Student magazines of 10 Dutch universities and 4 universities of
applied sciences (UAS) surveyed 5200 students on their workload,
anxieties and the impact of the upcoming langstudeerboete. The
latter is a substantial financial penalty for students that exceed
the regular study time by more than 1 year, e.g. taking longer than
4 years for finishing a 3 year Bachelor degree.
Students study too little, yet suffer from stress
symptoms
The results show that university students have an overall
heavier workload than UAS students. 40.2% of UAS students study 20
hours or less each week compared to 26.5% of university students.
Meanwhile, 27.5% of UAS students study 31 hours or more per week,
while this holds for 40.1% of university students.
Even though the majority of students study less than what is
expected from a full time education, over 40% of them indicate that
they feel serious stress on a regular basis, accompanied by a
number of psychological issues. 45% of this group experience test
anxiety, 51% insomnia, and 60% worries ('piekeren').
Especially, women (45%) and international students (51%) suffer
from regular stress from a heavy study workload. This is much less
so for students who continue living with their parents (33%). Past
research from Germany already showed that stay home students in fact
lead a healthier lifestyle.
8% decided against additional degree due to
langstudeerboete
The research by the university magazines also had a closer look
at the impact of the financial penalty (langstudeeerboete) on study
choice. 20% of the students surveyed indicated that their study
plans changed because of this new policy. This includes the choice
of doing another Bachelor degree, going abroad or choosing a
certain program.
8% of all Bachelor students indicated that they decided against
an additional degree due to the financial penalty. Of the 20% that
changed their plans, 45% doubt whether they will pursue another
degree, 20% already decided against it. Among international
students, knowledge about the langstudeerboete has not yet spread:
15% do not know this new regulation as opposed to 2.7% of Dutch
students.
This research was also published in the Erasmus University Magazine, the analysis was
provided by Resource from Wageningen UR.