Around 75 percent of students in higher education say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their studies. The trend is moving in a positive direction: five years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure was 71.5 percent.

Students are especially positive about the atmosphere within their programs: about 80 percent report a good learning environment. Roughly three-quarters are also satisfied with the content of their studies. In addition, many students feel at home in their program and feel safe being themselves.

There is, however, a difference between university and university of applied sciences students. University students tend to be more positive overall. This year, 82 percent of university students reported being satisfied, compared to 70 percent of students in higher professional education.

Survey responses

These results come from the National Student Survey, completed this spring by 248,000 students. Nearly one in three higher education students participated.

The survey is conducted by the National Center for Study Choice on behalf of the Ministry of Education. The results help prospective students compare programs, for example via Studiekeuze123.nl, and allow universities and universities of applied sciences to improve their courses.

Study pressure

A notable development is the decline in the number of students who experience excessive study pressure. In 2021, about 38 percent of students reported this issue; this year the figure dropped to 31 percent. University students report slightly higher pressure than students in applied sciences.

Teacher training programs are perceived as the most demanding: nearly half of students in these programs say the workload is too high. Economics students report the least pressure, with only 24 percent experiencing it as too high.

Teachers and assessment

Overall, students are satisfied with their instructors, although university students are more positive than their counterparts in applied sciences. Nearly 90 percent of university students consider their lecturers to be academically competent, compared to about 75 percent in higher professional education.

Five years ago, students rated teaching staff slightly higher: 92 percent (university) and 80 percent (applied sciences) considered their instructors competent.

Assessment and grading remain an area for improvement. Fewer than 60 percent of students are satisfied. Some say feedback on assignments and exams could be better. Others report that it is not always clear what criteria are used for grading.

In addition, students sometimes feel insufficiently prepared for their future careers. This is especially the case among university students: nearly a quarter say their program does not adequately align with their future professional path.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor