The deal, announced on November 4, will see the launch of the new University Pathway Programme, Propaedeutic Year One, due to commence at OnCampus Amsterdam in September 2025.

The collaboration will allow the university to widen its range of programmes, and aims to help the Netherlands keep its reputation as a prime university destination for international students, Cambridge Education Group said.

It comes against a backdrop of sweeping budget cuts across the country’s international education sector as the Netherlands’ coalition government continues to crack down on international education.

The foundation year is taught solely in English despite government-proposed cuts to non-Dutch-taught courses, prioritising the accessibility of OnCampus Amsterdam’s courses to EU and non-EU international students.

The course will not only provide international students a guaranteed pathway to a bachelor’s degree at Wittenborg, but students who take the Dutch University Entrance Exam can broaden their opportunities further, Cambridge Education Group said.

David Johnston, CEO, Cambridge Education Group, said the partnership would provide international students with different options.

The Netherlands continues to be a leading destination for international students
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“The Netherlands continues to be a leading destination for international students. Our collaboration with Wittenborg will provide students with more choice and our continued commitment to delivering exceptional teaching and support and high-quality students to leading universities,” he said.

The course was designed to introduce students to the core concepts of their chosen field of study, and upon completion, students are invited to join Wittenborg’s Business School. The “boutique university” is accredited the Dutch Flemish Accreditation organisation (NVAO) and the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA).

The course’s 60 ECTS credits allows the students direct access to all Dutch Universities, 11 ranking within the top 250 QS World University rankings. Beyond the Netherlands, students will also have access to multiple universities across Europe under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.

Wittenborg’s President Peter Birdsall said that the program will “promote and support progression to the wider higher education sector”.