This is apparent from figures from the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, writes Fidelity Today. Maurice Limmen, chairman of the umbrella organization for higher education, tells the newspaper that ‘you often see fluctuations’ but ‘you don’t want this’.
Vital professions
He fears that this will lead to staff shortages in vital professions such as healthcare and education in a few years’ time. The class of students starting this year will in principle graduate in 2026.
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According to the newspaper, future students are mainly hesitant because of the uncertainty about student finance. The current loan system will be abolished as of 2023-2024, but it is still unclear what will replace it.
We are waiting for a letter from education minister Robert Dijkgraaf that should come ‘in the short term’.
‘Quick clarity’
Limmen expects that in the meantime many young people will opt for a year abroad, for example. “We call on politicians to quickly clarify the basic grant. People should not be further encouraged to postpone,” he told the newspaper.
Universities have so far not noticed a difference in the number of registrations, Koepel Universities Netherlands reported to the newspaper. The deadline has not yet passed for the universities of applied sciences either. “It can go either way in the coming months,” says Limmen.
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