International student numbers rise as people leave US

International student enrollment at Dutch universities is on the rise, with the number of first-year overseas students reaching 17,600 this academic year, a 6% increase from the previous year, according to provisional figures from the university association UNL and the association of universities of applied sciences (VH), reports ANP.

The surge can be attributed to a combination of factors, including people opting to leave the United States due to its current political landscape. Universities had set a cap of 16,766 new international students per year, aiming to protect Dutch students and maintain the Dutch language, preventing internationalization from compromising these aspects.

However, universities have noted that foreign students are increasingly opting to study in Europe, primarily due to the developments in the United States. The rise in foreign students is seen as beneficial, as they predominantly enroll in technical subjects, a sector in dire need of staff. Caspar van den Berg, chair of UNL, highlighted the significance of international talent, especially in priority sectors like technology.

In response to the growing number of international students, several universities have decided to reduce the number of places on certain English-taught courses such as psychology, economics, business administration, and political science to stay within the agreed limits for the upcoming year. The National Student Union ISO expressed opposition to the caps on places, emphasizing that every student should have the freedom to choose their course.