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Rotterdam School of Management

Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) MBA Admissions Consulting

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) runs a 12-month International Full-time MBA in one of Europe’s busiest business cities, with a class that is almost entirely international and a strong focus on personal leadership development. MBA Center helps you decide whether RSM fits your goals, choose the right round, reach a competitive GMAT or GRE score (or take RSM’s own admissions test), and write an essay and interview answers that show how you will be a force for positive change.

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Class Profile

The RSM International Full-time MBA at a glance

FeatureRSM International Full-time MBA
Location and lengthRotterdam, the Netherlands; 12 months full-time, in person, taught in English
IntakeJanuary only (next start January 2027)
Class99% international
ExperienceAt least three years of post-graduate professional experience
TestsGMAT (Classic or Focus), Executive Assessment, GRE, Shorter GRE or the RSM Business Admissions Test (BAT)
Tuition€70,000 for the January 2027 intake (application fee €125)
Careers84% found a job within three months; 55% changed industry; 82% found a job in Europe
After graduationEligible for the Dutch one-year ‘search year’ visa to look for work

Source: RSM International Full-time MBA page, checked October 2026. See our GMAT preparation and GRE preparation.

Key Dates

RSM MBA application dates for January 2027

You can submit your application at any time; RSM then assesses applications and holds interviews in rounds.

RoundApplication date
110 February 2026
214 April 2026
32 June 2026
411 August 2026
51 October 2026
610 November 2026 (only for applicants who do not need a student visa or residence permit)

If you need a Dutch student visa and missed the October round, plan for the January 2028 intake. RSM says the full process usually takes four to six weeks.

Our Process

What RSM asks for

• One essay (about 500 words): how have you been a force for positive change, so far and during your MBA and after graduation?
• CV or LinkedIn profile, transcripts and diploma, passport copy and two referees
• A test score: GMAT, EA, GRE, Shorter GRE or the RSM Business Admissions Test (BAT) – you can submit before your score for an initial evaluation
• Kira video responses for candidates invited to interview, followed by an admissions interview
• An English certificate, normally required under Dutch rules, with some exceptions

The essay is where RSM’s culture shows most clearly: it wants concrete examples of positive impact, not general statements about sustainability. Our interview preparation is built for exactly this.

Tests

GMAT, GRE or the RSM Business Admissions Test?

RSM offers its own Business Admissions Test (BAT) to applicants as an alternative to the GMAT or GRE: a 2.5-hour online test with a two-hour academic aptitude module and a 30-minute leadership evaluation. It suits candidates applying only to RSM. If you are also applying to other schools, a GMAT or GRE score keeps your options open. GMAT preparation → · GRE preparation →

Our Results

Our RSM admits

C
Carlos · MBA, RSM (2015)
A software engineer with a PhD in informatics from Grenoble who had co-founded a tech company, chose RSM after finding other top programmes too expensive. His advice: find the best school for you, not the most famous.
Read Carlos’s story →
K
Konstantin · MBA, RSM (2017)
A Ukrainian aerospace engineer turned telecom and IT engineer at Ericsson, Swisscom and Cisco. He shows that starting an MBA in your mid-thirties is not a barrier.
Read Konstantin’s story →
See all our success stories →
Comparing Schools

RSM and other one-year MBAs in Europe

RSM is often compared with other one-year MBAs. INSEAD runs 10 months with two intakes a year, IMD one year with around 90 students, and IE from 11 months with September and January starts. RSM stands out for its January-only start, its strong focus on positive impact and access to the Dutch job market.

INSEAD admissions consulting IMD admissions consulting IE Business School admissions consulting
Your Team

Your RSM team

Your application is managed by a Head Coach, a Personal Coach, an Editor and a Concierge who keeps every deadline on track. No consultant works with more than six candidates at a time. MBA Center was founded in 1993 by Dr Hubert Silly, who still advises candidates personally.

FAQ

RSM MBA admissions: frequently asked questions

When does the RSM full-time MBA start?

The RSM International Full-time MBA starts only in January each year and lasts 12 months. The next intake begins in January 2027.

What are the RSM MBA application deadlines?

For the January 2027 class, RSM’s round dates are 10 February, 14 April, 2 June, 11 August, 1 October and 10 November 2026. The November round is only for applicants who do not need a student visa or residence permit.

Do I need the GMAT for RSM?

RSM accepts the GMAT (Classic or Focus), Executive Assessment, GRE, Shorter GRE or its own RSM Business Admissions Test (BAT). You can submit your application before you have a score, but you need one to move to the interview stage.

What is the RSM MBA essay question?

RSM asks for one essay of about 500 words: how you have been a force for positive change in your life or career so far, and what being a force for positive change means to you during your MBA and after graduation.

How much does the RSM MBA cost?

Tuition for the January 2027 International Full-time MBA is €70,000, paid in instalments, and the application fee is €125. RSM also offers scholarships.

Start your RSM application with an honest assessment

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