In a significant policy shift, the Netherlands government has proposed to limit the use of English in universities to manage the growing influx of international students. Education Minister Eppo Bruins outlined his vision in a letter to parliament, stating a desire to re-establish Dutch as the primary language in higher education.

Bruins emphasized the necessity for both international and Dutch students to invest in Dutch language proficiency, asserting, "I want to make Dutch the standard in higher vocational education and universities." This move is seen as a way to help international students integrate into the Dutch labor market more effectively.

Currently, one in three bachelor's programs is offered in a mix of Dutch and English. The new proposal aims to restrict the number of bachelor's courses taught in English to a maximum of one-third of all programs, addressing concerns about student housing shortages and overcrowded lecture halls exacerbated by the rising number of foreign students.

Bruins pointed out that while the Netherlands remains an attractive destination for international talent, the scale of educational migration must align with the country's capacity to accommodate these students. "The size of this migration needs to be in proportion to what the Netherlands can sustain," he stated.

The proposed legislation includes measures to ensure that Dutch becomes the norm in university administration and management boards, reflecting the government's commitment to enhancing the use of the Dutch language across all levels of education.

Despite the restrictive measures, Bruins acknowledged the importance of attracting international students to address labor shortages, particularly in key sectors. He highlighted that improving language skills would increase retention rates of international graduates in the Dutch workforce. "Research shows that language barriers in the workplace and society are significant obstacles for international students," he noted, referencing a study that indicates a current retention rate of only 25% after five years.