14 top Dutch universities limit international student recruitment

Fourteen Dutch universities have announced plans to limit international students and English-language courses, in an effort to prioritise Dutch and ease pressure on student accommodation.

These universities are members of the Dutch University Association (UNL), which includes Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden, Maastricht, the Open University of the Netherlands, Radboud, Amsterdam, Groningen, Twente, Tilburg, Utrecht, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Wageningen.

The plan only applies to undergraduate programs. Two universities, the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, have already made the first move, planning to reduce the number of international students this year by about a fifth.

UNL said all major undergraduate programs will be taught in Dutch, no new programs will be offered in English, recruitment will be suspended at international fairs, and preparatory courses for international students will be canceled. UNL also instructed schools to reduce the number of international students in some fields.

Universities are also considering reviewing and converting English-taught programs to Dutch.

“Only this would ensure full access for Dutch-speaking students and limit the number of international students, which is something the schools have long advocated,” said Ruben Puylaert, a spokesperson for UNL.

University of Amsterdam campus - the school attracting the most international students in the Netherlands in 2022 (9,700 people). Photo: University of Amsterdam Fanpage — University of Amsterdam campus - the school attracting the most international students in the Netherlands in 2022 (9,700 people). Photo: *University of Amsterdam Fanpage*

More than 122,000 international students are studying in the Netherlands. About 52% of undergraduate programs are taught in Dutch and 30% in English, with most of the remaining 18% taught bilingually. Students from outside the EU can expect to spend around 96,000 euros a year studying in the Netherlands. About a third of international students stay to work after graduation, mainly in the engineering field, according to Euronews .

However, UNL believes that the trend of internationalization also causes obstacles. In a joint statement, the universities said the reduction in international enrollment is to "ensure the quality of education ."

Previously, the Dutch House of Representatives called on the government and higher education institutions to have a specific plan to reduce the proportion of courses taught in English. The country's Minister of Education, Culture and Science - Robert Dijkgraaf asked universities and colleges to increase the use of Dutch on campus. He also wants to limit the number of non-European (EU) students to ensure that Dutch and EU students are not disadvantaged, preventing a decline in the quality of higher education.

“If left unchecked, lecture halls will become overcrowded, lecturers will have high workloads, housing shortages, and access to education will be put at risk,” said Robbert Dijkgraaf.

According to statistics, international students in the Netherlands occupy nearly a third of student accommodation, while many Dutch students have to live at home. Across the country, there is currently a shortage of more than 23,000 student accommodation places, and this could increase to 57,000 by 2030.

Student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fanpage — Student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo: *Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fanpage*

The Netherlands isn’t the only country planning to limit international students this year. Last month, Canada’s immigration department announced it would drastically reduce the number of international students coming to the country, in an effort to curb the impact of the influx. The number of international students allowed to enter the country in 2024 will drop to 360,000, a 35% drop from the previous year.

Australia also announced plans last December to halve its immigration intake over the next two years. The country will tighten visa rules for international students by increasing English proficiency scores and closely monitor second visa applications for students seeking to extend their stay.

The British government has made a similar move, saying it will tighten regulations on work visas for international students.

Doan Hung ( According to THE, Dutch News, Euronews, The Pie )

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