Curriculum
The Rotterdam School of Management Part-Time Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance is a unique learning journey that focuses on the integration of customs with global logistics, facilitated by information systems. In each block of your learning, you will explore all of the critical dimensions of international trade through the lens of three core pillars: Customs and Regulations, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology and Compliance.
Topics
During the programme, you will focus on:
- Customs regulations
You will thoroughly explore and understand the legal and regulatory aspects of the customs domain, including the international background of customs procedures, the perspective of the World Customs Organisation, and the Union Customs Code. You will deal with the harmonised system, rules of origin, customs valuation, formalities, suspension regime, excise and VAT, and regulations concerning safety and security. You will also discuss the impact of new developments in international legislation. - Supply chain management
You will develop new perspectives of the hierarchy between supply chain management, logistics and transport. You will also be introduced to the authorised economic operator (AEO) schemes, including how businesses deal with regulatory compliance and risk in an international and networked environment. - Information and compliance
You will learn how to analyse the adequacy of information systems to support business processes, and make recommendations to improve them. You will be able to assess the appropriateness and operating effectiveness of a system of internal controls to ensure compliance, using system-based auditing techniques.
Programme design
The Part-Time Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance integrates face-to-face and online learning to optimise access and flexibility. You have the time and space to learn, to experiment with new ideas and approaches, and to apply your learning in real-time, in your real-world role and organisation for impact as immediate as it is enduring.
Integration project
In a small team you will apply your new knowledge and skills into a specific project. This project serves to bring together the three main pillars of this programme: customs regulation, auditing and IT and supply chain management. In previous rounds, project topics included:
• Being in control and creating a secure trade logistics environment
• Corporate social responsibility in the supply chain
• Applying elements of the Union Customs Code in practice
• Transitions in customs declaration systems.
Thesis project
You will explore and solve a real and topical customs issue that is hindering your organisation to be fully in control. This may be a multidisciplinary research project, or more focused on one of the pillars of this programme. In previous years, we have often seen combinations of safety, security, trade facilitation and sustainability with compliance management and logistics efficiency. This project must meet academic and practical standards. You will document your findings, solutions and next steps in a report.
Are you interested in developments in, for instance, e-commerce, trade management, customs supervision or corruption in the customs domain? Then read the thesis report of some of our former students. You can find them at the thesis repository of our programme: https://thesis.eur.nl/col/7011
Tuition fee
€32,000, including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation, transportation or parking fees. The tuition fee is exempt from VAT. A non-refundable €1,000 admissions fee is required to secure your place on the programme. This is due by the registration date as stated in your offer letter.
Application and admission
The part-time Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance is intended for people with an ambition to become customs leaders in international trade. The admissions procedure emphasises motivation, maturity and creativity, as well as a strong interest in international trade.
Eligibility
You should comply with the following requirements if you wish to take part in the part-time Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance:
- have a bachelor or master degree
- have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience
- have affinity with supply chain management and IT or auditing
- have experience with customs
- non-native English speaking candidates may be required to provide results of a TOEFL or IELTS test.
Tuition and financing
€32,000, including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation, transportation or parking fees. The tuition fee is exempt from VAT. A non-refundable €1,000 admissions fee is required to secure your place on the programme. This is due by the registration date as stated in your offer letter.
Application process
Participants will learn as much from each other as from the faculty. To ensure a diverse and high-quality group, all applicants to the programme will be required to undergo an intake discussion with the Programme Director. This way we can guarantee that the programme is suitable for you.
We will schedule the intake call within two weeks of receiving your application form and required documents. After the intake call, the Programme Director will advise the Admission Committee to either accept or reject your application.
If your application is accepted, your formal registration for the programme will be confirmed via email.
Application checklist
Please note that the following documents are needed for your application for the programme.
- Copy of passport photo page
- Official transcript of academic records, signed by the appropriate university officials
- Certified (stamped and signed) copies of your degree(s) or diploma(s)
- CV or résumé
- Results of TOEFL or IELTS test (if applicable)
Deadline
Your application can only be processed when all required documents have been received. Candidates are selected for intake interviews based on completed applications. For more information about this programme and the upcoming deadline please contact Rudsel Maduro (rmaduro@rsm.nl).
Apply now
Registration for the programme is done through Embark. Via Embark you can register and provide us with the documents needed to assess your application. After your submission, one of our Marketing & Admissions managers will get in touch with you to discuss the following steps.
Dates and location
RSM’s part-time Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance programme takes place in Rotterdam and is taught in English.
Dates
Start date Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance: January 2024.
Please contact our Recruitment & Admissions Manager Rudsel Maduro for the full timetable of the programme.
Location
Your courses will primarily consist of extended periods of weekly online sessions (2 hours) and self-study, alternated by on-campus or hybrid intensive weeks. The on campus courses will be held at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Bayle (J) Building, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Rotterdam.
Hotel accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in Rotterdam, we recommend Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark Hotel, adjacent to the university and less than five minutes’ walk from campus.
Academic and corporate partners
Erasmus University, the Customs Administration of the Netherlands and international associations representing international trade and supply chain partners contributed to the development of the Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance programme. They all pursue a strategy to strengthen and improve international trade through collaboration and innovation and recognise the need to develop leaders in customs.
Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Erasmus School of Law (ESL) offers international high-quality law education that provides theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills. Its programmes attract students and staff from all over the world. ESL’s interdisciplinary education and research combines legal, economic, political and social thinking, and has a strong social and business-driven orientation. Due to its excellent education and research, ESL achieves high positions in international rankings.
AWA Foreign Trade Academy
The AWA Foreign Trade Academy was founded in 1996 and is one of Germany's leading providers of customs-related learning services. Its portfolio ranges from professional sources to academic programmes. The AWA is a cooperation partner of the University of Münster and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Customs Administration of the Netherlands
Manages the cross-border movements of goods that enter or exit the EU via the Netherlands. The Customs Administration of the Netherlands facilitates trade, and applies checks when and where needed. The Customs Administration constantly innovates its supervision processes, respecting EU-legislation in close co-operation with industry and academic institutes to reduce administrative burdens and interferences in logistics to an absolute minimum.
Meet our alumni
Meet some of our recent EMC graduates and discover how this Executive Master impacted their careers and what are the benefits of following this programme.
Jeroen Borst
EMC Class of 2020
Boosting legislation logic while optimising data sharing and IT

Agnieszka Brodacz, Onno van Elswijk, and Isabel Hanot share their experiences of RSM’s part-time Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance.
Watch the videos to find out!
How to combine the Executive Master in Customs with work?
Agnieszka Brodacz, class of 2019
Who should join the Executive Master in Customs?
Onno van Elswijk, class of 2019
How does the Executive Master in Customs impact your career?
Isabel Hanot, class of 2019