New statistics international mobility in Dutch higher education
The latest mobility statistics in Dutch higher education, published by Nuffic in August, show that the number of international students studying in the Netherlands continues to grow. ‘’ ‘Mapping Mobility 2012’ shows that the number of Dutch students studying abroad is also on the rise.
Increasing number of international students
The percentage of international students registered at Dutch higher education institutions increased from 8.1% to 8.4% in the 2011-2012 academic year. There was a bigger increase at research universities than at universities of applied sciences, although the latter still have more international students overall.
A total of 87,100 international students followed a study programme, or a part of their studies in the Netherlands in 2011-2012. A large majority of the students of whom we have data on the country of origin came from Germany, followed by China, Belgium, Spain and France. The increase in the number of German students is levelling off. On the other hand, the number of students from Bulgaria, Greece, the UK, Italy and France is growing, which increases the diversity in the international classrooms in the Netherlands.
In the 2011-2012 academic year, for the first time the number of students from countries where Nuffic has a Nuffic Neso Support Office (
Nuffic Neso) also rose above the 10,000 mark.
More Dutch students venturing abroad
In line with one of the focus points of the Dutch government, the number of Dutch students going abroad during their studies is on the rise. The latest statistics show the total number to be about 46,300 students. The majority of those of whom we have data on the country of origin went to the UK, followed by Belgium, Germany, the US and Spain.
Since 2007, Dutch students taking their government grant abroad to study have done so at almost 1,600 institutions in 86 different countries.
Positive impact of gap year
The 2012 edition of Nuffic’s annual ‘Mapping Mobility’ publication also takes a closer look at the gap year phenomenon and its influence on international mobility in higher education.
It lists the number of Dutch students taking a gap year abroad, their reasons for doing this and the expected trends in the number of students taking a gap year. It also discusses the main benefits for the gap year students, as well as for the internationalisation targets in higher education.
Download ‘Mapping Mobility 2012’ for more detailed information