THE NETHERLANDS RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS FACT SHEET

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1 THE NETHERLANDS RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS FACT SHEET a) Introduction Like many other countries, the Netherlands has a number of regulated professions. This means that only those in possession of specific professional qualifications, such as diploma s etc, can carry out these professions. Therefore, if you wish to work in a regulated profession, you will in all instances be obliged to apply for recognition of your educational qualifications. A credential evaluation is a written statement which indicates how your foreign diploma and study program are valued in the Netherlands. Sometimes, it is possible to make a specific comparison with Dutch educational programmes. Sometimes only a general comparison can be made because there are too many differences between the educational programmes. The Centres of Expertise for International Credential Evaluation (Colo and Nuffic) issue these written statements. The Information Centre for Credential Evaluation (IcDW) acts as a central desk where applications for credential evaluation can be submitted. The Centre for International Credential Evaluation (IDW) at Colo collates knowledge on vocational education systems and vocational training courses abroad. This knowledge is used to compare courses of study and certificates obtained abroad with the Dutch education system. A diploma evaluation does not describe all the study programmes you completed, but it provides an indication of one single diploma. This is usually the highest diploma a person has obtained. A diploma or programme evaluation indicates which value can be attached to a certain diploma or study programme in the Netherlands. These statements have the status of advice only, and no rights can be derived from them. This Guide has been created as part of the Migration for Development in the Western Balkans (MIDWEB) project, which received financial assistance from the European Commission IPA 2009 Multi-beneficiary Programme 2.

2 b) Responsible authoritie(s) Nuffic's full name is Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education. Within Nuffic, the Department for International Credential Evaluation is responsible for comparing education and assessing diplomas. The aim of Nuffic's work involving the evaluation of credentials and competencies is removing obstacles standing in the way of students and workers who want to be internationally mobile and either enter or leave the Netherlands. Nuffic also carries out projects in the field of credential evaluation, and - on the basis of international treaties - has been appointed by the Education Ministry to act as national information centre regarding matters of recognition. It does this in two international networks: the European Commission's NARIC network (National Academic Recognition Information Centres) and the network of the Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES known as ENIC (European National Information Centres on Recognition and Mobility). They have many years of experience in the field and they work for all organizations that encounter foreign diplomas in the course of their business, such as universities, other higher education institutions, companies and ministries. Nuffic offers the following services and products in the field of credential evaluation: Evaluation of foreign diplomas (incoming mobility) Credential evaluation courses Information services Colo is the association of national bodies responsible for vocational training for the private sector. Colo represents 21 such bodies, or 'knowledge centres', each of which is organized around one sector of business or industry. Colo also has its own department for international credential evaluation, which is a centre of expertise on the diplomas, certificates and other qualifications awarded in other countries which are comparable to the Dutch qualifications acquired through vocational and adult education. This service has an official character. The education ministry has also appointed Colo to serve as the national information centre regarding the EU Directives for a General System, which regulate access to certain professions within the member states of the EU and the EEA. Colo's credential evaluation department belongs to a number of international networks which foster mobility and transparency in qualifications. These include Netref (European Network of National Reference Structures for Vocational Qualifications). c) How qualifications are assessed Studying in the Netherlands If you wish to continue your studies in the Netherlands, you are advised first to go to the educational institution of your choice. This institution will take care of evaluating your diploma-that is, of seeing how the diploma you earned in another country compares with the diplomas of the Dutch system. The educational institution can call on one of the centres of expertise for help if it wishes. The centres have a clear-cut division of labour. Nuffic specializes in the evaluation of credentials associated with general-secondary and higher education. Colo evaluates credentials associated with secondary-vocational and adult education. If a diploma is evaluated at the request of one of the regularly subsidized educational institutions, there is no charge. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science 2

3 pays for it. But if the request comes from a private organization or individual, a fee is charged for the credential evaluation. Working in the Netherlands in a non-regulated profession If you have a job but are looking for another, you should apply to the Information Centre and you will have to pay for the evaluation. If you are unemployed, looking for a job and eligible to work legally in the Netherlands, however, you should apply to the Centre for Work and Income (CWI = Centrum voor Werk en Inkomen) nearest you. The CWI will ask for a credential evaluation on your behalf. They will help you to fill in the application form, tell you which documents you have to supply, and send everything to the Information Centre for you. The Information Centre will take care of the necessary translation and then ask one of the centres of expertise to evaluate your credential. The CWI will receive the evaluation, pass it on to you, and discuss with you what your possibilities are. It will also pay all the costs. Working in a regulated profession If you wish to practice a regulated profession in the Netherlands with a credential earned in another country, you will have to get in touch with the official body that grants admission to the profession in question. The professions of teacher, dentist, lawyer, fire commissioner and physiotherapist, for example, are all regulated in the Netherlands. Your nearest CWI can give you information about this, as can the Information Centre for Credential Evaluation. The list of regulated professions and corresponding responsible authorities is included here: d) How to apply Required documents To be able to compare your foreign study programme with the Dutch educational system, you will need the following documents: A certified copy of the diploma, written in the original national language A certified copy of the official list of subjects/list of results by name of the diploma holder and belonging to the diploma that has to be evaluated. This list has to be written in the original national language. If you don't have this list anymore, please contact your school and apply for a new list. A certified copy of a sworn translation of the diploma and the list of subjects / list of results A certified copy of the passport or residence permit of the diploma holder A sworn translation is necessary if the documents are not written in Dutch, English, German, French of Afrikaans. A certified copy can be obtained at the city hall or at a notary's office in your place of 3

4 residence. Please check if the city hall still offers this service. A certified copy always needs to have a stamp. Copies that are not certified will not be accepted! Higher education diploma's If the diploma that needs to be evaluated is a second higher education diploma for example a Master degree - then an additional demand is that the official list of subjects belonging to the first higher education diploma, written in the original national language has to be handed over (for example the list of subjects of the previous Bachelor degree). In case of a third higher education diploma for example a Ph.D. degree then both the first (for example the list of subjects of the Bachelor degree) as well as the list of subjects belonging to the second higher education diploma, written in the original national language (for example the list of subjects of the Master degree) need to be handed over. Can my diploma be evaluated? Please note that not all diploma's and/or certificates can be evaluated. Courses that lasted shorter than 850 hours or that have been provided by non-accredited institutions cannot be evaluated. For applications for these diplomas, a so called Besluit Geen Waardering will be issued. This is a statement, mentioning that the diploma and/or certificate cannot be compared with a level or qualification in the Dutch educational system. A Besluit Geen Waardering is issued after a thorough assessment of the application by the country expert. Once a Besluit Geen Waardering has been issued, there will be no refund of paid costs. The following documents cannot be evaluated: Courses that lasted shorter than 850 hours (a school year) Diplomas obtained outside regular education. Dutch diploma's and / or certificates. And specifically: Driver s licence, swimming certificates, employer s statements, statements showing that you are allowed to practice a certain profession Certificate for Forklift driver ICT courses (less than 850 hours) First-aid diploma Certificates of short courses for security officers (less than 850 hours) Certificates of Entrepreneurship Diplomas of uniform professions (police, fireman, education within the army) Naval education (less than 850 hours and / or obtained outside regular education) Branch-certificates (less than 850 hours and / or obtained outside regular education) In-service education within hospitals (such as operation-assistant, please refer to 4

5 Costs and handling time Effective from 1 January 2011, an application for a credential evaluation costs 122. In case of an urgent application the costs amount to 176. A regular application has an average handling time of six to eight working weeks. In case of an urgent application, the handling time will take half of the regular time. Application Forms If you would like to request a diploma evaluation yourself, you can download and fill in these forms: Application form: 1%20def.pdf Payment Instruction: 11.pdf Application form explanation: aagformulier%20juli%202011%20def.pdf The forms are also available online at: e) Further information Contact Information Information Centre for Credential Evaluation (IcDW) P.O. Box AH Zoetermeer, the Netherlands Tel.: +31(0) Fax.: +31(0) info@idw.nl Internet: Working hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:30 hrs. Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education Nuffic Kortenaerkade AX The Hague 5

6 The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0) Fax: +31 (0) Internet: Colo Boris Pasternaklaan 4, 2719 DA Zoetermeer Netherlands Telephone +31 [0] Fax +31 [0] Internet: f) Useful links Institution Information Centre for Credential Evaluation (IcDW) P.O. Box AH Zoetermeer the Netherlands Tel.: +31(0) Fax.: +31(0) Internet: Role The joint cooperation between Colo and Nuffic for the implementation of Credential Evaluation for the Netherlands. Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic) Kortenaerkade AX The Hague The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0) Fax: +31 (0) Internet: Nuffic is one of the largest and prominent knowledge centres in Europe in the field of international recognition of diplomas. They make this knowledge available to Dutch organizations and international organizations through their credential evaluation services. Colo Boris Pasternaklaan 4, 2719 DA Zoetermeer Netherlands Telephone +31 [0] Fax +31 [0] Internet: The association of national bodies responsible for vocational training for the private sector. Colo represents 21 such bodies, or 'knowledge centres', each of which is organized around one sector of business or industry. 6

7 Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschappen Ministry of Education, Culture and Science Internet: Offers information about the Dutch education system and Dutch policy on education, culture and science. You will also find practical information about going to school, studying and working in the Netherlands. The ENIC-NARIC Network (European Network of Information Centres & National Academic Recognition Information Centres) Web: Web NL: Network of national information centres providing advice on the recognition of foreign diplomas, degrees and other qualifications; education systems in both foreign countries and the ENIC s own country; opportunities for studying abroad, including information on loans and scholarships, as well as advice on practical questions related to mobility and equivalence. Afdeling Onderwijsvergelijking PO Box 716, 9700 AS Groningen, Netherlands Phone: / 5176 Fax: r.wagenaar@let.rug.nl Organisation responsible for the implementation of diploma supplements. 7