Applying for a credential evaluation
Where do you apply for a credential evaluation?
The government has appointed Nuffic and SBB to evaluate diplomas. IDW is the digital counter for our credential evaluations.
Apply for a credential evaluation through IDW
You usually receive your credential evaluation after at least 6 weeks.
What is a credential evaluation?
- A credential evaluation is a comparison of a foreign diploma (credential) to a Dutch diploma. We do such comparisons for diplomas in higher education and almost all diplomas in secondary education.
- A credential evaluation is an official document. With our knowledge of foreign education systems, we provide insight into the level of your diploma in the Netherlands.
Please note:
- A credential evaluation is not legally binding. This means that Dutch universities and universities of applied science determine themselves which students they admit. And Dutch employers determine who they hire.
- A credential evaluation is therefore not proof that you are allowed to work or study in the Netherlands.
How do we compare diplomas?
- We compare foreign diplomas to Dutch diplomas according to the agreements of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC).
- The principle of the LRC: a foreign diploma is considered to have the same level as a Dutch diploma, unless there are substantial differences.
- Would you like to know more about the LRC? See the EAR manual.
View our overview of credential evaluations
- In our overview of more than 100 education systems you can look up the country where you obtained your diploma. We describe to which Dutch diplomas we compare diplomas from that country according to the LRC agreements.
- Do you need an official document? Apply for a credential evaluation through IDW.