Germany

View the Dutch comparison of diplomas from Germany. Or download a pdf with more detailed information about German education.

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Education system Germany‌ (191.7 kB)

Common diplomas of Germany

View the Dutch comparison of the most common diplomas from Germany, the duration of schooling, the type of education and the purpose of these diplomas.

Realabschluss/Abschluss/Zeugnis der Klasse 10 der Hauptschule/Sekundarabschluss/Mittlere Reife

  • Dutch comparison: VMBO-T diploma (NLQF* 1 or 2/EQF** 1 or 2).
  • Duration of schooling: 6 years.
  • Type of education: secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to upper secondary education.

Fachhochschulreife

  • Dutch comparison: HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher professional education (Fachhochschule).

Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife

  • Dutch comparison: VWO diploma (NLQF 4+/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 to 3 years.
  • Type of education: secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education.

Diploma-Vorprüfungszeugnis (Fachhochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: 1.5 to 2 years of HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
  • Duration of schooling: 1.5 to 2 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to the final 1.5 or 2 years of integrated study programmes of the first cycle in higher professional education.

Zwischenprüfungszeugnis/Diplom-Vorprüfungszeugnis (Wissenschaftliche Hochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: 2 years of WO (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: research oriented education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to the final 2 years of integrated study programmes of the first and second cycle in research oriented education (Magister, Diploma or Staatsprüfung).

Fachhochschuldiplom (Gesamthochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: HBO bachelor (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the second cycle in higher professional education.

Diplom (Fachhochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: HBO bachelor (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3.5 to 4 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the second cycle in higher professional education.

Bachelor (Fachhochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: HBO bachelor (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: at least 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the second cycle in higher education.

Bachelor (Wissenschaftliche Hochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: WO bachelor (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: research oriented education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the second cycle in research oriented education.

Magister, Diplom, Lizentiat (Wissenschaftliche Hochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: WO master (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 4.5 years.
  • Type of education: research oriented education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Lizentiat (Wissenschaftliche Hochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: WO master (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 to 2 years.
  • Type of education: research oriented education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Staatsprüfung (Wissenschaftliche Hochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: HBO or WO master (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 5 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Master (Fachhochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: HBO master (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 to 2 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Master (Wissenschaftliche Hochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: WO master (NLQF/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1 to 2 years.
  • Type of education: research oriented education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Diplom/Magister (Gesamthochschule)

  • Dutch comparison: WO master (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 5 years.
  • Type of education: research oriented education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

* NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework
** EQF = European Qualifications Framework

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