Dutch universities and hbo colleges plan to select students for double the number of degree courses in the next academic year, according to education ministry figures.

They plan to select students for 44 degree courses, compared with 26 in the current year. Hbo colleges are introducing selection criteria for 30 course, compared with 17 at present.

Dutch universities are not technically allowed to choose students purely on the basis of their exam results.

Students who score an average of 8 in their school leaving exams are automatically given a place on courses with restricted numbers. The remaining places are allocated on the basis of a lottery, or on motivational letters, portfolios and interviews.

Law, medicine and some business economics courses are the most likely to involve selection.