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Difference between BOL and BBL.
The mbo has the BOL and BBL variants. BOL means vocational education learning path and BBL stands for vocational guidance learning path. What are the differences? And how do you know what fits better? You can read that here.
Theory or practice
Let us start with the main difference. In a BOL course, your child gains knowledge by learning theory. In a BBL course, your child learns by gaining experience in the workplace. Both studies take the same time: 1,600 hours per school year. In a BOL course, your child spends most of these hours at school. BBL students work 610 hours per school year. They also spend 850 hours on school and homework. On top of that, there are hours for guidance so that the total is also 1,600 hours per school year.
BOL
In a BOL course, students get lots of theory at school and assignments to work on at home. They also follow a short internship to gain practical experience. Students who take a BOL course go to school five days a week. To get there, your child can travel for free with an ov-jaarkaart.
BBL
Students in a BBL course mainly work and go to school one or two days a week. The focus is on practice. They learn mostly by doing and experiencing. To do a BBL course, your child must have a job at a certified training company.
What fits better?
It depends a lot on what your child likes or if a BBL or BOL program fits better. Does your child learn mainly practical skills? And does your child like to do and experience things themselves? Then the choice for a BBL program is clear. If your child focuses more on the theoretical basis, a BOL program probably fits better.
Differences between BOL and BBL at a glance
| BOL | BBL |
| Theory | Experience gained in work practice |
| Mainly at school | Working for an employer |
| 3 or 4 days per week at school | 1 or 2 days per week at school |
| Usually entitled to an internship allowance | Entitled to an employment contract and salary |
| Receives study finance from age 18 | Not entitled to study finance |
| Has the right to a student travel product | Does not have the right to a student travel product |
| Mainly contact with fellow students | Much contact with colleagues |
| No learning workplace needed to start study | Recognized training company is required |
| Percentage of internship hours | Percentage of internship hours |
Switching between BOL and BBL
Switching between a BOL and BBL course is possible. It can happen that your child starts with a BOL course and can stay working at the internship company after the internship. In that case, it is better to switch to a BBL course. If your child wants to switch, it is important to discuss this with the mbo institution.
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