Quality Education, Tough Living: International Students Face Major Challenges in the Netherlands
International students in the Netherlands are largely satisfied with the country’s higher education system but face serious challenges with housing, bureaucracy, and social integration, according to a report by ResearchNed based on a survey of about 700 students.
The study was commissioned by Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO – Intercity Student Consultation), Landelijke Studentenvakbond (LSVb – National Student Union), and Erasmus Student Network The Netherlands. It comes as the Dutch government considers allowing universities to expand the intake of international students again.
More than four out of five respondents said they were satisfied with the quality of teaching, praising lecturers for their strong English skills and the clear explanation of study programs before enrollment.
However, many students reported difficulties navigating administrative systems. Information about finances, housing, and work regulations is often unavailable in English. A common complaint involves DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs – Education Executive Agency), where students say they face confusion about eligibility for financial aid and long waiting times for support.
Housing remains a major problem. Nearly one in three international students said it took more than three months to find accommodation, and many reported seeing advertisements stating “no internationals.” Some students believe they pay higher rents than Dutch students and a few reported falling victim to housing scams.
Social integration also presents challenges. Around 60 percent said interacting with Dutch students can be difficult because conversations often switch to Dutch or local students prefer working within established groups.
Despite these issues, more than half of the surveyed students said they are considering staying in the Netherlands after graduation or returning later, mainly due to the country’s work-life balance and career opportunities.