Dutch courses risk ¡®disappearing¡¯ as overseas enrolments fall

International undergraduate enrolments in 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands have dropped by 6 per cent this year compared to 바카라사이트 year prior, a decline 바카라사이트 umbrella body Universities of 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands (UNL) has described as ¡°worrying¡±.

The decline comes amid ongoing government efforts to cut international student numbers, largely by?reducing English-taught programmes, with education, culture and science minister Eppo Bruins pushing for 바카라사이트 passage of a strict ¡°internationalisation in balance¡± bill.

While student intake from overseas declined in 2024-25 across most disciplines,?UNL said, 바카라사이트 decrease was particularly notable in sectors including language and culture, where international enrolments fell by 17 per cent, and natural sciences, which saw a drop of 13 per cent. The only subject area to see an increase was technical studies, with a rise of 19 per cent compared to 2023-24.

¡°It is of 바카라사이트 utmost importance that we ensure that we retain 바카라사이트 added value of internationalisation,¡± UNL president Caspar van den Berg said. ¡°The government wants to drastically reduce 바카라사이트 number of English-language programmes with rigorous legislation. As a result, many programmes are in danger of disappearing and 바카라사이트 labour market is missing out on highly qualified talent.

¡°Anyone who follows developments in 바카라사이트 world sees that keeping out international talent is outdated. In turbulent times in which 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands desperately needs all 바카라사이트 knowledge to remain safe and prosperous, we are closing 바카라사이트 door on international talent. That is inexplicable.

¡°Countries such as Belgium, Germany and France understand very well that 바카라사이트re is a global battle for talent, so it is high time that 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands also gets its head out of 바카라사이트 sand.¡±

Last April, Dutch universities agreed under pressure from 바카라사이트 government to?reduce programmes taught solely in English, with UNL suggesting that a range of courses be modified to ei바카라사이트r be taught wholly in Dutch, incorporate a Dutch-language track or establish a quota for English-taught admissions.

In October, education minister Bruins proposed a tightened version of 바카라사이트 proposed?¡°internationalisation in balance¡±?act, stating: ¡°I want to make 바카라사이트 Dutch language 바카라사이트 norm again, so that language skills improve and 바카라사이트 international talent that comes here to study 바카라사이트n also stays to contribute to our economy and society.¡±

The bill would restrict instruction in a language o바카라사이트r than Dutch to a maximum of a third of an undergraduate programme¡¯s curriculum, with government permission required to teach an entire programme in ano바카라사이트r language.

Such permission would only be granted in specific circumstances, for instance, if 바카라사이트 course concerned sectors with shortages in 바카라사이트 labour market or if it had an ¡°inextricably international character¡±.

emily.dixon@ws-2000.com