Confidence in quality

The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) has been established by the Dutch and Flemish governments as an independent accreditation body. NVAO operates on both a binational and international level. The NVAO conclusions underpin the recognition of higher education programmes and ensure that students receive worthy degrees.

About NVAO

Procedure

For new programmes

New programmes are first subjected to an initial accreditation procedure by NVAO. This procedure intends to assess the potential quality of a the proposed programme. 
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For existing programmes

Existing programmes must attain a programme accreditation. Here, the quality of the programme is determined. How this is organised, is based on the type of institution.
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For institutions

The NVAO organises institutional reviews in Flanders, institutional audits in The Netherlands, and combined assessments in Luxembourg.
The NetherlandsFlanders

For new institutions

Higher education institutions need to be officially recognised before they can offer higher education programmes and award recognised degrees.
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European Approach

The NVAO applies the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes when assessing international joint programmes.
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All procedures The Netherlands All procedures Flanders All procedures Luxembourg

quality assurance systems

The Netherlands, Flanders and Luxembourg each have their own quality assurance system, an integrated system for external quality assurance. A quality assurance system includes the various procedures and conditions for obtaining accreditation. All NVAO procedures are based on assessment frameworks.

Quality assurance system of The Nederlands
Quality assurance system of Flanders
Quality assurance system in Luxembourg

 

The NetherlandsFlanders Luxembourg

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NEWS

NVAO_MESR_Visit_12_5_26

Strengthening quality through collaboration - Visit MESR
13/05/2026

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Bouwstenen_min

BTS programmes in Luxembourg demonstrate strong professional relevance and emerging quality culture
11/05/2026

The Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) programmes in Luxembourg provide a robust and professionally oriented form of EQF level 5 higher education, according to the NVAO’s Overview Report on the BTS Programme Assessments 2024–2025, published today.

Drawing on the external assessment of eleven programmes, the report highlights a sector characterised by strong labour market alignment, practice-based learning and committed teaching teams, while also identifying system-level opportunities for further enhancement.

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Werkplekleren

Work-based learning in associate degree programmes is gaining strength, but challenges require a targeted approach.
23/03/2026

Work-based learning plays a crucial role in associate degree programmes (level 5) in higher education. Research by NVAO Netherlands demonstrates that this form of education prepares students effectively for professional practice, while also highlighting challenges in its implementation and quality assurance.

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