Staatsexamen NT2 stops at B2: Programma I is B1 and Programma II is B2. If you have passed Programma II and want a recognised C1 certificate, the realistic route is a CNaVT exam, usually one of the academic or professional profiles. If you want teaching rather than a certificate, a small number of schools and university programmes run C1-level courses, but availability is thin and you should confirm it directly with the provider.
What C1 actually gets you, and what it does not
C1 is not required for inburgering or naturalisation. Under the 2021 Civic Integration Act the standard route is B1, with exams in reading, listening, writing and speaking plus KNM, and a municipality can allow A2 after substantial effort. Naturalisation requires A2 in 2026, with a move to B1 planned but no confirmed start date. So C1 is a personal or professional goal: university study in Dutch, teaching, or work where you need to write and argue at length. Check the official source for any rule that affects your situation.
The CNaVT route: profiles rather than one exam
CNaVT Exams is the umbrella: the Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal, an international certificate offered at A2, B1, B2 and C1, with sessions in May. It fits learners who want one recognised certificate and are willing to prepare for a specific profile. It does not fit someone who wants continuous teaching, because it is an exam, not a course.
At C1 the profiles differ by purpose. CNaVT CAN is the academic profile, aimed at university study and advanced academic communication. Choose it if your next step is a Dutch-taught degree or research work. CNaVT Certificaat Educatief Academisch (EDUA) is the Belgian certificate for advanced academic Dutch needed for university programmes. It suits people entering Flemish higher education; it is less relevant if you are not studying in Belgium. CNaVT Educatief Professioneel targets high academic and professional Dutch in educational and professional settings. It fits teachers, trainers and professionals who work in Dutch; it is overkill if you only need a general certificate.
All three are offered online and in person, and all are exams. None of them teaches you the level. If you are not yet solid at C1, plan preparation first.
Courses and programmes that reach C1
CVO Antwerpen is a government-subsidised adult school in Antwerp with an A1 to C1 pathway. It fits learners in Flanders who want an affordable, structured route and can attend in Antwerp or online. It is a general language school, so check whether a C1 group actually runs in your period before enrolling.
Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam covers A0 to C1 in day and evening formats, online and on campus, as part of a nationwide network. It suits people in or near Amsterdam who want a flexible, non-exam course. It is a broad offering rather than a specialist C1 programme, so ask about the level of the specific group.
Atlas Integratie & Inburgering Antwerpen lists A1 to C1 pathways alongside integration support. It fits newcomers in Antwerp who want course enrolment help; it is not aimed at learners who already hold B2 and only want advanced content, so confirm the C1 offer first.
Freie Universität Berlin - Dutch Studies is a university programme in Berlin: a BA in Language, Literature and Culture where students reach B2 or C1, and an MA in Dutch Studies in an International Context. This fits someone who wants an academic degree with Dutch as the object of study, not a short exam-prep course. It does not fit learners who need a certificate in a few months.
Comparing the main options
| Option | Type | Levels | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNaVT Exams | Exam | A2 to C1 | Online, in person | One recognised international certificate, 82/100 |
| CNaVT CAN | Exam | C1 | Online, in person | Academic Dutch for university study, 80/100 |
| CNaVT Educatief Professioneel | Exam | C1 | Online, in person | Professionals and teachers working in Dutch, 80/100 |
| CVO Antwerpen | School | A1 to C1 | Online, in person | Structured, subsidised course in Flanders, 78/100 |
| Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam | School | A0 to C1 | Online, in person | Flexible evening or day course, 77/100 |
Fit scores are editorial judgements from our listings, not user ratings.
Materials and preparation after B2
There is no single official C1 syllabus to follow, so preparation depends on the profile you choose. Work from the CNaVT profile descriptions and sample tasks, and build your own reading and writing practice around the domains they describe: academic texts, professional reports, argumentative writing. For structured NT2 practice see NT2 prep. If you want a tutor to work on C1 writing and speaking, browse Dutch tutors; a Verified Pro on this site means 3,000 or more lessons and a 4.9 or higher rating on their platform, which is a useful filter but not a guarantee of C1 expertise. Ask directly about C1 experience before booking.
Practical next steps
Decide first whether you need a certificate or only the skills. If it is a certificate, pick the CNaVT profile that matches your study or work context and check the official source for session dates and registration. If it is skills, contact the schools above and ask whether a C1 group is running, since general listings do not guarantee it. The path finder and the full directory can narrow the list, and cities helps if you need to attend in person. For rules on inburgering, see inburgering. Prices vary and are not listed here; check with each provider.
How we know this: the options come from The Dutch Directory listings checked on 2026-10-20, and fit scores are editorial, not user ratings.