NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

III. Special types and forms of final qualifications in higher
education
Section II gives a description of higher education degrees and diplomas which are regulated by the WHW. The Minister for
Education, Culture and Science is responsible for these degrees and, to a certain extent, the study programmes they represent.
Besides these, there are a number of higher education diplomas and courses which in many cases do not fall under the
legislation of this ministry. This category includes courses which are regulated by other ministries, or, as in the case of
internationaal onderwijs (international education), are conferred by the independent institutions of higher education which
only fall under one or more ministries as regards funding. This category also includes diplomas which are recognised by the
wet op de erkende onderwijsinstellingen (WEO), or the recognised educational institutions act of 1986 (see I.1).
The courses discussed in this chapter all require a HAVO diploma (see II.1.1) or its equivalent for admission, with the
exception of international education programmes, which in most cases require a Bachelor’s degree, and the NIVRA
programme in accountancy, for which a VWO diploma is required.
The types of education are:
Het internationaal onderwijs (international education);
Courses regulated by the following ministries:
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport;
Ministry of Defence;
Ministry of the Interior;
Ministry of Economic Affairs.
International education
International education in the Netherlands offers courses, at approximately 20 independent institutions, in the fields of science
and technology, social sciences and law, business studies (management and administration), agricultural science, media,
communication and transport
science, medicine and related sciences. These are advanced and supplementary courses in higher education which are mainly
geared towards the problems and needs of developing countries. The courses are mainly intended for participants from the
developing countries, and instruction is in English.
The various institutions offer courses which lead to a diploma, postgraduate diploma, or the degree Bachelor of Science or
Master of Science. Some institutes also award MPhil and PhD degrees.
Education which falls under ministries other than the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Some of the diplomas which can be obtained on the basis of courses which fall under the responsibility of various ministries
are described in this group. The list is not exhaustive.
1. Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport:
vroedvrouw (midwife) (length: four years);
radiodiagnostisch/radiotherapeutisch laborant (radiodiagnostical/radiotherapeutical laboratory assistant) (length:
three years);
podotherapeut (podotherapist) (length: three years);
orthoptist (orthoptist) (length: three years);
oefentherapeut Cesar (Cesar therapist) (length: three years);
mondhygiënist (oral hygiene specialist) (length: three years).
2. Ministry of Defence:
officer’s diploma of the Koninklijke Militaire Academie (Royal Military Academy) (length: three to six years,
depending on programme and entrance level);
officer’s diploma of the Koninklijk Instituut van de marine (Royal Naval Institute) (length: five years).