Colombia

To which Dutch diplomas can you compare certain Colombian diplomas? Use the overview or download the PDF with more detailed information.

PDF with detailed information

Download the PDF with more detailed information about the Colombian education system:

Education system Colombia‌ (233.43 kB)

Overview of Colombian diplomas

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

Técnico Profesional

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 2, 3 or 4 (NLQF 2-4/EQF 2- 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: vocational secondary education.
    Purpose of diploma: admission to further study of the 1st cycle in higher professional education (Tecnólogo).

Bachiller Académico

  • Comparable to: approximately a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: admission to university education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations (Examen de Estado/ICFES).

Tecnólogo

  • Comparable to: at least an MBO diploma level 4 (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 to 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: admission to further study of the 1st cycle in higher professional education (Tecnólogo especializado) or, after completion of 1 year practical experience, to further study of the 1st cycle in university education (Licenciado/Título Profesional).

Tecnólogo Especializado

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

Licenciado/Título professional

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 5 to 7 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
    Purpose of diploma: admission to further study of the 2nd cycle in higher education (Magister and Especialista).

Especialista

  • Comparable to: at least an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 to 2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.

Magister

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 to 2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
    Purpose of diploma: admission to doctorate programmes.