The Netherlands

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 vbo
A-programma

 Certificate of the first stage of secondary education -  (+ 1st year of the 2nd stage of vocational secondary education)
  • At least 3 subjects of programme A

Diploma vbo
B-programma

 Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education
  • At least 3 subjects of programme B

Diploma vbo
C-programma

 Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education
  • At least 3 subjects of programme C

Diploma vbo 
D-programma

 Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education
  • At least 3 subjects of programme D

Diploma lbo
A-programma

 

 Certificate of the first stage of secondary education -  (+ 1st year of the 2nd stage of vocational secondary education)
  • At least 3 subjects of programme A

Diploma lbo
B-programma

 Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education
  • At least 3 subjects of programme B

Diploma lbo

C-programma

 Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education
  • At least 3 subjects of programme C

Diploma lbo

D-programma

 Certificate of the second stage of secondary education - vocational secondary education
  • At least 3 subjects of programme D

 

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.

Please consult the legislation (Art. 9. § 4.)

 

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 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

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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.

Please consult the legislation (Art. 3.).

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