Frequently Asked Questions

At RSM, we assess all applicants holistically, focusing on experience and career goals rather than age.

More experienced applicants may be asked why a full-time MBA is the right choice instead of a part-time Executive MBA. Similarly, younger applicants are carefully reviewed to ensure they have the necessary experience and maturity to succeed in our MBA environment.

We encourage you to contact us directly so we can discuss your specific situation in detail.

Our admissions process is structured in rounds, each with a set application deadline. After each deadline, we review applications and invite selected candidates for interviews, usually within two weeks of the round’s closing date. This year, our admissions rounds are in February, April, June, August, October, and November. The November deadline is only for applicants who do not need a visa or residence permit to study in the Netherlands.

You can start your application in Embark here.

RSM has a rich history in business education. Prominent corporations in the Netherlands, including Shell, Phillips, and Unilever, established the school in 1970 to provide management education tailored to the needs of international businesses. For further details on the school's history, please visit here.

Applicants should apply for the intended intake, as the Admissions Committee only considers deferrals in exceptional circumstances. All deferral requests must be submitted in writing and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If approved, you will need to pay the non-refundable €5,000 admissions fee by the deadline stated in your offer letter and complete a deferral form.

Please note that deferrals are granted only once and only for the following year's intake. Additionally, if you have been awarded a scholarship, it will not carry over to the following year, and you will not be eligible for future RSM scholarships.

Eligibility depends on whether your previous university is accredited by any of the same organisations as RSM: EQUIS, AMBA, or AACSB. If your MBA holds accreditation from at least one of these bodies, it's unlikely that you would be eligible to apply.

For advice on your unique situation, please reach out to an Admissions Manager here.

We may accept late applications depending on the application year. However, late applications may not be eligible for the same scholarship and admissions opportunities.

If you are a non-EU citizen, we recommend applying earlier rather than later; applying after the October deadline could also affect your student visa process. If the deadline has already passed or you anticipate a late application, we recommend contacting us for further guidance.

Yes, we require all applicants to submit a test score as part of the admissions process, regardless of their experience. This can be a GRE or GMAT score from the past five years, or you may be eligible for the RSM Business Admissions Test (BAT) as an alternative. For more information, please visit our BAT page.

We will consider your highest score during the evaluation process. Please keep in mind that your score must be from within five years of the programme’s start date in January, not the time of application.

No, our Full-time MBA programme starts exclusively in January each year.

The admissions process normally takes around 4-6 weeks from the submission of your online application. It can be quicker or slower depending on the completeness of your application as well as your schedule and that of your interviewer.

Yes, you may submit your application without a GMAT or GRE score for initial review. However, to proceed with further stages of the application process, you'll need to provide a valid score report or plan to take the RSM Business Admissions Test (BAT) if eligible. We accept GMAT (Focus or Classic editions) and GRE (or shorter GRE) scores.

If you have taken the GMAT/GRE, you'll be required to submit an official score report using one of the following school codes:

GMAT code: RSM Erasmus University (International FT MBA Programme)

GRE code: 0798

An English language certificate is a mandatory admissions requirement, in compliance with the Code of Conduct in higher education in the Netherlands for international students. Exceptions may apply. For more information, please click here.

Definitely! At RSM, we strive for total diversity in our classrooms, including diverse career experiences and cultural backgrounds. Doing so creates a learning environment with unique perspectives and networking opportunities. We welcome applicants from a non-traditional business background to reach out to our Admissions Managers for personalised advice.

Applicants must have at least three years of work experience by the start of the programme. If you are close to meeting that requirement, but do not meet it exactly, please contact us for an individual assessment.

In exceptional cases, the RSM MBA Admissions Committee may consider internships as part of your work experience, depending on their scope, level, and timing. For clarification, we recommend reaching out to an RSM MBA Admissions Manager.

There is no minimum GMAT requirement, but the average score for our current class is 595 (Focus edition), which you can view as a benchmark for your application.

If you have questions regarding score conversion between different versions of the GMAT, please refer to the GMAT Score Conversion Guide.

However, please remember that this is only an average, and we are happy to discuss any questions you may have about your score on an individual basis.

If you do not have a passport from a European Union country, you will need to apply for permission to live and study in the Netherlands.

RSM and Team Immigration (International Office, Erasmus University Rotterdam) will support you through the application process, including submitting your visa/residence permit application to the Dutch Immigration Department (IND). The process will begin after you successfully register as a student.

Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin, but you can find helpful information here.

The MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a postgraduate programme designed to develop business management skills and bridge knowledge gaps for professionals aiming to excel in leadership or strategic roles. At RSM, our MBA programmes are tailored for experienced professionals, providing the opportunity to fast-track career growth, transition into new roles, industries, or locations, and even achieve a triple jump in their career trajectory. An MBA can lead to higher earning potential and valuable industry connections. Learn more about what an MBA entails here.

Yes, we encourage prospective students to visit campus before applying. We offer a half-day immersive “MBA Student for a Day” experience so you can make the most of your time in Rotterdam. During your visit, you can meet with a member of the Admissions team, join a current student for lunch, and attend an MBA class as a silent visitor, subject to scheduling. You can read more about the MBA Student for a Day experience here.

Yes, there is currently an application fee of €125.00, which must be paid before you can submit your MBA application. Payment can be made by PayPal, credit card, or direct bank transfer. To start your online application, click here.

Pursuing an MBA requires a significant investment of time and financial resources. RSM offers several scholarship options, which you can read more about here. You will be informed about any scholarship award when you receive your admission decision. Please note that scholarship information may be reviewed and updated throughout the recruitment year. All awards are offered on a discretionary basis by the RSM MBA Awards Committee.

The RSM MBA Awards Committee awards scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional merit and strong alignment with the programme’s values. The Committee takes a holistic view of each application when making its decisions. All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships when they apply to the RSM MBA. In addition, candidates are encouraged to submit a short essay explaining their alignment with a specific scholarship of their choice. Successful candidates will receive one scholarship from the RSM MBA scholarship portfolio; multiple scholarships cannot be combined. Please note that scholarship amounts vary and are not fixed.

Read more about the scholarship process here.

Our graduates pursue careers across a wide range of regions, sectors, and roles. Over the years, more than 80 percent of RSM MBA graduates have remained in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe after graduation. You can explore the latest Employment Report for more details on hiring companies, graduate destinations, and other career outcomes.

There is no mandatory internship as part of the MBA. However, some students choose to pursue internships during or after the programme to gain additional experience. The Career Centre can support students in identifying opportunities and preparing application materials, but securing an internship remains the student’s responsibility.