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On this page you will find a list of qualifications that are considered equivalent to the Dutch secondary school diploma (havo, vwo or mbo-4). If your qualification is not listed below, please know that you can still apply, as all applications are assessed on an individual basis.
The Dutch educational system in divided in 2 ways. ⇒ According to age: – Elementary school (till the age of 12) – Secondary school (high school), from the age of 12 to 16, 17 or 18. ⇒ Further education after secondary school (high school): according to level: mbo (ROC), hbo (HAN University of Applied Sciences) or university (Radboud ...
The MBO (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs; literally "middle-level applied education") is oriented towards vocational training and is the equivalent of junior college education. Many pupils with a VMBO-diploma attend MBO.
The Dutch Qualifications Framework (NLQF) comprises 8 qualification levels and an entry level. The following illustration is a simplified diagram of the Dutch NLQF:
If your secondary school diploma is comparable with the Dutch VWO-diploma, you may be eligible for admission into the three-year track or an academic bachelor programme.
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.
Secondary vocational education (MBO) prepares students for a wide range of occupations, from franchise manager to mechanic or nursing assistant. Demand for skilled workers is expected to increase sharply on the Dutch job market in the future.
