VWO, or Vwo, stands for "Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs," which translates to "Preparatory Scientific Education" in English. It is a secondary education level in the Netherlands designed for students aged 12 to 18. The program prepares students for higher education, particularly at universities, by focusing on academic subjects and critical thinking skills. The VWO curriculum typically includes a broad range of subjects, such as mathematics, languages, science, and social studies. Students usually complete their VWO education in six years, culminating in the VWO diploma, which is required for admission to university programs in the Netherlands.