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Education system China (2.73 MB)
Common diplomas of China
View the Dutch comparison of the most common diplomas from China, the duration of schooling, the type of education and the purpose of these diplomas.
Vocational senior middle school graduation certificate (zhongdeng zhuanye xuexiao biye zhengsgu)
- Dutch comparison: MBO qualification level 2/3 diploma (NLQF* 2 or 3/EQF** 2 or 3).
- Duration of schooling: 3 or 4 years.
- Type of education: vocational secondary education.
- Purpose of diploma: admission to higher education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.
Senior middle school graduation certificate (gaozhong)
- Dutch comparison: HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
- Duration of schooling: 3 years.
- Type of education: general secondary education.
- Purpose of diploma: admission to higher education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.
Graduation certificate from a zhuanke programme (2 years)
- Dutch comparison: 2 years HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
- Duration of schooling: 2 years.
- Type of education: higher professional education.
- Purpose of diploma: gives the possibility to continue on to a bachelor’s degree after a zhuanke by completing an additional 3 years of study.
Graduation certificate from a zhuanke programme (3 years)
- Dutch comparison: 3 years HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
- Duration of schooling: 3 years.
- Type of education: higher professional education.
- Purpose of diploma: gives the possibility to continue on to a bachelor’s degree after a zhuanke by completing an additional 2 years of study.
Graduation certificate from a bachelor’s programme (4 years)
- Dutch comparison: HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years WO (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
- Duration of schooling: 4 years.
- Type of education: professional or research oriented.
- Purpose of diploma: admission to university Master, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.
Graduation certificate from a bachelor’s programme at a Project 211 institution (4 years)
- Dutch comparison: HBO or WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
- Duration of schooling: 4 years.
- Type of education: professional or research oriented.
Purpose of diploma: admission to university Masters, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.
Graduation certificate from a master’s programme (2 years)
- Dutch comparison: WO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
- Duration of schooling: 2 years.
- Type of education: professional or research oriented.
- Purpose of diploma: admission to university Masters, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.
* NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework
** EQF = European Qualifications Framework
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