TAO off the table

The TAO would mean a mandatory test for all English-language and bilingual Bachelor's programmes - large and small – bringing with it enormous uncertainty, increased workload and regulatory pressure, and with a possible switch to Dutch as a result. Moreover, this generic measure does not offer sufficient scope for taking into account differences between regions, sectors and programmes.

That is why the UvA, together with the other Dutch universities, is taking responsibility and making a concrete proposal to bring internationalisation into balance.

Difficult choice

These are not easy choices for the UvA. They ask a lot of some programmes, staff and students. The UvA will have to shoulder responsibility for a proportionally large share in the measures, because as a university in Amsterdam we have to deal with a large international influx and high pressure on our facilities.

In concrete terms, the new proposal means the following for the UvA:

• The intake for the English-language track of the Business Administration and Economics and Business Economics Bachelor’s programmes will be limited to a maximum of 1,200 by means of a numerus fixus.
• A Dutch-language track can be introduced for other Bachelor’s programmes so that, if necessary, a numerus fixus can be set for an English-language track. This will allow us to better manage the intake.
• The language of instruction for the Psychology Bachelor’s programmes in the Randstad area (which includes the UvA) will eventually be converted from English to Dutch. This will have no consequences for current students.
• These measures, as well as those already initiated, will see the international intake at the UvA decrease by 20 percent.
• International students and staff will receive extra support in learning Dutch. This will increase their chances of staying here after graduation and contributing to Dutch society.

The umbrella organisation Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) will discuss this offer with the minister before the Balanced Internationalisation bill is discussed in the House of Representatives. It will be made clear that the TAO being taken off the table is a strict requirement. This hopefully help remove the uncertainty for many programmes.