Qrossroads

The Netherlands

The body responsible for the recognition of foreign qualifcations in The Netherlands is NUFFIC. NUFFIC is a private body and independently organised.

Dutch ENIC/NARIC

NUFFIC - International Recognition Department 
Kortenaerkade 11, Postbus 29 777
2502 LT Den Haag, The Netherlands

Phone: +31 70 426 0270
Fax: +31 70 426 0395
E-mail: http://www.nuffic.nl/contact

http://www.nuffic.nl/ 

The Netherlands has signed and ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention (2008).

In The Netherlands higher education institutions are fully responsible for their admissions. Additionally a governmental agency (Informatie Beheer Groep, IBG) confers the Dutch academic titles.

Types of recognition

NUFFIC has the following types of recognition regarding the following qualifications and types of recognition:

School-leaving certificate

  • informative and advisory academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes 
  • informative and advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • informative and advisory recognition giving  access to the labour market 
  • informative and advisory professional recognition in line with EU directives
  • informative and advisory professional recognition

Short cycle education (e.g. Associate degree)

  • informative and advisory academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes 
  • informative and advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • informative and advisory recognition giving  access to the labour market 
  • informative and advisory professional recognition in line with EU directives
  • informative and advisory professional recognition

First cycle education (e.g. Bachelor)

  • informative and advisory academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes 
  • informative and advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • informative and advisory recognition giving  access to the labour market 
  • informative and advisory professional recognition in line with EU directives
  • informative and advisory professional recognition

Second cycle education (e.g. Master)

  • informative and advisory academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes 
  • informative and advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • informative and advisory recognition giving  access to the labour market 
  • informative and advisory professional recognition in line with EU directives
  • informative and advisory professional recognition

Third cycle education (e.g. Doctor)

  • advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title 
  • informative and advisory recognition giving  access to the labour market 
  • informative and advisory professional recognition 

The recognition procedure(s)

A fee of 111 euro is charged for the recognition procedure, which has a deadline of 3 to 4 weeks. A fee is not charged for higher education institutions and governement agencies.

Step 1: Application

  • All holders of foreign qualifications have access to an assessment of their qualifications
  • Informal advice is available about the possibilities and procedures taking into account the competence of the recognition authority
  • Applicants fill in standardised application forms
  • The receipt of the application is acknowledged
  • Check whether there are any bilateral/international agreements applicable
  • The time normally required to process recognition applications is specified to the applicants

Step 2: Verification

  • A checklist is used regarding required documents
  • The authenticity of the documents is verified
  • Previous cases (i.e. precedents) are referred to in light of the current recognition decisions
  • The status, type and accreditation of the awarding higher education institution and the programme leading to the qualification is verified
  • The recognition networks/bodies (e.g. ENIC/NARICs) are consulted

Step 3: Assessment

  • By checking certain predefined criteria differences are detected
  • Detected differences are checked to see whether they are considered substantial taking into account the purpose for which recognition is sought

Step 4: Decision-making

  • If there are no substantial differences: full recognition
  • In case there are substantial differences:
    • All the reasons why the differences are substantial will be clearly stated
    • An alternative or partial recognition is suggested
    • Information is given on possibilities for appeal
  • The decision is added to an Inventory of typical recognition cases

Additional elements

  • There is a comparative overview of other education systems or qualifications in relation to that of the Netherlands
  • There are special measures for refugees who cannot document the qualification(s) they claim
  • There are special measures for the recognition of older (“outdated”) qualifications

Open qualifications area with

At the moment there is no open qualifcations area with another country.

Links
NUFFIC

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