NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

II.3.3. Academic recognition of final qualifications in higher education for purposes
of
further study
In almost every discipline, after the doctoraal and HBO examinations, post-degree courses are offered by universities and
hogescholen. Depending on the discipline, graduates of universities and hogescholen are eligible for admission to post-degree
courses, which may vary in length from several weeks to several years. The WHW brought about important changes in the
organisation of post-degree programmes, changes which will primarily affect the post-HBO programmes in fine arts and
architecture, and the university programmes in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. These changes will,
however, not be noticeable until 1998 and after. The information contained in this chapter describes the current programmes,
some of which are being phased out in their current form.
The getuigschrift hoger beroepsonderwijs (higher professional
education degree)
The HBO degree gives admission to post-HBO courses and, provided the student’s performance and any work or research
experience warrants it, to post-doctoraal courses at universities as well. Post-HBO courses provide advanced professional
training, refresher courses, or custom-made courses designed to meet the specific needs of a particular group. A common
characteristic of most post-HBO programmes is the emphasis on practical application of the material. The majority of these
programmes are not funded by the Dutch Government, nor are they regulated by the WHW.
Post-HBO programmes in the fine and performing arts and in architecture are the only ones regulated by the WHW. According
to the WHW, post-HBO programmes in fine and performing arts may contain a maximum of 84 credits (two years); those in
architecture must contain a total of 168 credits (four years). It should be mentioned that current post-HBO programmes in
architecture which are being phased out last six years part-time.
A separate category of post-HBO programmes is made up of the growing number of Master’s degree programmes offered at
hogescholen, in most cases in conjunction with a foreign institution. To guarantee a certain standard of quality, a Dutch
Validation Council is being founded which is to inspect and approve HBO Master’s programmes. In addition, the Ministry of
Education, Culture and Science stated in its higher education and research policy plan of 1995 that hogescholen may obtain
State recognition for professional Master’s programmes that meet the ministry’s criteria.
The doctoraal diploma
The following post-doctoraal and professional programmes are offered after the doctoraal examination:
one-year university teacher training programmes;
a wide variety of short-term post-degree courses (recurrent education) for the purpose of upgrading professional
expertise;
longer-term research programmes;
four-year research programmes leading to the promotie;
advanced professional training in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. (Under the WHW these courses
are no longer officially post-doctoraal courses, but doctoraal courses with a longer duration. New-style diplomas will not
be issued until 1998/99.)
Of these courses, only the four-year researcher’s course (AIO) leads to a title, that of doctor (dr.). A diploma is presented at
the end of the other courses.
University teacher training courses
Post-doctoraal teacher training courses are offered by the universities and are financed by the government. To qualify for
admission, students must complete a doctoraal programme which includes an orientation course of two months in preparation
for the post-doctoraal course. The course leads to the so-called eerstegraadsbevoegdheid. This means that one is fully
qualified to teach in all classes of general and vocational secondary education and in HBO. This qualification only applies to
the subject which was studied during the doctoraal programme.