Chapter 77

Netherlands

Academic recognition

The main task of NARIC in the Hague is to inform universities, hogescholen and ministries about foreign educational systems and the recognition of academic certificates, scholarships, etc.

NARIC is part of NUFFIC, which itself has been established by the Dutch universities and is an independent institution responsible for international co-operation in higher education. NUFFIC is supported by the ministry of education and sciences and by the ministry of foreign aid.

On the basis of a handling charge, NARIC issues a written expertise for employers and single persons which estimates the recognition of a foreign degree or comparable certificate in the Netherlands.

The IRAS is the centre of information which informs on the Council Directive (89/48/EEC) and on professional education in general. IRAS provides information on regulated vocations and the corresponding training in the Netherlands or other member states of the EU.

NUFFIC (Netherlands Organisation for International Co-operation in Higher Education)
Postbus 2977
NL - 2502 Den Haag
Phone: (31) 70 - 426.02.6
Fax: (31)/70 - 426.03.95
Telex: 33565 NUFFIC nl
Contact: Kees KOUWENHAAR

IRAS
Badhuisweg 251
NL - 2509 LS Den Haag
Phone: (31) 70-354.09.03 (from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Vocational recognition

Neither NARIC nor the IRAS, but the institutions in question decide autonomously on the recognition of academic or vocational certificates that have been awarded abroad. Decisions on the recognition of foreign academic degrees are made by university authorities. Decisions on the recognition of vocational qualifications are made by the ministries or other authorities.

The following authorities are responsible

for the admission to a course of study at a university or the exemption from single examinations or seminars of the course of study: the university,

for the application to hold a Dutch title: the ministry of education and sciences,

for providing information on the Council Directives of the EEC on a general system for the recognition of professional education: the IRAS,

for the recognition of teaching qualifications: the ministry of education and sciences

for the permission to exercise medical professions: the ministry of social affairs, health and culture

for the permission to set up a business: the ministry of trade and commerce.

The job centres are responsible for all other professions.

To obtain a general evaluation of certificates, an application should be directed onto NUFIC, Diplomwaadering op Naam (address see above). For this purpose, a handling charge has to be paid.

Foreign students in the Netherlands

As a general rule, an entrance examination is not required. On the other hand, there is a differentiation between the registration and the permission to take part in examinations. In order to obtain this admission, the student has to prove that his certificate contains the same subjects as a Dutch certificate which gives access to a certain course of study. If a student is not able to meet this demand, he will be asked to take part in additional examinations.

Applications for a place at a Dutch university have to be submitted to the 'Centraal Bureau Aanmeldung en Plaatsing' (CBAP) before the first of December that precedes the first year of study.

The universities provide information on the procedures of admission at the 'HBO'-institutions. Students who have the right to take part in examinations are admitted to an 'academic year' (there is no division into semesters or terms in the Netherlands).

Apart from the CBAP, the following foreign offices of the universities may provide useful information for foreign students: 'bureau buitenland', 'bureau studentendecanen', 'bureau studentenbelangen', 'bureau studentenzaken' or 'bureau buitenlands betrekkingen'.