Dutch universities are raising alarms over proposed government plans to reduce international student intake and limit English-taught degrees, arguing that such measures could seriously impact the quality of education in the Netherlands. Caspar van den Berg, president of the Universities of the Netherlands (UNL), called the policies “an austerity exercise” and warned that the government’s “blunt approach” would have severe repercussions for the Dutch academic sector and for the country’s position as a global leader in higher education and research.
Outlined by Education Minister Eppo Bruins in a letter to the House of Representatives on October 15, the new Balanced Internationalisation Bill aims to increase the proportion of Dutch-taught programs, cap English-language student enrollment, and restrict the number of international students. Officially, the bill seeks to address several issues: improving international students’ Dutch language proficiency, easing the student housing crisis, and boosting the post-graduation retention rate of students. However, UNL and others in the academic community argue that these cuts would ultimately damage the Netherlands’ global academic reputation, limit scientific talent, and reduce the financial stability of universities.
The Balanced Internationalisation Bill requires that at least two-thirds of bachelor’s degrees be taught in Dutch, with exceptions for universities in border regions, those addressing labor market shortages, unique programs offered in only one location, and inherently international degrees. For a bachelor’s degree to be offered entirely in a foreign language, universities will need approval from the education minister and must pass a Foreign Language Education Test (TAO), further reducing institutional autonomy.
Beyond stricter program regulations, the bill also proposes a €293 million budget cut focused specifically on reducing international student numbers. “The government is bluntly chopping away at universities,” van den Berg said, adding that such cuts would likely force certain degree programs to close, impacting students, faculty, and the diversity of research offered by Dutch institutions.
Currently, Dutch research universities offer a wide range of options in terms of language: according to Nuffic, the Dutch organization for internationalization in education, 52% of bachelor’s programs are taught in Dutch, 30% in English, and 18% in a combination of both. Starting in the 2025/26 academic year, however, universities will have the ability to cap student numbers specifically for English-language tracks within bilingual programs, a level of control they previously lacked. Programs that will fall under this cap will be confirmed at the end of the year, with the Internationalisation Bill itself set for a vote in 2025.
While some education officials, including spokespeople from Nuffic, agree that regulation may help stabilize programs and reduce strain on resources, they caution that heavy restrictions could damage the labor market and impact regions with shrinking populations. “In the past, some programs had too few study places and teachers to accommodate all students… which put the quality of education under pressure,” a Nuffic spokesperson explained. However, the spokesperson also emphasized the importance of maintaining flexibility to attract international talent, especially in areas where population declines are significant.
Another key goal of the new policy is to improve international students’ Dutch language skills and increase their likelihood of staying in the country post-graduation. Currently, only about 25% of international students remain in the Netherlands five years after graduating, with language barriers often cited as a primary reason. The retention rate for European Economic Area (EEA) students, who pay the same tuition fees as Dutch students, is even lower, partly due to language-related integration challenges. Bruins highlighted the importance of language fluency in supporting retention, explaining, “We want to attract talented international students, but we want the right ones, who are more likely to stay and work in the Netherlands if they learn Dutch.”
UNL, however, questions whether the proposed restrictions are legally enforceable under European Union treaties on the free movement of persons. The organization is urging the Council of State to conduct a review of the Bill and consider a more balanced approach that preserves the Netherlands’ role as a leading knowledge economy without sacrificing quality or diversity.
Earlier this year, Dutch universities proposed their own plan to manage international student numbers while promoting the Dutch language and maintaining educational quality. But the new coalition government, led by a four-party alliance with the far-right PVV as the largest party, has taken a more restrictive approach to internationalization in higher education.
If passed, the Balanced Internationalisation Bill will likely have profound effects on Dutch universities, reshaping both the academic landscape and the cultural and economic role of higher education in the Netherlands.
