Housing for MBA post-graduate students
Starting your MBA at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is an exciting step. Arranging your accommodation is an important part of preparing for your move to Rotterdam.
We want to be transparent about the housing landscape in the Netherlands, while also reassuring you that with early preparation and the right approach, our MBA students successfully find suitable accommodation each year.
A competitive housing market
The housing market in Rotterdam, like most major Dutch cities, has a competitive rental market. Demand for student rooms, studios, and apartments is high, and availability can be limited, so careful planning is essential to secure accommodation and ensure a smooth start to the programme.
We encourage you to start your housing search as soon as possible after you have registered as a student.
Our International Full-time MBA begins in January and welcomes a smaller, close-knit cohort compared to the large undergraduate first-year bachelor and master’s intakes in September.
While much of the student accommodation market is tailored to undergraduates, MBA students often seek housing that better suits their lifestyle, study schedule and professional commitments.
This means:
- You are not competing with thousands of new students arriving at the same time.
- Demand pressure is typically lower than during the main September undergraduate intake.
- The MBA community is tight-knit, and students and alumni often support one another with housing leads and advice.
The Erasmus University Rotterdam website contains a wealth of information regarding housing in the Netherlands. However, please note that this information is primarily intended for undergraduate and pre-experience master's students.
Your responsibility, our support
In the Netherlands, universities do not automatically provide housing to students. Securing accommodation is ultimately the responsibility of each student. We provide information and resources to help you navigate the housing process, but we cannot guarantee accommodation
Through RSM, when you become fully enrolled into our programme, you will have access to:
- Limited number of on-campus Xior apartments are reserved exclusively for MBA students and allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
- Links to housing platforms/providers
- Connections with current MBA students and alumni
Types of accommodation
MBA students typically choose one of the following options:
- Private studios
- Independent apartments
- Shared apartments with other students or professionals
- Temporary short-stay accommodation is a viable option for students who have not yet secured long-term 12-month housing by the start of the MBA programme.
- Rotterdam has excellent public transport and biking infrastructure, so living slightly outside the immediate campus area can still mean a convenient 20-30-minute commute.
We want to be honest: finding housing in Rotterdam is challenging and requires time, flexibility, and a proactive effort.
At the same time, every year our MBA students successfully secure accommodation and quickly feel at home in the Netherlands. The January intake, smaller cohort size, and strong MBA community can all help make the process more manageable.
If you have specific concerns about housing, our Admissions team is happy to point you toward appropriate resources.
Budget considerations
Rental costs vary depending on location and type of accommodation. As a general guideline, you should budget for:
- Shared accommodation: approximately €700–€1,100 per month
- Private studio or apartment: approximately €1,100–€1,600+ per month
Please note these figures are indicative and actual costs may be higher.
Our tips
To ensure a smooth start to the programme, we recommend arriving a few days up to a few weeks early to settle into your accommodation and familiarise yourself with the city and local area.
Wherever possible, arrange your housing before arriving in the Netherlands, ideally with 12-month rental agreements.
Waiting until arrival can limit your options.
Some students choose temporary accommodation, allowing them to view apartments in person and gain a better sense of the city. Be aware that postponing your search can make finding a permanent place more difficult, so plan accordingly. Planning ahead and securing housing early will help you avoid stress, limited availability, and higher rental costs, ensuring a smooth transition into student life in Rotterdam.
Unfortunately, there are some housing frauds online. Students are advised to exercise caution when arranging accommodation, as housing scams are increasingly common in the Netherlands, particularly in competitive student markets. Fraudulent listings may appear legitimate and often involve requests for upfront payments without proper documentation or verified access to the property.
To safeguard against scams, students should avoid transferring any funds before confirming the identity of the landlord or provider, viewing the property, if possible (in person or via live video), and receiving a signed rental agreement. It is also essential to ensure that registration at the address is permitted.
To help avoid being scammed, please read this useful article by DutchReview (last updated January 2026): Housing & rental scams in the Netherlands: the ultimate red flag guide
Important!
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University does not act as an intermediary between students and private accommodation providers in Rotterdam. While we strive to provide helpful information to support your housing search, students are ultimately responsible for exercising caution when securing accommodation. The university has no control over third-party platforms and cannot be held accountable for any scams or issues arising from private market arrangements.
Your gateway to Europe and the world
Explorative, diverse, mercantile, outward-looking. The Netherlands and Rotterdam offer you a cultural context to pursue your MBA unlike any other.
By living and studying in the Netherlands, you are immersed in a tradition of cultural freedom in a country where more than 90 percent of the population can speak to you in English.
In the Netherlands, we value talent. We value diversity. We value innovation. This is why the Dutch government aims to attract knowledge and retain talent. Graduating from our MBA programme, you will be entitled to apply for an orientation year. This is a residence permit of one year which allows you to find a job, or start a business within three years of graduation.
The Netherlands
This is one of the safest countries in the world, according to the 2023 Global Peace index and belongs to the top 10 happiest countries in the world: the Dutch are known to value their work-life balance and have access to high-quality healthcare and schools. The country has a rich history with beautiful historic cities and the highest museum density in the world. Also, the Netherlands is the 18th largest economy in the world. Some of the world’s biggest multinationals, including Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING and Unilever, are Dutch. And we are a world leader in many areas of expertise, including agriculture, water management, art and design, logistics and sustainable energy.
Rotterdam
Europe’s biggest port has always welcomed trade and traders from all around the globe. A rich, entrepreneurial culture that drives innovation and interchange, and embraces diversity. Modern Rotterdam is a young, vibrant, international city; home to more than 170 different nationalities. The city is affordable, friendly, fun and infused with Dutch openness and a warmth of spirit. Rotterdam is the 2nd most sustainable city in the world. It is the world’s only city with an official ’Cool District’ and it’s Europe’s new capital of cool according to CNN.
In just three hours you can be in Paris. London and Berlin are just a five or six hour train ride away. So in this culturally rich environment, Rotterdam is not just a gateway to Europe, it is your gateway to the world.
Never a dull moment
RSM is a diverse community. Your class is 99 percent international and your classmates can lend their perspectives from a range of professional backgrounds. Because our programme is set in one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in the world, there will never be a dull moment.
Access the energetic, enriching life beyond the classroom. Choose from a myriad of activities, events, clubs, and networking opportunities hosted by the Student Association and others.
Professional Clubs
President:
- Hsuan Chen
- Joyce Hsiao
Club mission:
- Expand your cryptocurrency knowledge and connect with the Crypto Enthusiasts
Club focus:
- Learning crypto with hands-on workshop and explore the opportunities in the industry
Events:
- BTC basic sessions (speaker events), Crypto exchange sessions (guest speakers), exchange events (company event)
Co-presidents:
- Ana Cuadrado
- Sebastián Quiroga
Club mission:
- Bring to our MBAs colleagues the relevance of the Energy Transition as the center of our global challenges
Club focus:
- Knowledge acumen: Promote continuous learning on Energy and Knowledge Acumen for comprehensive development as MBA students.
- Networking: Create networking opportunities to connect with industry leaders, expert and peers
Events:
- Energy Transition Summit, Port of Rotterdam Visit, Smart Storage (expert talk), Virtual Power Plant (expert talk), Energy News and Events (newsletter)
Co-presidents:
- Maithily Shelar
- Susan Scheepers
Club mission:
- Embody the B in a B-school, foster opportunities for the cohort to stimulate the entrepreneurial mindset
- To nurture and inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators, facilitate opportunities to build connections, develop necessary skills, and empower their vision.
Club focus:
- Create a platform for everyone to experiment with their ideas!
Events:
- Practical AI Tools for entrepreneurial journey (interactive workshop), How to Start? (speaker event), The Dutch way! (networking event), Erasmus University Challenge (startup competition), and podcast/story publishing.
Co-presidents:
- Peris Ngatho
- Harsh Trivedi
Club mission:
- Finance for everyone!
Club focus:
- Connect - members and external stakeholders
- Collaborate - with other clubs, professionals and alumni
- Convert - tangible opportunities for jobs or funding
Events:
- Sustainable investment/Green financing (expert talk), Simulation of stock exchange trading/crypto trading (game), Personal Finance Management (expert talk), Private Equity and Investment Banking (expert talk), and Investment game.
Co-presidents:
- Lila Frisher
- Luis Mateos Bobo
Club mission:
- Cultivate a culture of shared value creation within the RSM MBA community through impact investing events and experiential learning
Club focus:
- Host the best MBA impact investing competition in Europe
- Launch a real impact investing fund for the university
- Provide MBA students with foundational education on impact investing
Events:
- IESE Impact Investing Competition, Impact Investing 101 (guest speaker), Impact Investing Career Panel, Impact Investing Fund, and RSM Impact Investing Competition
Co-presidents:
- Alejandra Cabrera
- Aishwarya Bammidi
Club mission:
- Maintain the vibrant Marketing Community where theory meets practice
Club focus:
- Explore areas of Marketing
Events:
- Marketing 101 (speaker event), NL Brand Speaker, Developing a campaign (workshop), alumni speaker and Insights Hub.
Co-presidents:
- Thania Villena
- Ayush Ritolia
Club mission:
- Empower the cohort with essential consulting and strategy skills, enabling them to approach diverse problem statements with a structured mindset.
Club focus:
- Provide exposure to consulting roles, generate excitement around the industry, and organize events, workshops, and sessions to build relevant skills.
Events:
- Consulting industry insights (expert speaker session), Case study & Guesstimate Workshop, Ongoing case study Discussions strategy, Presentation & storytelling for consulting, and RSM Business Case Competition.
Co-presidents:
- Santiago Jaramillo
- Grisha Bykov
Club mission:
- Provide an space for aspiring Supply Chain-ers and Supply Chain Professionals to gain and share new knowledge for future career paths.
Club focus:
- Explore areas of Supply Chain.
- Understand available career paths.
- Build new connections.
Events:
- Port of Rotterdam Visit, Logistics in the automotive and/or e-commerce industries (guest speaker), Procurement in FMCG (guest speaker), and the Penguin game (simulation game).
Co-presidents:
- Teja
- Mrunal
Club mission:
- To empower future leaders by providing a platform to explore cutting-edge technologies and foster innovative thinking for strategic business solutions.
Club focus:
- To bridge business and technology, foster innovation, develop digital skills, engage with industry leaders, and provide hands-on learning opportunities.
Events:
- Expert talk on GenAI, Applications of Technology in Marketing, Smart Storage, and Data Analytics, IoT and Blockchain applications in Supply Chain
Culture Clubs
Co-presidents:
- Stacey Rontiris
- Ankita Roy
Club mission:
- Bringing everyone together to celebrate cultures, engage, connect and have fun. This includes all partners and families.
Club focus:
- Affordability, inclusivity, celebration and fun
Events:
- Holi Festival of Colour, King's Day Boat Party, Pub Quiz Night, International Potluck Picnic, Rubik's Cube Pub Crawl, and Neon Halloween Party
Social Impact Clubs
Co-presidents:
- Maria Cueva
- Josie Roberts
Club mission:
- To learn how to embed sustainability into our professional and personal lives
Club focus:
- Sustainability in Business: How to put sustainability in practice in busines
- Living Sustainably: Incorporating sustainability into everyday life
Events:
- Stadshaven Brouwerij, Port of Rotterdam visit, Expert Talks, and Floating Farm and/or Rooftop Farm visit
Co-presidents:
- Nicole
- María José
Club mission:
- Empower women to lead boldly, break barriers, and drive change through mentorship, networking, and advocacy, fostering a more inclusive and equitable business world.
Club focus:
- Leadership development, career growth, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, offering mentorship, networking, and skill-building to help women navigate challenges, advance in leadership, and create lasting impact in business and society.
Events:
- She Talks events, including with Karen Lampe (DeloitteNL), Women Elevate (mentorship program), and TEDx Coolhaven - Women's conference.
Recreational Clubs
Co-presidents:
- Ignacio
- Rodrigo
Club mission:
- Encourage people to do activities that they would normally not do
Club focus:
- Outdoor activities that involve sport & social gathering
Events:
- Kayak at Biesbosch, Camp at the beach/forest, visit Mount Vaalserberg and Aachen, Indoor pool/waterpark, and E-bike rental from AMS to ROT.
Co-presidents:
- Charline
- Sarah
Club mission:
- To make a positive impact through conscious awareness of self
Club focus:
- Provide experiences that enable awareness
Events:
- Happiness workshop, Vision board workshop, Walk and Talk, Yoga and Breathwork (wellness classes).
Dutch-style
There is so much more to business school than courses, case studies and exams. At RSM we believe that quality of life is just as important to your personal growth and professional development as your formal education.
With a diverse campus community, you will have access to an energetic, enriching life beyond the classroom. Capitalise on activities and networking opportunities hosted by the Student Association and student clubs.
When you are not studying, enjoy exploring your new environment. From restaurants and museums to music and nightlife, there is always something to do and see in Rotterdam and the Netherlands. Cultural liberalism, tolerance and a curiosity about the world: in the Netherlands, these qualities are rooted in our history, our culture and our societal DNA.
Best of all, the Netherlands is often ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. You can find out why when you’re here.
On campus activities
There’s a lot to do on campus. Grab a coffee at the Erasmus Food Plaza, or attend an event at the theatre or Café In de Smitse. The on-campus sports centre offers fitness, dance, spinning, squash, and tennis among many other classes. And you can attend scientific, social and cultural programmes offered on campus by Studium Generale.
What is your ‘I WILL’?
RSM’s I WILL movement allows you to define your goals, your ambition, your drive. It’s our forward-thinking community that asks you to say something about your future. Your I WILL statement becomes part of the spirit of RSM’s diverse community of students, researchers, staff, professors, alumni and others related to the school. Making a public commitment to your goal will allow you to achieve it faster and better. What is your goal?
The majority of RSM MBA students will need to find their accommodation through the private market. While securing housing will be your responsibility, RSM provides access to a network of accommodation providers, including a small number of on-campus studios available for couples. Once admitted to the programme, you will be provided resources to guide you through the process.
RSM collaborates closely with Erasmus University to assist you with your immigration process. Please note that while the Erasmus University Immigration Office and RSM BV support students with their own visa or residence permit applications, partner or other dependent visas are the responsibility of the student. We understand this process can be complex, and to help you, we offer resources and templates on our internal student portal accessible after registration. Please note that residency requirements may vary depending on your nationality.
Last update: Friday, 24 October 2025
