Level of diplomas
In the table below you can find the level of Scottish 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 Scottish 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 Scottish diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
| Diploma | SCQF | EQF | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) with 4 Highers | 6 | 4 | a diploma |
| Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) with 4 Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | 7 | 4 | a diploma |
| Higher National Certificate (HNC) | 7 | 4 | 1 year of |
| Higher National Diploma (HND) | 8 | 5 | 2 years of HBO |
| Bachelor's degree | 9 | 6 | 3 years of HBO or 2 years of |
| Master of Arts degree | 9 | 6 | 3 years of HBO or 2 years of WO |
| Bachelor (Honours) degree | 10 | 6 | an HBO bachelor's degree or a WO bachelor's degree |
| 10 | 6 | an HBO bachelor's degree or a WO bachelor's degree | |
| 11 | 7 | an HBO master's degree or a WO master's degree | |
| Master of Philosophy (MPhil) | 11 | 7 | 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.
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).