NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Glossary
Afsluitend examen
With the implementation of the higher education and research act of 1993, the term afsluitend examen was introduced and
refers to the final examination taken to conclude a study programme comprising 168 credits at either a university or
hogeschool.
Colloquium doctum
Entrance examination for university and HBO education, intended for those who do not have the required diplomas and are
older than 21 years.
Co-assistentschap
Clerkships taken in the two years of post-doctoraal medical education. Here the student receives practical training in 15 or
more medical fields.
Doctoraalexamen
Examination that concludes a university course, which may be referred to as afsluitend examen. Holders of a degree which
states that they have passed the doctoraal examination may use the title doctorandus (drs.), ingenieur (ir.) (in technical and
agricultural subjects) or meester (mr.) (law) before their name. They may also use the title master, abbreviated as M. after
their name.
Eerstegraadsbevoegdheid
Teaching qualification which allows the holder to teach at all levels of secondary education as well as in HBO.
Hogeschool (HBO institutions)
Institutions offering higher professional education, which includes a great variety of disciplines.
Numerus fixus (numerus clausus)
Limitations on the number of students in a particular university or HBO programme. These are set each year by the Minister
for Education, Culture and Science.
Proefschrift
Doctoral dissertation. If the dissertation is successfully defended in
public, the author is promoted to doctor (dr).
Propedeuse/propedeutisch jaar
First year of study in all disciplines at a university or hogeschool. The year concludes with an examination which in most
cases must be passed, after which the student is authorised to continue study in the chosen
discipline.
Stage
Period of practical training in HBO or MBO programme.
Staatsexamen
An examination set by a commission which is appointed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science for HAVO and
VWO. It is intended for those who do not attend classes during the day, but who prepare for this examination by themselves or
through an evening class. The content does not differ from regular HAVO and VWO programmes.
Tentamen
Sessional examination as part of the curriculum which is either conducted orally or in written form. A tentamen has the status
of a test. A series
of tentamens constitutes an examination. The tentamen is therefore the standard means of assessing a student’s progress and
performance.