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

Recognise a new programme

New programmes are first subjected to initial accreditation at NVAO, a procedure to assess their potential quality. After a few years, a newly recognised programma can obtain a first accreditation.
The NetherlandsFlanders

Review existing programme

Each programme must periodically attain a programme accreditation. How this review is organised is based on the type of institution.
The NetherlandsFlanders

Review existing institution

All the institutions in Flanders that are recognised as a university college or university are periodically subjected to an institutional review. In the Netherlands, an institution can participate in an Institutional Accreditation.
The NetherlandsFlanders

Recognise a new institution

#non-recognised institutions
Higher education institutions need to be recognised by the Flemish and Dutch government before they can organise accredited programmes, issue recognised degrees and, if necessary, be eligible for funding.
The NetherlandsFlanders

QUALITY AGREEMENTS

The Quality Agreements are assessed by NVAO. They pertain to the study advance funds allocated to institutions for the improvement of the quality of education.
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

Decisions and reports search

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Alumni & students

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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Events

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