Level of diplomas
In the table below you can find the level of South African 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 South African 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 South African diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
| Diploma | NQF | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| National Senior Certificate with the remark that the student has met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree programmes | 4 | a diploma |
| National Senior Certificate obtained after completion of the IEB exams + the remark that the student has met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree programmes | 4 | at least a HAVO diploma |
| Higher Certificate | 5 | 1 year of |
| (National) Diploma | 7 | 3 years of HBO |
| Bachelor 's degree ( : 3 years) | 7 | 3 years of HBO |
| 8 | an HBO or a bachelor's degree | |
|
(duration: 4 years) |
8 | an HBO or a WO bachelor's degree |
| 8 | a WO bachelor's degree | |
| 8 | at least a WO bachelor's degree | |
| 8 | at least a WO bachelor's degree | |
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) | 8 | at least a WO bachelor's degree |
| Master 's degree | 9 | an HBO or a 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.
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).