In the academic year 2024–25, the number of international degree students in the Netherlands continued to rise, though at the slowest recorded growth rate in the past decade. According to Nuffic, 131,004 international students are currently enrolled in full degree programmes at both universities of applied sciences (UAS) and research universities (RU). This is 3,835 more than the previous year, representing an increase of 3%. The proportion of international students in Dutch higher education has grown from 15.9 % in 2023–24 to 16.6 % in 2024–25.   

A total of 51,796 new international students enrolled in 2024–25—just 0.4 percent more than the previous academic year, marking the smallest growth since measurements began in 2007–08. However, differences were observed between bachelor’s and master’s programmes. In bachelor’s programmes, the number of new international students declined: enrolments fell by 6.7% at UAS and 5.2% at RU. By contrast, master’s programmes experienced growth, with new international enrolments rising by 8.8% at UAS and 9.9% at RU. This growth is partly explained by students who were already studying in the Netherlands and chose to continue into a master’s degree.    

A further variation in new enrolments was observed between students from the European Economic Area (EEA) and non-EEA countries: enrolments from EEA countries decreased slightly by about 1%, while those from non-EEA countries increased by 3%. Nuffic highlights additional differences based on country of origin. While Germany remains by far the most common country of origin for international degree students in the Netherlands, the number of new German enrolments has fallen to its lowest level in ten years, at 7,265. By contrast, Turkey stands out with the strongest increase: the number of Turkish students enrolling in Dutch higher education rose by 25% compared to the previous year.    

Preliminary figures for 2025–26 suggest that overall numbers may decline further, reflecting measures already introduced by universities to regulate international inflows, including limits on large English-taught bachelor’s programmes and expanded Dutch-language provisions (see more in ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, August 2025). 

Read the full report here.