Student numbers surge at Flemish university colleges

Flemish university colleges are seeing a significant rise in student numbers this academic year. Nearly 157,500 students are currently enrolled, a 6 per cent increase compared to last year. The Council of the Flemish Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts warns that the situation will become unmanageable without additional funding. ​ 

Following a 3.5 per cent increase last year, the upward trend is continuing. Professional bachelor’s degrees remain the most popular, attracting 122,000 students, up 4.8 per cent. Postgraduate programmes also saw a sharp increase of 15 per cent, bringing their total to 26,000 students. The teacher training programmes grew by 8 per cent. 

Eric Vermeylen, secretary-general of the Council of the Flemish Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts, emphasised the importance of this growth in meeting Flanders’ goal of raising its employment rate to 80 per cent.

“Our graduates’ swift transition into employment and the strong link between education and practice give Flemish university colleges a leading position in higher education,” he said.

However, the council is sounding the alarm on the chronic underfunding of higher education. “With student numbers steadily rising, this situation is becoming increasingly unsustainable,” it said. ​ 

The council is urging the Flemish government to address the pressing issue of funding, particularly in covering the increased student numbers and the critical work-based learning component in graduate programmes.

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