Leiden University Student Repository

Gerbscheid, Boas (2026)

Labour market prospects and study choices: a case study of the effects of labour market shortages on study choices in the Netherlands

Master thesis | Public Administration (MSc)

This paper examines the relationship between labour market demand and study choices in Dutch higher education. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines vacancy rates, enrolment data, and student surveys, I test if there is a significant effect of vacancy rates on study enrolment. I then test two supporting hypotheses: first, students in highly in demand fields place greater importance on career prospects; second, students’ opinions respond to market changes in different ways depending on the field of study. This study finds that the effect of sector level vacancy rates on study enrolment is insignificant. In some fields there does however seem to be an effect on student opinion. These findings are in accordance with the student study choice literature. Students’ opinions are affected by new information but their major choices are not. There is also some indication that macro-economic effects could affect student enrolment on the whole.

Human Capital

study choice

labour market

Author

Gerbscheid, Boas

Faculty

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

Specialisation

Economics and Governance

Supervisors

Diris, R.E.M.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en