Switzerland

To which Dutch diplomas can you compare certain Swiss diplomas? Use the overview or download the PDF with more detailed information.

PDF with detailed information

Download the PDF with detailed information about the Swiss education system:

Education system Switzerland‌ (298.35 kB)

Overview of Swiss diplomas

In the overview below you can find the level of Swiss 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 Swiss 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 Swiss diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.

Berufsmaturität/Fachmaturität/Specialised Maturity Certificate

  • Comparable to: a HAVO diploma for the general education component (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: general secondary education with vocational components.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher professional education (Fachhochschulen).

Maturity Certificate/Maturitätszeugnis/Maturitätsausweis/Certificat de Maturité

  • Comparable to: a VWO diploma (NLQF 4+/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 to 4 years.
  • Type of education: general secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education

Diplom – 4 years (Fachhochschule/Haute École Spécialisée)

  • Comparable to: an HBO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.

Bachelor (University/ETH)

  • Comparable to: a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to university masters.

Bachelor (Fachhochschule/Haute École Spécialisée)

  • Comparable to: an HBO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to masters in higher professional education (Fachhochschulen).

Diplom/Diplôme/Lizentiat/Licence (University/ETH)

  • Comparable to: a WO master’s degree (NLQF 7 / EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 to 6 years.
  • Type of education: research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Master (University/ETH)

  • Comparable to: a WO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1½ to 3 years.
  • Type of education: research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to doctorate programmes.

Master (Fachhochschule/Haute École Spécialisée)

  • Comparable to: an HBO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7).
  • Duration of schooling: 1½ to 2 years.
  • Type of education: higher professional education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to specialised advanced programmes in higher professional education (Certificate, Diploma or Master of Advanced Studies).