Level of diplomas
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 |
| 6 | 6 | an HBO or a WO bachelor's degree | |
| Master's degree | 7 | 7 | an HBO or a WO master’s degree |
| 7 | 7 | a WO master's degree | |
| 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.
VMBO-T
Preparatory vocational secondary education – theoretical programme (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs - theoretische leerweg, VMBO-T). A VMBO-T diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 4-year programme of vocational secondary education (theoretical programme).
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).