NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Subject requirements
In principle, everyone who possesses a HAVO or VWO diploma qualifies for admission to HBO or university education
respectively. However, for various disciplines in both types of higher education, certain subjects are required in the final
secondary examinations. If the required subjects were not included in the HAVO or VWO final examination, the institution
could impose additional requirements before admitting the student.
The colloquium doctum
For those who do not possess the necessary diplomas to qualify for admission to universities and hogescholen, there is the
possibility of passing a colloquium doctum. For this, one must be aged 21 years or older.
The colloquium doctum consists of a test (oral or written) in a number of subjects, depending on the faculty and discipline.
The test must indicate whether the candidate has a sufficient level of general education as well as an adequate command of the
Dutch language to follow the programme successfully.
Any candidate who passes the test gains admission to HBO or university education in the chosen study programme. It is not
possible to en-rol in a study programme other than the one in which the colloquium doctum is passed.
Limitations
Restrictions (numerus fixus) can be placed on the number of students that can be enrolled in certain study programmes. The
WHW specifies two reasons why admission restrictions may be applied: the capacity of the institution is insufficient, or the
supply of graduates from a particular study programme exceeds the needs of the labour market.
The disciplines to which the numerus clausus applies are determined each academic year. Medicine, dentistry and veterinary
medicine are always subject to numerus clausus.
II.2. Intermediate qualifications in
higher education
II.2.1. Intermediate qualifications in university and non-university higher education
(HBO)
The intermediate qualification in Dutch higher education is known as the propedeuse, signifying successful completion of the
first year of study. The WHW states that every university and HBO programme will have a ‘propedeutisch part’, and specifies
the length and purpose of the propedeuse, which is identical for both types of higher education programme. The study load for
the propedeuse comprises 42 credits, and in most cases is concluded with a propedeutisch examen. Students must pass a
specified number of oral and written examinations (tentamens) for the propedeuse, and upon completion of the requirements
are given a certificate known as the propedeutisch diploma or the propedeutische verklaring (statement).
The function of the propedeuse is threefold. It is orientational, selective and directional.