1 : Universiteit : University
Description:Of the 14 recognized universities offering research-oriented higher education, (universiteiten), three specialize in engineering (technische universiteiten), one in agriculture (landbouw) and there is one open university (Open Universiteit). All have the same status,
2 : Technische Universiteit : Technical University
3 : Landbouw Universiteit : Agricultural University
4 : Hogeschool : University of Applied Sciences
Description:A hogeschool offers higher education in the applied arts and sciences.
5 : Open Universiteit : Open University
Pre-Higher Education System
entry:5
exit:16-18
Primary : Basisonderwijs (Primary School)
Length of program:8
Age level from:4
Age level to:12
General Secondary : Voorbereidend Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (VMBO) (Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education) - Theoretische Leerweg (TL)
Length of program:4
Age level from:12
Age level to:16
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:VMBO Diploma - Theoretische Leerweg (TL)
Senior Secondary : Senior Secondary Education (HAVO)
Length of program:5
Age level from:12
Age level to:1718
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:HAVO Diploma
Vocational Secondary : Vocational Secondary
Length of program:4
Age level from:16
Age level to:20
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:MBO Diploma, levels 1-4
Prevocational : Voorbereidend Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs VMBO (Preparatory Secondary Vocational Ed.) Basisberoepsgerichte, Kaderberoepsgerichte, Gemengde Leerweg (BL,KL,or GL)
Length of program:4
Age level from:12
Age level to:16
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:VMBO Diploma, BL, KL or GL
Pre-university : University Preparatory Education (VWO)
Length of program:6
Age level from:12
Age level to:18
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:VWO Diploma
Primary education lasts for eight years. Secondary education consists of VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education), HAVO (senior general education) and VWO (pre-university education). Those with a VMBO Diploma can then go on to the MBO. Depending on interest and capability, pupils in VMBO can choose from one of four learning tracks or routes: 1) the theoretical route granting admission to long MBO or HAVO; 2) the vocationally-oriented route granting admission to long training in secondary vocational education (MBO) or to short training programmes; 3) a mixed educational route with a combination of general subjects and vocationally-oriented subjects; and 4) a vocational route, oriented towards the labour market and aimed at a specific group for which VMBO is the last educational stage. HAVO prepares for higher professional education (HBO), but students can go on to the VWO or choose senior secondary vocational training instead of higher professional education. VWO prepares for university studies, but many pupils continue in HBO. There are 3 kinds of VWO Certificates: Atheneum, Gymnasium and Unified VWO Certificate. In the last two years of VMBO, the last two years of HAVO and the last three years of VWO, pupils have to complete the curriculum requirements for one of four subject clusters. VMBO pupils can choose between technology, health and personal care and welfare, economics and agriculture. HAVO and VWO pupils can choose between science and technology, science and health, economics and society and culture and society.
Higher Education System
The Netherlands higher education system is a binary system, composed of Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (WO which is more research-oriented and traditionally offered by universities) and Hoger Beroepsonderwijs (HBO - professional higher education, traditionally offered by hogescholen). WO programmes provide education and research in a wide range of disciplines: language and culture, behaviour and society, economics, law, medical and health sciences, natural sciences, engineering and agriculture. In addition, there is the Open Universiteit (OU - Open University) which offers fully recognized university degree programmes through distance education. Since September 2002, the higher education system in the Netherlands has been organized around a three-cycle degree system consisting of Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees. At the same time, the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer System) was implemented as a means to quantify all higher education study programmes.
For more information, see https://www.studyinholland.nl/.
Adult and Vocational Education Act (1996)
Higher Education and Research Act (WHW), 1993 - amended in 2002
Description:Research-oriented higher education (WO) and HBO (Higher Professional education)
Dutch, English
Non-university level
Description:The national qualification framework for adult and vocational education (MBO) specifies four level of training and two learning paths. Each level of qualification corresponds to a different type of course: 1)assistentopleiding, training to assistant level lasting 6 months to 1 year, 2) basisberoepsopleiding, basic vocational training (2-3 years), 3) vakopleiding, professional training (2-4 years) and 4) at level 4, middle-management training (3-4 years) and specialist training (1-2 years). Students can take these courses consecutively, the Diploma for one course serving to gain entry to the next.
University level first stage
Description:The focus of degree programmes (research-oriented, WO or the Applied Arts and Sciences, HBO) determines both the number of ECTS credits required to complete the programme and the degree which is awarded. A WO Bachelor's programme requires the completion of 180 credits (3 years) and graduates obtain the degree Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc), depending on the discipline. The WO Bachelor's programme provides a thorough introduction to the major discipline and primarily prepares students for admission to graduate education. A Bachelor's thesis is usually required. An HBO Bachelor's programme requires the completion of 240 credits (4 years) and graduates obtain one of the following degrees, depending on the field of study: BA, BSc, LLB, BBA, BSW, BEd or BM (Music). A major component of every HBO programme is the stage (internship), typically offered in the third year, as well as a scriptie or major paper in the last year.
University level second stage
Description:A WO Master's programme requires the completion of 60 to 180 credits (1-3 years). In engineering, agriculture, maths and the natural sciences, 120 credits are required; in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine 180 credits are required. A Master's thesis is a major component of the programme and graduates obtain the degree of Master of Arts or Master of Science (MA/MSc). The HBO Master's programme requires the completion of 60 to 120 credits and graduates obtain one of the following degrees, depending on the field of study: MA,MSc, LLM, MBA, MSW, MEd, MM (in music).
University level third stage : Doctoraat
Description:The Dutch Doctoraat is obtained through the 'Promotie'. It is a research degree which entitles the holder to the title of Doctor (dr.), the highest university degree in the Netherlands. After the Master's degree, it can be obtained in two ways: 1. by serving as 'Assistent in Opleiding' (AIO) or 'Onderzoeker in Opleiding' (OIO), i.e. assistant researchers. The former also does some teaching. Candidates are required to carry out the necessary research and to write and publicly defend a doctoral dissertation over a period of four years. They are paid a small salary which increases every year. Competition for these positions is fierce. 2. By researching and writing a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of a full professor. The dissertation must be defended in public.
There are no special credentials which qualify for teaching at the higher education level.
Open Universiteit
Bodies
Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap
Role:Principal authority responsible for administration, financing and coordination of higher education.
Street:PO Box 16375
City:The Hague
PostCode:2500 BJ
www:http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ocw
Contacts:Robbert Dijkgraaf (Head), Job title : Minister
Vereniging van Hogescholen - HBO-Raad
Role:The HBO-raad focuses on strengthening the social position of Universities of Applied Sciences and to this end maintains contacts with a broad range of people and organisations.
Street:Postbus 123
City:The Hague
PostCode:2501 CC
www:http://www.vereniginghogescholen.nl
Contacts:Maurice Limmen (Head), Job title : President
Universiteiten van Nederland - UNL
Role:Dutch university association bringing institutions together to fulfil their social function, formulate shared ambitions relating to academic education and research and valorisation, and lobby for the preconditions needed to realise these ambitions. Was previously known as Vereniging van Universiteiten - VSNU (Association of Universities in the Netherlands).
Street:Postbus 13739
City:The Hague
PostCode:2501 ES
www:https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl
Contacts:- Pieter Duisenberg (Head), Job title : President
- Babs van den Bergh (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Director
- Bart Pierik (International Relations Officer), Job title : Director, International
European Association for International Education - EAIE
Role:European centre for expertise, networking and resources in the internationalisation of higher education.
Street:PO Box 11189
City:Amsterdam
PostCode:1001 GD
Contacts:- Michelle Stewart (Head), Job title : President
- Leonard Engel (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Executive Director
European Association of Distance Teaching Universities - EADTU
Street:Parkweg 27
City:Maastricht
PostCode:6212 XN
www:https://eadtu.eu
Contacts:- Ricardo Mairal Usón (Head), Job title : President
- George Ubachs (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Managing Director
European Consortium of Innovative Universities - ECIU
Role:A European-based network of entrepreneurial universities dedicated to the development of an innovative culture in their institutions, and to a catalytic role for innovation in industry and society at large.
Street:c/o Utrecht University PO Box 80125
City:Utrecht
Province:3508 TC
Contacts:- Màrius Martínez (Head), Job title : President
- Katrin Dircksen (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secretary-General
Aurora Universities Network
Role:Founded in 2016 as a small network of research-intensive universities in Europe, all sharing a common core vision of matching world-class academic excellence with societal relevance in a local and global context.
Street:De Boelelaan 1105
City:Amsterdam
PostCode:1081 HV
www:https://aurora-universities.eu
Contacts:- Jón Atli Benediktsson (Head), Job title : President
- Anne-May Janssen (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secretary-General
Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs - DUO
Grants:yes
Loans:yes
Street:Kempkensberg 12
City:Groningen
PostCode:9722 TB
www:https://duo.nl
HAVO Diploma (Hoger Algemeen Vormend Onderwijs)
Requirement for:HBO Bachelor's programmes
VWO-Diploma (Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs)
Requirement for:both types of higher education
Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO Diploma)
Requirement for:HBO Bachelor's programmes
Potential students older than 21 years of age who do not possess one of the qualifications mentioned above can qualify for access to higher education on the basis of an entrance examination and assessment.
Numerus clausus for specific Bachelor's programmes are determined by the Ministry of Education and vary from year to year. A numerus clausus still applies for programmes in fields such as medicine; dentistry; pharmacy; and veterinary medicine.
For access to many WO Bachelor's programmes, pupils are required to have completed a specific subject cluster at the secondary level, providing sufficient preparation for the higher education programme in question. For admission to programmes in medicine for example the Science and Health cluster is required.
Definition:For the purpose of evaluation: students admitted to an institution of higher education on the basis of a foreign diploma, whether or not they have Dutch nationality. For the purpose of statistics, scholarships: any student who does not hold a Dutch passport.
Admission Requirements:Foreign students in the Netherlands must have reached in their home country a level of education considered at least equivalent to that required for entry into the proposed programme. In addition, certain programmes require sufficient preparation in subjects at the secondary level.
Language Proficiency:A language test is usually required. Most universities organize Dutch language courses
Entry Regulations:Every foreign student needs a residence permit. To be eligible for this permit one must: hold a valid passport, be registered in a full-time course of study, have enough money to cover study and living expenses, have medical insurance, have enough money to pay for a return ticket. Nationals of some countries may apply and obtain a residence permit after their arrival in the Netherlands; others must obtain an authorization of temporary residence (MVV) from the Netherlands embassy or consulate of their country. Non EU students need a visa.For more information, see https://www.studyinholland.nl/Application to Individual Institution:YesApplication to Central Body:Yes
Recognition of Studies
A guaranteed standard of higher education is maintained through a national system of legal regulation and quality assurance. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is responsible for legislation pertaining to education. The agriculture and public health ministries play an important role in monitoring the content of study programmes in their respective fields. Since 2002, responsibility for accreditation lies with the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). According to the section of the Dutch Higher Education Act dealing with the accreditation of higher education (2002), all degree programmes offered by research universities and universities of professional education must be evaluated according to established criteria, and programmes that meet those criteria will be accredited: i.e. recognized for a period of six years. Only accredited programmes are eligible for government funding, and students can receive financial aid and graduate with a recognized degree only when enrolled in, or after having completed, an accredited degree programme. Accredited programmes are listed in the Central Register of Higher Education Study Programmes (CROHO) and the information is available to the public. Besides the accreditation of degree programmes, the Netherlands has a system whereby the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science recognizes higher education institutions by conferring on them the status of either bekostigd (funded) or aangewezen (approved). Bekostigd indicates that the institution is fully financed by the government. Aangewezen indicates that the institution does not receive funds from the government and has to rely on its own sources of funding. Whether a degree programme is offered by a ‘funded’ or an ‘approved’ institution, it must be accredited and registered in CROHO to be considered recognized. If a bachelor or master programme is not registered in the CROHO, the quality is not assured by the Dutch quality assurance system. The quality might however be assured by another system.
For Access to University Level Studies:HBO and WO: For holders of foreign qualifications regardless of nationality there are no special provisions or practices. The institution decides and the applicants should contact the Hogeschool or university of their choice. In most cases, students need to register with the official registration and application portal "Studylink". For more information, see https://www.studyinholland.nl/
For Access to Advanced Studies/Research:Institutions are empowered by law to make their own decisions.For the Exercise of a Profession:As EU member state, the Netherlands adheres to the regulations prescribed by the EU Directives for Professional Recognition. In most cases, admission to regulated professions based on qualifications obtained in non-EU countries, involves evaluation of the credential and formal recognition by the competent authority.European Convention on the Equivalence of Periods of University Studies (1956)
Protocol to the European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas Leading to Admission to Universities (1964)
European Convention on the Academic Recognition of University Qualifications (1967)
UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the States of the European Region (1981)
European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas Leading to Admission to Universities (1956)
Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Convention) (2008)
Some universities carry out their own evaluations.
By Road:Yes
By Rail:Yes
By Air:No
Available to Foreign Students:No
Average Living Costs:12000
www.studyinholland.nl
Publisher:Nuffic
Credentials
HAVO Diploma (Hoger Algemeen Vormend Onderwijs)
Description:The HAVO curriculum offers general secondary education and prepares students for studies at the higher education level in the applied arts and sciences (HBO). During the last 2 years, pupils focus on one of four possible subject clusters (in Dutch: profielen), each of which emphasizes a certain field of study in addition to satisfying general education requirements. The four subject clusters are Science and Technology (Natuur en Techniek), Natuur en Gezondheid (Science and Health), Economics and Society (Economie en Maatschappij), and Culture and Society (Cultuur en Maatschappij). The final exam consists of school examined subjects and a national exam given in May/June every year to all pupils in the last year of HAVO. The credential gives access to higher education (higher professional education, therefore to professional training), it’s offered by secondary schools, and the entrance requirements are completion of primary school.
Acronym:HAVO
VMBO-T Diploma (Theoretisch Leerweg)
Description:The VMBO-T curriculum offers general secondary education and prepares pupils for admission to secondary vocational education (MBO).
Acronym:VMBO-T
VWO-Diploma (Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs)
Description:The VWO curriculum offers university preparatory secondary education. During the last 3 years, pupils focus on one of four possible subject clusters (in Dutch: profielen), each of which emphasizes a certain field of study in addition to satisfying general education requirements. The four subject clusters are Science and Technology (Natuur en Techniek), Natuur en Gezondheid (Science and Health), Economics and Society (Economie en Maatschappij), and Culture and Society (Cultuur en Maatschappij). The final exam consists of school examined subjects and a national exam given in May/June every year to all pupils in the last year of VWO. The credential gives access to both types higher education (research-oriented and higher professional education), it’s offered by secondary schools, and the entrance requirements are completion of primary school.
Acronym:VWO-Diploma
Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO Diploma)
Description:Secondary vocational credential offered at 4 levels. Level 4 qualifies for access to higher professional education (hbo).
Acronym:MBO
Associate degree
Description:Short-cycle higher professional education lasting 2 years.
Acronym:Ad
Propedeuse HBO
Description:Intermediate qualification awarded after one year of study in an HBO Bachelor's programme. A total of 60 credits are required to obtain this certificate. It is not a final qualification.
Credential required for entry:HAVO Diploma (Hoger Algemeen Vormend Onderwijs)
Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO Diploma)
Type of institution where credential is offered:Hogeschool (University of Applied Sciences)
Propedeuse WO
Description:Intermediate qualification awarded after one year of study in a WO Bachelor's programme. A total of 60 credits are required to obtain this certificate. It is not a final qualification.
WO Bachelor (BA/BSc)
Description:Awarded after completion of a research-oriented bachelor's programme.
Type of institution where credential is offered:Open Universiteit (Open University)
HBO Bachelor
Description:Undergraduate qualification awarded in applied arts and sciences.
HBO Master
Description:Postgraduate qualification awarded in applied arts and sciences.
Credential required for entry:HBO Bachelor
WO Master (MA/MSc)
Description:Postgraduate qualification awarded after completion of research-oriented programmes. Depending on the field, the duration varies from 1 to 3 years after the Bachelor's degree.
Credential required for entry:WO Bachelor (BA/BSc)
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universiteit (University)
Doctor's Graad
Description:Highest degree.
Credential required for entry:HBO Master
WO Master (MA/MSc)
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universiteit (University)
Technische Universiteit (Technical University)
Landbouw Universiteit (Agricultural University)
Data Provided by
From:2018
To:2019
IAU from International Recognition Department, Nuffic, The Hague, October 2018. Bodies updated May 2022.
Updated on 04-02-2020