High Dropout Rates Among Dutch University Students Linked to Poor Course Choices
High Dropout Rates Among Dutch University Students Linked to Poor Course Choices
High dropout rates and course selection issues persist among Dutch university students despite efforts to retain international graduates.
The dropout rate among university students in the Netherlands remains high, with 30% of first-year students leaving or changing their courses during the 2021/22 academic year. This trend has persisted over recent years, contributing to shortages in critical sectors like healthcare and teaching.
The dropout rate is particularly high among students at Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO), where 34% of first-year students dropped out compared to 25% at traditional universities. In total, over 40,000 first-year students discontinued their studies in 2021-2022, including 27,552 HBO students and 12,869 university students.
The Dutch government report suggests stricter selection processes for courses with high dropout rates, the introduction of a compulsory "taster period," and higher fees for master's programs as potential solutions. The report also highlights the challenge of "academic drift," where students opt for university education over more practical alternatives, even when the latter may be better suited to their abilities and career prospects.
Despite the increase in international student enrollment, with nearly 123,000 attending Dutch institutions in 2022/23, the government plans to reduce these numbers due to concerns about housing shortages and overcrowded classrooms. Currently, 24% of international students stay and work in the Netherlands four years after graduation, with non-EU students being more likely to remain than their EU counterparts.
Efforts to encourage international students to stay longer include policies aimed at enabling them to learn Dutch. However, the new government aims to significantly cut the number of foreign students in the coming years.