Fewer new students at Dutch universities; Decrease most visible among internationals
Dutch universities again enrolled fewer new students this academic year. The number of new bachelor’s students dropped by over 3 percent compared to last year. Intake at universities of applied sciences also decreased slightly, NOS reports, based on new figures from higher education institutions.
At universities, the decline was primarily due to fewer international students. That number fell from 3.6 percent, with the decline being most visible in intake from other European countries. The number of new students from the Netherlands fell by 3.3 percent.
Dutch universities have seen lower enrollment every year since 2020. According to the UNL, an umbrella organization of 14 Dutch universities, the decrease in Dutch students is due to fewer graduates from pre-university education (VWO) in 2025 and more young people opting for a gap year.
The decrease in international students is the result of measures taken by universities and the government in recent years. Universities no longer recruit abroad, and some are warning prospective students about housing shortages in their cities. The caretaker Schoof I Cabinet actively discouraged the internationalization of higher education, among other things, by limiting the number of courses taught in English.
The universities expect enrolment to decline by almost 10 percent over the next decade. “The decline is no longer a future scenario, but a reality,” said UNL chairman Caspar van den Berg. According to Van den Berg, an “inviting talent strategy” is needed to reverse this trend. He applauds the new coalition’s plans for this.
Universities of applied sciences also saw a slight decrease in the number of new students. Enrolment fell by 0.6 percent compared to the previous year, though the figures vary considerably by program.
Teacher training programs (PABOs) saw another big increase in new students. After strong growth last year, 7.6 percent more new students enrolled this year. 6,200 students are now enrolled to become primary school teachers. According to Maurice Limmen, chairman of the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, this is related to the effort invested in recent years to make primary education more attractive.
At the same time, there was a significant decline in post-secondary teacher training programs. Limmen wants more attention paid to making this program more attractive.
The largest decrease was seen in science and technology. ICT programs, in particular, received fewer applications, even though there is still a significant shortage of ICT professionals in the labor market.
