A bachelor programme in interdisciplinary social science at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has introduced a ban on laptops, phones and tablets during lectures. The programme says the measure is intended to improve concentration in class. Cyrilein Evertsen, a senior lecturer involved in the programme, says that between 60 and 80 percent of students use digital devices during lectures for activities other than listening, such as online shopping or social media. The ban applies during lectures in this academic year.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
Dutch universities generally allow students to choose how they take notes, but individual programmes can set their own rules. If you are starting a course at a Dutch institution, check the programme's own guidelines rather than assuming a campus-wide policy. A device ban may mean you need paper and a pen, or that you should ask about exceptions for accessibility or medical needs. It can also be a chance to practise listening in Dutch or English without a screen in front of you. If you are still learning the language, focusing on the lecturer without a laptop may feel harder at first, but it can help you follow the spoken word more closely. The change is limited to this programme, not all UvA courses.