The Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH) and Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) have made administrative agreements with Minister Rianne Letschert of Education, Culture and Science regarding international students. The core point is that both education umbrella organizations will continue their efforts toward a controlled and targeted influx of international students. Sufficient attention will also continue to be paid to Dutch language proficiency.
Earlier, the universities of applied sciences and universities made agreements among themselves. These have now been anchored in the administrative agreements with the minister. The three parties will continue to monitor the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of internationalization. For this reason, the universities of applied sciences and universities will continue to focus their recruitment of international students explicitly on (regional) sectors facing shortages. Where necessary, the number of study places for non-Dutch-language programs will be limited. Educational institutions will also continue to invest in improving the chances of international students staying in the Netherlands. They do this through Dutch language courses and by investing in good preparation for the transition to the Dutch labor market. Furthermore, they warn international students not to come to the Netherlands if they do not yet have accommodation.
Evaluation
The administrative agreements are evaluated every year. During these discussions, the minister and the education umbrella organizations examine whether they need to adjust their agreements in light of developments, for example within the framework of the recently published talent strategy.
In the coalition agreement, D66, VVD, and the CDA stated that they intend to abolish the assessment for non-Dutch-language education in the law. The House of Representatives will receive information on this after the summer.