College applications rising in 2014

More students have registered for higher education for the coming study year than last year. For the first time, the latest date for applications was the 1st of May.  Last year, students were still able to register for a study until the 1st of October. At many colleges and universities, there was a fear that the new deadline would mean fewer applications. Until late into the night on Thursday evening, 197,564 students applied for a study for the coming school year. In 2013, this was 191,861. The change of application deadline is one of the measures used by institutions to avoid students dropping out in the first year. According to a spokesperson for the minister of Education, Jet Bussemaker, the number of applications fulfilled expectations. "This is good news for everyone, students as well as universities."