Level of diplomas
In the tables below you can find the level of Nigerian 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 Nigerian 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 Nigerian diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
| Diploma | Comparable to |
|---|---|
| Basic Education Certificate | 3 years of general secondary education |
| National Technical Certificate (NTC) | an diploma 2 or 3 |
| National Business Certificate (NBC) | an MBO diploma level 2 or 3 |
| Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANTC) | an MBO diploma level 3 or 4 |
| Advanced National Business Certificate (ANBC) | an MBO diploma level 3 or 4 |
| National Diploma (ND) | an MBO diploma level 4 |
| West African Senior School Certificate from the WAEC including at least 6 subjects with grade C6 or higher. | a diploma |
| Senior School Certificate from the NECO including at least 6 subjects with grade B3 or higher. | a HAVO diploma |
| Higher National Diploma (HND) | an associate degree or 2 years of |
| Bachelor's degree ( : 4 years) | an HBO bachelor's degree or 2 years of |
| Bachelor's degree (duration: 5 years) | an HBO bachelor's degree or a WO bachelor's degree |
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | a WO bachelor's degree |
| Postgraduate diploma | Please contact us for a credential evaluation |
| Master's degree | Please contact us for a credential evaluation |
Please note:
- You can find information about the Dutch diploma's on our web pages about the education system in the Netherlands.
- You can find more information about how we compare diplomas via Credential evaluation.
- The SBB evaluates foreign diplomas 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.
MBO
Secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO). MBO prepares pupils for the professional practice or further study. This type of education follows on from VMBO; its duration will depend on the chosen qualification. MBO comprises 4 levels (I-IV). Read more on the website of SBB.
HAVO
Senior general secondary education (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs, HAVO). A HAVO diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 5-year programme of general secondary education.
HBO
Higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). Dutch higher education distinguishes between research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) and higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). HBO is more oriented towards professions in specific areas than WO, and has traditionally been offered at universities of applied sciences (hogescholen).
Duration
The official length of the full-time programme (not part-time) without study delay.
WO
Research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO). Dutch higher education distinguishes between research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) and higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). WO is oriented more towards theory and research than HBO, and has traditionally been offered at research universities (universiteiten).