UWCSEA Dutch programme
Dutch has been offered in UWCSEA’s secondary school since the 1980s, and is a key reason that many Dutch and Flemish expats have chosen the College. Since several years Dutch is also offered in the College’s extended Home Languages Programme. In the past few years a part of this programme developed into an accredited Dutch Primary curriculum. This means that the College now offers Dutch education from K1 to Grade 12, next to other Dutch language options.
UWCSEA’s unique approach encompasses both academic and cultural learning, with the aim that our students will gain not just a working academic knowledge of their mother tongue, but also develop a foundation of understanding and connection with their cultural heritage. This is further strengthened by their involvement in Dutch community activities both at UWCSEA and within the Singapore community.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Academic focus
In the early years, a lot of attention is paid to enriching Dutch vocabulary, oral language skills, emerging and beginning literacy, and social and communication skills. In the K1 to Grade 2, we work with units lasting 6 to 7 weeks, which contain themes that closely match the experiences of our pupils. Within these units, playful learning and experiential education are central. We use cooperative working methods and encourage active participation and input from the pupils. The development of oral language skills plays a crucial role in this.
In Grade 3, technical reading (converting letters into sounds) is an important skill. In addition to repeating and automating sounds and sound groups, we carry out various tasks that fall under a specific unit. In Grade 3, we work with the textbook Veilig Leren Lezen.
In Grades 4 to 6 we use Taal op Maat, Spelling op Maat and Nieuwsbegrip.
Cultural education
In our primary years programme, we devote approximately 20 teaching hours to cultural education. Some of these hours are clustered around cultural celebrations such as Sinterklaas or King’s Day. However, most of the time is spent integrating cultural education into our regular curriculum. Cultural objectives are linked to language objectives and news activities. When designing our lesson themes, we use the cultural objectives of the NOB Foundation as a guideline. This ensures that culture is an integral part of the learning process and that our pupils not only increase their cultural knowledge, but also achieve their language and general learning objectives.
MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 7 AND 8
Academic focus
Academic focus for Grade 7–8 for the Dutch programme is on presentation skills, reading comprehension, writing skills, spelling , grammar and literary theory.
Methods
Non-examination course conducted after-school in two 1.5 hour lessons each week.
Grade 7 materials
Op niveau 1 h/v
Diatoetsen
• reading comprehension
• vocabulary
• spelling/accuracy
Literature
• 2 individually chosen novels
• 3 or 4 classically studied works
Cultural activities
Grade 8 materials
Op niveau 2 h/v
Diatoetsen
• reading comprehension
• vocabulary
• spelling/accuracy
Literature
• 2 individually chosen novels
• 3 or 4 classically studied works
The programme begins in Grade 7 (equivalent of the Dutch brugklas) and thus continues where Primary’s Groep 8 finishes. This allows students from our own Grade 6, from the Holland International School in Singapore, and others looking for a Dutch learning environment, to continue their education in Dutch.
The focus on culture is not limited to lessons in literature, which also cover Dutch history, but also extends to film nights and activities celebrating traditions such as St. Nicholas’ surprises. We also visit exhibitions highlighting aspects of Dutch history at museums such as the Asian Civilisations Museum. In addition, we welcome visitors to campus who have connections to the Dutch community—in the past this has included the Dutch Ambassador, a princess and a writer.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9 AND 10
Academic focus
Academic focus for Grades 9–10 for the Dutch programme is on presentation skills, reading comprehension, writing skills, spelling , grammar and literary theory In these years they are prepared to take Dutch as a first language in their IB Diploma Programme in Grade 11 and 12.
Methods
Non-examination course conducted during the academic timetable for students enrolled in two-year Grade 9 and 10 course. Grade 10 Foundation IB students are provided lunchtime support.
Grade 9 materials
Op niveau 3v; past exams for vmbo and havo
Diatoetsen
• reading comprehension
• vocabulary
• spelling/accuracy
Literature
• five classically studied WWII themed novels
• at least two film adaptations
• beginning Term 3: at least 1,000 pages of prose by one modern author (presentation in Term 1 of Grade 10)
• texts on colonial history, special focus on Melaka
Grade 10 materials
Past exams for vmbo and havo
Eldorado Literatuur voor de Tweede Fase (VWO), Basisboek and Teksten en Opdrachten
a homemade course in Creative Writing
various printed media such as Vrij Nederland, NRC/De Week; Elsevier, HUMO, Linda, De Telegraaf, Quest et cetera
Diatoetsen
• reading comprehension
• vocabulary
Literature (Terms 2 and 3)
• three or four classically studied novels, including ‘World Literature’
• one or two film adaptations
Cultural activities
At the end of Grade 9 students individually choose to study a modern author by reading three or four of their novels in the original Dutch language. In Grade 10 they finish this “Oeuvre Project” with a presentation. Alongside literary topics, the cultural programme includes study of films, cabaret or stand-up comedy and other, often satirical, programmes. We also review the College’s annual High School Art Exhibition. The focus on culture also includes a course in creative writing, surprise afternoons celebrating St. Nicholas, and a weekend excursion to Melaka in Malaysia.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 11 AND 12
Academic focus
Academic focus for Grades 11–12 for the Dutch programme is on presentation skills, reading comprehension, writing skills, and literary theory. At UWCSEA, students are able to enrol in HL or SL Dutch A: Language and Literature as part of their IB Diploma package, and are able to take a Bilingual IB Diploma.
Methods
Course conducted during the academic timetable for students enrolled in IBDP Dutch language courses.
Grade 11 materials
Past IB exams
various printed media such as Vrij Nederland, NRC/De Week and many websites
4 (SL) to 6 (HL) literary works, with a special focus on Colonial Dutch history, especially regarding Indonesia (‘the Dutch East Indies’)
J.A. Dautzenberg, Nederlandse literatuur. Geschiedenis en bloemlezing
Cultural activities
Grade 12 materials
Op niveau 5/6 v; past IB exams
various printed media such as Vrij Nederland, NRC/De Week and many websites
various DVDs (mainly satire and comedy)
Students follow Dutch A: Language and Literature as part of their IB Diploma package with a special focus on colonial literature and history. In line with these studies the Grade 11 class travels to Java, visiting Jakarta, Bogor, Bandung and Yogyakarta for a week, usually during the Lunar New Year’s holidays. Among the many activities, they stay for a night in the house of one of the Heren van de thee, the eponymous tea-lords from a famous Dutch novel.
Apart from discussions on language and other cultural manifestations, many lessons centre around recent social and political developments in especially the Netherlands and Belgium such as the rise of conservative or right-wing politicians, discussions on migration and assimilation, and the freedom of speech. St. Nicholas surprises are celebrated with Grades 11 and 12 together at the home of one of the students.
Grade 12 finishes the year with a celebratory dinner.
“Only after graduating and going to University in the Netherlands did I realise that my level of Dutch was on par with my fellow students, if not higher.
Our classes allowed for a personalised education, including a trip to Indonesia to immerse ourselves in the colonial heritage which we had been learning about. There was also time to embrace other aspects of Dutch culture such as watching Dutch comedians and discussing cultural topics.
I wrote my IB Extended Essay in Dutch, comparing Dutch philosopher Erasmus to contemporary Dutch writer Arnon Grunberg and achieved maximum points—entirely thanks to such immersive language and culture education.
I believe that UWCSEA has made me a true bilingual citizen of the world. Dutch and English are both languages I dream in. NTC education in Singapore enabled me keep my Dutch up at a crucial time of my development. I am benefitting from this to this day 23 years on.”
Hilde van den Boogaard
Dutch student at UWCSEA Dover 2000–2002
IB Diploma
Every IB Diploma student must take at least two languages, usually one from Group 1 and one from Group 2. Students who are sufficiently strong complete the Group 1 Language A: Dutch Language and Literature course at either HL or SL. Bilingual students who are sufficiently strong in both Dutch and English may take two Group 1 Language A courses, usually Dutch and English instead of a Language B.
Group 1: First language (called ‘Language A’)
Dutch Language and Literature HL or SL. Students who complete this course will be awarded a bilingual diploma.
Group 2: Foreign language (called ‘Language B’)
Many Dutch Language students take English B HL.
It is also possible to study three languages. In this case, the student would not take a subject from Group 6.
IB Diploma Dutch Language A results
Although some students certainly have to work harder for them than others, we feel we can be rightfully proud of the annually attained IB results.
University Destinations 2016–2025
Graduates from UWCSEA Dover have enrolled in the following Dutch institutions:
• Amsterdam University College
• Erasmus University College
• Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Hogeschool van Amsterdam
• Hotelschool The Hague
• Leiden University College
The Hague
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
• Technische Universiteit Delft
• Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
• Tilburg University
• Universiteit Leiden
• Universiteit Twente
• Universiteit Maastricht
• Universiteit van Amsterdam
• University College Utrecht
• University of Groningen
Wageningen University
Admissions information
Making an application
Applications open in September ahead of each new academic year.
All applications need to be submitted using our online system, which can be accessed via our website.
Families looking to join the UWCSEA Dutch Language Programme should apply to UWCSEA Dover, since this is the campus offering the Dutch Language programme from Grade 7 and above.
When to apply
UWCSEA runs an annual admissions cycle, beginning in September each year, for entry in the following school year. For example, applications open on 1 September 2025 for entry to the College in the 2026/2027 school year. We do not operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and we do not make rolling admissions offers throughout the year. An application received before our first application deadline will be considered in our first offer round and applications received by our second application deadline will be considered for the second offer round. Applications received after our second application deadline will be considered for late places when they arise. For more information, visit: https://www.uwcsea.edu.sg/admissions/admissions-resources/admissions-timelines
Highlights
• Seamless Academic Pathway: Dutch language options integrated through both our core curriculum and our dedicated Home Languages Programme.
• Recognised Primary Education (K1–Grade 6): Full compliance with the Dutch Primary Education System, ensuring smooth reentry into the Dutch system worldwide.
• Robust Secondary Programme (Grades 7–12): A highly successful Dutch Secondary Programme offered through to Grade 12
• Nurturing Multilingual Citizens: Our holistic approach supports students in developing biliteracy and biculturalism alongside their UWC educational experience.
For more information
Please contact our Admissions team who will be happy to answer questions, arrange a tour of either campus or to help with your application.
Dover Campus
1207 Dover Road Singapore 139654
www.uwcsea.edu.sg
Admissions +65 6774 2653
admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg
For more information on the UWCSEA Dutch programme, scan the QR code to visit
www.uwcsea.edu.sg/dutch