Nuffic: Fact sheet on international students in the Netherlands 2025
The Netherlands continues to attract large numbers of international students, who now make up a significant share of its tertiary education landscape. According to a fact sheet released by Nuffic – the organisation for internationalisation in education in the Netherlands – there were 131,004 international degree students enrolled in tertiary education in the Netherlands in the 2024/25 academic year, representing 16.6% of the total student population. The proportion was particularly high at research universities, where more than a quarter (27.2%) of students came from outside the Netherlands, compared with 8.6% at universities of applied sciences
A majority of these students (72.3%) came from within the European Economic Area (EEA), benefiting from lower statutory tuition fees and access to certain financial support. Non-EEA students, who face higher tuition costs and stricter visa conditions, accounted for 27.7%. In 2024/25, institutions in the Netherlands welcomed 39,097 new international enrolments, most of them at research universities.
In the Netherlands, wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO (research universities) offer academic, theory-based programs focussed on developing new knowledge and critical thinking skills, while hoger beroepsonderwijs, hbo (universities of applied sciences) provide practical, hands-on education preparing students for specific professions through project-based learning and internships.
Growth and trends
While the overall number of international students in the Netherlands has continued to rise, growth has slowed. Research universities saw a 4.1% fall in new enrolments compared to the previous year, while universities of applied sciences recorded a 5.4% decline. However, total numbers still increased slightly because more students started than graduated, with international students now forming a steadily growing share of the student body.
Drop-out rates remain higher among international students in their first year – 17% compared with 3.5% for local students. Yet once settled, international students often perform well: around two-thirds of students from outside the Netherlands complete their degree within 4 years, slightly outpacing Dutch peers.
Languages of Instruction
Language continues to play an important role in the debate over internationalisation. At research universities, most bachelor’s programmes are still taught in Dutch (51%), though a third are fully English-taught. At master’s level, the dominance of English is clear: 71% of programmes are taught exclusively in English. This has fuelled concerns about the position of Dutch as a language of science and scholarship, especially as nearly half of academic staff come from outside the Netherlands.
Challenges
The influx of international students has raised several short-term challenges. Universities face capacity pressures in lecture halls and laboratories, although teaching quality remains stable. A more acute issue is the housing shortage: in 2023/24, an estimated 23,100 student homes were lacking in major cities, hitting international students hardest as they are less able to live with family.
Financially, the large number of EEA students, who pay subsidised fees, has strained education budgets, while institutions often rely on the higher fees paid by non-EEA students. Mental health is another area of concern: international students report higher rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness, linked to housing difficulties, cultural adjustment and limited social support.
Benefits
Despite these issues, the long-term benefits are substantial. International students contribute positively to the Dutch economy, especially as around 25% remain in the Netherlands 5 years after graduation. Stay rates are higher for non-EEA graduates (39%) than for their EEA counterparts (30%). Many of those who remain fill roles in shortage sectors such as healthcare, education and ICT, easing labour market pressures.
Beyond economics, Nuffic reports that internationalisation enriches classrooms in the Netherlands, fostering intercultural learning and preparing all students for global careers. Graduates who return home often act as informal ambassadors, strengthening international ties and promoting Dutch expertise abroad.
In sum, while the Netherlands faces short-term challenges in housing, funding and language policy, Nuffic views the presence of international students as a net gain – boosting the local economy, enriching academic life and addressing labour shortages in critical sectors.
Link to fact sheet:
