The binding study advice in Dutch higher education

The binding study advice (BSA) is a provision of the Higher Education and Research Act (Wet op hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek, WHW). Educational institutions can use the BSA as an instrument to help ensure that students are enrolled in the right study program. The BSA can also contribute to study progress. By complying with the requirements of the BSA, students do not take a "heavy burden" with them to the second study year.

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has asked Panteia and SEOR to study the operation of the binding study advice. This study analyzes the conditions, criteria and additional policies related to the BSA. Furthermore, the study identifies the factors that influence the functioning of the BSA and possible tools to reinforce its positive effect at both applied universities (hogescholen) and universities.

The main research question of the study is:

Under which conditions and criteria is the BSA implemented by the various higher education institutions in 2018, and which factors influence the positive and negative consequences of the BSA?