Dutch universities have seen a notable drop in international students enrolling in bachelor’s programs for the 2024/25 academic year. Data from Nuffic shows a 5.2% decrease in international bachelor enrollments at research universities and a 6.7% drop at universities of applied sciences compared to the previous year. This decline follows a decade of rapid growth in international student numbers but signals a new trend of stabilization and decrease.
Rise in Master’s Program Enrollment
While bachelor’s enrollment fell, master’s programs have seen a significant increase in international students. Nearly 20,000 students enrolled in university master’s programs, a 9.9% rise, and professional master’s programs grew by 8.8%. Researchers note that many master’s students transfer from bachelor’s degrees earned in the Netherlands, suggesting that current drops in bachelor intake could lead to smaller future master’s cohorts.
Government Policies and Challenges
The Dutch government has introduced measures to limit the number of international students, such as reducing English-taught courses and capping admissions, aimed at addressing housing shortages and pressure on educational resources. However, these policies have raised concerns among experts about potential negative impacts on the economy, labor market, and university finances. A study estimates that reductions in international students could cost the Dutch economy billions in lost skilled workforce, tax revenues, and business contributions.
Differences Among Universities
Enrollment changes vary across Dutch universities. Technical universities like TU Eindhoven and TU Delft have seen strong growth in international students, with increases of 21-24%. In contrast, universities such as Groningen, Utrecht, and Wageningen report declines in new international bachelor enrollments by 8-10%. Applied sciences institutions also show mixed results, with some growing and others shrinking their international student body.
Long-Term Effects and Outlook
Nuffic warns that declining bachelor’s enrollments will affect overall international student numbers in the coming years, as fewer bachelor students mean fewer potential master’s students in the future. This trend challenges Dutch universities to balance managing student numbers with maintaining the country’s attraction as a global education hub. Policymakers and institutions face the challenge of ensuring educational quality and supporting the economy while addressing local capacity issues. The coming years will be crucial to find a sustainable strategy for internationalisation in Dutch higher education.
