Frequently Asked Questions

The Dutch are known for their proficiency in the English language and this, combined with the highly international nature of both the campus and the city of Rotterdam ensure that you will manage just fine without any Dutch language skills. Of course it is often very rewarding to be able to speak the language of the country you are living in. Also, if you are looking for a job on the side, or hope to remain in the Netherlands after graduation, speaking Dutch can be a big advantage. The Language &Training Centre (LTC) offers several language courses, including Dutch.

The  Erasmus Sport Centre has two sports halls, five squash courts, a fitness gym and six open-air tennis courts. You can participate in training sessions and use all facilities in the sports buildings on campus. Sports offered include tennis, squash, rugby, soccer, volleyball, rowing, basketball, boxing and other fitness activities such as pilates, yoga and dancing.

No, but there is a swimming pool in the vicinity. Consult Erasmus Sport for other sport facilities.

The College Board institute code for Rotterdam School of Management is 6767. 

A conditional offer of admission means that you still need to do something before you will be allowed to start your studies at RSM. For the vast majority of our applicants, this means that you need to bring or send either certified hard copies or originals of your diploma(s) and final academic transcript. Once all of the conditions in your offer of admission have been met, your offer will become unconditional and you may officially enroll in the programme.

Many of our applicants ask why we require certified hard copies or originals of their diploma(s) and academic transcripts when we already have digital copies. RSM requires official hard copies because digital documents are easier to forge and are therefore not legal documents.

Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) is one of the schools or faculties that make up the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). The Erasmus University Rotterdam also has schools in economics, medicine, health policy, social sciences, philosophy, history/culture/communication and law.

Rotterdam School of Management and the Erasmus University Rotterdam should not be confused with the neighbouring 'Rotterdam Business School'. Rotterdam Business School is not a research university but a university of applied sciences. 

You are by law obliged to be properly insured during your time in the Netherlands. 

View here for information about parking facilities.  

It's possible to follow a limited selection of additional courses from RSM Bachelor programmes, for example if you are missing courses in your current bachelor curriculum for a master you are interested in.

These courses are only available for students who are currently enrolled in a Bachelor programme from a Dutch research university.

On the general website of the Erasmus University you can find the information and the registration form for elective courses from our Dutch language Bedrifskunde bachelor programme.

If your bachelor is/was taught in English, you can also follow elective courses from our International Business Administration bachelor.

If you have any questions please contact the Bachelor Programme Management via bsc.pm@rsm.nl.

RSM Career Centre provides a broad range of services to students, most of them internship and future career related. The Career Centre staff functions as a liaison between students, the corporate world and the various departments of the business school to help determine and facilitate internships and research opportunities. Career Centre can help students clarify their interests and skills, refine interviewing and curriculum vitae preparation skills, pursue internships and research projects and interact with potential employers. Students are encouraged to make use of some or all services, especially in the year preceding their BSc or MSc graduation.

You can also find information regarding career opportunities in the Netherlands on the website of the Nuffic.

No, RSM does not have a special admissions process or criteria for students with refugee status because individual situations can vary widely. Applications from refugees will therefore be assessed on an individual basis. If you have questions regarding your diploma, please contact the RSM admissions office.

The Erasmus University does offer general support for refugees. Please visit the refugee pages for more information.

At Rotterdam School of Management you can join the following student organisations.

The  IBA programme does not offer direct admittance to a higher year. If you started your studies elsewhere and you want to complete your bachelor at Rotterdam School of Management, you must apply as a first year student. If you are selected, you formally start in the first year of the programme. Exemption requests for overlapping courses are only handled once you're enrolled into the programme and can only be submitted at the start of the academic year. We cannot guarantee that your request(s) will be granted as the decision will be made by the RSM Examination Board. 

After registration in Studielink you will receive an online study choice check questionnaire. You are not required to fill out the questionnaire if you are applying to a 'numerus fixus' programme such as International Business Administration (IBA) at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

There are two types of higher education in the Netherlands: research-oriented (WO) and profession-oriented (HBO):

Research-oriented education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) is traditionally offered by research universities, such as Erasmus University which Rotterdam School of Management is a part of.

• Programmes at research universities focus on theoretical aspects of the field of study.
• Prepares students for undertaking independent research.
• Lead to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. At research universities you can also pursue a PhD degree.
• Fewer contact hours and more course material to study independently.
• A Bachelor's program at a research university requires the completion of 180 credits (three years of study) and graduates obtain the degree of Bachelor of Arts, of Science, or of Laws (BA/BSc/LLB), depending on the discipline.

Higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO) is offered by universities of applied sciences (hogescholen)

• Programmes at universities of applied sciences prepare students for particular professions
• Tend to be more practically-oriented.
• They lead to either a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• More contact hours (e.g. lectures / tutorials) during which course material is taught in a classical setting, more practical projects and group work.
• A Bachelor's degree in the applied arts and sciences requires 240 credits (four years of study); in most cases, graduates obtain a degree indicating the field of study (for example, Bachelor of Engineering, B Eng, or Bachelor of Nursing, B Nursing).

More information on the Dutch higher education system can be found on the Study in Holland website or you can check out this video made by Nuffic. Bachelor's degrees from both types of education lead to a level 6 qualification in the National Qualification Framework and are therefore equal in level.

Research universities in the Netherlands (‘universiteiten’ in Dutch) are institutions of tertiary education with a focus on scientific research in an academic setting. These institutions essentially train students in academic study and the application of knowledge and often do not include (mandatory) work experience. However, many of the programmes do also have a professional component and most graduates actually find work outside the research community.

In order to be eligible for admission to an undergraduate programme at a Dutch research university, like the Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, you will need to have at least a high school diploma comparable to a Dutch diploma on VWO-level. Check out RSM’s website for any other admission requirements per programme.

Another type of education in the Netherlands is taught by the universities of applied sciences (in Dutch ‘hogescholen’). These institutions offer programmes that focus on the practical application of arts and sciences. Getting practical work experience through internships is an important part of the professional study programmes. For admission into an undergraduate programme at a university of applied sciences, your high school diploma needs to be similar to a Dutch diploma on HAVO level. An example of a university of applied sciences is Hogeschool Rotterdam (Rotterdam University of Applied Science).

Both types of institutions award bachelor's degrees, all research universities and some universites of applied science offer master's degrees. Only research universities offer doctorate programmes. The level attained at both types of university is the same (National Qualification Framework Level 6), however students with a bachelor from a university of applied science generally need to complete a premaster if they would like to do a master at a research university. This is needed to bridge the gap in research and statistics.

Dutch Course are offered by the Erasmus University Language & Training centre.