More info on enrollment.

It's not possible to enroll for just one school year or a specific subject. However, you can choose not to take all subjects in a study program, but this will not qualify you for a certificate or diploma. You can request a report card as proof of completed subjects.

Certificates

If you pass all subjects in a study program, you qualify for a certificate, proof of study, or diploma. The type of certificate depends on the study program you complete.

• In the 1^st or 2^nd grade, you receive a certificate.
• In the 3^rd grade, there are three different certificates:
  • A proof of study for basic education in labor market or dual finality. This is not a diploma.
  • A diploma with education qualification 3 for Reception, Organization, and Sales.
  • A diploma with education qualification 4 in dual finality and higher education-oriented programs in the 7th year.

1st Grade

A-Stream Click on the study program for an overview of the subjects.

• Basic Education A

B-Stream Click on the study program for an overview of the subjects.

• Basic Education B

2nd Grade

Each study program has a specific finality or goal, determining whether you will work or continue studying after secondary education. There are 3 educational finalities, each linked to one or more educational forms. Read more about the structure of full-time secondary education.

Throughput Finality 2nd Grade Study programs with throughput finality are abstract-theoretical and prepare you mainly for an academic bachelor's degree.

• Economic Sciences
• Human Sciences
• Latin
• Natural Sciences
• Modern Languages

Dual Finality 2nd Grade Study programs with dual finality are both theoretical and practical, preparing you mainly for professional bachelor's programs, a graduate degree, or hbo5 education.

• Business and Organization
• Society and Welfare

Labor Market 2nd Grade Study programs with a labor market finality are practice-oriented, preparing you for the labor market. After the 3rd grade in labor market finality, you can start a graduate degree or hbo5 education.

• Organization and Logistics

3rd Grade

Each study program has a specific finality or goal, determining whether you will work or continue studying after secondary education. There are 3 finalities, each linked to one or more educational forms. Read more about the structure of full-time secondary education.

Domain-Transcending Throughput Study programs with throughput finality are abstract-theoretical and prepare you mainly for an academic bachelor's degree.

• Sciences-Mathematics
• Human Sciences
• Modern Languages
• Economics-Mathematics
• Latin-Modern Languages
• Latin-Mathematics (with extra sciences)

The study program Latin-Mathematics at the Examination Board includes a similar course package as in regular secondary education but with a heavier science package. Specifically:

• You do not have general sciences but separate exams for biology, chemistry, and physics at the same level as the sciences-mathematics program.
• You must meet specific final terms for biology, physics, and chemistry not included in programs with general sciences.

Domain-Bound Throughput Domain-bound study programs prepare you mainly for a professional or targeted academic bachelor's degree.

• Business Sciences
• Welfare Sciences

Dual Finality With a dual finality study program in secondary education, you are mainly prepared for higher education (targeted professional bachelor's), a graduate degree, or hbo5 education.

• Commercial Organization

Labor Market With a labor market finality study program, you are ready for a job or can continue studying in a graduate degree or hbo5 education.

• Reception, Organization, and Sales

In Reception, Organization, and Sales, you must demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and work experience and competencies.

More info on demonstrating practical experience at the Examination Board Basic Education These study programs do not lead to a secondary education diploma when fully completed but to a Basic Education certificate.

• Basic Education 3 Labor Market
• Basic Education 3 Dual Finality

These study programs do not lead to a secondary education diploma when fully completed. You receive a report card and a Basic Education certificate. This can be used as proof of study if you combine the Examination Board with adult education or a school trajectory. More information on combining Examination Board with secondary or adult education

7th Year for Higher Education after OK 3

If you choose the 7th year study program at the Examination Board, you can obtain a secondary education diploma with education qualification 4 (OK4). You can choose a program with either English or French as a subject.

• 7th Year for Higher Education (English elective)
• 7th Year for Higher Education (French elective)

After obtaining a diploma in the 3rd grade labor market finality (diploma education qualification 3), you cannot directly start a bachelor's degree at a college or university. An additional proof of study is required.

Diploma Requirements

To qualify for this study program, you need an OK3 diploma, which can be:

• Your BSO certificate (issued until school year 2023-2024)
• Your secondary education diploma after a labor market finality program at the Examination Board (from September 1, 2025)
• Your secondary education diploma after a labor market finality program from a secondary school (issued from school year 2024-2025).

How to Enroll?

Register on the candidate platform, but do not select your study program yet. The 7th year cannot be directly selected. Send a request via your platform to apply for admission to the 7th year for higher education. The Examination Board will check in the LED database if you meet the admission requirements.

If you qualify, you will receive a notification that you can complete your enrollment. You will receive a response within a few working days. Only then can you select your study program and make a payment.

When to Choose the 7th Year for Higher Education?

• The 7th year is intended for candidates who want to transition to higher education with an OK3 diploma.
• You follow a package of general subjects and take exams at the Examination Board. If you pass all subjects, you obtain the secondary education diploma (OK4).
• With this diploma, you can enroll in a bachelor's program at a college or university.

What if You Graduated in Office Administration or Logistics?

If you graduated in the old study program Office Administration or Logistics from the Examination Board, you do not need to follow a 7th year if you graduated before September 1, 2025. Your diploma still falls under the old system and grants direct access to higher education.

If you had to switch to the Reception, Organization, and Sales study program at the Examination Board, you graduate in a modernized study program within the labor market finality. You then obtain an OK3 diploma and must follow a 7th year to obtain your OK4 diploma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Change Study Program or Grade?

You can always change your study program or grade via the candidate platform.

Changing Grade

You can be enrolled in multiple grades simultaneously. Within one grade, you can only follow one study program.

If you enroll in a different grade, you must pay the registration fee again.

Changing Study Program

Changing study programs is always possible.

• You must pay the registration fee again (unless you had no exams planned yet).
  • If you pay online, you can immediately plan exams in the new study program.
  • If you do not pay online, it takes a maximum of 5 working days before you can plan exams again.
• Check your exam schedule:
  • If you switch to a study program with the same exam (in the same finality or educational form), you retain your schedule.
  • For exams not included in your new study program, you will be unenrolled. Note: You will receive a non-participation for each exam you would take less than 7 days before changing study programs.
  • If you switch to a study program where the same subject appears as in the old study program, you retain the number of exam attempts for that subject. You do not automatically receive 3 new attempts.

When switching to another study program, the Examination Board transfers the achieved results of subjects with the same content to your new program. You do not need to do anything for this. The exemptions from your old study program are also carried over. If you want to apply for other exemptions in your new study program, follow the regular procedure in the candidate platform.

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Also Interesting

1. Get a Certificate or Diploma of Secondary Education via the Examination Board
2. Demonstrate Your Practical Experience and Competencies at the Examination Board
3. Combine the Examination Board with Secondary or Adult Education