Level of diplomas
In the table below you can find the level of Philippine 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 Philippine 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 Philippine diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
| Diploma | Comparable to |
|---|---|
| Junior High School Diploma - since 2016 | a diploma |
| High School Diploma (katibayan/katunayan) - up to and including 2015 | a VMBO-T diploma |
| Grade 12/Senior High School Diploma – since 2018 | Please contact us for a credential evaluation |
| Associate | an diploma level 3 or 4 |
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years of or an associate degree |
| Bachelor's degree from a Centre of Excellence | an HBO bachelor's degree |
| Doctor of Dental Science | 2 years of |
| 2 years of WO | |
| Doctor of Medicine | a WO bachelor's degree |
| Juris Doctor | a WO bachelor's degree |
| Master's degree | Please contact us for a credential evaluation |
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.
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).
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.
- 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.