When the previous cabinet wanted to intervene forcefully in the internationalisation of higher education, the universities and universities of applied sciences came up with a counterproposal: what if they brought international inflow into balance themselves? This became known as ‘self-regulation’.
There is now a new cabinet that is less hostile towards internationals. But the recruitment of international students still needs to be targeted: more may come to regions facing population decline, as well as to sectors with shortages such as engineering, healthcare and education. Admitting more internationals to one sector or region means less room in another.
These agreements have now been enshrined in an administrative accord with the minister. But the universities of applied sciences and research universities remain responsible. “Parties are working from the trust and assurance that universities of applied sciences and research universities have committed themselves to implementation,” the agreement states.
Numerus fixus
As previously promised, the thirteen research universities will not admit more than 16,766 international students per year. Each has its own target, though these are not made public.
The [much-discussed](https://dub.uu.nl/nl/nieuws/psychologieopleidingen-willen-niet-worden-geslachtofferd) numerus fixus on psychology bachelor’s programmes remains in place. Numeri fixi will also be introduced for a number of unspecified large English-taught bachelor’s programmes, and for now no new government-funded English-taught bachelor’s programmes will be set up.
Maximum
The universities of applied sciences are only capping the number of international students in the economics domain (with the exception of hotel management schools). Institutions may shift numbers between one another, as long as the overall total is not exceeded.
In addition, both the vocational and research higher education sectors have promised to work on improving international students’ chances of staying in the Netherlands after graduation — for instance, by investing in Dutch language courses and better preparing internationals for the Dutch labour market.
Evaluation
Universities of applied sciences and research universities will evaluate annually, together with the minister, whether the agreements are working. Should developments in society or politics warrant it, the agreements can be adjusted under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).
In exchange for these agreements, the minister has promised to scrap the language test for non-Dutch-taught education entirely from the bill on internationalisation in balance. This language test allowed the minister to limit the number of English-taught programmes. The previous cabinet had already largely shelved the test, so that it would only apply to new programmes. But now universities and universities of applied sciences can decide for themselves what the language of instruction will be, even for new programmes.
Backroom deals
Student organisations ISO and LSVb say they are unhappy not to have been involved in the administrative accord. They criticise its backroom character: “The debate on internationalisation is being pulled out of the public domain. We are very critical of this,” says Evy Kras of the LSVb. They would like to join the annual evaluation.