Starting undergraduate education is a big step for prospective students and their parents. At RSM, we understand how important it is to make informed decisions for your child’s future. That is why we offer you valuable insights into our internationally renowned reputation, the value of studying International Business Administration (IBA) at RSM and living in the Netherlands to support your child’s educational journey.
If you have any other questions, please fill out our contact form so we can further assist you.
With its mission to be a force for positive change in the world, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) has firmly established its reputation over 50 years as one of Europe’s most international and innovative business schools. RSM stands out as a prestigious institution, proudly holding a Triple Crown accreditation, a distinction achieved by only 1 percent of business schools worldwide, ensuring quality and recognition.
IBA is a three-year bachelor of science programme completely taught in English. The curriculum is designed to equip students for success in the international business landscape, through a blend of research and hands-on learning across diverse areas such as sales, marketing and finance. With a diverse student body representing over 80 countries, your child can immerse in an international setting, gaining valuable first-hand experience.
The first two years follow a fixed curriculum, offering a solid foundation. The third year is flexible, enabling students to do an international exchange, internship, or a minor elective in the first half. In the second half of this last year, your child can pick one of the six study tracks and write a bachelor thesis. Erasmus University Rotterdam uses a binding study advice (BSA) system across its bachelor programmes which means IBA students need to successfully complete all of their first-year courses during their first year to continue into Year 2. Please see the IBA curriculum for more information.
Is your child eligible for RSM’s BSc in International Business Administration (IBA)? For a detailed overview of admission requirements and the application process, please read more about admission requirements per diploma and admission and applications.
RSM, as a publicly financed institution, sets the IBA annual tuition fee at €11,600 for the academic year 2024-2025. EU/EEA passport holders pay only the statutory fee of €2,530 per academic year. A limited number of scholarships waivers are offered by RSM specifically for non-EEA students.
After graduation, your child can go in many different directions. Here are some common steps RSM bachelor alumni take:
Over half of our IBA graduates choose to continue their studies at RSM directly after graduation by joining one of our 12-18-month specialised master programmes. Graduates who choose to explore beyond RSM, often pursue a master degree at other prestigious universities such as Bocconi University, ESSEC Business School and London School of Economics (LSE) among others.
Many of our graduates secure positions in multinational firms soon after graduation. Some find a position even before they graduated, thanks to the relationships developed during their internships or other networking experiences throughout their time at RSM. One way to obtain such experiences is through RSM’s dedicated Career Centre that helps students with:
Over 90 per cent of graduates are employed within 6 months after graduation. The image below gives a broad idea of the different sectors where RSM alumni tend to end up after their studies:
A quarter of IBA graduates take a gap year after their studies to travel or to gain more experience through internships, exchanges, board years, or other personal projects.
The Netherlands consistently ranks among the safest countries globally, as per the Global Peace Index, offering a great standard of living. English, often considered the ‘unofficial second language’ of the Netherlands, is widely spoken throughout the country. It is commonly spoken in Rotterdam’s council services offices and in the city’s shopping and customer service centres, restaurants, and transportation hubs.
Rotterdam, a bustling metropolitan city, embraces diversity with approximately 170 nationalities among its 600,000 residents. This multicultural environment fosters numerous arts, cultural, musical and entertainment events. It is also a major hub of international trade because it is Europe’s largest commercial port, making it a great city for business students.
Getting around Rotterdam is convenient, with most people living, working, or studying within a 20-minute bike ride of RSM’s campus. The city has excellent connections to the rest of the Netherlands and other European countries. For example, an express train from Rotterdam to Amsterdam International Airport is 25 minutes, and a direct train from Rotterdam to Paris takes only 2 hours and 40 minutes.
RSM is situated within the Woudestein campus, alongside six other schools of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), forming a vibrant, self-sufficient community. Here, students have access to various amenities including food courts, a grocery store, a bike repair shop, and even a hairdresser. Campus facilities such as the library and sports centre, complete with tennis courts, are also open for all students to utilise and enjoy.
Discover our events including bachelor open days, fairs and networking opportunities.
Finding housing in Rotterdam can be tricky. Make sure to start on time!
Entry visas & residence permits for non-EU or EEA students.
