Higher education in the Flemish Community

Higher education in the Flemish Community consists of:

  • university education; and
  • non-university education.

University education

Students follow university education at universities (universiteiten). Universities mainly offer research-oriented study programmes. In the Flemish Community, this is called 'academisch gericht'. University education follows a bachelor's-master's structure. This means that students enrol in a bachelor’s programme when they first start studying at a university.

Non-university education

Students receive non-university education at Flemish hogescholen. These hogescholen offer vocational degree programmes. In the Flemish Community, this is called 'professioneel gericht'.

Diploma van Gegradueerde

Students can obtain a Diploma van Gegradueerde (Graduate Diploma) via a graduaatsopleiding (graduate degree programme). Graduaatsopleidingen are offered by hogescholen. Students can also obtain a Diploma van Gegradueerde in nursing. However, the nursing degree programme is called HBO5 Verpleegkunde (the HBO5 Nursing degree programme) and it is only taught in schools for secondary education.

  • : 2-2½ years. The duration of nursing programmes is 3 years.
  • : 120 ECTS.
  • Content: practically-oriented daytime or evening classes.
  • Admission requirements: the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs or an equivalent diploma – see the information on the Onderwijskiezer website.
  • Function of the diploma: work and sometimes access to a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding (with exemptions).
  • Diploma: Diploma van Gegradueerde.

We compare a Diploma van Gegradueerde to an associate degree.

Bachelor via a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding

Hogescholen offer professioneel gerichte bacheloropleidingen (profession-oriented bachelor’s programmes). These study programmes prepare students for a particular profession.

  • Duration: 3 years (at least 180 ECTS) or 4 years (240 ECTS) for nursing.
  • Content: practically-oriented daytime classes with an emphasis on developing skills and doing an internship.
  • Admission requirements: the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs. For admission to higher arts education, additional requirements (artistic aptitude tests) apply. See also the admission requirements of the Flemish government.
  • Function of the diploma: work and access to bachelor-na-bacheloropleidingen.
  • Diploma: Bachelor.

We compare a Bachelor obtained via a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding to an bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor via a bachelor-na-bacheloropleiding

If students want to specialise further in the field of study of their Bachelor obtained via a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding, they can do so via a bachelor-na-bacheloropleiding (bachelor after bachelor's degree programme). This study programme does not lead to a higher degree. Students conclude this study programme with a Bachelor as well.

  • Duration: 1 year.
  • Study load: at least 60 ECTS.
  • Content: vocational subjects and internships.
  • Admission requirements: a Bachelor obtained via a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding and specific requirements.
  • Function of the diploma: further specialisation in the field of study of a previously obtained Bachelor.
  • Diploma: Bachelor.

We compare a Bachelor obtained via a bachelor-na-bacheloropleiding to an HBO bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor via an academisch gerichte bacheloropleiding

Universities offer academisch gerichte bacheloropleiding (academic bachelor's programmes). These are research-oriented (scientific) study programmes.

  • Duration: 3 years.
  • Study load: at least 180 ECTS.
  • Content: scientific education and research, occasionally including an internship of several months depending on the specialisation.
  • Admission requirements: the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, which may be followed by an entrance examination or a preparation programme (for students who do not hold a diploma that grants immediate admission). The Flemish government provides more information about the admission requirements for study programmes in higher education.
  • Function of the diploma: access to master's programmes.
  • Diploma: Bachelor.

We compare a Bachelor obtained via an academisch gerichte bacheloropleiding to a bachelor’s degree.

Master via a masteropleiding

Masteropleidingen (master’s programmes) are usually based on academic research.

We compare a Master obtained via a masteropleiding to a WO master’s degree.

Master via a master-na-masteropleiding

If students want to specialise further in the field of study of their Master, they can do so via a master-na-masteropleiding (master after master's degree programme) at a university. This study programme does not lead to a higher degree. Students conclude this study programme with a Master as well.

  • Duration: 1 or 2 years.
  • Study load: 60 or 120 ECTS.
  • Content: research and a thesis (15 to 30 ECTS), occasionally including a work placement of several months depending on the specialisation.
  • Admission requirements: a relevant Master.
  • Function of the diploma: further specialisation in the field of study of a previously obtained Master.
  • Diploma: Master.

We compare a Master obtained via a master-na-masteropleiding to a WO master’s degree.

Exception: master comparable to an HBO master's degree

As mentioned above, we compare a Master in the Flemish Community to a Dutch WO master's degree. But the content of some Flemish master's degree programmes are more similar to Dutch HBO master's programmes, for example in the field of visual arts or music. In those cases, we compare the Master to an HBO master's degree.

Doctor/PhD

  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Content: academic research, writing and defending a thesis.
  • Admission requirements: a Master, possibly other requirements. There is an admission procedure for candidates who do not hold a Master.
  • Diploma: Doctor (dr) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).