One third fewer first-year students in AI and computer science – how is this possible?
Last week, it was announced that the student population at the UvA is declining for the first time in ten years. The Faculty of Science in particular has fewer first-year students this year. Computer science and artificial intelligence have been hit hardest, with a third fewer students.
The popularity of science programmes has dipped this year, according to preliminary enrolment figures released by Dutch universities last week. On average, 10 per cent fewer first-year students started a science programme in the Netherlands. Nationwide, natural science programmes such as biology and chemistry are particularly less popular. Among Dutch students, enrolment in engineering programmes is declining, although this is offset by the influx of international students.
Nationally, the influx of first-year students in the Netherlands is declining by 3.5 per cent. The number of international students at universities is falling for the third year in a row, and this year the number of Dutch students is also declining. Ruben Puylaert, spokesperson for the umbrella organisation Universities of the Netherlands, calls the decline in universities “worrying”.
A total of 332,000 students are enrolled at Dutch universities. Over the next 10 years, that number will fall by almost 10 per cent to 304,000 students in 2035, according to forecasts by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This makes higher education the fastest shrinking sector of education.
Downright worrying
At the University of Amsterdam (UvA), enrolment at the Faculty of Science, Mathematics and Informatics (FNWI) is 13.7 per cent lower, even below the national average. This decline can be explained by demographic developments in the Netherlands, which have led to a decrease in the number of pre-university students. The faculty had already taken this into account in its budget. However, the decline is now proving to be greater than previously thought.
“We find the decline in the number of Bachelor’s students in our science and engineering programmes downright worrying,” says the FNWI spokesperson on behalf of Dean Susan te Pas. “Especially given the major social issues we are facing in our country, which require technically trained people. We note that the decline is a national trend. But because we do not yet have a clear picture of the causes, we will continue to look into this.”
Interest in computer science is declining
The decline is particularly sharp in the bachelor’s programmes in computer science and artificial intelligence, at around 30 per cent. Zhiming Zhao, programme director of the bachelor’s programme in computer science, speaks of a “critical situation” for the bachelor’s programmes at Science Park. The decline in computer science is unexpected, as student numbers have been relatively stable in recent years. In the 2025/2026 academic year, almost as many students enrolled as in the previous year, but the number of cancellations was higher.
In addition to the demographic decline in pre-university students and the high costs in Amsterdam, Zhao also cites a decline in interest in computer science among students as a possible explanation. A negative image of the computer science job market, due to the rise of AI, could also be a factor. Artificial intelligence is expected to take over more and more work, such as coding. At universities of applied sciences, too, significantly fewer students enrolled in ICT programmes. Concerns about job opportunities due to the rise of AI may have played a role in this, writes news channel RTL.
Artificial intelligence
The decline in student numbers is also striking in the field of artificial intelligence. This year, enrolment has fallen sharply for the first time. Last year, 150 first-year students started the programme at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), compared to just over 100 this year. The programme had actually grown in popularity at the UvA over the past ten years. It even had its own building, Lab42. AI was here to stay at the UvA.
According to Efstratios Gavves, programme director of the Bachelor’s programme in Artificial Intelligence, the popularity has not declined necessarily, since the national supply of AI and data science programmes in the Netherlands has also increased in recent years. Gavves: “Students now have more options to choose from and are spreading themselves across the programmes. In Groningen, on the other hand, the number of students is increasing.”
The programme at the UvA now has to compete with other programmes in the Netherlands. “Competition is a big word, but the UvA wants to offer the highest quality in its programmes, so we are investigating the reasons for this.”
Market research is currently being conducted at the AI bachelor’s programme to gain insight into how society will develop in the coming years. The curriculum is also undergoing an upgrade. A proposal has been submitted for a robotics lab for students, and there are new courses that better match the skills that companies are looking for.
Nevertheless, the situation at AI is not problematic, says Gavves. “The students who enrol in AI are staying. And it is still a large group, so we are not worried yet. Due to the decline, there were of course logistical problems with timetables and classrooms this year, but it is more of an emotional problem than anything else. What we can do is we upgrade our program to deliver the highest quality, world class education, and hope that many students will enrol. In the coming year, we will see whether this is a random spike or whether the decline in student numbers will continue.”
