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Language lessons and residence permit trajectories from 2022

Higher education route Fontys or UVT

After the first grade you go to another route. This can be the Z route, the B1 route or the education route. You have agreed with your client director in which process you will participate. This explanation is about the educational route that will follow at HBO or university. This is an intensive (language) program of 1.5 to 2 years. You chalk extra educational subjects to prepare you for regular education.

1. What is it?

After the first grade you start with the continuation of your integration.

There are three routes:

1The B1 Route

The B1 route is aimed at learning Dutch as a second language (Nt2) at language level B1. You will learn about Dutch society, such as history, the education system and healthcare. At the end you will be given an exam with the following components:

          • Read
          • Listen
          • To write
          • Speaking at level B1

Did you pass this exam and did you participate in other compulsory components of the integration? Then you will receive your integration diploma.

2 The Z Route

This is an intensive process. It consists of activities that match what you can do. You learn the Dutch language at A1 level or higher. You will also learn how to arrange things yourself in the Netherlands. We support you in finding (volunteer) work or participating in activities that suit your skills. If you follow the Z-route, you will not get an integration exam. There are compulsory components, however, and you follow 800 hours of lessons and you do an 800-hour internship at an organization in Tilburg. If you have done so, you have complied with the integration obligation.

3 The Education Route

You start with this route if it appears after a test that further education is your goal.


What is the higher education route?

You start with language lessons at HBO or university level. After that you will participate in the pre-bachelor program. At HBO or university level. The pre-bachelor for HBO is taught by Fontys. The university pre-bachelor by Tilburg University. You have classes five days a week. 

2. What is the goal?

The aim is that you are well prepared for a study at HBO or university. 

3. How long does it take?

The training consists of two parts.

  1. The preliminary stage

This part takes 2 x 10 weeks. The first 10 weeks you will learn Dutch at A2 level. The second 10 weeks of Dutch at B1 level.

2. Pre-bachelor

Are you done with the preliminary process? Then you start with your pre-bachelor. At Fontys University of Applied Sciences or at Tilburg University. You can start at different times: late August, early December or early April. The pre-bachelor program lasts 1 year. Do the preliminary phase and the prebachelor not match each other in time? Then consult with your mentor at school and your client director at the municipality for a solution. For example, you can do an internship or take some extra courses.

4. For who is it?

For status holders who have finished the start-up class and the bridge class. The test must show whether this route best suits your possibilities. You can be a maximum of 28 years old. These are the other conditions: 

  • • You have had at least 12 years of education
  • • You score sufficiently on language learnability
  • • You master English at A2 level or higher
  • • You are motivated and want to do an accelerated training
  • • You have enough time to study

The age limit is approximately 28 years. When your student grant starts, you must be younger than 30 years old. So estimate how quickly you can complete the language course and the pre-bachelor and how old you are when you start the study. 

Are you 30 years or older? Then see what is possible via the lifelong learning credit. 

5. What does the contact look like?

In the preliminary phase you will receive lessons three mornings or afternoons a week, but more is certainly possible! In consultation with your mentor, you can opt for extra lessons, participation in the Language Café and/or contact with a language buddy. You will also receive tests and interviews during the preliminary phase. Think of a math or English test. But also a conversation about your motivation, your study attitude, your study wishes and credential evaluation. If necessary, you will also receive an assessment. The tests and interviews help you to make a choice for the follow-up process. At Tilburg University, Fontys or maybe an MBO course. 


You can follow the pre-bachelor at two levels: university and HBO level. 

You follow the pre-bachelor at university level at Tilburg University and consists of the following courses:

  • Dutch at B2 level (and beyond)
  • English at B2 level (possibly to C1 for an English-language study)
  • Mathematics B at pre-university level (possibility of light programme)
  • Study choice and career orientation
  • Study skills / learning skills
  • Mentoring hours
  • People and Society (academic skills)

The other parts are:

  • Intercultural skills
  • Employee skills / internship
  • Guidance by teacher-mentor and student dean
  • Student mentor

You go to campus three days a week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday). The other days are used for assignments, internship, studying, et cetera. You will therefore be working full-time in this training!


You follow the pre-bachelor at HBO level at Fontys Hogescholen and consists of the following subjects:

  • Nt2 at B2 level (and beyond)
  • English at B1 level (possibly to B2 for an English-taught study programme)
  • Mathematics B at havo level (possibility of light programme)
  • Study choice and career orientation
  • Study skills
  • Coaching

The other parts are: 

  • Guidance by teacher/coach
  • buddy system

You have classes five days a week. You will therefore be working full-time in this training!