Netherlands may be working on a plan to curb new international students

In a strategic move to address concerns related to the surge in foreign students, fourteen Dutch universities have collectively agreed to take measures aimed at limiting the influx of international students and enhancing proficiency in the Dutch language among both students and staff. The decision was reported by the National News Agency of the Netherlands (ANP).

As part of these measures, there will be a pause in the development of new bachelor's programs in English. Universities will conduct assessments to identify existing courses offered in English that can be fully translated into Dutch. Master's programs offered in English will remain unaffected by these changes. The active recruitment of personnel through international fairs will not be actively encouraged, except in sectors facing significant labor shortages.

A significant step in this direction is the agreement among universities that core bachelor's programs in key fields, such as economics and psychology, should be primarily taught in Dutch. This move aims to strike a balance between internationalization and ensuring that essential programs are accessible in the native language.


The universities advocate for an enhancement in both Dutch language skills and a deeper understanding of Dutch culture among the academic community. The proposed law, currently in the drafting stage, aims to impose restrictions on the number of foreign students and introduce quotas for programs taught in English.

While efforts have been made in recent years to attract international students, the focus has shifted to address potential drawbacks. Concerns include the possibility that a high enrollment of international students may limit access for Dutch students to various courses. Additionally, the strain on the already limited availability of student housing in cities has raised apprehensions.

Netherlands is one of the many countries that are now taking steps to curb the number of international students being admitted, worsening housing crisis & spiking inflation.