Graduate students from our partner schools are welcome to join the master exchange programme. RSM offers you a portfolio of courses from our specialised Master programmes. You can either join us for a full term (4 months) or short exchange (7-8 weeks) both in Fall or Spring.
Open to exchange students are the following Master programmes: Accounting & Financial Management, Business Information Management, Finance & Investments, Global Business & Sustainability, People, Organisations & Change, Management of Innovation, Marketing Management, Strategic Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management.
Full term exchange students can furthermore participate in the reputed International Consultancy Project, a unique course and the cornerstone of the Master Exchange Programme at RSM. Over a period of 4 months, a team of international exchange and RSM students works intensively on a consultancy project, for a company or institution. Information will be sent to nominated students before the start of the application period.
Our Exchange Office is dedicated to supporting you before and during your exchange. Once nominated by your home university, you will receive our online application form and once accepted, all relevant information for your exchange at RSM and in Rotterdam will come your way. We will assign an exchange ambassador (buddy) to you prior to arrival and upon arrival we organize an orientation activity. We have close connections with all of our partner school institutions’ study abroad advisers/coordinators, and an open-door policy, whereby you are always welcome to pass by our office.
The full fall term consists of two blocks:
Block I
Courses | Monday 2 September - Friday 18 October 2024 |
Exams | Monday 21 October - Saturday 26 October 2024 |
Re-sits | Tuesday 6 January - Saturday 12 January 2025 |
Block II
Courses | Monday 28 October - Friday 13 December 2024 |
Exams | Friday 16 December - Saturday 21 December 2024 |
Re-sits | Monday 17 March - Saturday 21 March 2025 |
The spring term consists of three blocks:
Block III
Courses | Monday 3 February - Friday 14 March 2025 |
Exams | Monday 17 March - Saturday 22 March 2025 |
Re-sits | Monday 5 May - Saturday 10 May 2025 |
Block IV
Courses | Monday 24 March - Friday 2 May 2025 |
Exams | Monday 5 May - Saturday 10 May 2025 |
Re-sits | Monday 23 June - Saturday 28 June 2025 |
Block V
Courses | Monday 12 May - Friday 20 June 2025 |
Exams | Monday 23 June - Saturday 28 June 2025 |
Re-sits | Monday 21 July - Saturday 26 July 2025 |
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:
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. Information will be sent to nominated students.
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 preliminary 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.
The Dutch grading system has a scale from 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding). The lowest passing grade is 5.5.
Dutch grades | Dutch grade range | Explanation | Frequency | EC Grade |
10 | 9.5-10 | Excellent | 0.2% | A |
9 | 8.5-9.4 | Very good | 3.4% | B |
8 | 7.5-8.4 | Good | 16% | C |
7 | 6.5-7.4 | Satisfactory | 31.8% | D |
6 | 5.5-6.4 | Pass | 34.4% | E |
1-5 | 1.0-5.4 | Fail | 0-11.9% | F |
VD - Pass
O - Student did not meet the requirements to pass the course
NO - No show at examination
In EC, 60 credits represent the workload of a full academic year. 1 EC is equal to 28 student working hours; these include class hours, self-study, preparations for exams, reading and/or writing papers.
Students studying at one of our partner schools are welcome to apply for an exchange at RSM and are to be nominated through their home institution. Nominated students will receive a so-called Welcome e-mail which will inform them on further application procedures, about one month before the application deadline.
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:
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
In the Welcome e-mail you will receive from our programme manager, you will find further information about the online application procedures. Subsequently, you need to complete the online application and upload requested additional documents (a copy/scan of your recent academic transcript, proof of your proficiency in English). If the application for entry visa and/or residence permit is applicable to you, you will receive information on how to apply from the Exchange Office.
Together with the Welcome e-mail, you will also receive a preliminary course offer overview and information on course registration. It is, however, important to already look at the course offer and inform yourself at your home university which courses you are allowed to take during the exchange.
If you have met the academic and English language requirements, the official letter of acceptance will be sent to you via the online system.
Deadlines for application:
Fall term: May 15
Spring term: October 15
Programme Manager Incoming Exchange
Working days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Programme Manager Outgoing Exchange
Working days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Manager Digital Projects
Working days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Exchange Officer
Working days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Senior Exchange Officer
Working days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, every other Thursday, Friday