National student organisations have announced demonstrations, the youth branches of political parties have signed an urgent letter to Parliament, and House of Representative members expressed their concerns. There is much resistance against the ‘langstudeerboete’ promoted by the coalition parties. TU Delft student political parties have joined the protesters. “This will damage a group of students that actually need extra support.”
(Photo: Thijs van Reeuwijk)
For many, the langstudeerboete (a fine for taking longer than the designated time to complete your studies) came out of the blue, but it is now on the radar of almost every Dutch student. Anyone in the future who extends their bachelor or master by more than one year will have to pay an extra EUR 3,000. At least, this is stated in the summary coalition agreement of the governing PVV, BBB, NSC and VVD parties. The fine is due to take effect in 2026 and is intended to be a way to cut costs.
Mental health
After the announcement, the plan was almost immediately subject to nationwide resistance and, independently of each other, the parties in the TU Delft Student Council – ORAS, Lijst Bèta and Dé Partij – joined the mixed collection of opponents. Lijst Bèta’s logo is even proudly visible at the bottom of an urgent letter that student organisations, trade unions and youth political parties sent to the governing coalition parties at the beginning of June.
Chair Sam de Jong says “I have no words. It is not only ridiculous, it is worrying.” De Jong is concerned that the study pressure on students will rise significantly. “Students will start their exams worrying that if they do not pass, they will have to pay EUR 3,000.” He believes that the pressure will harm students’ mental health. “And various research shows that this is already really bad.”
‘This plan is dangerous for students’ personal development’
Koos Meesters of Dé Partij, who stands behind the urgent letter, shares the concern about the study pressure. He also thinks that the ruling will negatively affect access to higher education and to technical studies in particular.
Extremely heavy
He points to TU Delft’s graduation figures which show that graduating within the designated time frame is more the exception than the rule. And this is not because students throw the towel in the ring, he says. “The actual duration of studying in technical courses is exceptionally long because each of the individual subjects are extremely heavy. If you come from a less socio-economically well-off family or have to work alongside studying to make ends meet, you will think twice before doing a technical study. The average duration of technical studies thus increases the likelihood that you will have to pay the fine than if you choose a less heavy degree programme.” Meesters thus believes that this promotes unequal opportunities.
Personal development
ORAS Chair Jelle Stap calls the plans ‘dangerous for students’ personal development’. “Serving on a board, committee, student team or Dream Team, or doing an internship really helps your personal development. If the fine is introduced, we expect fewer students to do these.” His party also signed the urgent letter and he was heavily involved in writing it.
Little is as yet known
The langstudeerboete is an old idea of the first Rutte Cabinet that was in place for part of 2012. The rule at the time (in Dutch) was that students could extend their bachelor by one year and their master by one year. These ‘delay years’ could not be saved up or transferred. The fine ultimately disappeared when the Cabinet fell.
Almost the only thing that is known about the pending langstudeerboete ruling is that it is supposed to take effect in 2026. The governing parties have not made it known whether this will apply to all students or only to people who start their studies in that year. It is also not clear if any exceptions will be made – such as for students with a functional impairment or students who have served a board year – although Pieter Omtzigt, the NSC party candidate, did hint at this. Even the year in which it will take effect is on shaky ground as Dutch civil servants recently worked out that it will be virtually impossible to introduce the fine as early as 2026. TU Delft too knows little about what the Government in The Hague will do, said the Policy Officer for Education, Danko Roozemond, in an email.
Almost the only thing that is known about the pending langstudeerboete ruling is that it is supposed to take effect in 2026. The governing parties have not made it known whether this will apply to all students or only to people who start their studies in that year. It is also not clear if any exceptions will be made – such as for students with a functional impairment or students who have served a board year – although Pieter Omtzigt, the NSC party candidate, did hint at this. Even the year in which it will take effect is on shaky ground as Dutch civil servants recently worked out that it will be virtually impossible to introduce the fine as early as 2026. TU Delft too knows little about what the Government in The Hague will do, said the Policy Officer for Education, Danko Roozemond, in an email.
‘TU Delft is not a supporter of langstudeerboetes in general’
Meesters of Dé Partij also considers the policy short-sighted. “This will be detrimental to students who actually need extra support. Such as students with a functional impairment.” Danko Roozemond, TU Delft’s Policy Officer, believes that ‘it is highly desirable that exceptions be made for some groups of students’. Apart from functional impairments, he also cites illnesses, registered care obligations, pregnancy, board duties, and taking part in representation bodies as reasons for being exempted. Roozemond says that TU Delft is ‘not a supporter of langstudeerboetes in general’.
Profiling Fund Regulations
Meesters, De Jong and Stap all believe that – should the measure really be introduced – particular groups of students should be exempted. They mention the same groups as Roozemond. “You could arrange this by saying that everyone who is RPF eligible will be exempted.” RPF stands for ‘Profiling Fund Regulations’ and it offers students financial support if they do a board year, or have an illness or experience unforeseen circumstances. Every university has an RPF.
The first demonstration against the proposed ruling is planned for 22 June in Utrecht. It is organised by the Dutch Student Union. “There is only one option: action,” its Chair Elisa Weehuizen had previously said to the Higher Education Press Agency.
News editor
Annebelle de Bruijn
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