PDF with detailed information

Download the PDF with detailed information about the Bosnian and Herzegovinian education system:

Education system Bosnia and Herzegovina‌ (430.23 kB)

Overview of diplomas from Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the overview below you can find the level of Bosnian and Herzegovinian diplomas. You cannot derive any rights from it.

Working in the Netherlands

Do you want to know if you can work in the Netherlands with a certain Bosnian and Herzegovinian diploma? Go to Working in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.

Studying in the Netherlands

Do you want to know if you can study in the Netherlands with your Bosnian and Herzegovinian diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.

Diploma o položenom maturskom ispitu/Diploma o završenoj srednjoj školi*

  • Comparable to: a VWO diploma (NLQF 4+/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years (upper secondary).
  • Type of education: general secondary education or general and vocational secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education.

* Or a similar name, because there are many different diploma names.

Diploma of a first cycle study programme

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor's degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 or 4 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to 2nd cycle education and to the labour market

Diploma of a second cycle study programme

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO master's degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 or 2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to 3rd cycle education (PhD programmes).

Diplomirani + name study field (started before 2007-2008)

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor's degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 or more years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to specialist further education and to the labour market.