| Diploma | Comparable to |
|---|---|
| Diploma za položen završen ispit / Диплома за положен завршен испит (Diploma of completed final exam) | a HAVO diploma for the general education part |
| Diploma za položena učilišna matura / Диплома за положена училишна матура (Diploma of completed school matura exam) | a HAVO diploma |
| Diploma za položena državna matura / Диплома за положена државна матура (Diploma of competed state matura exam) | a VWO diploma |
| Diploma za završen prv ciklus na studii / Диплома за завршен прв циклус на студии (Diploma of completed first cycle) | an HBO bachelor's degree or a WO bachelor's degree |
| Diploma za završen vtor ciklus na studii, Magister / Диплома за завршен втор циклус на студии, Магистар (Diploma of completed second cycle, Master) | an HBO master's degree or a WO master's degree |
| Diploma za završen prv ciklus na studii, integrani studii / Диплома за завршен прв циклус на студии (Diploma of completed first cycle, integrated study programmes) | a WO master's degree |
Preparatory vocational secondary education – theoretical programme (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs - theoretische leerweg, VMBO-T). A VMBO-T diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 4-year programme of vocational secondary education (theoretical programme).
Secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO). MBO prepares pupils for the professional practice or further study. This type of education follows on from VMBO; its duration will depend on the chosen qualification. MBO comprises 4 levels (I-IV). Read more on the website of SBB.
Senior general secondary education (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs, HAVO). A HAVO diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 5-year programme of general secondary education.
Pre-university education (voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs, VWO). A VWO diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a 6-year programme of pre-university education. VWO is the highest level of general secondary education available in the Netherlands.
Higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). Dutch higher education distinguishes between research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) and higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). HBO is more oriented towards professions in specific areas than WO, and has traditionally been offered at universities of applied sciences (hogescholen).
Research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO). Dutch higher education distinguishes between research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) and higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO). WO is oriented more towards theory and research than HBO, and has traditionally been offered at research universities (universiteiten).