Foreign students planning to study in the Netherlands will soon be required to have a command of the Dutch language, with the majority of bachelor degree programs mandating that

two-thirds of the curriculum be taught in Dutch, according to Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf, who addressed the parliamentary education committee.

The minister has faced mounting pressure to address the influx of international students at Dutch universities and HBO colleges and the prevalence of English as the primary medium of instruction.

Dijkgraaf explained that Dutch language lessons could be offered as additional courses rather than integrated into the core curriculum. The aim is to moderate the growth of international student enrollment and encourage those who do come to stay and work in the Netherlands.

"In my view, it is entirely possible to study in Dutch while having one-third of the curriculum in English, allowing for a combination," he told MPs. "On one hand, this ensures accessibility, and on the other, it provides added value for all students by exposing them to exceptional English-speaking instructors."

The minister emphasized that his long-awaited education bill would establish Dutch as the language of instruction, but there would be room in the curriculum for other languages. For example, specialized music studies could be conducted in Italian, theoretical physics in English, and physiotherapy courses near the German border in German.

"Dutch will be the language of education as the starting point," he said. "However, there can be space within the curriculum for another language, but my proposal is that it should not exceed one-third. This means that the majority of education will be in Dutch, but if a few specialized subjects are taught in English, that will be permitted... Exceptions are possible, but they will require special permission."

Better Management

In April, the Ministry of Education announced that the new bill aims to "better manage and steer" the number of international students in the Netherlands. Concerns have arisen across the country that an excessive focus on offering English-language education has resulted in a displacement of Dutch talent by students from abroad.

Currently, there are 220,000 international students studying at Dutch universities, which is three and a half times more than in the 2005 academic year. Approximately 40% of new university students come from overseas, constituting around 23% of the total population.

During the committee discussion, independent MP Pieter Omtzigt pointed out that Dutch universities' costs are considerably lower than those in some other countries, and EU students may qualify for Dutch grants. Minister Dijkgraaf acknowledged this as the "elephant in the room" and stated that it was legally unavoidable under EU free movement rules and rights.

Jeanet van der Laan, a D66 MP, suggested that mandatory Dutch language proficiency could improve the "stay rate" of international students and help fill job vacancies in the Netherlands.

However, Dijkgraaf also emphasized the importance of providing proper support for international students while they are in the country, particularly regarding mental well-being. A recent Trimbos report highlighted the vulnerability of international students to stress and study pressure.

"I believe that if we allow students to come here, we need to take good care of them," he said. "This involves not only accommodation but also healthcare, and it places significant demands on institutions... We are developing an action plan for student housing, with specific attention given to international students."

The proposed bill and ensuing debate, extensively covered in Dutch media, have already raised concerns among international students and teachers at Dutch universities. Photo by Michal Klajban, Wikimedia commons.