The Netherlands: when the deal is this good, why are you still at home?
13 years, 11 months ago

The Netherlands: when the deal is this good, why are you still at home?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. They now have a reputation for being the most prolific linguists in the world, and it’s not uncommon to meet “everyday” Dutch people who can comfortably switch between their native tongue, English and German. What’s more these courses have become increasingly popular with Dutch students, most of whom can speak pretty decent English by their late teens and who see the benefits in the job market of being able to boast the true bilingual attributes that a degree taught in English would offer. “The Dutch people are aware that, whatever they do in life, they will be in contact with people from elsewhere,” says Jeanine Gregerson, director of marketing at Maastricht University, “so it’s for our own good we have so many courses taught in the English language, as well as being useful in attracting international students to study here.” There are two main categories of university in the Netherlands that offer three-year degree courses taught in English. “It’s also a highly personalised education system, especially in the later phases of a degree.” However, prospective students, seduced maybe by the Netherlands’ reputation as a liberal, free-living and freethinking society, should not assume this means university life will be a breeze and an easy ride.

English Netherlands University British Study Brits Universities Courses Taught Dutch Universities Dutch Students British Students  universities  deal  study  english  good  netherlands  courses  dutch  students  taught  british  university

History of this topic

New law to limit foreign student total sent to Dutch parliament
10 months ago

New law to limit foreign student total sent to Dutch parliament

Dutch News  

Long-awaited legislation to reduce the number of international students at Dutch universities and to encourage those who come to learn Dutch, has finally been published. The new legislation, Dijkgraaf told the Volkskrant in an interview, will give colleges and universities sufficient means to manage the number of non-EU students on some courses, while taking into account the needs of specific …

New law to limit foreign student total sent to Dutch parliament
10 months ago

New law to limit foreign student total sent to Dutch parliament

Dutch News  

Long-awaited legislation to reduce the number of international students at Dutch universities and to encourage those who come to learn Dutch, has finally been published. The new legislation, Dijkgraaf told the Volkskrant in an interview, will give colleges and universities sufficient means to manage the number of non-EU students on some courses, while taking into account the needs of specific …

Dutch first: universities launch plan for fewer foreign students
1 year, 1 month ago

Dutch first: universities launch plan for fewer foreign students

Dutch News  

Dutch universities have come up with a voluntary plan to reduce the number of international students and increase the amount of Dutch-language degrees. Under the threat of a new higher education bill to “better manage and steer” the numbers of global students, Dutch university chiefs got together this week and thrashed out an alternative plan. According to higher education association …

Dutch first: universities launch plan for fewer foreign students
1 year, 1 month ago

Dutch first: universities launch plan for fewer foreign students

Dutch News  

Dutch universities have come up with a voluntary plan to reduce the number of international students and increase the amount of Dutch-language degrees. Under the threat of a new higher education bill to “better manage and steer” the numbers of global students, Dutch university chiefs got together this week and thrashed out an alternative plan. According to higher education association …

Dutch universities raise concerns over Cabinet's plan to reduce English instruction
1 year, 5 months ago

Dutch universities raise concerns over Cabinet's plan to reduce English instruction

NL Times  

The Cabinet drafted a bill in July aiming to reduce English instruction in higher education in the Netherlands. In July, outgoing Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf drafted a bill to combat what the Cabinet considers to be an excess of internationalization of Dutch higher education. In addition, he noted that most international students do not stay in the Netherlands to work …

Dutch universities, students slam plans to slash English courses
1 year, 8 months ago

Dutch universities, students slam plans to slash English courses

Dutch News  

Universities, teaching staff and students have criticised the government’s plans to reduce the use of English in Dutch education institutes, saying it will damage both their reputation and research. The University of Groningen issued a statement saying Dijkgraaf’s plans, outlined to MPs last week, would seem to “impair our ability to contribute to the Dutch knowledge economy”. University board president …

British student numbers in the Netherlands plunge 24%
2 years, 11 months ago

British student numbers in the Netherlands plunge 24%

Dutch News  

The number of British students studying at a Dutch university has plunged 24% in the past year, as Brexit leads to fee hikes and other issues, according to figures published by international education agency Nuffic. In total, just 2,372, British students were enrolled at a Dutch higher education institution in the current academic year, a drop of 760 on a …

British student numbers in the Netherlands plunge 24%
2 years, 11 months ago

British student numbers in the Netherlands plunge 24%

Dutch News  

The number of British students studying at a Dutch university has plunged 24% in the past year, as Brexit leads to fee hikes and other issues, according to figures published by international education agency Nuffic. In total, just 2,372, British students were enrolled at a Dutch higher education institution in the current academic year, a drop of 760 on a …

The Anglicisation of higher education in the Netherlands is typically Dutch
5 years, 2 months ago

The Anglicisation of higher education in the Netherlands is typically Dutch

Dutch News  

The use of English in higher education in the Netherlands is typical of the Dutch outward-looking attitude, say D66 MP Jan Paternotte, and former D66 senator and University of Amsterdam professor Alexander Rinnooy Kan. A decade ago University of Groningen professor Auke van der Would warned the Netherlands would become a ‘second rate language’ and in 1993 Tom McArthur used …

The Anglicisation of higher education in the Netherlands is typically Dutch
5 years, 2 months ago

The Anglicisation of higher education in the Netherlands is typically Dutch

Dutch News  

The use of English in higher education in the Netherlands is typical of the Dutch outward-looking attitude, say D66 MP Jan Paternotte, and former D66 senator and University of Amsterdam professor Alexander Rinnooy Kan. A decade ago University of Groningen professor Auke van der Would warned the Netherlands would become a ‘second rate language’ and in 1993 Tom McArthur used …

Brexit and me: 'It was a no-brainer to study here, as an EU citizen'
5 years, 3 months ago

Brexit and me: 'It was a no-brainer to study here, as an EU citizen'

Dutch News  

How are British nationals in the Netherlands coping with Brexit? ‘After the election was called, the more I heard this narrative of: ‘I’m so sick and tired of Brexit, let’s just get it done,’ the more I thought: ‘OK, this is the mood of a lot of people in the country, maybe even a majority.’ I am hopeful for another …

Brexit and me: 'It was a no-brainer to study here, as an EU citizen'
5 years, 3 months ago

Brexit and me: 'It was a no-brainer to study here, as an EU citizen'

Dutch News  

How are British nationals in the Netherlands coping with Brexit? ‘After the election was called, the more I heard this narrative of: ‘I’m so sick and tired of Brexit, let’s just get it done,’ the more I thought: ‘OK, this is the mood of a lot of people in the country, maybe even a majority.’ I am hopeful for another …

Rotterdammers best at speaking English? New survey fails the test
5 years, 4 months ago

Rotterdammers best at speaking English? New survey fails the test

Dutch News  

The Dutch press have been quick to champion Rotterdam’s English speaking skills following publication of a report claiming Rotterdammers have the best English in the world. The research gives Rotterdammers a score of 71.68 out of 100, just ahead of Amsterdam and The Hague, and says Rotterdam’s maritime history and the presence of international companies and Erasmus University are behind …

Rotterdammers best at speaking English? New survey fails the test
5 years, 4 months ago

Rotterdammers best at speaking English? New survey fails the test

Dutch News  

The Dutch press have been quick to champion Rotterdam’s English speaking skills following publication of a report claiming Rotterdammers have the best English in the world. The research gives Rotterdammers a score of 71.68 out of 100, just ahead of Amsterdam and The Hague, and says Rotterdam’s maritime history and the presence of international companies and Erasmus University are behind …

Foreign students may face Dutch language lessons: Times Higher Education
5 years, 7 months ago

Foreign students may face Dutch language lessons: Times Higher Education

Dutch News  

Dutch universities fear the government may be planning to bring in some form of compulsory Dutch lessons for foreign students, Times Higher Education said on Thursday. There has been mounting concern in the Netherlands about the number of foreign students attending Dutch university and college courses, prompting many degrees to be only offered in Dutch. In June 2018, education minister …

Foreign students may face Dutch language lessons: Times Higher Education
5 years, 7 months ago

Foreign students may face Dutch language lessons: Times Higher Education

Dutch News  

Dutch universities fear the government may be planning to bring in some form of compulsory Dutch lessons for foreign students, Times Higher Education said on Thursday. There has been mounting concern in the Netherlands about the number of foreign students attending Dutch university and college courses, prompting many degrees to be only offered in Dutch. In June 2018, education minister …

Internationally awkward – how to learn Dutch when your office speaks English?
5 years, 8 months ago

Internationally awkward – how to learn Dutch when your office speaks English?

Dutch News  

Learning Dutch in an international work environment can be tough especially if English is your common language. ‘Because I couldn’t speak it a lot, I just quit.’ ‘In my office there are Dutch people, but we always speak English,’ he says. He says: ‘After five years, I have the right to apply for a Dutch passport, which is triggering me …

Dutch language disappearing abroad; funding falls far behind other EU countries
5 years, 9 months ago

Dutch language disappearing abroad; funding falls far behind other EU countries

NL Times  

The Netherlands and Flanders spend much less money on foreign education in Dutch than other countries do no their language. The Netherlands and Flanders spend only 7.5 cents per resident on teaching Dutch abroad, according to the Taalunie. Other, non European countries are even "proactive" in the promotion of their language abroad, often having this managed by the Ministry of …

International students struggle to connect with their Dutch peers: study
5 years, 9 months ago

International students struggle to connect with their Dutch peers: study

NL Times  

International students in the Netherlands are very positive about the quality of Dutch lecturers, but they struggle to feel at home in the country, according to a survey by three student organizations. The student organizations call on lecturers to let foreign and Dutch students work together more often, and to pay more attention to cultural differences in the lecture halls. …

Fewer students study Dutch in the Netherlands, but abroad it is popular
6 years, 6 months ago

Fewer students study Dutch in the Netherlands, but abroad it is popular

Dutch News  

Just 700 students signed up for a bachelor’s degree in Dutch at a university in the Netherlands last year, but outside the country, an estimated 14,000 students are studying the language and literature, the Volkskrant reported on Monday. The number of students studying their own language at university level has nosedived some 60% in the last 10 years and just …

Fewer students study Dutch in the Netherlands, but abroad it is popular
6 years, 6 months ago

Fewer students study Dutch in the Netherlands, but abroad it is popular

Dutch News  

Just 700 students signed up for a bachelor’s degree in Dutch at a university in the Netherlands last year, but outside the country, an estimated 14,000 students are studying the language and literature, the Volkskrant reported on Monday. The number of students studying their own language at university level has nosedived some 60% in the last 10 years and just …

Dutch universities can teach in English, says court ruling
6 years, 8 months ago

Dutch universities can teach in English, says court ruling

Dutch News  

The universities of Maastricht and Twente can offer bachelor’s degrees in psychology in English, according to a court ruling on Friday. A case had been brought by the lobby group Beter Onderwijs Nederland, claiming that teaching these degrees in English broke the higher education and research laws. The group had also argued that ‘Anglicising’ Dutch education and making English the …

Dutch universities can teach in English, says court ruling
6 years, 8 months ago

Dutch universities can teach in English, says court ruling

Dutch News  

The universities of Maastricht and Twente can offer bachelor’s degrees in psychology in English, according to a court ruling on Friday. A case had been brought by the lobby group Beter Onderwijs Nederland, claiming that teaching these degrees in English broke the higher education and research laws. The group had also argued that ‘Anglicising’ Dutch education and making English the …

Students mark down lecturers’ English, just half are happy with ‘internationalisation’
6 years, 8 months ago

Students mark down lecturers’ English, just half are happy with ‘internationalisation’

Dutch News  

Students in the Netherlands are slightly less positive about their courses in general this year, with the quality of lecturers’ English in particular being marked down. And the mark for lecturers’ English also slipped slightly but remains just below four points out of 10. ‘Satisfaction with internationalisation has dropped and remains very low,’ said Tom van der Brink, chairman of …

Students mark down lecturers’ English, just half are happy with ‘internationalisation’
6 years, 8 months ago

Students mark down lecturers’ English, just half are happy with ‘internationalisation’

Dutch News  

Students in the Netherlands are slightly less positive about their courses in general this year, with the quality of lecturers’ English in particular being marked down. And the mark for lecturers’ English also slipped slightly but remains just below four points out of 10. ‘Satisfaction with internationalisation has dropped and remains very low,’ said Tom van der Brink, chairman of …

English at university is fine, says minister, as long as standards don’t suffer
6 years, 9 months ago

English at university is fine, says minister, as long as standards don’t suffer

Dutch News  

The Dutch higher education system can continue to offer more courses and degrees in English, as long as it leads to an improvement in standards and that Dutch students are not forced out, education minister Ingrid van Engelshoven said on Monday. In addition, it should be possible for universities and colleges to give priority to Dutch students, Engelshoven said in …

English at university is fine, says minister, as long as standards don’t suffer
6 years, 9 months ago

English at university is fine, says minister, as long as standards don’t suffer

Dutch News  

The Dutch higher education system can continue to offer more courses and degrees in English, as long as it leads to an improvement in standards and that Dutch students are not forced out, education minister Ingrid van Engelshoven said on Monday. In addition, it should be possible for universities and colleges to give priority to Dutch students, Engelshoven said in …

'Dutch universities reach deal to limit (foreign) student numbers'
6 years, 10 months ago

'Dutch universities reach deal to limit (foreign) student numbers'

Dutch News  

The 13 Dutch universities have reached agreement on braking the growth in student numbers, particularly from abroad, the NRC said on Friday. The plan will be presented to education minister Ingrid van Engelshoven on Monday and will outline how the universities plan to slow student number growth and if more limits will be placed on the number of first years …

'Dutch universities reach deal to limit (foreign) student numbers'
6 years, 10 months ago

'Dutch universities reach deal to limit (foreign) student numbers'

Dutch News  

The 13 Dutch universities have reached agreement on braking the growth in student numbers, particularly from abroad, the NRC said on Friday. The plan will be presented to education minister Ingrid van Engelshoven on Monday and will outline how the universities plan to slow student number growth and if more limits will be placed on the number of first years …

10 ways Webster Leiden differs from Dutch universities
6 years, 10 months ago

10 ways Webster Leiden differs from Dutch universities

Dutch News  

Are you thinking about pursuing a degree here in the Netherlands? 1 Smaller classes Many of the lecture halls you’ll find at Dutch universities can accommodate dozens of students, often more than a hundred at any one time. 2 More individual attention from professors Webster Leiden’s classrooms and curriculum allow for more engagement between students and educators. 10 It’s more …

Foreign students dominate in 210 Dutch university and college courses
7 years ago

Foreign students dominate in 210 Dutch university and college courses

Dutch News  

Dutch students are increasingly in a minority in Dutch university lecture halls and foreign students dominate in some 210 different courses, the Volkskrant said on Thursday. The number of foreign students at Dutch universities and hbo colleges has doubled in 10 years, hitting 122,000 this academic year. The rise in the number of foreign students, attracted by relatively low fees …

Foreign students dominate in 210 Dutch university and college courses
7 years ago

Foreign students dominate in 210 Dutch university and college courses

Dutch News  

Dutch students are increasingly in a minority in Dutch university lecture halls and foreign students dominate in some 210 different courses, the Volkskrant said on Thursday. The number of foreign students at Dutch universities and hbo colleges has doubled in 10 years, hitting 122,000 this academic year. The rise in the number of foreign students, attracted by relatively low fees …

Netherlands attracts more foreign students; worrying trend, student union says
7 years ago

Netherlands attracts more foreign students; worrying trend, student union says

NL Times  

A total of 122 thousand international students from 162 different countries are currently studying at a Dutch university or university of applied science, 10 thousand more than last year, according to an analysis by Nuffic. Dutch universities' continuing focus on attracting as many international students as possible is a worrying trend, according to student union LSVb. Around 80 thousand Dutch …

Record numbers of foreign students at Dutch universities of technology
7 years, 1 month ago

Record numbers of foreign students at Dutch universities of technology

Dutch News  

The number of foreign students doing engineering and technical degrees in the Netherlands has never been higher, reports the Financieele Dagblad on Friday. Figures released from international education body Nuffic show that in the 2017/18 academic year, one in three Master’s degree students at the universities of Delft, Wageningen, Eindhoven and Enschede comes from abroad. But the FD puts the …

Record numbers of foreign students at Dutch universities of technology
7 years, 1 month ago

Record numbers of foreign students at Dutch universities of technology

Dutch News  

The number of foreign students doing engineering and technical degrees in the Netherlands has never been higher, reports the Financieele Dagblad on Friday. Figures released from international education body Nuffic show that in the 2017/18 academic year, one in three Master’s degree students at the universities of Delft, Wageningen, Eindhoven and Enschede comes from abroad. But the FD puts the …

Dutch student hopefuls are being disadvantaged by 'English madness'
7 years, 1 month ago

Dutch student hopefuls are being disadvantaged by 'English madness'

Dutch News  

Dutch students risk losing out on university places because of the surge in foreign students attracted by degree courses in English, the Telegraaf said on Friday. ‘Internationalisation is a good thing but if the over-representation of foreign students becomes a problem, universities should ask themselves if they should be offering certain subjects in English,’ said Pieter Duisenberg, chairman of the …

Dutch student hopefuls are being disadvantaged by 'English madness'
7 years, 1 month ago

Dutch student hopefuls are being disadvantaged by 'English madness'

Dutch News  

Dutch students risk losing out on university places because of the surge in foreign students attracted by degree courses in English, the Telegraaf said on Friday. ‘Internationalisation is a good thing but if the over-representation of foreign students becomes a problem, universities should ask themselves if they should be offering certain subjects in English,’ said Pieter Duisenberg, chairman of the …

Switching to English detrimental for Netherlands education quality: study
7 years, 8 months ago

Switching to English detrimental for Netherlands education quality: study

NL Times  

Colleges and universities in the Netherlands are too quick to switch to giving lectures and courses in English, according to researchers from the Dutch academy of sciences KNAW. They put the quality of education under pressure by not paying enough attention to whether lecturers and students have a proper grasp of English before switching, the researchers conclude, AD reports. Of …

Dutch universities again under fire over English; court case looms
7 years, 9 months ago

Dutch universities again under fire over English; court case looms

Dutch News  

A lobby group which works to boost educational standards in the Netherlands is planning to take the government to court because too many college and university courses are being given in English. The lobby group says colleges and universities are switching to English to earn money and this is damaging Dutch students. ‘Colleges and universities complain that first years are …

Dutch universities again under fire over English; court case looms
7 years, 9 months ago

Dutch universities again under fire over English; court case looms

Dutch News  

A lobby group which works to boost educational standards in the Netherlands is planning to take the government to court because too many college and university courses are being given in English. The lobby group says colleges and universities are switching to English to earn money and this is damaging Dutch students. ‘Colleges and universities complain that first years are …

Universities threatened for teaching in English instead of Dutch
7 years, 9 months ago

Universities threatened for teaching in English instead of Dutch

NL Times  

Education organization BON thinks that Dutch universities and colleges offer too many courses in English instead of Dutch to attract foreign students, instead of focusing on whether the switch to English will improve the course. It also states that higher education institutions must pay attention to the Dutch language, according to the organization. And many Dutch students don't understand English …

Dutch top English proficiency ranking, but can they speak it?
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch top English proficiency ranking, but can they speak it?

Dutch News  

The Netherlands has topped a new international ranking of proficiency in English, narrowly overtaking Denmark for the first time. ‘English is becoming a basic skill for the entire global workforce, in the same way that literacy has transformed in the last two centuries from an elite privilege into a basic requirement for informed citizenship,’ the organisation said. However, the index …

Dutch top English proficiency ranking, but can they speak it?
8 years, 4 months ago

Dutch top English proficiency ranking, but can they speak it?

Dutch News  

The Netherlands has topped a new international ranking of proficiency in English, narrowly overtaking Denmark for the first time. ‘English is becoming a basic skill for the entire global workforce, in the same way that literacy has transformed in the last two centuries from an elite privilege into a basic requirement for informed citizenship,’ the organisation said. However, the index …

Dutch universities drop in international ranking
8 years, 6 months ago

Dutch universities drop in international ranking

Dutch News  

Dutch universities have fallen on an annual international ranking chart, with just two in the top 100 compared with five last year. But, reports NOS, despite their best efforts to attract international students and teach ever more courses in English, most Dutch universities have fallen down the rankings. A survey in the Volkskrant last month suggested that 60% of Dutch …

Dutch universities drop in international ranking
8 years, 6 months ago

Dutch universities drop in international ranking

Dutch News  

Dutch universities have fallen on an annual international ranking chart, with just two in the top 100 compared with five last year. But, reports NOS, despite their best efforts to attract international students and teach ever more courses in English, most Dutch universities have fallen down the rankings. A survey in the Volkskrant last month suggested that 60% of Dutch …

English takes over at Dutch universities, just 40% of courses still in Dutch
8 years, 6 months ago

English takes over at Dutch universities, just 40% of courses still in Dutch

Dutch News  

More than half of Dutch university courses are taught entirely in English, the Volkskrant said on Friday. ‘We are convinced that this will lead to better education and more opportunities for students in the international jobs market,’ Bastiaan Verweij of the Dutch university association VSNU told the paper. ‘Offering English education is part of this.’ Criticism Nevertheless, the shift is …

English takes over at Dutch universities, just 40% of courses still in Dutch
8 years, 6 months ago

English takes over at Dutch universities, just 40% of courses still in Dutch

Dutch News  

More than half of Dutch university courses are taught entirely in English, the Volkskrant said on Friday. ‘We are convinced that this will lead to better education and more opportunities for students in the international jobs market,’ Bastiaan Verweij of the Dutch university association VSNU told the paper. ‘Offering English education is part of this.’ Criticism Nevertheless, the shift is …

Bad English makes many university lecturers incomprehensible, say students
9 years, 3 months ago

Bad English makes many university lecturers incomprehensible, say students

Dutch News  

Some lectures at Dutch universities and hbo colleges are given in such bad English that no one can understand them, according to research by students’ union LSVB. A large majority of the 269 students questioned criticised the level of English of lecturers and professors and said they learned less from bad English lectures than those given in Dutch. ‘There are …

Bad English makes many university lecturers incomprehensible, say students
9 years, 3 months ago

Bad English makes many university lecturers incomprehensible, say students

Dutch News  

Some lectures at Dutch universities and hbo colleges are given in such bad English that no one can understand them, according to research by students’ union LSVB. A large majority of the 269 students questioned criticised the level of English of lecturers and professors and said they learned less from bad English lectures than those given in Dutch. ‘There are …

Survey: 60% of students find lecturers' English substandard
9 years, 3 months ago

Survey: 60% of students find lecturers' English substandard

NL Times  

Some English-languaged lectures at Dutch universities and colleges are given in such bad English that the students have a hard time following what's going on, according to a study done by student union LSVb. A massive 57 percent of the 269 surveyed students indicated that their lecturer's English is substandard and that they would have gained more knowledge if the …

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