Malaysia

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

PDF with detailed information

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

Education system Malaysia‌ (206.30 kB)

Overview of Malaysian diplomas

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

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokasional

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 1 or 2 (NLQF 1-2/EQF 1-2).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: vocational secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study leading to the Diploma or Certificate at a Polytechnic/MARA or the Diploma at a Community College.

Diploma (community college)

  • Comparable to: an MBO diploma level 3 or 4 (NLQF 3-4/EQF 3-4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 to 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to bachelor's programmes.

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia

  • Comparable to: a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: secondary general education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to further study leading to the Diploma or Certificate at a Polytechnic/MARA or Diploma at a Community College or to pre-university secondary education (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia/Matriculation Certificate).

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia/Matriculation Certificate

  • Comparable to: a VWO diploma (NLQF 4+/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 1.5 years.
  • Type of education: pre-university secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education.

Unified Examination Certificate with an average score of less than 75%

  • Comparable to: at least a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4 / EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 6 years.
  • Type of education: secondary general education (Chinese secondary education).
  • Purpose of diploma: access to foreign higher education and possibly to private institutions in Malaysia. Does not grant access to higher education institutions in Malaysia.

Unified Examination Certificate with an average score of 75% or higher

  • Comparable to: a VWO diploma (NLQF 4+/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 6 years.
  • Type of education: secondary general education (Chinese secondary education).
  • Purpose of diploma: access to foreign higher education and possibly to private institutions in Malaysia. Does not grant access to higher education institutions in Malaysia.

Polytechnic/MARA Certificate

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

Polytechnic/MARA Diploma

  • Comparable to: 3 years HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to bachelor's programmes.

Bachelor

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 or 4 years, sometimes 5 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to master's programmes.

Master

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