Currently, 21% of bachelor students are international students. This is concerning because it approaches the minimum percentage of 20% that is necessary for the quality of research and education. Chair of the Executive Board of VU Amsterdam, Margrethe Jonkman: “VU Amsterdam has responded to the political call to balance internationalization. After two years of declining international enrollment, we are now at risk of falling below the minimum of 20% international students needed to ensure the added value of internationalization. This deeply concerns me for our education and research. We can only tackle today's problems with a broad approach from diverse perspectives. Therefore, we call on the political realm: uphold the innovative strength of the open Dutch economy and give us the means to maintain the quality of education and research. Let us train professionals and researchers with a broad perspective, suitable for the open, inclusive labor market they will enter.”
Decline of over 23%
The international bachelor's enrollment at VU Amsterdam has decreased by 23.5% this academic year, from 1,317 international students in 2023-2024 to 1,007 in 2024-2025. This marks a second consecutive decline and particularly affects the STEM programs of the large VU Beta Faculty. VU Amsterdam has critically assessed the added value of internationalization per program and field based on:
- the importance for content, quality, and retention of programs,
- the needs of the (Dutch) student,
- accessibility,
- connection to the scientific field, and
- what is needed in the labor market.
Based on this, we see a share of 20% international students out of the total number of bachelor students as a minimum to secure the added value of internationalization.
Internationalization
International students contribute to a stimulating study climate. VU Amsterdam aims to maximize the diversity of our students with initiatives like the Mixed Classroom educational model. International students play a vital role in that diversity. Central to this is being open to differences, co-creating an inclusive environment, and using the potential of diversity to collectively reach a higher level.
Many employers, especially in Amsterdam where many of our students end up, operate in an international environment. Therefore, working in an international context during their studies and acquiring intercultural skills are important. This prepares our students for a constantly changing world with corresponding challenges in the labor market.
At the same time, science is becoming increasingly international: researchers build on what others find and think, with English as a common language. Thus, students must learn to work and interact in this environment, starting in their bachelor's and deepening in their master's. In this way, VU Amsterdam ensures that the internationalization of both students and staff aligns Dutch knowledge and expertise with international research networks, bringing international knowledge to the Netherlands more swiftly. This creates opportunities for new insights and applications.
Attention to the Dutch Language
VU Amsterdam is committed, in line with established self-regulation agreements, to ensuring sufficient attention for language proficiency in education and on its campus. Dutch is and remains the administrative language, and various initiatives are underway to promote Dutch language proficiency among Dutch-speaking and international students and staff. We are also closely examining what more we can do in this regard, in light of our social responsibility and to enhance the retention chances of international students.