Research Snapshot: Hiring international graduates
Hiring international graduates: The employers’ perspective
Publication date: 26 June 2025
International graduates who stay and work in the Netherlands after graduation make important contributions not only to the Dutch labour market but also to the overall success of organisations. However, staying after graduation is not always straightforward, as many international graduates face practical, financial, and linguistic challenges. While earlier studies have focused on these challenges, little is known about the employer's perspective—specifically, whether they are willing and prepared to hire international graduates.
To address this gap, Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, examines the advantages and disadvantages employers perceive in hiring international graduates. The research also investigates what employers need from higher education institutions and the government to support the hiring of international graduates.
The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data, including a survey filled in by 382 employers and focus group discussions/interviews with 34 employers.
Knowing how employers think about hiring international graduates provides valuable insight into how we can more effectively connect international talent with the Dutch labour market.
Elli Thravalou
Elli is a researcher at Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, Elli focuses, among others, on mobility, wellbeing, and retention of international students in Dutch higher education. Prior to this role, Elli worked at Tilburg University as a Study Abroad & Exchange Coordinator, supporting students with their international experiences.
Ece Arat
Ece Arat is a researcher at Nuffic. Her work primarily focuses on stay rates, international graduates and researchers in the Netherlands, and incoming mobility.
Key findings from the research
