PDF with detailed information

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Education system Cameroon‌ (148.43 kB)

Overview of Cameroonian diplomas

In the overview below you can find the level of Cameroonian 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 Cameroonian 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 Cameroonian diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.

GCE, O-level (at least 6 subjects with a final result of Grade A, B or C)

  • Comparable to: at least a VMBO-T diploma (NLQF 2/EQF 2).
  • Duration of schooling: 5 years.
  • Type of education: lower general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to upper general secondary education.

GCE, O-level (at least 4 subjects with a final result of Grade A, B or C) + GCE, A-level (at least 2 subjects)

  • Comparable to: at least a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.

Brevet d’Études du premier Cycle du Second Degré

  • Comparable to: a VMBO-T diploma or a few years of general secondary education (NLQF 2/EQF 2).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: lower general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to upper general secondary education.

Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement Secondaire

  • Comparable to: at least a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: upper general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.

General Certificate of Education (Technical/Commercial) Ordinary Level

  • Comparable to: at least a VMBO-T diploma for the general education component (NLQF 3/EQF 3).
  • Duration of schooling: 5 years.
  • Type of education: lower secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to upper secondary vocational education.

General Certificate of Education (Technical/Commercial) Advanced Level

  • Comparable to: at least a HAVO for the general education component (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: upper secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.

Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle (CAP)

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 1 or 2 (NLQF 1-2/EQF 1-2).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: lower secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to upper secondary vocational education.

Probatoire

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 2 or 3 (NLQF 2-3/EQF 2-3).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: upper secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: doesn’t grant admission to higher education.

Brevet de Technicien/Brevet Professionnel/Baccalauréat Technique

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 3 or 4 (NLQF 3-4/EQF 3-4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: upper secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.

Diplôme de Technicien

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 3 or 4 (NLQF 3-4/EQF 3-4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study in higher professional education.

Diplôme d’Etudes Universitaires Génerales (DEUG)/Associate Degree

  • Comparable to: 2 years HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the 1st cycle in higher education (Bachelor or Licence).

Diplôme de Technicien Supérieur de la Santé (DTS)/Diplôme en Soins Infirmiers (2 years)

  • Comparable to: 1 year HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.

Diplôme de Technicien Supérieur de la Santé (DTS)/Diplôme en Soins Infirmiers (3 years)

  • Comparable to: at most 2 years HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.

Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS)/Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (DUT)/Higher National Diploma

  • Comparable to: 1 or at most 2 years HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to the 3rd year of further study of the 1st cycle in higher education (Bachelor or Licence).

Diplôme d’Ingénieur des Travaux

  • Comparable to: at most 3 years HBO (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the 1st cycle in higher education (Bachelor or Licence).

Diplôme d’Ingénieur de Conception

  • Comparable to: 3 years HBO (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the 1st cycle in higher education (Bachelor or Licence).

Licence/Bachelor of Arts/of Science (after 2007)

  • Comparable to: approximately an HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years WO (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the 2nd cycle in higher education (Master or Postgraduate Diploma).

Diplôme d’Ingénieur Agronome

  • Comparable to: a WO bachelor’s degree or an HBO master’s degree (NLQF 6 or 7/EQF 6 or 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Postgraduate Diploma/Maîtrise professionnelle

  • Comparable to: at least an HBO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 year.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.

Maîtrise/Master

  • Comparable to: a WO bachelor’s degree or an HBO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 year.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Master (without thesis)

  • Comparable to: a WO bachelor’s degree or an HBO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 year.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.

Master (with thesis)

  • Comparable to: 4 years WO (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Diplôme de Docteur en Médecine

  • Comparable to: 4 years WO in medicine (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 6 years.
  • Type of education: research-oriented.