Study certificates of secondary education, except secondary vocational education (vmbo, mavo, vbo, havo and vwo)
Dutch certificate | Recognised as | Conditions |
Diploma vwo | Qualification of secondary education - general secondary education | |
Diploma havo | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - general secondary education | |
Diploma vmbo - basisberoepsgerichte leerweg | Certificate of the first stage of secondary education - (+ 1st year of the 2nd stage of vocational secondary education) | |
Diploma vmbo - kaderberoepsgerichte leerweg | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education | |
Diploma vmbo - theoretische leerweg | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education | |
Diploma vmbo - gemengde leerweg | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education | |
Diploma mavo | Certificate of the first stage of secondary education - (+ 1st year of the 2nd stage of general secondary education) | |
Diploma vboA-programma | Certificate of the first stage of secondary education - (+ 1st year of the 2nd stage of vocational secondary education) |
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Diploma vboB-programma | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education |
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Diploma vboC-programma | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education |
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Diploma vbo D-programma | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education |
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Diploma lboA-programma
| Certificate of the first stage of secondary education - (+ 1st year of the 2nd stage of vocational secondary education) |
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Diploma lboB-programma | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education |
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Diploma lbo C-programma | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education |
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Diploma lbo D-programma | Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education |
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Please consult the legislation.
Bachelors en Masters
Automatic recognition is applicable to the following Dutch certificates awarded by a recognised educational institution:
- Dutch bachelors: are automatically recognised in Flanders as equivalent in level to Flemish bachelors.
- Dutch masters: are automatically recognised in Flanders as equivalent in level to Flemish masters.
- Certificates of higher professional education with a duration of 4 years conferring the right to use the title of ‘baccalaureus’ (bc.) or ‘ingenieur’ (Ing.): in the Netherlands, these certificates are regarded as legally corresponding with the level of bachelor. As a result, these certificates are automatically recognised in Flanders as equivalent in level to Flemish bachelors.
- Certificates of research-oriented education (doctoral studies, BUL) conferring the right to use the title of ‘doctorandus’ (drs.), ‘ingenieur’ (Ir.) or ‘meester’ (mr.): in the Netherlands, these certificates are regarded as legally corresponding with the level of master. As a result, these certificates are automatically recognised in Flanders as level equivalent to Flemish masters.
This automatic recognition only refers to the recognition of the level of these study certificates. If you are seeking recognition of equivalence to a specific Flemish certificate, you must start a recognition procedure with NARIC-Vlaanderen. Not sure about the type of recognition you need? Then go through our guidance tool.
Please consult the legislation (article 9 § 4, 3°)
How to check whether a Dutch bachelor or master was awarded upon completion of an accredited study programme?
The following online databases list all accredited Dutch bachelors and masters:
- Croho: via historical search request form => enter date of graduation:=> from 1 September 1996 onwards
- NVAO: via extended search request form => enter academic year in which the holder of the qualification graduated:=> vanaf academiejaar 2005/2006
Please note: is your education not accredited in the Netherlands? Then it is not automatically equivalent to a Flemish education. In this case, NARIC-Vlaanderen cannot grant equivalence after examination.
Doctorates
Doctorates awarded by a recognised Dutch university are automatically recognised in Flanders as being equivalent in level to a Flemish doctorate.
This automatic recognition only refers to the recognition of the level of these study certificates. If you are seeking recognition of equivalence to a specific Flemish certificate, you must start a recognition procedure with NARIC-Vlaanderen. Not sure about the type of recognition you need? Then go through our guidance tool.
Please consult the legislation (article 9 § 4, 3°.).