In the table below you can find the level of diplomas from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 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 diploma from England, Wales and Northern Ireland? 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 diploma from England, Wales and Northern Ireland? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.

Diploma RQF/CQFW EQF Comparable to
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 6 subjects (D to G or 3 to 1) 1 2 a diploma
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 6 subjects (A* to C or 9 to 4) 1 2 at least a VMBO-T diploma
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma 3 4 an diploma level 4
Access to HE Diploma 3 4 an MBO diploma level 4, a or a diploma

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects (with grade A* to C or 9 to 4) + General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 2 relevant subjects at AS level (with grade A* to C). A total of 6 different subjects, preferably including English and mathematics.

3 4 a HAVO diploma

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 4 subjects (with grade A* to C or 9 to 4) + General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 2 relevant subjects at A level (with grade D/E). A total of 6 different subjects, preferably including English and mathematics.

3 4 a HAVO diploma

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in 3 subjects (with grade A* to C or 9 to 4) + General Certificate of Education (GCE) with 3 relevant subjects at A level (with grade A* to C). A total of 6 different subjects, including English and mathematics.

3 4 a VWO diploma
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) 4 5 2 years of
Higher National Certificate (HNC) 4 5 2 years of HBO
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) 5 5 3 years of HBO
Higher National Diploma (HND) 5 5 3 years of HBO
Bachelor (Ordinary) degree 6 6 at least 3 years of HBO or at least 2 years of

Bachelor (Honours) degree

6 6 an HBO or a WO bachelor's degree
Master's degree 7 7 an HBO or a WO master’s degree

MA/MSC by research

7 7 a WO master's degree

Master of Philosophy

7 7 a WO master's degree (research master)

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.