Overview of diploma evaluations

To which Dutch diplomas can you compare Scottish diplomas? We give an overview of diplomas that Dutch higher education institutions often see when Scottish students apply for a degree programme.

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 level EQF level Comparable to NLQF level EQF level
Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) with 4 Highers 6 4 a HAVO diploma 4 4
Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) with 4 Highers + 2 Advanced Highers 7 4 a VWO diploma 4+ 4
Higher National Certificate (HNC) 7 4 1 year of HBO 4 4
Higher National Diploma (HND) 8 5 2 years of HBO 5 5
Bachelor's degree 9 6 3 years of HBO or 2 years of WO 6 6
Master of Arts degree 9 6 3 years of HBO or 2 years of WO 6 6
Bachelor (Honours) degree 10 6 an HBO or a WO bachelor's degree 6 6

Master of Arts (Honours) degree

 10 6 an HBO or a WO bachelor's degree 6 6

Master's degree

 11 7 an HBO or a WO master's degree 7

7
Master's degree via an integrated master's degree programme 11 7 an HBO or a WO master's degree 7 7

Please note:

  • SCQF = Scottish Qualifications Framework.
  • NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework.
  • EQF = European Qualifications Framework.
  • The NLQF or EQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content, but an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having completed a certain study programme.
  • You can find information about the Dutch diploma's on our web pages about the education system in the Netherlands.
  • The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB) evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if SBB evaluates the diploma for admission to VET schools or for work in the Netherlands.