Police and protesters have clashed briefly outside the Dutch Parliament shortly after thousands of students demonstrated against government spending cuts. No injuries were reported.

"It is very restless around the Education Ministry and Parliament," the Hague police department said on its Twitter feed. "Police and horses in action to restore calm."

An Associated Press photographer near the parliament building says police carried out charges there after some protesters began pulling cobblestones from the street and throwing beer cans.

Around 11,000 protesters had earlier attended a peaceful demonstration against the spending cuts, which would force schools and students to pay more when students fail to graduate on schedule.

Many universities cancelled classes today and chartered buses to allow students to attend, while professors in black gowns protested near Parliament.