The system was abolished in 2017
Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen (Hanzehogeschool) and the University of Groningen have reacted positively to proposals for a lottery system for student admissions to over-subscribed courses. Plans for the system were put forward by the Dutch Minister for Education, Culture, and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven (D66) this week. As reported by the Dagblad van het Noorden.
The lottery system was abolished in the Netherlands in 2017, and replaced with the current system of ‘decentralised selection’- where students are admitted to the most popular courses by a combination of grades and an interview. Several Dutch politicians have criticised this system as unfair, since often wealthy students will attend (private) courses to help prepare them for interview.
According to the Dagblad, the University of Groningen is “interested” and will study the minister’s proposals. The Hanze has said that it considers the lottery idea to be positive, but would prefer a combination of the two systems- because this still gives really motivated students the chance to present their case.
