Rotterdam school of Management, Erasmus University compact logo

Admission requirements

You can find the requirements for your specific diploma further down this page.

Meeting all the requirements doesn’t guarantee a spot, as your chances also depend on the strength of other applicants. A highly competitive applicant pool may lower your chances of selection.

 

 

Grades

Grades count for 75% of your final ranking. Lower grades mean fewer points. If your grades don’t meet the required level for your diploma, you won’t get any points, which makes it harder to be accepted.

  • Current high school students: We use grades from your second-to-last year of high school (i.e. penultimate year)
  • Graduates: We use grades from your final year and any exam results, along with any college or university grades.

 

Mathematics

Strong math skills are essential for business subjects like finance, economics, and statistics. 

Review the math requirements for your diploma.

  • If required math grades are not met, your ranking will drop.
  • Depending on your diploma, a mathematics exam may be necessary. Results must be submitted by 15 March. You may also take this test to compensate for a low grade. 

 

English

This bachelor's programme is entirely in English. To succeed in your courses and communicate with classmates from around the world, you need to have a good command of the English language.

Review the English requirements for your specific diploma.

  • If required English grades are not met, your ranking will drop.
  • Depending on your diploma, an English proficiency test may be necessary. Results must be submitted by 15 March. You may also take a test to compensate for a low grade. 

Your motivation accounts for 25% of the selection points for the final ranking.

  • In the Online Application Form (OLAF), you’ll answer 3 short motivation questions in English.
  • These questions let you explain your interest and fit for the programme.

Be sure to review our tips for writing a good motivation.

IBA is a Numerus Fixus programme, meaning limited spots are available. You can apply to a maximum of two Numerus Fixus programmes in the Netherlands.

  • Limited spots: Only 750 students are admitted for the September intake.
  • Early deadlines: You must register via Studielink by 15 January.
  • Ranking process: Applicants are ranked based on grades and motivation. The top 750 will receive admission offers, while others will be placed on a waiting list.
  • Admission date: Results are released on 15 April.
Application deadlines

Complete your application in time.

Studielink: 15 January
OLAF: 31 January

Requirements per high school diploma

Filter by diploma type or country

Central and South America

Diploma name

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) 

General requirements

  • Only the full IB Diploma is accepted.

  • IB certificates and IB Career-related programme are not accepted.

Mathematics requirement

  • Mathematics Analysis & Approaches SL minimum grade 5 OR Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL minimum grade 4 OR Mathematics Applications & Interpretation HL minimum grade 5 

  • (IB curriculum until 2019) Math SL minimum grade 5 OR Math HL minimum grade 4
  • If you do not meet any of the above requirements, you must take a mathematics exam

English language requirement

  • The entire IB programme is taught in English. 

  • If the IB programme is not entirely taught in English, then you need to fulfill either English A SL with a minimum score of 5 OR English A HL with a minimum score of 4 OR English B HL with a minimum score of 5  
  • If you do not meet any of the above requirements, you must take an English language test.

Selection points

  • ​You will be granted selection points if you have a total of 33 points based on the 6 exam subjects (excluding TOK and EE) or higher. If your grades are below this, you will not earn selection points for your final ranking.

For applicants in the final year of high school

  • Your Total IB points will be calculated based on the grades of your penultimate year (the year before your final year). Predicted grades are not used for the evaluation. 

For graduated applicants: 

  • Your Total IB points will be calculated based on the final exam grades (excluding TOK and EE).  

Additional requirements

  • Predicted grades are not used for the evaluation.

  • You must include the diploma statement in your application. This statement must be filled in by your school counselor or school representative. If you have already graduated at the time of applying, the statement is not required. 
  • Ensure that the levels of all subjects are clearly indicated (HL, SL, A or B) including Mathematics and languages on the diploma statement. 
  • Clearly indicate if the entire IB programme is taught in English.
  • If you follow multiple education systems and obtain more than one diploma (for instance, International Baccalaureate (IB) and American High School Diploma or the International Baccalaureate (IB) and your home country’s diploma), your application will be evaluated based on one diploma type. Also note that if you have or obtain both an IB diploma and a diploma from your home country that is not equivalent to the Dutch pre-university (VWO) diploma, your application will be assessed using the requirements for the IB diploma.  
  • In the application you must submit official grade lists signed by your mentor or school representative. Screenshots or self-made Word/Excel documents with your grades will not be accepted. Ensure that RSM can clearly understand how the grades were determined if your school uses a different grading system or calculations.
  • If you have not received your official IB diploma yet, RSM can verify your IB exam results online via the IBO website. This verification process can only be done if you have granted permission to Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), using the institute code: 034892. 

Find out how to apply

Disclaimer: These requirements are subject to change without prior notice. No rights may be derived from this publication. Please note that the RSM Admissions Office ultimately decides if the level and content of your education is sufficient and comparable to the Dutch secondary school system.

Last update:
Monday, 30 September 2024

Diploma name

  • Certificado de Terminación de Estudios – Bachillerato General 

Mathematics requirement

English language requirement

Selection points

  • You will be granted selection points if you have a Grade Average of 8 or higher. If your grades are below this, you will not earn selection points for your final ranking

For applicants in the final year of high school: 

  • Your Grade Average will be calculated based on the grades of your penultimate year (the year before your final year). 

For graduated applicants: 

  • Grades of the final year and/or the national exams will be used to calculate your average grade. 

Additional requirements

  • You must include the RSM diploma statement in your application. This statement must be filled in by your school counselor or school representative. If you have already graduated at the time of applying, the statement is not required.

  • In the application, you must submit official grade lists signed by your mentor or school representative. Screenshots or self-made Word/Excel documents with your grades will not be accepted. Ensure that RSM can clearly understand how the grades were determined if your school uses a different grading system or calculations. 

Find out how to apply

Disclaimer: These requirements are subject to change without prior notice. No rights may be derived from this publication. Please note that the RSM Admissions Office ultimately decides if the level and content of your education is sufficient and comparable to the Dutch secondary school system.

Last update:
Wednesday, 8 November 2023

Diploma name

  • Diplomas not listed on the website will be evaluated on an individual basis. Admissibility can only be determined after you have submitted a complete applicationApplicants are recommended to provide their diploma (if available), academic transcripts with a diploma supplement explaining your country's grading system. In most cases the following additional exams are required:

  • mathematics exam
  • English language test

Fulfilling the additional exam requirements doesn't automatically guarantee you a spot, as this also relies on your diploma level and the quality of other applicants. A highly competitive pool of applicants might reduce your chances of being selected.

For applicants in the final year of high school:  

  • Your Grade Average will be calculated based on the grades of your penultimate year (the year before your final year).  

For graduated applicants:  

  • Your Grade Average will be calculated based on the average of both your final school year results and/or national exams grades.   

Additional requirements 

  • You must include the RSM diploma statement in your application. This statement must be filled in by your school counselor or school representative. If you have already graduated at the time of applying, the statement is not required. 

  • In the application, you must submit official grade lists signed by your mentor or school representative. Screenshots or self-made Word/Excel documents with your grades will not be accepted. Ensure that RSM can clearly understand how the grades were determined if your school uses a different grading system or calculations. 

Find out how to apply

Disclaimer: These requirements are subject to change without prior notice. No rights may be derived from this publication. Please note that the RSM Admissions Office ultimately decides if the level and content of your education is sufficient and comparable to the Dutch secondary school system.

Last update:
Monday, 30 September 2024

Diploma name

  • Certificado Oficial de Estudios de Nivel Educación Secundaria (general stream )

Mathematics Requirement

English language requirement

Selection points 

  • You will be granted selection points if you have a Grade Average of 17 or higher. If your grades are below this, you will not earn selection points for your final ranking

For applicants in the final year of high school: 

  • Your Grade Average will be calculated based on the grades of your penultimate year (the year before your final year). 

For graduated applicants: 

  • Your Grade Average will be calculated based on the grades achieved during your final year. 

 Additional requirements 

  • If you have or obtain both the Certificado Oficial de Estudios and the International Baccalaureate (IB), your application will be assessed based on the IB requirements. If your IB exams take place in November, you must provide these results, which are typically released in January, by 31 January. These results will be used for the evaluation. 

  • You must include the RSM diploma statement in your application. This statement must be filled in by your school counselor or school representative. If you have already graduated at the time of applying, the statement is not required. 
  • In the application, you must submit official grade lists signed by your mentor or school representative. Screenshots or self-made Word/Excel documents with your grades will not be accepted. Ensure that RSM can clearly understand how the grades were determined if your school uses a different grading system or calculations. 

Find out how to apply

Disclaimer: These requirements are subject to change without prior notice. No rights may be derived from this publication. Please note that the RSM Admissions Office ultimately decides if the level and content of your education is sufficient and comparable to the Dutch secondary school system.

Last update:
Thursday, 21 September 2023

Diploma name

  • VWO Diploma

Mathematics requirement

  • Minimum grade of 7.0 for Wiskunde Q OR minimum grade of 6.5 for Wiskunde I OR minimum grade of 6.0 for Wiskunde I+II 

  • For graduated applicants: RSM calculates the average of your Schoolonderzoek (SO) grades and Afsluitende toets (AT) grade 
  • If you do not meet any of the above requirements, you must take a mathematics exam 

English language requirement 

  • Minimum grade of 7.0 

  • For graduated applicants: RSM calculates the average of your Schoolonderzoek (SO) grades and Afsluitende toets (AT) grade 
  • If you do not meet this requirement, you must take an English language test.

Selection points

  • You will be granted selection points if you have a Grade Average of 7.0 or higher. If your grades are below this, you will not earn selection points for your final ranking

For applicants in the final year of high school: 

  • Your Grade Average will be calculated based on the grades of your penultimate year (the year before your final year). 

For graduated applicants: 

  • Your Grade Average will be calculated based on the final rounded exam grades. For English and mathematics RSM calculates the average of your Schoolonderzoek (SO) grades and Afsluitende toets (AT). To calculate your overall average grade, RSM uses the final rounded grades. 

Additional requirements 

  • You must include the RSM diploma statement in your application. This statement must be filled in by your school counselor or school representative. If you have already graduated at the time of applying, the statement is not required.

  • In the application, you must submit official grade lists signed by your mentor or school representative. Screenshots or self-made Word/Excel documents with your grades will not be accepted. Ensure that RSM can clearly understand how the grades were determined if your school uses a different grading system or calculations. 

Find out how to apply

Disclaimer: These requirements are subject to change without prior notice. No rights may be derived from this publication. Please note that the RSM Admissions Office ultimately decides if the level and content of your education is sufficient and comparable to the Dutch secondary school system.

Last update:
Friday, 29 November 2024

Application process

IBA application process explained

1. Preparation and application

Application Timeline: 2025–2026

  • Application opens: 1 October 2024
  • All admissions information for the 2025–2026 academic year will be updated before this date. Some requirements may change.

Before Applying
Ensure you have the IBA Diploma Statement ready:

  • If you haven’t received your high school diploma yet, your school counsellor or representative must complete a diploma statement, explaining your school's grading system.
  • Upload the statement in the Online Application Form (OLAF).
  • If you already have your diploma, this statement is not required.

Application Process

  1. Register on Studielink by 15 January.
  2. Complete the Online Application Form (OLAF) by 31 January.

Step 1: Register in Studielink

  • Studielink opens: 1 October 2024
  • Deadline: 15 January 2025, 23:59 CET (Central European Time)

In Studielink, look for Bachelor International Business Administration (English) (Numerus Fixus).

Note: This is not the full application! After registering in Studielink, you will need to complete the RSM Online Application Form (OLAF).

For detailed instructions, visit our FAQ.

What is Studielink and how does it work?

My Passport/ID got rejected in Studielink, what should I do?

After Studielink Registration:

If you encounter issues:

  • Didn’t receive your ERNA login? Contact the Erasmus Student Service Centre (ESSC).
  • Didn’t get the OLAF link within two days? Check your spam folder and contact the RSM Admissions Office.
  • If OLAF shows a mismatch with Studielink, ensure you selected Bachelor International Business Administration (English) (Numerus Fixus) in Studielink.

Check the OLAF message centre regularly for updates on your application.

For more details, visit our FAQ:

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?

2. Evaluation and selection

All applications submitted by 31 January will be reviewed for eligibility. You will receive updates on your status in the OLAF message centre. Check it regularly.

Pre-screening
The evaluation starts with a review of the documents you submitted, known as pre-screening.

  • Early applicants: You’ll receive an update within 3-4 weeks of submission.
  • Closer to the deadline: As more applications come in, updates may take longer after 31 January.

If documents are missing, your evaluation will pause until they are provided. All documents must be submitted by 31 January, while Math and English test results are due by 15 March.

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

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

The final rank number will be sent to you on the 15th of April.

Meeting all the requirements doesn’t guarantee a spot, as your chances also depend on the strength of other applicants. A highly competitive applicant pool may lower your chances of selection.

3. Results and enrolment

Applicants offered a spot in the IBA programme, either initially or from the waiting list, have 14 days to accept or decline the offer in Studielink.

  • Failure to respond within 14 days will result in your place being given to the next person on the waiting list.
  • This process is managed by Studielink, not RSM, and no exceptions can be made.
  • Once an offer is declined, it cannot be reversed.

Your application can be evaluated using unofficial digital documents. However, RSM must verify the authenticity of your diploma and final transcript. This requirement will be stated in your offer.

  • You must submit your diploma and final grade list to the RSM IBA Admissions Office by 1 August.

More questions?

All FAQs

Check the FAQs and have all your questions answers.

Contact us

Do you have any questions regarding your application?