Study in the Netherlands? This is very popular with international students – so much so that 14 universities are now taking action. Among other things, they want to reduce the proportion of English-taught courses.
Dutch universities want to reduce the number of foreign students. The 14 universities announced that they had agreed on appropriate measures. The number of international students is leading to bottlenecks, it said in a statement.
For example, the number of English-language bachelor’s degree programs is to be reduced. Master’s degree programs are therefore not affected by the new regulations. Very popular courses such as psychology or economics will at least also be offered in Dutch in the future. Universities also want to do more to ensure that international students and staff learn the Dutch language.
This year, around one in three new students is coming from abroad. A good 70 percent of these come from Europe, most of them from Germany. According to Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf, the number of foreign students in April last year was 3.5 times higher than in 2005.
Overcrowded lecture halls and housing shortages
Criticism of the high number of foreign students continued to grow in the Netherlands. The background is overcrowded lecture halls and a housing shortage, which is exacerbated by the influx. It will also be more difficult for Dutch students to get a place at university.
The universities also earn more from international students because, among other things, they pay more tuition fees.
International students continue to be important for the country
The universities emphasize that foreign students are important for the country. “The war for talent is raging worldwide,” said interim chairman Jouke de Vries of the Universities of the Netherlands. “The need for talent is high, so we continue to need international talent.”
Currently, around 30 percent of bachelor’s programs in the Netherlands are taught only in English. According to the universities, this should be reduced to 10 to 15 percent. The measures can only be implemented next year.
Education Minister Dijkgraaf is also preparing a bill that would reduce the number of international students. Among other things, this should also make it possible to set a quota for English-language courses.