Overview of diploma evaluations

To which Dutch diplomas can you compare Irish diplomas? We give an overview of diplomas that Dutch higher education institutions often see when Irish students apply for a degree programme.

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

Diploma NFQ level EQF level Comparable to NLQF level EQF level

Junior Certificate

 3 2 a VMBO-T diploma 2 2
Leaving Certificate from the Leaving Certificate Applied programme (LCA) 4 3 an MBO diploma level 2 or 3 2 or 3 2 or 3

Leaving Certificate:

 5 4 a HAVO diploma 4 4

Leaving Certificate:

 5 4 a VWO diploma 4+ 4

Leaving Certificate from the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme:

  • at least 5 subjects and the Link Modules;
  • including 5 subjects with at least O6 or H7; and
  • at least 200 CAO points.
5 4 a HAVO diploma 4 4

Leaving Certificate from the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme:

  • at least 6 subjects and the Link Modules;
  • including at least 2 subjects with H5 or higher;
  • 4 subjects with at least O6 or H7; and
  • at least 350 CAO points.
5 4 a VWO diploma 4+ 4
Level 5 Certificate 5 4 an MBO diploma level 4 4 4
Level 6 Advanced Certificate 6 4 1 year of HBO 5 5
Higher Certificate 6 5 2 years of HBO or 1 year of WO 5 5
Ordinary Bachelor’s degree 7 6

3 years of HBO or 2 years of WO

6 6
Honours Bachelor’s degree 8 6 an HBO or a WO bachelor 6 6
Master’s degree 9 7 an HBO or a WO master 7 7
Master of Philosophy 9 7 a WO master 7 7

Please note:

  • NFQ = National Framework of Qualifications, the Irish national qualifications framework.
  • NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework.
  • EQF = European Qualifications Framework.
  • The NLQF or EQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content, but an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having completed a certain study programme.
  • You can find information about the Dutch diplomas on our web pages about the education system in the Netherlands.
  • The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB) evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if the SBB evaluates the diploma for admission to VET schools or for work in the Netherlands.