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Admission & Application

Admission requirements

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

Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to IBA. Applications are assessed competitively, and selection depends on the strength of the overall applicant pool. Additional information regarding diploma assessments, accepted qualifications, and other important exceptions can be found in our FAQ.

 

 

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

Review the maths requirements for your diploma.

  • If required maths grades are not met, your ranking will drop.
  • Depending on your diploma, a mathematics proficiency 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 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 two 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 650 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 650 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

You searched for: "hbo".

Diploma name

  • HBO Propaedeutics phase at a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (Completed first year of a four-year HBO programme) 

General requirements

  • If you have a non-Dutch secondary school diploma, please visit the website to review the specific requirements for your diploma type and confirm your eligibility. If your secondary school diploma is not eligible for admission, you must have successfully completed the first year of a four-year HBO study programme and obtain at least 60 EC and have obtained an HBO Propaedeutics University of Applied Sciences. 

Mathematics requirement

  • Your mathematics will be evaluated based on the level and grade obtained during your secondary school.  
  • If you do not meet the math requirement listed for your secondary education, you must take a mathematics proficiency exam

English language requirement

  • Your English proficiency will be evaluated based on the level and grade obtained during your secondary school. 
  • If you do not meet any of the above requirements, you must take an English language test

Selection points

  • If you are eligible with your secondary school diploma, you will be granted selection points based on the final year of your secondary school and/or exams. If your grade average is below the minimum requirements for your secondary school diploma, you will not earn selection points for your final ranking. Please visit the website to review the specific requirements for your diploma type and confirm your eligibility. 
  • If you are not eligible with your secondary school diploma and are in the first year of your HBO studies when you apply, you must have obtained at least 25 credits (EC) by 31st January, with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 7.5. If you have completed less than 25 credits (EC), you are not eligible for selection.  

Additional requirements

  • Applicants who are not eligible with their secondary school diploma must have completed the first year of a four-year HBO study programme with at least 60 EC and have obtained an HBO Propaedeutics University of Applied Sciences.
  • In the application you must submit official grade lists signed by your school representative/HBO Institution 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/institution 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:
Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Related questions

Diploma name

  • HBO Propaedeutics University of Applied Sciences (Completed first year of a four year HBO programme at a Dutch University of Applied Sciences) 

General requirements

  • For applicants with a Dutch HAVO diploma: you must have successfully completed the first year of a four-year HBO study programme and obtain at least 60 EC. 

Mathematics requirement 

  • VWO certificate Wiskunde A with minimum grade of 6.5 OR VWO certificate Wiskunde B with a minimum grade of 6.0 
  • If you do not meet this requirements, you must take a mathematics proficiency exam

English language requirement 

  • VWO certificate English with a minimum grade of 6.5 OR IB English A HL certificate minimum grade 4 OR IB English A SL certificate minimum grade 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 based on the grades for the first year of your HBO studies. The grade point average (GPA) for your HBO studies must be at least 7.5. If your grade average is lower, you will not earn selection points for your final ranking. 
  • If you are in the first year of your HBO studies when you apply, you must have obtained at least 25 credits (EC) by 31st January. If you have less than 25 credits (EC) you are not eligible for selection. 

Additional requirements  

  • With a HAVO diploma you can only be admitted if you have completed the first year of a four-year HBO study programme with at least 60 EC and have obtained an HBO Propaedeutics University of Applied Sciences 
  • In the application you must submit official grade lists signed by your school representative/HBO Institution 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/institution 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:
Tuesday, 22 September 2026

Application process

1. Preparation and application

Application timeline: 2027–2028

  • Application opens: 1 October 2026

Before applying
Ensure you have the RSM diploma statement ready:

  • If you haven’t received your high school diploma yet, your school counsellor or representative must complete a diploma statement, showing your grading system, the diploma you are expected to obtain, and the subjects you will take in your final examinations.
  • 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 2026
  • Deadline: 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET (Central European Time)

In Studielink, select Bachelor International Business Administration (English) (Numerus Fixus). Always select ‘start as ‘first-year’. 

IMPORTANT: This is not the full application! A Studielink registration is NOT the actual RSM application. 
After registering in Studielink, you must also complete the RSM Online Application Form (OLAF).

If you are not registered in Studielink by 15 January, you will not be able to apply for the upcoming September intake. No exceptions can or will be made!

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).
  • If you have applied to Erasmus University in the past, you will not receive new ERNA details. You will need to use the ERNA you already have.
  • 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 three to four 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 Maths 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 & maths)
  • 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.

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