International student enrollment falls in Netherlands after English program restrictions

By Thanh Thu February 23, 2025 | 04:34 pm PT

Students at the Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. Photo courtesy of TU Delft

The number of international students enrolling in bachelor's programs in the Netherlands has declined by 6% compared to last year, marking the lowest figure in four years, according to data from Universiteiten van Nederland (UNL).

Around 17,400 international students have registered for the 2023-2024 academic year, a drop of about 1,000 from the previous year.

Observers attribute this decline to policies implemented by both the government and universities aimed at restricting English-taught courses amid concerns about housing shortages, overcrowded classrooms and increased workloads for lecturers.

Last year, the Dutch House of Representatives called for a reduction in the number of courses delivered in English. At the time, Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robbert Dijkgraaf advised universities to use more Dutch and to limit enrollments of non-EU students in order to maintain education quality.

In response, 14 major Dutch universities announced plans to curb international admissions and halt the creation of new English-taught programs. Some institutions are also considering switching existing English-taught courses to Dutch.

As of last year, about 128,000 international students were studying in the Netherlands. Caspar Van Den Berg, president of UNL, warned that restricting English-taught programs could eliminate certain courses and further reduce international enrollment.

The Netherlands is not alone in applying such measures. In Canada, new visa policies contributed to a 45% drop in study permit approvals last year, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.