This is why the Dutch education ministry's new bill, which aims to manage the number of international students coming to the Netherlands, should be cancelled!

Lately, there have been intense discussions in the Netherlands about the increasing number of international students enrolling in English-taught bachelor's and master's programs.

Inside the Dutch parliament, various arguments have arisen against admitting more international students and offering more English-taught programs. Critics claim there's a shortage of housing, overcrowded lecture halls, declining education quality, a weakening of the Dutch language, and Dutch students losing opportunities to international students.

The goal is to reduce the number of English-taught courses and manage international student enrollment in the Netherlands. However, there's a misrepresentation of the situation in Dutch media.

The current bill should not be passed in its current form. More research is needed to create a new bill based on evidence. It should focus on regulating international admissions at research universities and specific courses. Claims of the Dutch language deteriorating due to international programs are unfounded.

The world is becoming more multicultural, and English is vital for business and science. Most Dutch universities still offer programs in Dutch. The impact of international students is limited to specific programs and universities, representing only 15% of the total student population.

Misleading narratives about language threats and Dutch students being pushed out can foster anti-international student sentiments. Such actions lean towards national protectionism and xenophobia.

Reducing international programs may lead to fewer international lecturers and skilled graduates in key sectors. Academic entry requirements should also be part of the discussion.

To address the issues, we need more comprehensive, evidence-based information from both the government and media. Additionally, it's crucial to note that most bachelor's programs are still taught in Dutch, and a significant portion of international students comes from EU countries, benefiting from equal rights and access to Dutch education under EU law.

It's essential to clarify that the increasing number of international students mainly affects the 13 public research universities in the country, not the 43 universities of applied sciences.

Germany is the most common country of origin for international students, especially those near the German-Dutch border, like Maastricht and Groningen, due to their proximity.

English-taught programs, like psychology courses, at research universities encounter the most significant challenges. However, some other English-taught master's programs, despite being in English, attract very few or no international students.

Ireland, Germany, and The Netherlands are known for offering a high number of English-taught bachelor and master courses in Europe. While Germany offers free tuition and Ireland's fees are similar to the Netherlands, the Netherlands stands out in terms of its influx of international students.

In the case of Ireland, one possible reason is its competitive, points-based entry requirements. For EU applicants, the Dutch VWO's average score of 10 is equivalent to 600 points, and to be admitted to physiotherapy, a student needs 589 points, equivalent to a nine in a Dutch qualification. These entry standards are quite challenging for Irish students, not to mention Dutch students. Dutch students rarely achieve an average score of nine or ten in secondary school, which might explain why more Irish students are enrolling in English-taught courses like physiotherapy in the Netherlands.

In contrast, Germany has entry standards similar to the Netherlands and has experienced a significant increase in international students, with a 30.9% rise from 2014 to 2019 and a 37% increase from 2014 to 2022. However, unlike the Netherlands, Germany views international students as an asset to society and the economy. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has even recommended that the German government develop a strategy to double the retention of international students by 2030.