Nationwide schemes

A binding study advice (BSA) must meet certain conditions:
 

• You must receive proper supervision from, for example, a study coach or student counsellor.
• If you are at risk of a negative BSA, you must be warned in time. This usually happens after the first semester.
• The educational institution must take into account, for example, a disability, special family circumstances or a board position.
   
• You have the right to be heard and can object to a negative binding study advice.
• All the rules regarding the binding study advice can be found in the Teaching and Examination Regulations of your study programme.

The binding study advice has been firmly established within the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW). Every student following a course at a publicly funded college or university receives a study recommendation at the end of the first academic year. The educational institution can decide for itself whether this recommendation is binding.

Where can you find more information about the BSA?

• Colleges and universities often have a separate page on their websites with information about the binding study advice. Search for this on the website of your educational institution.
   
• You can find more information about the binding study advice (BSA) on the website of the Dutch government.
• Also check the website of the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences or the website of the Universities of the Netherlands for up-to-date information about the binding study advice.

Have a look at the other facilities, accommodations or schemes that might be helpful for you, too.

A binding study advice (BSA) is advice you receive at the end of your first year of study. This advice is based on the number of credits you have earned.

Indicate if you experience obstacles in education!
 

• Your school must take your need for support into account. It is therefore important to report your need for support as soon as you experience obstacles at school. Afterwards, for example if it becomes clear that you have not passed your binding study advice (BSA), it is more difficult to make exceptions.
• If you experience obstacles because of your support needs, you can look at the impact of these on regulations such as the BSA or compulsory attendance.
• It is important that you share information, even if things change. That way, you can continue to discuss how you can study as effectively as possible. This also gives your programme the opportunity to (continue to) help you.

In your first year of study, you must earn a minimum number of credits (EC) to receive a positive binding study advice (BSA). This number varies per educational institution and programme. At some institutions, the limit is 36 EC, while others require 45, 52 or even 60 EC. So check what applies to your programme before you start. If you achieve the required number of credits, you can proceed to the next academic year with a positive binding study advice.

A full academic year consists of 60 EC. A higher professional bachelor has a total of 240 EC and lasts four years. A university bachelor lasts three years and consists of 180 EC. The following applies to a master's programme: a one-year master's programme has 60 EC, a two-year master's programme 120 EC. You must complete your bachelor's degree before you can start a master's programme.
 

The BSA rules may change as of the 2025-2026 academic year

This change may affect the number of credits you need to earn to pass the BSA. If the proposal goes through, as of 2025-2026, first-year students will only need to earn 30 credits to be allowed to continue to the second year. The BSA in your first year of study will therefore be lowered. This new number of credits is intended to reduce the pressure somewhat and give you more time to get used to your new life as a student. However, you will need to have collected 60 credits by the end of the second year. So you will be spreading the pressure over two years. Read more about the possible changes to the BSA here.

You will receive a negative binding study advice if your study results are insufficient and the study programme estimates that you will not obtain your diploma.

Important:

• Studying more slowly or needing extra support is not a reason for a negative binding study advice.
• If you have a disability or require support, the programme must take this into account. Make sure you report this to your study advisor in a timely manner.

Do you disagree with your binding study advice or are you dissatisfied with your study guidance? You can do the following:

1. Submit a complaint to your educational institution. The procedure for this is set out in the student charter.
2. Object to the binding study advice if you feel that your personal circumstances have not been sufficiently taken into account.
3. Consult the representative advisory board if you have questions about the policy of your educational institution.

Do you think you will receive a negative binding study advice (BSA)? You can avoid this by deregistering before 1 February. This only applies to the first year that you are registered for your studies. More information about the conditions of the 1 February regulation can be found on the website of DUO.

If you deregister before 1 February, you will not receive a negative binding study advice and you can try the same study programme again next year. But is that the best choice? After all, you did not stop for no reason. Maybe another study programme would suit you better. Always consult with your study career coach, student affairs or a dean to determine what is wise in your situation.