Dutch students have never been so happy about their university and college degree courses, according to the annual National Student Inquiry, news agency ANP reports on Thursday.

In total, 58% of hbo college students are satisfied with their courses, a rise of five percentage points on last year. Almost 72% of university students are happy, up from 69% in 2014.

In total, 270,000 students took part in the survey, organised by foundation and website Studiekeuze123. Some 700,000 were invited to participate.

‘There has been a lot going on in higher education,’ director Kolkhuis Tanke told ANP, referring to the abolition of student grants and the recent protests in Amsterdam. ‘It is notable that at a time of upheaval, so many students are sharing their views and their satisfaction about their education.’

Education minister Jet Bussemaker welcomed the results and said she will present new plans for higher education to parliament shortly.

Later today, a broad coalition of political parties are due to present their own plans to make universities and colleges more democratic. In particular, they say students should have more influence about their own courses and, potentially, input into the make-up of the board.