Most Dutch universities have stopped actively recruiting foreign students, the Financieele Dagblad reported on Friday after questioning officials at all 13.

Instead, the universities are focusing on providing information to prospective students who approach them, the paper said.

Eindhoven University of Technology is the only one trying to attract more students from abroad, and has a target of 25% foreign students per degree course. ‘We do not reach that percentage in most courses, so there is still room for foreign students,’ a spokesman told the paper.

The Dutch universities association VSNU said the trend away from direct recruitment has been apparent for some time.

‘The increase in student numbers is putting pressure on the education system,’ a spokesman said. ‘Universities want to maintain quality and reduce the pressure on members of staff.’

Last year, the number of students from outside the EU attending a Dutch university dropped by 4%. However, more European students signed up for a Dutch university course, taking the total increase in foreign student numbers to 13%, according to VSNU figures.