The percentage of international students in Dutch government-funded higher education increased slightly in 2008, to about 7.5%. As in previous years Germany, China and Belgium are the three main countries of origin.

Dutch students still prefer to go the United Kingdom and Belgium. The number of schools for primary education offering early teaching of foreign languages saw a 70% increase. In secondary education 59.5% of schools have active partners abroad for educational cooperation.

The monitor is drawn up every year by Nuffic (the Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education), the European Platform and CINOP (the centre for expertise in the innovation of vocational and adult education).

International students

In 2008, there were an estimated 76,000 international students from at least 59 different countries in the Netherlands. Of these students 51,000 followed a complete study programme, 48,250 of whom in government-funded higher education.

Approximately 7,000 students from European countries came to the Netherlands on an Erasmus scholarship or through another EU programme. More than 2,300 students came on a grant from the Netherlands Fellowship Programme, which falls under Dutch development cooperation.

More than 350 students received a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Fifty students were given financial support by the United Nations or other international sponsors.

www.nuffic.nl