Diploma overview

The Central Admissions Office has compiled a list of the most common international diplomas that meet the minimum admission requirements. Where applicable, minimum grades and language test exemption criteria have been included.

Please note:

  • You are not automatically granted admission to one of our Bachelor’s degree programmes if your diploma is on the list.
  • In general, we require students to have taken final exams in general education subjects. We do not accept applied/vocational subjects.
  • For some diplomas, a list of accepted subjects has been included.
  • We do not accept homologation certificates or statements of foreign diplomas. You will be assessed based on the diploma you obtained and not the diploma it was deemed equivalent to.
  • In case you still must obtain your diploma and do not meet our grade requirements by August 31st, you cannot enroll for the academic year starting September 2024.
  • You are welcome to contact the Central Admissions Office in case your diploma is not listed and you are interested in studying at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

English exemption is only possible if:

  • You are obtaining a European Baccalaureate with English as first or second language;
  • You are obtaining an International Baccalaureate with English A at Higher or Standard Level, or English B at Higher Level;
  • You have obtained your diploma(s) or went to secondary school for at least two and a half years in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (with the exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

For specific selection criteria with regard to required subjects and minimum scores, please visit the Bachelor programme of your choice.

International diplomas that meet the minimum admission requirements

American High School Diploma (outside USA)

From an accredited high school; a minimum GPA of 3.00 plus 4 independent AP courses in general academic subjects* (with grade 3 or higher). AP exams are required to be taken externally with College Board.

* Accepted subjects: Art History, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Comparative Government and Politics, European History, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern, Calculus AB or BC, Computer Science Principles, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, World Languages and Cultures.

**Languages other than English that are your native language are not preferred and will only be accepted as a 5thAP.

Overlapping subjects are counted as 1 AP exam. For example, AP US History, AP European History and AP World History are not counted as 3 individual AP’s but as one. The same applies to AP Macro-Economics and AP Micro-Economics.

British (International) GCE A-levels

A minimum of 3 approved (international) A-levels in general academic subjects* with final grades between A*- C plus 3 (I)GCSEs in 6 different subjects.

*Generally accepted subjects: All languages**, Ancient History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science / Technology, Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Islamic Studies, Law, Life and Health Sciences, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Statistics.

**Languages other than English that are your native language are not preferred and will only be accepted as a 4thA-level.

NB Only one of your 3 GCE A-Level subjects may be a language, e.g. English Language and Greek are not counted as 2 individual A-Levels but will only count as one.

Certain A-Level subjects with an applied component are only accepted for certain Bachelor degree programmes. For example, Media Studies is accepted for International Bachelor Communication and Media but not for the Bachelor in Management of International Social Challenges. Likewise, the A-Level Physical Education is accepted for International Bachelor in Psychology but not for International Bachelor History.

Overlapping subjects: Narrow subject combinations such as Economics, Business and Accounting or Physical Education, Biology and Psychology are not preferred.

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) 

Proof of at least five independent general education subjects* with grades "Grade I" to "Grade III", including English and Mathematics. Among these examination subjects, there must be at least two "Unit 2" subjects. Please upload your Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) as well.

*Accepted subjects: Applied Mathematics, Biology, Caribbean Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Science, French, Geography, History, Integrated Mathematics, Literatures in English, Physics, Pure Mathematics, Sociology, Spanish

European Baccalaureate

For medicine, all examinations in the natural sciences subjects must be taken in writing.

Language test exemptions:

  • Dutch: Language 1 or 2
  • English: Language 1 or 2

International Baccalaureate

The full IB diploma is sufficient for general admission. When applying ensure that the levels of all subjects, including the language-related ones, are clearly indicated (HL, SL, A or B, etc.).

Language test exemptions:

  • Dutch: Dutch A or B at Higher Level, Dutch A Standard Level
  • English: English A or B at Higher Level, English A Standard Level

West African Senior Secondary School Certificate

At least 6 general academic subjects with grades C6 or higher

Egypt

  • ash-shu'ba al-adabiyya / Literary Section                     
  • ash-shu'ba al-'ilmiyya (riyadiyyat) / Scientific Section (Mathematics)                 
  • ash-shu'ba al-'ilmiyya ('ulum) / Scientific Section (Science)

Kenya

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with at least 6 subjects with grades A, B or C

Morocco

Attestation du Baccalauréat, Série:

  • Lettres (Modernes / Originelles)
  • Sciences (Expérimentales / Mathématique / Originelles)

with a General Average of at least 14 and also scores of 14 for each of the 5 National Examination

South-Africa

National Senior Certificate with an average overall score of at least 70% and the mention “has met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree”. Score required for individual subjects: 55% or higher.

Accepted subjects: Home Language, First Additional Language, Second official language, Economics, Geography, History, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Religion Studies.

Language test exemptions:

• Exempted from English proficiency test with English Home Language

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 2 subjects with grades A, B or C in combination with the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level with at least 5 examination subjects with final result A, B or C.

Afghanistan

12th Grade graduation certificate from the general subject cluster. The curriculum consists of general education subjects.

Azerbaijan

Orta Tahsil Haqqinda Attestat

China

Senior middle school diploma plus Gaokao university entrance examination; required score for most provinces 550 out of 750.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with 6 subjects (Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Liberal Studies, plus a minimum of two approved subjects*) at Level 3, 4 or 5.

*Accepted subjects from Category A (Senior Secondary Subjects): Chinese Literature, Literature in English, Chinese History, Economics, Ethics and Religious Studies, Geography, History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science, Integrated Science, Business, Accounting and Financial Studies, Health Management and Social Care, Information and Communication Technology, Physical Education.

India

Standard X diploma plus Standard XII diploma with at least 5 independent general/academic subjects

  • CBSE: All India Senior School certificate with grades, A1, A2, and B1 for each of the 5 subjects
  • CISCE: Indian School Certificate with a minimum score of 75% for each of the 5 subjects
  • NIOS: Migration Cum Transfer Certificate obtained at the Senior Secondary School Examination with grades A, B or C for each of the 5 exam subjects.
  • State Boards: Standard XII Certificate with a minimum score of 80% for each of the 5 subjects

Overlapping subjects: Narrow subject combinations such as Business Studies, Economics, Accountancy and Marketing are not accepted.

Indonesia

Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA).

Japan

High School Certificate of Education

Kazachstan

  • Жалпы Oрта білім туралы аттестат/Аттестат об общем среднем образовании/ Certificate of completed general secondary education.
  • Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) Grade 12 certificate with grades A-C for the GCE A-level exams

Malaysia

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia plus Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia

Singapore

A minimum of 3 approved Singapore-Cambridge H2 GCE A-levels in general academic subjects with grades A*-C plus 3 Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-levels in 6 different subjects.

Language test exemptions:

  • Exempted from English proficiency test (English Language Cambridge O-level)

South-Korea

High School Certificate

Taiwan

Senior High School Diploma

Vietnam

Bang Tot Nghiep Trung Hoc Pho Thong

Aruba

VWO Diploma
Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

Curaçao

VWO Diploma
Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

Sint Maarten

  • VWO Diploma

Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

  • CAPE (see International Diplomas)

Surinam

VWO Diploma
Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

Argentina

Título de Bachiller in either Ciencias Sociales, Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales, Ciencias Naturales or Lenguas

Brazil

  • Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau
  • Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio

Plus an ENEM with a minimum score of 550 for each of the 5 subjects and an average score of at least 600 or higher.

Chile

  • Licencia de Educación Media Humanistico–Científica
  • Licencia de Enseñanza Media Científico-Humanista

Plus "Pruebas de Admisión Transitorias with a minimum score of 600

Colombia

Título de Bachiller Académico plus El Examen de Estado de la Educación Media, Saber 11° with a minimum score of 200

Ecuador

Título de Bachiller en Ciencias

Mexico

Bachillerato General – Preparatoria (Bicultural, Multicultural, Internacional)

Panama

Título de Bachiller en Ciencias / Ciencias y Letras / Letras

Peru

Certificado Oficial de Estudios de Nivel Educación Secundaria el Area de Ciencias y Humanidades with a final gpa of at least 17.

Albania

Diplomë e Maturës Shtetërore obtained at a Gjimnazi with 5 general academic final examination subjects

Armenia

Atestat Mijnakarg (Yndhanur) Krtutyan

Austria

  • Reifeprüfungszeugnis
  • Reife- und Diplomprüfungszeugnis

Language test exemptions: exempted from English proficiency test

Belgium

  • Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs
  • Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur, Enseignement General
  • Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts (Allgemeinbildender Unterricht)

Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English only in case of Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Diploma o položenom maturskom ispitu from a Gimnazija
  • Diploma o završenoj srednjoj školi from a Gimnazija

Bulgaria

Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with a general education stream

Croatia

Svjedodžba o (državnoj) Maturi (general education) from a Gimnazija

Cyprus

  • Apolytirio Lykeio from a public school with an average final mark of 16 or higher and with the specialisation classical studies and humanities, or foreign languages and European studies, or economic sciences, or natural sciences/life sciences/information science/technology
  • Lise Diplomasi from a public school

Students following the UK or US curriculum are referred to the corresponding diploma requirements. Apolytirio or Lise school leaving equivalency certificates are not accepted.

Czech Republic

Vysvědčení o Maturitní Zkoušce from a Gimnazium

Denmark

  • Bevis for Studentereksamen
  • Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen

Estonia

Gumnaasiumi Loputunnistus plus the Riigieksamitunnistus

Finland

Ylioppilastutkintotodistus

France

Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général

Language test exemptions:

  • The option BFI (formerly OIB) grant exemption from an English proficiency test
  • The option Internationale Neérlandais grants exemption for a Dutch proficiency test.

Georgia

Sruli Zogadi Ganatlebis Atestati

Germany

Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur)

Language test exemptions: Exempted from English proficiency test if English was included in final year of Abitur

Greece

Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou with a minimum average mark of 15 or higher

Hungary

Gimnáziumi Erretsegi Bizonyitvany with at least 1 exam subject at advanced level (Emelt). The fifth elective exam must be in a general education subject.

Iceland

Stúdentspróf from a Menntaskóli

Ireland

Leaving Certificate with at least 6 subjects (general/academic subjects*) of which at least 2 at Higher Level with grade H1-H4 (CAO points required: 400 or higher)

*Accepted subjects: all languages, Agricultural Science, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, History, Mathematics, Physics, Physics & Chemistry, Politics & Society and Religious Education.

Language test exemptions: Exemption from English proficiency test

Israel

Te’udat Bagrut with at least three general academic subjects* including English and Mathematics at unit level 4 or 5.

*Accepted subjects: Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Foreign Languages and Social studies.

Italy

Diploma di Superamento dell’Esame di Stato Conclusivo dei Corsi di Istruzione Secondario Superiore from the following: Liceo Classico, Liceo Scientifico, Liceo Linguistico, Liceo delle Scienze umane

Kosovo

Certifikatë e Maturës Shtetërore plus Diplomë për kryerjen e shkollës së mesme të lartë from a gjimnazi

Latvia

Atestāts par Vispārējo Vidējo Izglītību plus Vispārējās Vidējās Izglītības Sertifikāts

Lithuania

Brandos Atestatas from a Gimnazija or Licejus

Luxembourg

Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires

Moldova

Diplomă de Bacalaureat, profilul: Real and Umanist

Norway

Vitnemål for Videregående Opplæring - General Studies – mentioning: og har oppnådd generell studiekompetanse

Poland

Świadectwo Dojrzałości plus Świadectwo Ukończenia Liceum Ogólnokształcącego

Portugal

Diploma/Certificado/Certidão do Ensino Secundário in the Científicos Humanisticos stream (ciências e tecnologías, ciências socioeconómicas or linguas e humanidades) with a Media Final of at least 14.

Romania

Diplomă de Bacalaureat profilul teoretic

Russia         

Attestat o Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii 

Serbia

Diploma o Stečenom Srednem Obrazovanju from a Gimnazije

Slovakia

Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej Skúške from a Gymnázium

Slovenia

Spričevalo o Splošni Maturi from a Gimnazia

Spain

Titulo de Bachiller/ Bachillerato with an average of at least 6.0 for the PAU/EBAU/EvAU exams. On these exams, you need to achieve a grade 6.0 for mathematics as well.

Sweden

Gymnasieexamen: Högskoleförberedande examen

*Accepted profiles: Ekonomiprogrammet/Business Management and Economics Programme; Estetiska programmet/Arts Programme; Humanistiska programmet/Humanities Programme; Naturvetenskapsprogrammet/Natural Science Programme; Samhällsvetenskapsprogrammet/Social Science Programme; Teknikprogrammet/Technology Programme.

Switzerland

Maturity Certificate/Maturitätszeugnis/ Maturitätsausweis/Certificat de Maturité

Turkey

Lise Diplomasi

Ukraine

Svidotstvo pro Zdobuttia Povnoi Zagalnoi Serednoi Osvity

United Kingdom

England & Wales

  • A minimum of 3 approved A-levels in general academic subjects* with final grades between A*- C plus 3 GCSEs in 6 different subjects.

Scotland

  • Scottish Qualification Certificate with at least 4 Highers and 2 Advanced Highers in general academic subjects with grades A-B.

*Generally accepted subjects: All languages**, Ancient History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science / Technology, Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Islamic Studies, Law, Life and Health Sciences, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Statistics.

**Languages other than English that are your native language are not preferred and will only be accepted as a 4thA-level.

NB Only one of your 3 GCE A-Level subjects may be a language, e.g. English Language and Greek are not counted as 2 individual A-Levels.

Certain A-Level subjects with an applied component are only accepted for certain Bachelor degree programmes. For example, Media Studies is accepted for International Bachelor Communication and Media but not for the Bachelor in Management of International Social Challenges. Likewise, the A-Level Physical Education is accepted for International Bachelor in Psychology but not for International Bachelor History.

Iran

Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies (theoretical profile).

Diplomas obtained until 2019: Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies (theoretical profile) plus Pre-University Certificate

Iraq

Secondary School Certificate/Baccaleureate – وثيقة مدرسية / المرحلة الإعدادية (Literary or Scientific section)

Jordan

General Secondary Education Certificate - شهادة الدراسة الثانوية العامة (Literary or Scientific (Pure Science) section

Lebanon

Baccalauréat (شهادة الثانوية العامة / البكالوريا)

Saudi Arabia

Secondary School Graduation Certificate (Human sciences, Literary sciences and Scientific sciences)

Syria

General Secondary Education Certificate / شھادة الدراسة الثانویة العامة (Sciences and Humanities branch)

Canada

  • Quebec - Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales – Pré-universitaire
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with at least six 4U courses (M courses are not accepted)
  • Alberta High School Diploma with five independent subjects (course number 30-39) in grade 12
  • British Columbia Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with at least thirteen successfully completed courses of which five must be completed in grade 12. These five subjects must be general academic courses.
  • Manitoba High School Graduation Diploma including five full credits for the grade 12 level courses designated S, G or U.
  • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma with at least five grade 12 academic courses
  • Newfoundland High School Graduation Diploma with proof of at least 36 credits of which 20 credits in level 2 & 3 courses and at least 9 credits in level 3 courses
  • Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma with proof of at least five independent general education subjects ("code4" or "code5" courses) in gade 12
  • Saskatchewan Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement in at least five different grade 12 (level 30) courses in general, academic subjects

United States of America

High School Diploma from an accredited high school; a minimum GPA of 3.00 plus 4 independent AP courses in general academic subjects (with grade 3 or higher). AP exams* are required to be taken externally with College Board.

* Accepted subjects: Art History, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Comparative Government and Politics, European History, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern, Calculus AB or BC, Computer Science Principles, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, World Languages and Cultures.

Overlapping subjects are counted as 1 AP exam or as a 5th AP exam. For example, AP US History, AP European History and AP World History are not counted as 3 individual AP’s but as one. Likewise, AP English Language and Composition and AP Spanish Language and Culture are also only considered 1 AP and do not count individually.

Australia

  • Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate
  • New South Wales Higher School Certificate
  • Queensland Certificate of Education
  • South Australian Certificate of Education
  • Tasmanian Certificate of Education
  • Victorian Certificate of Education
  • Western Australian Certificate of Education
  • Northern Territory Certificate of Education Secondary School Certificate

Plus a minimum ATAR score of 86

New Zealand

National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 plus University Entrance

Approved general academic subjects: at least 14 credits in each of three subjects at Level 3
Applied/Practical subjects are not accepted

Disclaimer:  This information is provided with the greatest possible care, Erasmus University Rotterdam cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. The content therefore is not legally binding. Erasmus University Rotterdam accepts no liability for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations which might arise from the content of this information. Admissibility can only be determined after you have submitted a complete application via the EUR Admissions Portal. Inquiries regarding diploma and admissibility will not be handled by email or telephone. 

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