International student numbers have increased in the Netherlands for the third year in a row. This year saw an increase of 5% for those coming to study full-time, adding 11,756 international students to the student body.

Research universities welcome more students

248,247 students are attending a Dutch research university in the 2013-2014 academic year. This is a 3.5% increase in numbers compared to the previous year. In terms of fields of study, 6 of 9 increased their enrolment rates from the previous year.

Natural Sciences saw a 22% growth with Health following at 16%. Law and Engineering enrolment also increased by 11% and 10%, respectively. Social Sciences grew by 4% and Language & Cultural Studies saw a 2% rise in enrolment since the 2012-2013 academic year. Economics declined in enrolment by 1% since last year and Agriculture fell by 2%. The biggest decline however was in Education with enrolment rates falling by 33% since 2012.

Top 5 countries

Students coming from abroad have been encouraged to do so by the recent changes and efforts that Dutch institutions and governments have implemented to make it easier for internationals to come to study. Germany, China, Greece, the UK, and Italy make up the top 5 countries that are contributing to the number of international students in Holland. Italy beat out Belgium for 5th place this year.

When it comes to Holland’s neighbouring countries, Germany is still in the lead with 3,029 students coming to study at a Dutch university in 2013. Although this is a slight decline from 2012 (3,216) and 2011 (3,362), German students make up the highest amount of international students in comparison with any other country.

The British have almost doubled their numbers since 2011 when just 335 British students were studying in the Netherlands. In 2013 this number reached 638. Although Belgium has had steady growth rates, increasing the amount of international students in Holland every year since 2011, they are growing at a slower rate than other neighbouring countries. 498 Belgian students will be studying at a Dutch university during the 2013-2014 year.