Drenthe College

What Drenthe College does

Drenthe College is a Dutch regional vocational education centre (ROC) operating under the DCTerra umbrella alongside sister institutions Alfa-college and Noorderpoort. The institution delivers mbo (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs) programmes at Levels 1–4 across 15 vocational fields — including Health & Welfare, Technology, Business, Hospitality, ICT, and Beauty — through both BOL (school-based with internship) and BBL (work-study) pathways. It operates 15 physical campuses across three cities in the Drenthe province (Assen, Emmen, and Meppel) and serves an annual cohort of prospective students routed through a digital front door (studiekeuze.drenthecollege.nl) into a DigiD-authenticated self-service enrolment system.

The college's technology stack is conventional and ecosystem-based rather than proprietary: Magister for student information (attendance, grades, scheduling), DCTerra Connect as the student portal, the MBO Webshop for textbook and digital-licence fulfilment, Wis Collect for invoicing of BBL fees and ancillary charges, and joint platforms such as DNA Next (adult education, shared with Noorderpoort and Alfa-college). On-site, the college operates specialised practical training facilities — including Restaurant Stones (joint mbo/hbo with NHL Stenden), Leerrestaurant Delicious, training salons Hairpoint and Beautypoint, the student-run event bureau Young Dynamic, the Vakschool Techniek in Emmen, and the TT-Instituut near the Assen racing circuit for automotive and motorcycle technology.

The business model is predominantly government-funded: the primary revenue stream is per-student OCW (Dutch Ministry of Education) funding routed through the ROC mechanism, supplemented by statutory tuition (BOL students pay DUO directly), BBL course fees paid to the college (often by employers), and a small layer of ancillary income (locker rental at €17.50/year, exam fees, and pay-as-you-go restaurant revenue at €19.50 per cover). The college maintains a network of approximately 900 regional BPV (work-placement) employer partners, most prominently in the Meppel region, and pursues strategic alliances with NHL Stenden, Alfa-college, Zorggroep Noorderboog, LFB, and Provincie Drenthe to extend its reach into specialised and inclusive education pathways. Headcount sits in the 501–1,000 range, consistent with mid-sized Dutch ROC operating scale.

Name

Drenthe College

Legal name

DCTerra

Website

https://drenthecollege.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Drenthe College is a Dutch regional vocational education centre (mbo) operating 15 campuses across Assen, Emmen, and Meppel in Drenthe province, delivering 100+ Level 1–4 programs via BOL and BBL pathways and funded primarily through the Dutch Ministry of Education (OCW).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry Credential, Certification & Badge Prep (Non-Degree) (EDAMAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM), Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Mbo programs
• Adult education
• Work-based learning
• Training facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Assen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded MBO Education (Rijksoefinanciering): Drenthe College is a publicly funded regional training centre (ROC) receiving per-student funding from the Dutch Ministry of Education (OCW) based on enrolled student numbers and completion rates. This is the primary revenue stream covering the core educational operations across all programs.
2. Statutory Tuition Fees (BOL) - DUO: Full-time (BOL) students aged 18 or older on 1 August pay statutory tuition fees directly to DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs). BBL (part-time/work-study) students aged 18+ pay course fees directly to Drenthe College. Fee amounts are set annually by the Dutch government.
3. Course and Adult Education Fees (BBL/Cursussen): BBL students and adult learners enrolling in courses (via DNA Next platform, a collaboration with Noorderpoort and Alfa-college) pay course fees directly to Drenthe College. Fees vary by program. BBL fees are invoiced digitally via Wis Collect.
4. Ancillary Revenue (Kluisjes, Examens, Excursies): Additional charges for optional services such as locker rental (€17.50/year), specific exams, excursion fees, and school supplies. These are invoiced via the Wis Collect digital payment platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Drenthe College is a regional vocational training centre (ROC) delivering MBO secondary vocational education across 15 fields — including Care & Welfare, Technology, Business, Hospitality, ICT, and Beauty — at Levels 1 through 4 via BOL (school + internship) and BBL (work + study) pathways. It also offers VAVO Sprinthavo/Sprintvwo diploma programs, Entree-level entry training, adult reskilling via the DNA Next joint platform, and operates in-school commercial training companies (training restaurants, hair salons, events bureau) where students gain hands-on experience.

Product overview

Drenthe College is a regional vocational education center (ROC) in the Netherlands offering MBO programs across 15 subject areas in Assen, Emmen, and Meppel. The institution provides MBO education (levels 1-4), VAVO Sprinthavo/Sprintvwo diploma programs, and Entree entry-level training. Programs are delivered through BOL (school-based) and BBL (work-based) pathways. The college operates practical training facilities including restaurants (Delicious, Stones), hair salons (Hairpoint, Beautypoint), and events/travel agencies (Young Dynamic). Student support services include D-Chance discovery programs, Doorstroomklas bridge classes, and Schakeltraject O&S transition programs. Digital services include DCTerra Connect student portal, Studiekeuzehulp for career guidance, and MBO Webshop for materials. Adult education and reskilling are offered through DNA Next in collaboration with Noorderpoort and Alfa-college.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MBO Opleidingen Secondary vocational education programs across 15 subject areas including Health & Welfare, Technology, Business, Hospitality, and ICT, offered at Levels 1-4 through BOL (school-based) and BBL (work-based) learning pathways.
• VAVO Sprinthavo / Sprintvwo One- to two-year programs enabling students to obtain their HAVO or VWO diploma, offered in intensive (one-year) and standard (two-year) formats.
• Entree Opleidingen Level 1 entry programs for students without a VMBO diploma (aged 16+), including Entree NT2 for non-Dutch speakers and various vocational pathways.
• Cursussen en Omscholing (DNA Next) Adult education, reskilling and upskilling programs offered through the DNA Next collaboration platform with Noorderpoort and Alfa-college, addressing regional skills shortages in energy transition, care, and skilled trades.
• D-Chance Traject A 12-week discovery program for students reconsidering their study choice, combining personal development, language skills, practical experience, and career orientation to support informed educational decisions.
• Doorstroomklas Bridging program for students transitioning between educational steps, offering structured guidance, generic subjects, talent development, and coaching during the waiting period before new intake.
• Schakeltraject O&S Orientation and Transition program for youth struggling in MBO or transitioning to MBO, combining teacher instruction, coaching, and workplace supervision at iWerk in Assen.
• Leerbedrijf STERK Three-year program in partnership with LFB for people with intellectual disabilities, training participants as 'ervaringsdeskundige' (expert by experience) using the STERK method.
• Restaurant Stones (Leerrestaurant Emmen) Training restaurant in Emmen operated by hospitality students under qualified supervision, offering three-course dinner (€19.50) and gastrobar service. Joint MBO-HBO learning environment with NHL Stenden.
• Leerrestaurant Delicious (Assen) Training restaurant in Assen operated by hospitality students with seasonal menus and an artisanal kitchen, open seasonally on Tuesdays. Three-course menu €19.50, four-course €22.50.
• Opleidingsrestaurant Delicious (Meppel) Training restaurant in Meppel managed by culinary students with artisanal kitchen and rotating menu, open Tuesday evenings 17:30-20:00. Three-course dinner at €19.50 per person.
• Kapsalon Hairpoint Training hair salon within Drenthe College Emmen where hairdressing students practice on real clients under the supervision of veteran instructors. Open Tue/Thu/Fri 09:00-15:00.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 mbo programs offered across 15 vocational fields at Levels 1–4.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DNA Next (Drenthe College, Noorderpoort, Alfa-college)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDNA Next is a joint adult education platform launched by Drenthe College, Noorderpoort, and Alfa-college, combining all three institutions' continuing education offerings. It aims to address regional skills shortages (energy transition, care for vulnerable people, shortage of skilled tradespeople) by providing a broader, more responsive program portfolio for working adults and job seekers.
• NHL StendencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is collaborating with Drenthe College and the municipality of Emmen to develop Onderwijscampus Emmen — a shared educational campus. Additionally, NHL Stenden and Drenthe College jointly operate restaurant Stones as a combined mbo/hbo learning environment at Van Schaikweg 94, Emmen.
• Regiocampus (Meppel)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Regiocampus is a multi-institution innovation hub in Meppel where students and professionals from Drenthe College, Terra, Isala Diaconessenhuis, Zorggroep Noorderboog, Deltion College, Viaa, Windesheim, municipalities of Meppel/Steenwijkerland/Westerveld, RSG Stad & Esch, ZorgZaak, Rabobank, and Welzijn MensenWerk collaborate on creative projects and living labs. It strengthens the regional economy and improves education-to-employment pathways.
• Young DynamicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYoung Dynamic is an in-school event bureau and travel agency (DC Travel) operated by second- and third-year students of the Leisure & Events and Travel & Hospitality programs at Ubbekingecamp, Emmen. It executes real internal and external projects for regional clients. Students gain practical experience while serving actual business customers.
• LFB (Landelijke Belangenvereniging voor Mensen met een Verstandelijke Beperking)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLFB is a national interest association for people with intellectual disabilities. It partners with Drenthe College Assen to operate STERKplaats Assen, a 3-year program training people with intellectual disabilities to become 'ervaringsdeskundige' (expert by experience) using the STERK method.
• Zorggroep NoorderboogminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZorggroep Noorderboog partners with Drenthe College Meppel for two programs: (1) Regiocampus Gilde — where 12 second-year Helpende Zorg & Welzijn students combine school-based education with practice at care home De Schiphorst; (2) Practical Learning Route — a BBL program for adults training to become Verzorgende-IG at Noorderboog care locations in Steenwijk or Meppel.
• Alfa-collegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlfa-college and Drenthe College jointly operate the Sport- & Beweegcampus Assen at Salland 2a, a shared facility dedicated to Sport & Bewegen (Sports & Exercise) programs. Both institutions contribute their expertise to provide a comprehensive sports education offering.
• Deltion CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeltion College participates in the Regiocampus Gilde with Zorggroep Noorderboog alongside Drenthe College Meppel, providing joint healthcare education at care home De Schiphorst. Deltion also co-teaches the practical learning route for adult BBL students training as Verzorgende-IG.
• Werkplein Drentsche Aa, RMC Noord- en Midden Drenthe, Samenwerkingsverband VO 22-01, Vaart WelzijnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Schakeltraject O&S (Orientation & Transition program) is a joint initiative between Werkplein Drentsche Aa, RMC Noord- en Midden Drenthe, Samenwerkingsverband Voortgezet Onderwijs 22-01, Vaart Welzijn, and Drenthe College. It supports youth who are struggling in mbo or having difficulty transitioning to mbo. The program is co-funded by Provincie Drenthe.
• MasterkansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMasterkans, located at Vledderstraat 3d in Meppel, is a collaboration with other institutions offering an alternative educational pathway for young people who have not yet completed a study. The program provides half a year of school combined with intensive personal guidance.
• Provincie DrenthecoreOthersProvincie Drenthe co-funds the Doorstroomklas (a bridging program for youth between educational steps) and the Schakeltraject O&S. The province also supports the Onderwijscampus Emmen development. As the regional government authority, it is a key stakeholder in the college's mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DrentheCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/drenthecollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Drenthe College