Over three years, the number of students has decreased by 4.2 percent and over five years by 5.2 percent. Compared to ten years ago, the number of students is still 21.1% higher.
Lower intake in bachelor's programs; higher intake in master's programs
The number of students who started a program at Radboud University in 2025-2026 (including internal transfers) is 8,496, comparable to last year (-0.1%). It is notable that the intake in bachelor's programs is lower than last year (-6.0%), while the intake in master's programs is higher than last year (+7.9%). The pre-master's intake is the same as last year. The decrease in student intake in bachelor's programs is in line with the national figure, which shows a 3.5 percent decrease compared to last year.
The number of students studying at Radboud University for the first time (external intake) is also virtually unchanged compared to last year, at 5,305 in 2025-2026 (-0.5%). However, the external Bachelor's intake has decreased (-3.4%) here as well, while the external Master's intake has increased (+13.9%). This year, 900 students from other educational institutions (in the Netherlands or abroad) started a Master's degree at Radboud University; an increase of 110 students compared to last year and also more than in previous years.
A total of 332,000 students are enrolled at the fourteen funded universities this year, compared to 339,600 a year ago (see UNL report).
Fewer international students, but only in Bachelor's programs
The total number of international students studying at Radboud University has decreased this year – as it did in previous years – to 2,363. This represents a decrease of 5.1 percent compared to last year. International students make up 10.1 percent of Radboud University's student population in 2025-2026, slightly lower than in previous years.
The number of new international students at Radboud University has decreased from 658 last year to 636 this year (-3.3%); the lowest international intake in the past five years. This is in line with the national trend. Same as last year, this decrease occurred only among bachelor's students (-11.7%). In the master's program, however, the international intake increased by 6.5% , primarily from non-EEA countries (+18.6%). The international students who started at Radboud University in 2025-2026 come from 71 different countries, with the majority still coming from Germany.
Strengthening international recruitment
The decrease in the international bachelor's intake is largely due to the Minister of Education, Culture and Science's call for restraint in recruiting international bachelor's students (with the exception of sectors with shortages) and the impending legislation to reduce English-language education. The self-management agreements made within the UNL framework have given Radboud University – partly due to its regional position – the opportunity to grow its international student intake. Against this backdrop, international recruitment will be strengthened in the coming years. Internationalisation and the influx of international students will be a key theme in the new institutional strategy.
Rector Magnificus José Sanders: "The declining student numbers are consistent with the aging population in the Netherlands and the region. Fewer students are moving on to the university. At the same time, Radboud University is valuable to the region; for educating people, researching social issues, and boosting prosperity. That's why we're not only focusing on recruiting new Dutch students, but also on attracting international students."