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.
Below you will find a list of the Student Association clubs from the MBA Class of 2027:
Professional Clubs
Co-presidents:
- Siddarth Acharya
- Luis Enrique Arce
Club mission:
- To connect RSM students with the global energy industry by creating a platform for learning, networking, and career opportunities across the evolving energy landscape
Club focus:
- Industry Engagement: Inviting energy executives, investors and policymakers to campus to discuss the current state and the future of global energy markets.
- Career Development: Helping students access opportunities in energy related companies and consulting firms.
Events:
- Energy Day (conference), Energy Leaders Speaker Series (speaker event), Energy Case Competition
Co-presidents:
- Godwin Omale
- Mustafa Changazi
Club mission:
- To awake the entrepreneurial spirit and bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Club focus:
- Looking at how to start a business in NL
- Showing what happens behind the scenes
Events:
- Kick-Off Event and brainstorming (conference), From Idea to product (workshop), Venture Design Sprint Workshop (with Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship), Canva Pro/Shopify (practical session)
Co-presidents:
- Ivan Zicchiero
- Sören Königkrämer
Club mission:
- To create lasting learning and professional finance opportunities for all.
Club focus:
- Upskill finance professionals & newcomers
- Create networking & employment opportunities
- Creating something that lasts
Events:
- Corp Finance (lecture/conference), Sell-side (lecture/conference), Fin Tech (lecture/conference), Buy-side (lecture/conference), Internal Training Events (practical session)
Co-presidents:
- Akshat Garg
- Vanshika Rana
Club mission:
- Build a culture of solving problems by building Products.
Club focus:
- Hands on Product Building with AI
- Case Studies, Interview Preparation & Industry Insights
Events:
- PM Interview & Case Prep Series (workshop series), PM Toolkit Workshops (hands-on workshops), Industry Speaker (4 Sessions), External Conference (product meetup/event), Product Conference + Hackathon (Flagship)
President:
- Manisha Prakash
Club mission:
- To provide members with hands-on marketing experiences and meaningful industry touchpoints that prepare them for the Dutch job market.
Club focus:
- Industry Collaboration & Dutch Job Market Readiness
- Peer Learning
Events:
- RSM-ESADE Networking Exchange (masterclass, alumni engagement), Brand Strategy Lab & Brand Talks @ RSM – 1,2,3 (case simulation, corporate exposure), Marketing Career Panel (corporate engagement), Boutique Marketing Consultancy (hands-on experience), Skills Upgrade (workshop)
Co-presidents:
- Preksha Bhardwaj
- Tejas Gada
Tagline:
- Put On Your Thinking Caps!
Club mission:
- Fostering a collaborative community to think strategically, while inspiring them to tackle complex business challenges with creativity
Club focus (5C):
- Internal
- Case solving: Upskilling and Problem-solving
- Collaboration: With other clubs
- External
- Connect: With industry experts, alumni, companies
- Competition (case): Among EU Schools (MBA)
- Bridge
- Community: Platform inspired by ‘mentor-me’
Events:
- Consulting Workshop (Vincenzo’s business; interactive), Case Coaching Session (external guest speaker; interactive), Case Drills incl. Strategy Simulations (collaboration with clubs), Art of making presentations (external guest speaker), Panel discussion (networking), Live consulting project, Case competition
Co-presidents:
- Shashank Singh
- Gabriel Virgananda
Club mission:
- To bridge classroom learning with real-world supply chain practice by connecting students with industry leaders, hands-on experiences, alumni, and collaborative initiatives with partners like Erasmus Supply Chain Association, to create a close-knit, student-driven supply chain community at RSM.
Club focus:
- Deepen industry exposure and build new connections
- Enable practical learning via port visits, case cracking, and SCM discussions
- Strengthen the supply chain community
Events:
- Port visit, Event speaker (panel discussion), Company visit (site visit, case cracking), Conference visits, Partnered events with ESCA (collaboration, keynote speaker), Classroom sessions and case studies (collaboration)
Co-presidents:
- Ahmed Alvee
- Souradeep Datta
Club mission:
- Build the foundational knowledge to navigate tech-driven environments. Prepare members to thrive in an AI-shaped job market. Learn to leverage AI tools to boost productivity and build products.
Club focus:
- Building with AI
- Tech Literacy
- Job Readiness
Events:
- Build Night(s) (hackathon), Expert Talk(s) (information sessions), Industry Visit, Case Studies (analytical thinking), Technical Sessions (information sessions), Recruitment Event (career days)
Social Clubs
Co-presidents:
- Sagar Chauhan
- Kevin Yang
Club mission:
- To celebrate cultural diversity within the cohort by fostering cross-cultural friendships, shared experience.
Club focus:
- Making everyone feel less home sick
- Organizing cross- cultural events for the whole cohort
Events:
- Holi Colour Play followed by Dinner (outdoor event), International Food Tasting (indoor/private event), City Heritage Walk & Dinner (full day event), International Movie Night (open event), Last Get Together but not the final (closed event)
Co-presidents:
- Aymeric Gillard
- João Machado Ribas
Club mission:
- A social and professional platform connecting MBA and EMBA students with Alumni and the corporate world through sailing. Building leadership, teamwork and lasting professional bonds.
Club focus:
- Compete in MBA Regattas: International competitions across Europe
- Host Networking Events: Corporate-student connections at RSM campus
- Provide Sailing Training: Lessons and racing clinics for all levels
- Organize Cruises: Team building and leisure sailing
Events:
- International MBA Regattas across Europe: Global MBA Trophy (London Business School; Athens, Greece), POLIMI GSoM Regatta (Politecnico di Milano; Sardinia, Italy), RSM MBA Regatta (RSM Sailing Club; Malta), WHU Regatta (WHU / Kellogg; Kiel, Germany), IE Regatta (IE University; Cascais, Portugal)
- Social & Community Events: Beginner Classes (course), Social Sailing (monthly), MBA Club Joint Events (monthly), King's Day Sailing
Impact Clubs
Co-presidents:
- Abrar Aljumaiah
- Clara Garrido Rodriguez
Club mission:
- To cultivate a dynamic community of ambitious women who excel academically, lead professionally with confidence, and thrive personally through holistic wellbeing.
Club focus:
- Empower women
- Sustained community
- Professional Development
- Wellbeing & Personal Growth
Events:
- Vision Board Café - Club Launching (Community & Wellbeing), Pitch Your Idea ft. Toastmasters (Hard & Soft Skills), Personal Branding Workshop - Imposter Syndrome Session (Hard & Soft Skills), Coffee with a Leader (ft. Marjolein) (Access & Networking), Women in Business Across Cultures (Signature Event), Closing Event (Signature Event)
Recreational Clubs
Co-presidents:
- Augusto Gonzalez
- Ricardo Millares
Club mission:
- Build and foster a dynamic and physically active cohort, where everyone has a chance to try a new sports experience.
Club focus:
- Create a physically active cohort
- Impacting the wellbeing of our classmates
Events:
- Bouldering Night (private event), Bowling Night (private event), Efteling (outdoor adventure), Survival Weekend (outdoor adventure), Wellbeing Day (outdoor adventure), RSM Runs (outdoor adventure), Sports Conference (private event)
Co-presidents:
- Caroline Gutierrez
- Sumit Singha
Club mission:
- The Walking & Trek’s club mission is to spend time outdoors and build a fitness & wellbeing community through walking/trekking in the Netherlands and beyond.
Club focus:
- Lead 20+ Nature Walks & Treks
- Travel in Netherlands and 1+ trek outside the Netherlands
Events:
- Weekend walks: Kralingse Plas Walk, Meijendel Loop - Hague, N70 Nature Trail, Trash Pick-up Walk, Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen
- Multi-day Trek: Trek outside of Netherlands
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
