Diploma evaluation
05 Jan 2009
Nuffic is the central point of contact for the evaluation of foreign diplomas in higher and general secondary level education in the Netherlands. Because of globalization, the number of people coming to the Netherlands with foreign diplomas continues to increase. Nuffic currently evaluates around 9,000 diplomas a year.
Incoming mobility
Where possible, a foreign diploma is compared to a Dutch diploma. If the study programme followed by the diploma holder is unique, a comparable level is indicated. Individual courses or modules that were taken, the study load and the academic level of the programme are taken into account.
Nuffic has a number of in-house experts specialized in the education systems of specific countries. Credentials are evaluated and telephone advice is given on request. Nuffic is a member of a number of national and international networks and has an extensive archive of diplomas and documents, meaning that its staff are well-placed to evaluate foreign diplomas in terms of the Dutch system.
As well as evaluating the diploma, Nuffic is also able to determine whether a programme or an educational institution is officially recognized and tests the authenticity of diplomas.
Outgoing mobility
Nuffic also has a role to play in outgoing mobility. When a person goes to another country to work or study, they assist them by providing advice or written statements. This includes the Diploma Description, for example. A Diploma Description describes a Dutch diploma and compares it to a diploma in the country where it is used. Diploma Descriptions are issued to the person named on the diploma.
If the holder of a Dutch diploma wishes to practice a regulated profession in another EU country, Nuffic can provide him with a declaration that might be of help in the process of registering for the profession in question in that country. This declaration is issued in Nuffic’s capacity as National Contact Point for Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.
Both products are recommendations, and as such they do not give the holder any rights in the host country.