South Korea

View the Dutch comparison of diplomas from South Korea. Or download a pdf with more detailed information about South Korean education.

Download the pdf with detailed information about the South Korean education system:
Education system South Korea (371.63 kB)

Common diplomas of South Korea

View the Dutch comparison of the most common diplomas from South Korea, the duration of schooling, the type of education and the purpose of these diplomas.

Vocational high school certificate

  • Dutch comparison: MBO qualification level 2 or 3 diploma (NLQF* 2-3/EQF** 2-3).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.

High School Certificate (general high school)

  • Dutch comparison: HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: upper general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education, upon successful completion entrance examinations.

High School Certificate (science high school)

  • Dutch comparison: at least HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years, but can also be completed in 2 years.
  • Type of education: general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education (to prestigious institutions, without entrance examinations).

Associate degree (2 years)

  • Dutch comparison: 2 years HBO (NLQF 5/EQF 5).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to the third year of university bachelors.

Bachelor (4 years)

  • Dutch comparison: HBO or WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to university masters, upon successful completion of entrance examinations.

Higher Diploma in Technical Education

  • Dutch comparison: HBO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6)

Master (2 years)

  • Dutch comparison: WO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

* NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework
** EQF = European Qualifications Framework

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