Level of diplomas
In the table below you can find the level of Polish 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 Polish 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 Polish diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
| Diploma | PRK | EQF | Comparable to | NLQF | EQF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyplom zawodowy (vocational diploma) at PRK level III – new system | III | 3 | an diploma level 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 |
| Dyplom zawodowy (vocational diploma) at PRK level IV – new system | IV | 4 | an MBO diploma level 3 or 4 | 3 or 4 | 3 or 4 |
| Dyplom potwierdzający kwalifikacje zawodowe (diploma of confirmed vocational qualification) – old system | IV | 4 | an MBO diploma level 3 or 4 | 3 or 4 | 3 or 4 |
| Świadectwo ukończenia technikum (certificate of completion of the technikum) | IV | 4 | a diploma for the general education part | 4 | 4 |
| Świadectwo ukończenia liceum ogólnokształcącego (certificate of completion of the general lyceum) | IV | 4 | a HAVO diploma | 4 | 4 |
| Świadectwo dojrzałości (maturiteitscertificaat) | IV | 4 | a diploma | 4+ | 4 |
| Dyplom ukończenia kolegium (diploma of completion of a college) | V | 5 | 3 years of | 5 | 5 |
| Dyplom inżynier | VI | 6 | an HBO bachelor's degree or a bachelor's degree | 6 | 6 |
| Dyplom licencjat | VI | 6 | an HBO bachelor's degree or a WO bachelor's degree | 6 | 6 |
| Dyplom magister | VII | 7 | an HBO master's degree or a WO master's degree | 7 | 7 |
| Dyplom magister inżynier | VII | 7 | an HBO master's degree or a WO master's degree | 7 | 7 |
| Dyplom ukonczenia jednolitych studiów magisterskich (diploma of completion of an integrated master's programme) | VII | 7 | an HBO master's degree or a WO master's degree | 7 | 7 |
|
Dyplom lekarz/ lekarz dentysta/ lekarz weterynarii (diploma doctor/ dentist/veterinarian) |
VII | 7 | a WO master's degree | 7 | 7 |
Please note:
- The NLQF or EQF level is an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having completed a certain study programme.
- You can find information about the Dutch diplomas on our web pages about the Dutch education system.
- You can find more information about how we compare diplomas via Credential evaluation.
- SBB evaluates statements on foreign qualifications 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.
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).