Admission & Application

IBA application process explained!

URGENT! Submit RSM's Online Application Form (OLAF) by 31 January, 2023 at 23:59 CET (Central European Time).

Admission requirements

 

 

Grades

Your average grade will make up 75% of the selection points you can earn for the final ranking.

The lower your GPA, the fewer points you'll receive. If your grades are lower than what is required for your specific diploma, you will not receive selection points and chances of admission are very low.

Average grade calculation:

Are you in the final year of high school? RSM will use the grades of your 

Have you graduated? Grades of your final year and/or the exam results (if applicable) will be used for the calculation. Additionally, grades of your current or previous higher education studies (e.g. University (of Applied Sciences)) will be taken into consideration. 

 

Mathematics

Mathematics is an important part of a business bachelor. You will need a sufficient level of mathematic to pass courses such as finance, accounting, economics and statistics.

Check out the mathematics requirements your specific diploma before you apply. 

  • Applicants with an insufficient math level or an insufficient grade can take the IBA mathematics exam in order to qualify.
  • If you are required to take the IBA math exam, schedule the exam on time. The results must be handed in by 15 March.
  • An insufficient grade for mathematics will put you in the bottom tier of the ranking. 

 

English

This bachelor is completely taught in English. In order to pass your courses and communicate fluently with fellow students from around the world, a sufficient level of English is required.

Check out the English requirements for your specific diploma before you apply.

  • Applicants with an insufficient level or grade can take a English language proficiency test in order to qualify.
  • If you are required to take an English test, schedule the test on time. The results must be handed in by 15 March.
  • An insufficient grade for English will put you in the lower tiers of the ranking.

Fulfilling all the requirements does not guarantee a spot as this also depends on the quality of the applicant pool. A strong applicant pool may limit your chances of selection. 

Your motivation will make up 25% of the selection points you can earn for the final ranking.

During the application process in the Online Application Form (OLAF), you will illustrate your drive and suitability for the programme by answering 3 short motivation questions in English. 

Check out our tips for writing a good motivation.

IBA is classified as a Numerus Fixus programme. You can only apply for two Numerus Fixus programmes in the Netherlands.

Numerus fixus means:

  • fixed number of spots in the programme: a maximum of 750 students can start the study in September
  • early deadlines: The Dutch government has determined that all applicants must register in the Dutch national student registration system Studielink by 15 January.
  • ranking: Applicants who submit a complete application by the application deadline will be ranked, based on their grades and motivation. The top 750 candidates will be offered admission to the programme. All other eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
  • a fixed date admission: The results will be published on the 15th of April.

Application process

You can start your application on 1 October at the earliest. Before you apply, prepare the IBA Diploma Statement:

If you have not received your high school diploma at the time of application, you must submit a 'diploma statement'. This statement must be filled in by your school counselor or school representative.

The purpose of this statement is to clarify which grading system your school uses in order to correctly calculate your average grade.  

You will submit this statement along with your application. 

If you have already obtained your diploma, the statement is not necessary.

The application has 2 steps:

1: Register in Studielink (by 15 January)

2: Submit the Online Application Form (OLAF) (by 31 January) 

The first step in the application process is to register in the Dutch national student registration system Studielink. 

Studielink opens on the 1 October, 2022 and closes on 15 January, 2023 at 23:59 CET (Central European Time). 

This is not the actual application! After registering in Studielink, you will fill in the RSM Online Application Form (OLAF).

For detailed instructions, visit our FAQ: 

What is Studielink and how does it work?

My Passport/ID in Studielink has been rejected, what do I do?

Within 24 hours of a successful registration via Studielink you will receive your log in details (also known as ERNA credentials) and a link to the RSM Online Application Form (OLAF). 

Fill in and submit the Online Application Form (OLAF) by the 31 of January 2023, 23:59 CET (Central European Time).

  • If you did not receive your ERNA login details, contact the Erasmus University IT Servicedesk: servicedesk@eur.nl.
  • If you did not receive a link to OLAF within two days after registering in Studielink, contact the RSM Admissions Office. Also check your spam/junk folder.
  • If you receive a warning in OLAF that your current registration in Studielink does not match the programme in OLAF, check if you have selected the correct programme (Bachelor International Business Administration (English) (numerus fixus)) in Studielink.

You will receive updates about your application in the OLAF message center. Log in to check it regularly.


Frequently Asked Questions:

Which documents do I need to submit for my BScIBA application?

Should I add recommendation letters to my application?

What is considered a valid translation of my diplomas and transcripts and where can I get one?

All applications submitted by 31 January will be assessed to determine the applicants eligibility for the IBA programme. You will be updated on the status of the evaluation in the OLAF message centre. Log in to check it regularly.

Pre-screening
The evaluation starts with checking the documents you have submitted in your application. This is called pre-screening.

  • You will receive an update regarding the documents within 3 weeks of submitting your application.
  • If important information is missing from the application, the evaluation will not continue until you have submitted additional documents.
  • The additional documents must be submitted by 31 January.
  • Test results for additional Math and English results must be submitted by 15 March.

As the application deadline approaches we receive an increasing number of applications. After 31 January it may take longer to be notified about the status of your application. 

After all submitted applications have been evaluated, each applicant will be given a rank number which is determined by three factors:

  • general eligibility (diploma level, English & math)
  • grade average at the time of application (75%)
  • your answer to the motivation questions (25%)

Your final rank number depends on the quality of the other applicants. Meeting all the requirements does not guarantee a admission to the bachelor.

On 15 April all applicants receive their results in the form of a rank number via e-mail from Studielink.

Applicants with rank number 1 to 750 will also receive a second e-mail from Studielink with an offer of admission for the programme.

Applicants with rank number 751 and higher will automatically be put on a waiting list.

If an applicant who was ranked in the top 750 declines the offer of admission, it will be automatically assigned to the next person on the waiting list.

Applicants who are offered admission to the IBA programme (initially or from the waiting list) have 14 days to accept or decline the offer in Studielink. If you fail to respond to the offer within 14 days, your place will automatically be assigned to the next person on the waiting list!

This process is not handled by RSM but by the national student registration system Studielink and no exceptions can be made. Once you have declined your offer it cannot be reversed. 

While your application can be evaluated based on unofficial digital documents you have uploaded in your application form, eventually the RSM needs to check the authenticity of your diploma and your final transcript. This is also listed as a condition in your offer. You should provide the RSM IBA Admissions Office with your diploma and final grade list by 1 August. 

Am I eligible?

Before submitting your application, check the admissions requirements for your specific diploma.