LOI

What LOI is

LOI is a Dutch online school for adults who want to study for a recognized diploma or a job-focused course alongside work and family. The site, run by Leidse Onderwijsinstellingen B.V., is in Dutch throughout, and its homepage sums up the offer in three lines: study online where and when you want, earn a recognized diploma or certificate, and choose from more than 900 programs and courses ("Kies uit meer dan 900 opleidingen en cursussen"). The range runs from short masterclasses to full master's degrees, and from single secondary school subjects to complete vocational qualifications. Customers rate it 7.7, according to the site, based on 2480 reviews.

The catalog by level

The menu is organized by level, which is the clearest way to understand what LOI sells.

At master's level there are full programs such as an MBA, a Master in Applied Psychology for Professionals, a Master Finance & Control, a Master in Human Resources Management and a Master in Educational Science, alongside shortened master's programs and masterclasses. At HBO level (Dutch higher professional education) LOI offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, post-bachelor programs, HBO programs, minors and admission tests, with popular bachelors in applied psychology, social work, primary teacher training (PABO), nutrition and dietetics, and law.

At MBO level (Dutch vocational education) there are full qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 4, basic programs, MBO programs and recognized MBO certificates. The popular full MBO programs listed include security officer, social worker, carer (Verzorgende IG), specialized educational assistant and veterinary assistant. For adults who left school without a diploma, LOI offers complete VWO, HAVO and VMBO programs as well as single-subject certificates (deelcertificaten) in subjects such as mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, Dutch and English.

Job-focused courses ("beroepsgerichte cursussen") cover more than 30 subject areas, including administration, AI, construction, animal care, sustainability, economics, finance, health care and welfare, graphic design and multimedia, enforcement and security, HRM, ICT, logistics and purchasing, real estate, management, marketing and sales, music, education, events, psychology and coaching, law and public administration, retail and entrepreneurship, secretarial work, sport, translation, technology, tourism, beauty and wellness, and nutrition. The courses page says these courses train you quickly and directly for the chosen field, with knowledge you can apply straight away, and that where an exam is part of a course, you are thoroughly prepared for it.

Language courses cover 20 languages at levels from beginner to advanced. The menu lists Dutch, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Latin, Greek, Norwegian, Papiamento, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Swedish, with a separate set of Dutch courses that includes Dutch as a second language (NT2), Dutch for speakers of other languages, spelling and grammar, and business correspondence.

LOI also highlights its newest programs, which lean toward AI: working smarter with AI, AI at work and prompting, an introduction to NLP, a course on working with people with acquired brain injury, and an HBO program in psychology and nutrition. A free AI mini course is offered on the homepage.

How studying works

Study is fully online and self-paced: the homepage says you study "waar, wanneer en hoe snel je wilt" (where, when and as fast as you want), so the program fits around work and private life. Guidance comes from experienced teachers who, in the site's words, are always ready to help, and the courses page promises guidance from start to diploma. Students log in to an online campus. Course listings give a duration and a monthly price, and a comparison tool lets visitors set up to 3 programs side by side.

Recognition and quality

The courses page states that LOI's programs are recognized or accredited by the minister of OCW (Education, Culture and Science) on the basis of the WEB and WHW laws, insofar as they fall within the scope of those laws. The homepage adds that all full MBO and HBO programs are recognized, and that its more than 400 short programs are part of recognized programs and so share the same quality. Under the heading "Erkenningen van de LOI" it shows RIO, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and NVAO. The site also says the quality of programs and study guidance is continuously checked by professionals from the field, and that LOI works closely with industry organizations and exam bodies.

Prices and funding

Prices are shown per month. The popular courses on the courses page give a clear sample: Basiskennis Boekhouden (BKB, basic bookkeeping) runs 4 months at €95 a month, Microsoft Excel Basis 1 month at €179, AI voor beginners 2 months at €229 a month, a 6-month professional competence course for keeping dogs and cats at €149 a month, and Praktijkdiploma Boekhouden (PDB, the practical bookkeeping diploma) 9 months at €99 a month. The footer links to a page of payment options.

Funding gets a lot of attention. The SLIM Scholingssubsidie lets employers recover up to 90% of training costs for programs in sectors such as healthcare, education, childcare and ICT, which the site describes as sectors with large staff shortages, and it applies to LOI's recognized programs. The courses page also encourages students to ask their employer to pay, notes that a personal training budget is often set out in a collective labor agreement (CAO) or employment contract, mentions tax advantages for employers, and points out that an employer must cover the cost of training that is required by law or a CAO. A student whose employer pays indicates this on the enrollment form. For companies there is a separate LOI Zakelijk offer.

Advice and support

Study advisers can be reached by phone from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, or through a contact form, and visitors can book a free study advice conversation on a day and time of their choice. Choosing tools include a four-step online study finder, a three-step course finder and a career choice test (Beroepskeuzetest). The student testimonials focus on combining study with work. Tim Huider, an HBO student in Communication and Multimedia Design, says "De combinatie werken en leren is heel effectief!" (the combination of working and learning is very effective), and Sandra Coolen, who studied basic bookkeeping and basic costing, says "Met dit diploma sta ik sterker." (with this diploma I stand stronger).

Who it suits

LOI suits Dutch-speaking adults who want a recognized qualification without attending classes: a career changer taking an MBO qualification in care or security, a working professional finishing an HBO bachelor's or master's degree, an adult completing HAVO or VWO subject by subject, or a bookkeeper adding the BKB or PDB diploma. Employees in healthcare, education, childcare and ICT can look at the SLIM subsidy through their employer, and the short courses and language classes serve anyone who wants a single skill. Because everything is in Dutch, the catalog is aimed at learners who study in that language.