Master Exchange

Full term and/or short exchange

Incoming (post)graduate exchange students participate in courses which belong to our specialized Master’s programmes.  Our Master programmes are 1-year graduate programmes. The academic year is divided upon a block based system. Exchange students are welcome to participate in a 2-block term (both Fall and Spring) or participate in a short exchange programme, meaning one block of courses (7-8 weeks), see MSc short exchange.  Participation in the International Consultancy Project is only possible on a 2-block term basis, see ICP

The academic calendar 2023 - 2024 is:

Autumn

Block 1:                             September 4 – October 20, 2023 (exam week: October 23-28), (resit week January 8 -13, 2024);

Block 2:                             October 30 – December 14, 2023 (exam week December 15-22 December),(resit week March 18-23, 2024).

Spring 

Block 3:                            February 5 – March 15, 2024 (exam week: March 18-23/resit week May 6-11, 2024);

Block 4:                            March 25 – May 3, 2024 (exam week May 6-11), (resit week June 24-29, 2024); 

Block 5:                            May 13 – June 21, 2024 (exam week June 24-29), (resit week July 22-27, 2024).

Introduction programme

Prior to each full term (end of August & end of January), an introduction programme is organized. This programme is strongly recommended for all incoming students in order not to miss out on important information. Of course, it is also THE day to meet all fellow students. 

Due to the small number of students joining us in October for Block II only, in March for Block IV and/or in May for Block V, a smaller welcome meeting is organized. This welcome will take place in the first week of courses.

At Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, you will have over 45 different courses to choose from each term – giving you the chance to gain specialist knowledge for the career of your choice. These courses belong to our specialized Master’s programmes.

These are:

• Supply Chain Management,
• Business Information Management,
• People, Organisations & Change,
• Finance & Investments,
• Marketing Management,
• Accounting & Financial Management,
• Global Business & Sustainability,
• Management of Innovation,
• Strategic Management,
• Strategic Entrepreneurship.

For more information on the master programmes, please visit the programme sites or for more information on the courses, see our online course guide. (on this page, please tick for English language & Rotterdam School of Management)

In addtion to the master courses, exchange students can participate in the International Consultancy Project. The project is carried out by an international team of students and supervised by both an academic and corporate coach.

Upon receipt of the nomination from the partner school, incoming Master/MBA exchange students will receive a Welcome email with further instructions to complete the online application. Also attached to this email is the course overview and information on how and when to register.

Language of instruction
All courses are conducted in English.

Course load
Courses are denominated in EC credits. In EC credits, 60 credits represent the workload of a full year of study. 1 EC is the equivalent of 28 student working hours and includes in-class hours, self study, group work, writing papers, and exam preparation.  A 10 EC course has approximately 12 contact hours a week.

Class format
The classes are a mix of (guest)lectures, case studies, interactive projects, papers, presentations of students and discussion groups.
Class size varies between 30 and 50 students. Class participation and attendance affect final grades. The MSc programmes at RSM are pre-experience programmes, average age of students is 22-25 years. Most Master students have some relevant working experience through internships, business projects or part-time management jobs. For this reason incoming MBA students fit in quite easily in our Master courses and/or International Consultancy Project.

Examination
Exams are scheduled at the end of each course, preceded by a study week. The assessment of the performance of students varies: written or take-home exams, progress reports, in-class presentations, group performance and essays.

Grading
In the Dutch grading system, grades from 1.0 up to 10.0 are used, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. In general, grades with one decimal are issued; the lowest passing grade is a 5.5. When rounding off these grades, grades with a 0.4 or lower will be rounded down, and grades with a 0.5 will be rounded up. Students in our exchange programmes receive their transcripts reflecting grades with one decimal.
 

Code of Conduct

RSM hosts a large number of students in its various programmes. It is important for us and our student community to have a code of conduct describing the main rules of behaviour at this school. Some view rules of conduct as self-evident and comply with them automatically. Others find them less clear and may even be unfamiliar with such codes.

The aim of this document is therefore to clarify the rules of conduct and make them transparent for all RSM students. These rules relate not only to conduct during classes, but also conduct among students, conduct towards instructors, including in evaluations of courses, and conduct while conducting research. By complying with these rules, we may prevent undesirable behaviour towards one another and mutually ensure a positive and pleasant study environment.

The cornerstone of the MSc exchange programme is the International Consultancy Project (ICP), a unique consultancy assignment designed for RSM’s exchange students and a select group of RSM students. This project is a key attraction for exchange students coming to Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

In a team of 5 international students, all with different backgrounds and competences & skills, students work intensively on a consultancy project for a company for about 3-4 months. Both coaches from the university and company supervise the project and the aim is to respond professionally to a real world management problem and to learn from working in multidisciplinary and culturally diverse groups. For the companies it provides a unique opportunity to gain access to valaubale knowledge, recommendations or solutions for a business problem in a relatively short period of time.

RSM provides training in consulting, presentation and communication management, to help students master the skills necessary for project management and consultancy work.

The ICP is only open to students who stay for a full term (minimum of 2 bloks in Fall or Spring). The project represents a workload of 12,5 EC.

The ICP reflects RSM's greatest strengths as a top 10 European business school recognised for the international diversity of our participants and the close relationships with business.

Companies who have delivered projects for the ICP are for example: AON Global Risk Consulting, GE Power, Fontijne Holland B.V., INNIO, DSW21, ARS T&TT, B&MI, Marcadus B.V., September Multimedia, WCC-group, Domino's, CX Company, Libersy, Leapfrog 3D Printers.

Read a testimonial on an ICP participant.

Students applying for a graduate exchange at RSM are expected to have good academic standing at their home institution, and should have at least completed the 3 years of business studies.

Part of your home institution’s selection process is an evaluation of your proficiency in English. We trust our exchange partner schools in nominating students who will not have difficulties in class due to the language.  As a guideline, the following definitions of language levels are applicable: TOEFL iBT minimum score 91+ (minimum 22 on all sub scores); IELTS minimum score 6.5 (minimum 6.5 on all sub scores); Level B2.2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). For TOEIC test scores we require all four components. For the Listening and Reading part, the required minimum is 800 and for the Speaking and Writing part, the required minimum is 320. and have a minimum score of 800-850.

Please note that the English language requirements for participation in the International Consultancy Project are more strict:

TOEFL 95+ (internet-based), with a minimum of 23 in all subscores

IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.5 in all subscores.

provided. In all official statements, the language level needs to be mentioned.

To study at RSM as a graduate exchange student, you must first be nominated by your home institution. Please contact your university's study abroad adviser/coordinator for more information on requirements and selection procedures. 

Deadlines to be nominated are:
Fall term:          May 1
Spring term:    October 1