How to obtain a diploma equivalent in Belgium?

THEDiploma equivalency is a procedure that allows you to have your foreign diploma recognized in Belgium, in order to continue your studies, apply for a job or pass a competition. The process varies depending on whether you want to study in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (French-speaking) or in the Flemish Community.

Who should apply for a diploma equivalent in Belgium?

In Belgium, anyone who wishes to pursue higher education (bachelor's degree or aggregation of upper secondary education) and whose high school diploma was not obtained in must ask for equivalency. This concerns Belgian and foreign students holding a foreign high school diploma.

Steps to request an equivalence in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (French-speaking education)

Do you dream of having your diploma recognized in Belgium? Good news: the procedure is done entirely online and only takes a few minutes. Follow these step-by-step steps to file your application without stress.

1. Gather the required documents
For an equivalent high school diploma (e.g. foreign baccalaureate), you will need to provide:

• A certified copy of your foreign diploma;
• Transcripts or report cards;
• An official translation into French if the documents are written in a language other than French, Dutch, English or German;
• A copy of your identity document or passport;
• Proof of payment of administrative fees

2. Application fees

The amount is generally 200 euros. Exemptions are possible, in particular for scholarship students or persons with refugee status.

3. Sending the file

The complete file must be sent by post to the Equivalences Department of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, located in Brussels.

Attention: the deadline for submitting the application is July 15 of each year if you want to start studying in September.

4. Processing times

The deadlines vary from 3 to 6 months depending on the complexity of the file. It is therefore important to anticipate this request as soon as you receive your diploma.

Request for equivalence in the Flemish Community (Dutch-speaking education)

The equivalence request is managed by NARIC-Vlaanderen (National Academic Recognition and Information Centre).

The procedures depend on the type of diploma (secondary or higher). It is possible to perform part of the procedure online via their official website:www.naricvlaanderen.be

Degrees partially or automatically recognized

Some diplomas are recognized automatically or through simplified procedures, in particular:

For professions such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacists, engineers or architects, specific professional recognition is required, separate from academic equivalence.

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