Level of diplomas
In the table below you can find the level of Pakistani 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 Pakistani 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 Pakistani diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
| Diploma | PQF | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Certificate | 3 | a diploma |
| Matriculation Certificate | 3 | a VMBO-T diploma |
| Diploma in Commerce | 4 | an diploma level 2 |
| Diploma of Associate Engineer | 4 | an MBO diploma level 3 of 4 |
| Higher Secondary School Certificate with grade D or E as final result | 4 | at least a VMBO-T diploma |
| Intermediate School Certificate with grade D or E as final result | 4 | at least a VMBO-T diploma |
| Higher Secondary School Certificate with grade A1, A, B or C as final result | 4 | a diploma |
| Intermediate School Certificate with grade A1, A, B or C as final result | 4 | a HAVO diploma |
| Bachelor of Arts (Pass) | 5 | a diploma |
| Bachelor of Science (Pass) | 5 | a VWO diploma |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Pass) | 5 | 2 years of or an associate degree |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (Pass) | 5 | 2 years of HBO or an associate degree |
| Bachelor of Technology (Pass) | 5 | 2 years of HBO or an associate degree |
| Bachelor of Arts (Honours) | 6 | 3 years of HBO or 1 year of |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) | 6 | 3 years of HBO or 1 year of WO |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), : 3 years | 6 | an HBO bachelor’s degree |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), duration: 4 years | 6 | an HBO bachelor’s degree |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours), duration: 3 years | 6 | 3 years of HBO |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours), duration: 4 years | 6 | an HBO bachelor's degree |
| Professional bachelor, duration: 4 years | 6 | an HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of WO |
| Professional bachelor, duration: 5 years | 6 | a WO bachelor’s degree |
| Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) | 6 | a WO bachelor’s degree |
| Master | 7 | Please contact us for a credential evaluation |
| Master of Philosophy (MPhil) | 7 | a 1-year WO master’s degree |
Please note:
- You can find information about the Dutch diplomas 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.
VMBO-T
Preparatory vocational secondary education – theoretical programme (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs - theoretische leerweg, VMBO-T). A VMBO-T diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 4-year programme of vocational secondary education (theoretical programme).
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.
VWO
Pre-university education (voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs, VWO). A VWO diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 6-year programme of pre-university education. VWO is the highest level of general secondary education available in the Netherlands.
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).
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).
Duration
The official length of the full-time programme (not part-time) without study delay.