PDF with detailed information

Download the PDF with detailed information about the Eritrean education system:

Education system Eritrea‌ (104.20 kB)

Overview of Eritrean diplomas

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

Diploma (TVET)

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 2 in most cases (NLQF 2/EQF 2).
  • Duration of schooling: 2-3 years.
  • Type of education: vocational secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to professions such as mechanic, electrician, whitesmith, etc.

Eritrean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (science and social science, commerce)

  • Comparable to: a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 7 years (3 years lower secondary and 4 years upper secondary).
  • Type of education: general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education.

Diploma

  • Comparable to: 2 or 3 years HBO or a VWO diploma (NLQF 6/4+/EQF 6/4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2-3 years.
  • Type of education: professional or researc- oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: transfer toward a bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

  • Comparable to: an 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: access to further study (master’s programmes).

Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy

  • Comparable to: at least an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 5 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study (master’s programmes).

Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Dentistry

  • Comparable to: at least a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 6 years.
  • Type of education: research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study (master’s programmes).

Master’s Degree

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