PDF with detailed information

Download the PDF with detailed information about the New Zealand education system:

Education system New Zealand‌ (267.58 kB)

Overview of New Zealand diplomas

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

NCEA Level 2

Comparable to: a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4) or an MBO diploma level 2, 3 or 4 (NLQF 2-4/EQF 2-4).
Duration of schooling: 2 years.
Type of education: general secondary education.

NCEA Level 3 (with sufficient credits from general level 3 subjects)

Comparable to: a VWO diploma (NLQF 4+/EQF 4).
Duration of schooling: 3 years.
Type of education: general secondary education.
Purpose of diploma: access to higher education.

Bachelor’s degree

Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
Duration of schooling: 3 years.
Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
Purpose of diploma: access to further study of the 1st cycle in higher education (honours year).

Bachelor Honours Degree

Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
Duration of schooling: 1 year (after a bachelor) or 4 years (as an integrated programme).
Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
Purpose of diploma: access to university masters.

Master’s Degree

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 doctorate programmes.