Costa Rica

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

PDF with detailed information

Download the PDF with detailed information about the Costa Rican education system:

Education system Costa Rica‌ (262.77 kB)

Overview of Costa Rican diplomas

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

Técnico de Nivel Medio

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 2, 3 or 4 (NLQF 2-4/EQF 2-4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: general and vocational secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: admission to the labour market.

Bachiller en Educación Media (rama académica)

  • Comparable to: a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: admission to Bachillerato (possibly after PAA/prueba de admisión) and Diplomado.

Bachillerato (4 years)

  • Comparable to: an HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of WO (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: mostly at least 4 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: admission to Licenciatura and the labour market.

Licenciatura

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 5 or 1 years, depending on the previous education.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: admission to Especialidad Profesional or Maestría and the labour market.

Maestría

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