{"id":172457,"date":"2024-10-16T12:32:18","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T10:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=172457"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:31","slug":"cabinet-wants-even-stricter-oversight-on-programmes-taught-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2024\/10\/16\/cabinet-wants-even-stricter-oversight-on-programmes-taught-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Cabinet wants even stricter oversight on programmes taught in English"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is about to become more difficult for universities and universities of <\/span>applied sciences to offer programmes in English. Education Minister <\/span>Eppo Bruins intends to impose stricter regulations than his predecessor <\/span>had planned, according to a letter he has sent to the House of <\/span>Representatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Minister Bruins aims to limit the number of international students and <\/span>reduce the prevalence of English-taught education. Nearly all non-Dutch <\/span>bachelor\u2019s programmes will therefore be subject to an evaluation. If they <\/span>fail to meet the criteria, they will need to switch to Dutch. This proposal, <\/span>initially put forward by the previous cabinet, has been adopted by Bruins.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cuts will happen regardless<\/h2>

However, Bruins intends to take a tougher stance than his predecessor, as <\/span>outlined in his letter<\/a> to the House. He plans to cut 293 million euros from <\/span>the budget by attracting fewer international students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, he believes that universities and universities of applied <\/span>sciences should cooperate with these cuts. The budget reductions will <\/span>proceed regardless. Should the measures and \u2018self-regulation\u2019 fail to have <\/span>the desired effect, he warns that less funding per student will be the <\/span>result.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exceptions<\/h2>

There will still be exceptions. Language programmes, for example, will <\/span>not be required to pass the evaluation. A programme may also remain in <\/span>English if it benefits a shrinking region (where universities and <\/span>universities of applied sciences attract few students) or if there are <\/span>significant shortages in the labour market.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Bruins wants to make it harder for programmes to claim an <\/span>\u2018international character\u2019 as justification for being taught in English. As for <\/span>a fourth exception, \u2018international uniqueness\u2019 (\u2018this is the only <\/span>programme of its kind, so it must be taught in English\u2019), the minister <\/span>intends to be stricter. He fears that if exceptions are too readily granted, <\/span>they will become the rule.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t

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