Ministry of Education, Culture and Science: Studying abroad to become more attractive
The government is removing a number of obstacles encountered by students who wish to study abroad. It has approved a Bill promoting the internationalisation of higher education and academic research as proposed by the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Jet Bussemaker.
The Bill will make it more attractive for Dutch students to study abroad and for students from other countries to study in the Netherlands. It will enable universities and HBO institutions (Hoger Beroeps Onderwijs or hogescholen; dt. "Höhere Berufsbildungseinrichtungen") to reduce or even waive tuition fees for students who are following a combined course of study at an institution in the Netherlands and an institution abroad. In addition, Dutch doctor’s degrees will be recognised as equivalent to PhD degrees, which are more common in other countries.
Students wishing to study abroad will be able to apply to their institution’s student financial support fund (profileringsfonds). Another change proposed in the Bill will enable senior lecturers to act as supervisors for students working towards a doctorate, as is customary in other countries.
The cabinet has agreed to submit the Bill to the Council of State for an advisory opinion. The text of the Bill and the Council of State's advisory opinion will be published when they are presented to the House of Representatives.
