The VSNU represents the shared interests of the 14 research universities in the Netherlands. It acts as an employers' organization and focuses on collective strategies to improve educational quality and research performance. The Dutch higher education system includes 14 research universities and 41 universities of applied sciences. Research universities offer bachelor's, master's and PhD programs, with over 90% of PhD programs taught in English. The Code of Conduct regulates information provided to international students and monitoring of institutions to ensure program quality.

1. VSNU
Association of Research Universities in the
Netherlands
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2. The VSNU represents the shared interests of the
fourteen research universities in terms of their
relation to Dutch and European politicians,
government and civil society organisations
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3. VSNU
Position
Represents the 14 Dutch research universities
Employers’ organization for the university sector
Board: 14 presidents of the universities
Office: 41 employees
Focus on collective strategies in educational
quality and research performance
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4. Dutch Research
Universities
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5. Dutch Research
Universities
14 Universities
Nine broad-based universities:
1 Erasmus University Rotterdam
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2 Leiden University
3 Maastricht University
4 Radboud University Nijmegen
5 Tilburg University
6 University of Amsterdam
7 University of Groningen
6 8 Utrecht University
9 12
2
9 VU University Amsterdam
10 8 13 Universities of technology:
4 10 Delft University of Technology
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11 Eindhoven University of Technology
5 12 University of Twente
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Life sciences and natural resources:
13 Wageningen University and Research
Distance learning/life-long learning:
14
5 3 14 Open Universiteit Nederland

6. Dutch Research
Universities
Dutch Higher Education system
Binary system
Introduction BA/MA system in 2002
Research University: BA (3), MA (1-2), PhD (3-4)
University of Applied Sciences: BA (4)
14 Research Universities
41 Universities of Applied Sciences
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7. Dutch Research
Universities
Students and staff
BA students: 175.000
MA students: 75.000
PhD students: 10.000
Academic staff: 24.000 (fte)
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8. Dutch Research
Universities
Revenues
University revenue 2009: € 5.7 bln
0.4 bln
0.5 bln Tuition fees
Other
3.3 bln
1.4 bln Government grants
Contract
work
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9. Education
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10. Education
Programs
Bachelor programmes: 432 (5% in English)
Master programmes: 901 (50% in English)
PhD programmes: over 90% in English
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11. Code of conduct for Dutch Research
Universities
international students.
Self regulation by the Dutch system of higher
education on the initiative of umbrella
organisations
VSNU (14 research universities)
HBO-council (41 univ. of applied sciences)
PAEPON (84 private institutions)
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12. Code of Conduct
Mission
Monitoring minimal level of performance of
institutions (one rotten apple spoils the whole
basket)
Certificate screening of incoming students
Providing general (system) information to
international community
Shortening procedure of acquiring residence
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13. Code of Conduct
Objectives of Institutions
Increasing overall system quality
Improving international cooperation (dual degree)
Facilitating international students (degree
seeking; dual degree)
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14. Code of Conduct
Objectives of Dutch government
Prevent excesses
Greater visibility of Dutch knowledge economy
Implementation of European directive on access
of non-EU students.
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15. Code of Conduct
Advantages of signing the Code
License to enroll foreign students
Participation in nationwide scholarship programs
(like Huygens)
Services by NUFFIC, like marketing and
promotion, certificate screening, NESO’s, etc.
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16. Code of Conduct
Scope of the Code
All types of information regarding study programs
(quality, degree, level, facilities, costs, entrance
requirements)
Applies to both EU- and non-EU students (legal
consequences for non-EU students only
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17. Code of Conduct
Obligations implied by Code
Minimal language requirements for incoming students (5.0
IELTS for preparatory year and 6.0 IELTS for BA and MA)
Monitoring study progress (report drop-out or no-show)
Language requirements for teachers
Only offer degree programs with official accreditation
Control conduct of agents (report misconduct)
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18. Code of Conduct
Who signed?
All 14 research universities
All 41 universities of applied sciences
29 private institutions
17 applications have been turned down or
withdrawn
Register at www.internationalstudy.nl
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19. Code of Conduct
Monitoring committee
Monitoring whether institutions comply with Code
Confronting conduct of institutions with Code
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20. Approach of Monitoring Code of Conduct
committee
Maintaining the register
Dealing with complaints (students and institutions)
Arbitrage
Research
Coordination of new issues related to Code
Annual report
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21. Code of Conduct
Evaluation
Self regulation works
Institutions ‘protect’ the Code
Some institutions closed their business
Procedure to acquire visa and residence permits is
shortened by 50% (14 days for visa; 34 days for residence
permit)
Code serves as model in drafting new Immigration law
Positive impact on reputation of Dutch higher education
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22. International
Dutch Universities
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