English is a key factor when choosing to study in the Netherlands

While the motivations behind studying abroad have been extensively researched, far less is known about why students choose a specific destination country. To fill this gap, Nuffic investigated what drives international students to pursue their bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands.

"There is a wealth of literature on the motivation to study abroad," says Nuffic researcher Ece Arat. "But we know much less about why students choose country A over country B."

"We noticed that students constantly weigh different countries against one another; it is rarely a straightforward choice,” Arat explains. “For instance, many considered studying in the United States but were discouraged by their parents, who felt it was too far away or unsafe. For others, having family already living in the Netherlands was a deciding factor."

Brexit is also impacting this decision-making process. While the United Kingdom remains the most frequently mentioned alternative to the US, skyrocketing tuition fees and complex visa procedures ultimately push students toward the Netherlands. "Students told us that, post-Brexit, the Netherlands has become the premier choice if you want to study in English," Arat says.

English on and off campus

English is the primary driver behind the decision to study in the Netherlands. Nearly 9 in 10 respondents (89.7 percent) cite the wide availability of English-taught programmes as (very) important. The widespread use of English in daily life scores almost as highly at 87.1 percent. "I found that to be a fascinating observation," Arat notes. “It is not just about your studies, but also about your life outside of them."

The report shows that this is precisely where bachelor's students face a pitfall. Once they arrive, the Dutch language proves to be far more critical than expected, particularly for socialising and securing a part-time job. "Students indicated that they had seriously underestimated the importance of the Dutch language," Arat says.

Balancing quality and cost

The Netherlands is widely recognized for combining high-quality education with relatively affordable tuition fees. More than 8 in 10 students (82.8 percent) consider affordable tuition a key factor. Meanwhile, programme quality and rankings are important to 80.5 percent of respondents, while quality of life appeals to 86.1 percent.

Career prospects also influence the choice of where to pursue a bachelor’s degree. However, students look primarily at opportunities in the international labour market (78.1 percent), rather than those within the Netherlands (67.9 percent). "That surprised us," Arat says. "Bachelor's students are not yet focused on concrete plans for life after graduation. Their main thought is: 'The Netherlands has a good reputation, which looks great on my CV.' For master's students, we would likely see different results."

In Zeeland, accommodation is a major plus

The student housing shortage is not felt equally everywhere. At HZ University of Applied Sciences in Zeeland, the issue is practically non-existent. Out of more than 4,100 full-time students, 831 are international, hailing from 86 countries. They are primarily enrolled in the university's nine (partly) English-taught degree programmes, which range from Water Management and Chemistry to International Business.

"Housing shortages are far less of a concern here," says Pieter-Bart Visscher, manager at HZ Nexus. "In fact, the availability of student accommodation is a key reason why students choose Zeeland. On top of that, many are drawn to the relative tranquility that the region offers."

International students vital for a region facing population decline

International students are crucial for a region like Zeeland, Visscher points out. “Demographically, the number of school leavers in Zeeland is shrinking,” the HZ Nexus manager explains. “Relying solely on domestic enrollment makes it difficult to sustain our degree programmes—and, ultimately, to keep the regional workforce fully staffed.” Consequently, international students provide a vital lifeline.

Visscher notes that the region offers abundant employment opportunities. "We boast a major logistics and chemical cluster, we are actively tackling energy transition challenges, and we are strategically located between three of Europe’s largest seaports," he says. "This creates plenty of career prospects, particularly for international talent."

Positive impression, structural bottlenecks

According to the report, just over three-quarters of students (77.5 percent) feel their experience pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands has lived up to their expectations. The quality of education, safety, and the international environment received particularly high marks.

However, many bachelor's students were surprised by the distinction between universities of applied sciences (hbo) and research universities (wo). Just over 4 in 10 (40.1 percent) did not fully understand what this difference entailed when they applied. "This binary system does not exist in every country," Arat explains. "Students enroll at a university of applied sciences, only to discover later that it is not always perceived as a traditional university. For some, that comes as a disappointment."

Images: Marit Hazebroek and Frans Nikkels (University of Twente)