Budget Day: Major Cuts in Higher Education

On Budget Day, the Dutch government presented the 2025 Budget Memorandum (Miljoenennota). This document outlines the government's financial framework, policy plans, and decisions for the coming year. The previously announced cuts to higher education have largely been confirmed, with significant consequences for universities and the future of education and research in the Netherlands.

Major Cuts

Anton Pijpers, Chairman of the Executive Board, stated: “This affects not only our students and staff but also the future of the Netherlands as a whole. Universities play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges, such as research into new medicines, food security, clean drinking water, quality education, animal welfare, economic growth, and employment. These areas are now under threat.”

Margot van der Starre, Vice President of the Executive Board, added: “After the outline agreement presented earlier, we were already expecting a challenging scenario. The Budget Memorandum now confirms that we are facing major cuts.”

Increased Pressure on Students and Research Funding

The government is cutting one billion euros from higher education. Starter grants (startersbeurzen) and incentive grants (stimuleringsbeurzen) for researchers and teachers will be discontinued by 2025. A long study penalty (langstudeerboete) will be introduced for students; details on its timing and implementation will follow. Additionally, international student numbers will be reduced, and more programmes will need to be taught in Dutch. These measures will lead to further cuts, increased pressure on students, and less diversity in student groups.

For UU, this entails a budget cut of 35.1 million euros net in 2025. This includes a reduction in government funding due to the declining number of students (-11.3 million euros), the elimination of incentive grants (-17.8 million euros), and the discontinuation of starter grants (-13.3 million euros). An additional contribution intended to reduce work pressure (+7.3 million euros) has been factored into this amount. The total government contribution for UU in 2025 will therefore be 707 million euros. Further cuts are expected from 2026 onwards. It is currently unclear how large the additional austerity measures will be and what impact they will have on UU.

Working Together

“I understand that students and staff are concerned and have many questions about these cuts – I share those concerns,” continued Margot van der Starre. “Faced with these growing budget reductions, we are forced to make tough decisions. Clear priorities must be set to safeguard the quality of our education and research within the constraints. We are working closely with deans and directors to decide how best to implement the cuts, both in the short and longer term. This period calls for solidarity and cooperation. Only by working together can we confront these challenges.”

Selective Vacancy Freeze

Various parts of UU, including the faculties, University College Utrecht, the library, and the departments within the Corporate Offices, have been working on savings plans for several months. These measures have now been incorporated into (faculty) budgets and are partially already being implemented. For example, several departments at UU have introduced a selective vacancy freeze, while still taking strategic workforce planning into account.

The proposed plans are now being put into practice and, where necessary, expanded or adjusted. The university council, faculty councils and other employee consultative bodies will play an important role in developing appropriate measures.

In the coming period, the full impact of these measures will become clearer. There may also be adjustments from Parliament and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.