Expertise centre for the recognition of foreign diplomas
Our main tasks
As the centre of expertise for the recognition of foreign diplomas, these are our main tasks:
- We compare foreign diplomas with Dutch diplomas (credential evaluation).
- As ENIC-NARIC, we actively promote and support fair and simple comparisons of diplomas in various ways.
- We offer information about foreign education systems.
- We offer information about the Dutch education system.
- As the Assistance Centre for Professional Recognition, we provide information about working abroad.
Credential evaluation
We compare foreign diplomas (credentials) to Dutch diplomas in order to identify the level. This is referred to as credential evaluation.
ENIC-NARIC
We are the Dutch ENIC-NARIC, the expertise centre for the recognition of foreign diplomas. All EU countries have their own ENIC-NARIC. The task of each ENIC-NARIC is to make sure that everyone in that country follows the Lisbon Recognition Convention. The ENIC-NARICs often work together; together we form the ENIC-NARIC network.
The ENIC-NARIC network was set up by UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the European Commission.
The ENIC Bureau (EB) and the NARIC Advisory Board (NAB) support the management of the ENIC-NARIC network. Jenneke Lokhoff has been the president of the ENIC Bureau on behalf of Nuffic since 2020.
What is our goal?
Each ENIC-NARIC actively promotes and supports fair, simple comparisons of diplomas. We remove unnecessary obstacles that come up when comparing diplomas. We share our knowledge and experience in the field of credential evaluation with our ENIC-NARIC network and beyond. We teach educational institutions how they can apply the agreements of the Lisbon Recognition Convention. This is, after all, an obligation.
Examples of our work
Projects
We take part in European projects on credential evaluation and international recognition, and we also organise such projects. This can be, for example, a project on an admission procedure for refugees who have lost their diplomas. To find out more about our international projects, visit our project page.
Providing information
- We think it is important that admissions officers in the Netherlands and abroad know how they can evaluate foreign diplomas, so we regularly hold webinars in Dutch and English.
- We want people with a foreign diploma to know how they can use their diploma in the Netherlands. We explain what to pay attention to if you want to study in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma or work in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
Foreign education systems
To which Dutch diplomas can you compare foreign diplomas? Our web pages about foreign education systems describe the education system and specific diplomas of almost 100 countries.
The Dutch education system
Our web pages about the Dutch education system provide information about this education system.
Assistance Centre for Professional Recognition
Nuffic is the Assistance Centre for Professional Recognition (AC) in the Netherlands. This means that we provide information about the difference between a and a profession that is not regulated. We explain why this is important if you want to work in the Netherlands or abroad.
See our web pages to find out more:
Regulated profession
If a profession is regulated, this means you must meet certain requirements to be able to exercise the profession. The requirements for a regulated profession are described in the country’s laws. In every country there is an organisation for every regulated profession that verifies whether you meet the requirements. This kind of organisation is referred to as a ‘competent authority’.