NETHERLANDS

Universities may soon offer full degrees overseas

After two years of political debate, Dutch universities may soon be able to offer full degree programmes overseas after the Dutch House of Representatives passed a transnational education bill that also aims to boost the development of international joint programmes, writes Beckie Smith for The PIE News.

If the bill passes through the senate, an administrative decree will follow this summer, laying out more details such as accreditation procedures. At the moment Dutch institutions may offer partial degrees overseas, but their students must spend at least a quarter of their programme in the Netherlands. This is also the case for students enrolled on international joint or double degree programmes offered by Dutch institutions. They must also pay tuition fees to both the Dutch university and its foreign partner institution, which can more than double the cost of study.

The relaxation of the rules around joint degrees means that if the bill passes, students will only pay fees to their home institution in the Netherlands. Transnational education success stories from universities in other countries demonstrate that the Netherlands could also stand to benefit, the education minister, Jet Bussemaker, told parliament.
Full report on The PIE News site