An associate degree is part of higher vocational education and prepares students for a particular profession. These programmes focus on the job market and are therefore more practice-oriented and less theoretical than bachelor programmes. An associate degree focuses on acquiring and applying skills in actual work contexts.

Rights Granted

An associate degree grants access to professional bachelor degrees. If the associate degree is obtained in a relevant field, credit transfer is possible.

Recognition Status

Accreditation in Flanders is at programme level. All accredited courses can be found at the website of the NVAO (“Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie”): https://www.nvao.net/nl

Other Information

https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be

https://enic-naric.net/page-Belgium-Flemish-Community

Academische bachelor - an academic bachelor, the student acquires a broad (theoretical) education or an education in the arts. Academic bachelors are taught at a university (“Universiteit”), a School of Arts or the Antwerp Maritime Academy.

Bachelor-na-bachelor - an advanced bachelor is a specialised education programme in a specific field. Advanced bachelors are taught at a university college (“Hogeschool”).

Professionele bachelor - a professional bachelor focuses on professional practice: the student acquires the skills needed for the independent practice of one or more professions. Professional bachelors are taught at a university college (“Hogeschool”).

Rights Granted

Professionele bachelor grants access to master programmes (level 7) if a bridging year (45-90 ECTS) is completed
Professional bachelors grant access to advanced bachelor degrees in a relevant field.

Bachelor-na-bachelor - an advanced bachelor grants access to master programmes (level 7) if a bridging year (45-90 ECTS) is completed

Recognition Status

Accreditation in Flanders is at programme level. All accredited courses can be found at the website of the NVAO (Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie): https://www.nvao.net/nl

Other Information

https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be

https://enic-naric.net/page-Belgium-Flemish-Community

In a master’s programme, students acquire advanced scientific or artistic knowledge and skills. Students conclude their master’s degree by writing a research thesis. 
Masters are taught at a university (“Universiteit”), a School of Arts or the Antwerp Maritime Academy.
 

An advanced master is a specialised education in a specific field. 
Advanced masters are taught at a university (“Universiteit”) or a School of Arts.
 

Rights Granted

Master degree grants access to a doctoral studies (“Doctoraat”) (level 8).
Master degree grants access to a relevant advanced master's studies (level 7).
 

Master-na-master grants access to a doctoral degree (“Doctoraat”) (level 8).

Recognition Status

Accreditation in Flanders is organised at programme level. All accredited courses can be found at the website of the NVAO (“Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie”): https://www.nvao.net/nl 

Other Information

https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be

https://enic-naric.net/page-Belgium-Flemish-Community

During a PhD, students complete a scientific research project on which they write a doctoral thesis. The thesis is defended in the presence of an (international) jury. 

Rights Granted

This is the highest academic qualification.

Recognition Status

A PhD can be obtained at a recognised higher education institution. All recognised institutions can be found at the website of the NVAO (“Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie”): https://www.nvao.net/nl 

Other Information

https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be

https://enic-naric.net/page-Belgium-Flemish-Community