After Covid, students are once again more likely to go abroad for part of their studies

Almost a quarter of graduates from universities of applied sciences and research universities have completed part of their studies abroad, according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Now that travel is possible again, they are more likely to study across the border.

Of the students who graduated in the 2024/2025 academic year, more than 17 per cent went abroad for three months or longer, reports Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Another five per cent went abroad for less than three months, while CBS does not know how long two per cent stayed away.

During the Covid period, students packed their bags less often. By comparison, just 11 per cent of students who graduated in the 2021/2022 academic year went abroad for three months or longer.

Even so, they still travel abroad less than they did before Covid. In the years before the pandemic, around 24 per cent of students at universities of applied sciences and research universities generally went abroad for at least three months.

Of all those who went abroad, 42 per cent say their knowledge of their own and other cultures increased. They also say the experience contributed to their independence and their knowledge of their field.

There are also students who gain ‘international experience’ online, for example by working on a project with students from an overseas educational institution. This was the case for 15 per cent of students at universities of applied sciences and 7 per cent of students at research universities.