Diploma description: your Dutch diploma abroad
What is a diploma description?
Does an employer or educational institution abroad want to know what your diploma is worth? We can explain that in a diploma description in English or Spanish.
A diploma description includes:
- your name;
- information about the Dutch education system;
- which diploma you have obtained; and
- which diploma in that country your diploma is most comparable to.
Which diplomas do we describe?
You can request a diploma description with us for the following diplomas:
- VMBO-T diploma;
- HAVO diploma;
- VWO diploma;
- an HBO or WO diploma from a recognised study programme. This can be a propaedeutic certificate, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree. You can look up whether your study programme is recognised in the Institutions and Programmes Register, RIO (in Dutch).
Do you need a diploma description?
You need a diploma description if you need to show what your Dutch diploma is worth in the country where you will be working or studying.
- For secondary and higher education diplomas: request a diploma description from us.
- For MBO diplomas: contact SBB.
Please note: sometimes you do not need a diploma description, but something else. In the table below, you can see when you can use another document.
| What are you looking for? | What do you need to do? |
|---|---|
| A tool to apply for permission to practice a regulated profession in the EU |
|
| A description of the worth of your Dutch high school diploma in general | Download a free status declaration on the Europass website (in Dutch). |
| A description of the subjects in your study programme | Contact your Dutch educational institution and request a description of your subjects. |
| A conversion of your grades to the grades in that country | Contact your Dutch educational institution and request a conversion of your grades. |
| A translation of your diploma or transcript | Find a sworn translator to translate your diploma, for example through the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv). |
| A proof that you have obtained your diploma | Download a free extract of your Dutch diploma on the DUO website. |
| A proof that you have a legal diploma (and transcript) | Get your Dutch diploma legalised through DUO. |
How do you apply for a diploma description?
Looking for a diploma description?
Go to the diploma description application form (in Dutch)
How much does a diploma description cost?
A diploma description costs € 127,05 (including VAT).
Please note: sometimes we are unable to provide a diploma description. This might be because your study programme is not recognised (see ‘Which diplomas do we describe?’) In this case, we cancel your application. You do pay a € 20 administration fee. The remainder of the amount will be refunded to you.
How long does an application take?
Usually, you receive the diploma description within 4 weeks. We will send the document to you.