Erasmus University Rotterdam

What Erasmus University Rotterdam Is

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is a public research university in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Founded in 1913 as the Netherlands School of Commerce, it was renamed in 1973 after Desiderius Erasmus, the Rotterdam-born Renaissance humanist. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, EUR is placed 137th globally.

EUR is one of the most internationally oriented universities in the Netherlands, with a particular strength in economics, business, and health sciences. Its flagship institution is the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), which holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) — a distinction held by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide. RSM is consistently ranked among the top 10 business schools in Europe by the Financial Times.

The university has seven faculties: Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus School of Philosophy, and Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication. It also operates the Erasmus Medical Center (Erasmus MC), one of the largest academic hospitals in Europe.

For Indian students, EUR is primarily relevant for its English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes in business, economics, management, and data analytics, as well as the RSM MBA.

Who It’s For

Erasmus University Rotterdam suits students who want a business- and economics-focused education at a leading European institution, taught in English, at a more affordable price point than UK or US alternatives.

Undergraduate applicants from India typically need completed Class 12 with strong marks (generally 75%+ in relevant subjects) and an IELTS score of 6.5 (no component below 6.0) or TOEFL 90+. For International Business Administration and Economics, mathematics at Class 12 level is required. No SAT/ACT is required.

Postgraduate applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree with strong academic standing. For RSM master’s programmes, a GMAT score of 600+ is recommended but not always mandatory. For the RSM MBA, a minimum of three years of work experience and a competitive GMAT/GRE score are required.

The university is a strong fit for students interested in careers in finance, consulting, healthcare management, or international business in Europe. Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and a major business hub, which translates into strong industry connections for internships and employment.

Programs Popular with Indian Students

• BSc International Business Administration (IBA) — 3 years, fully English-taught at RSM. Covers management, finance, marketing, and strategy with a strong international focus. One of the most competitive undergraduate programmes at EUR. See also: BBA.

• BSc Economics and Business Economics — 3 years, English-taught at the Erasmus School of Economics. Covers micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, and business economics. Quantitatively rigorous. See also: BA Economics.

• MSc International Management/CEMS — 1 year at RSM. Part of the CEMS Alliance (a network of top business schools globally). Includes an international exchange and a business project with a corporate partner.

• MSc Finance and Investments — 1 year at RSM. Highly quantitative; covers asset pricing, derivatives, corporate finance, and fintech. Strong placement into Amsterdam and London financial services.

• MSc Data Science and Marketing Analytics — 1 year at RSM. Combines data science methods with marketing applications. Relevant for students interested in data science.

• MBA (Rotterdam School of Management) — 12 months full-time. Internationally recognised, with a diverse cohort and strong corporate connections. Non-EU tuition approximately EUR 60,000.

Campus and Location

EUR’s main campus (Woudestein) is located in the east of Rotterdam, well connected by metro and tram. Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands (approximately 650,000 people) and has a markedly different character from Amsterdam — it is a modern, architecturally bold city rebuilt after World War II, centred around Europe’s largest port.

The cost of living in Rotterdam is lower than Amsterdam. Student accommodation costs approximately EUR 400–600 per month, and total living costs are estimated at EUR 900–1,200 per month. EUR partners with housing providers for international student accommodation, but the Rotterdam housing market is competitive — apply early.

Rotterdam’s location is a practical advantage: The Hague (the seat of government and international law institutions) is 20 minutes away by train, Amsterdam is 40 minutes, and Brussels is about 1.5 hours. Schiphol Airport is under an hour by public transport.

The Erasmus Medical Center is the clinical teaching site for health-related programmes and is adjacent to the main campus.

Costs and Financial Aid

Non-EU tuition fees for 2024–25 range from approximately EUR 10,000 to EUR 18,000 per year for bachelor’s and master’s programmes (excluding the MBA). The RSM MBA costs approximately EUR 60,000 for the full programme.

EUR offers the Holland Scholarship (EUR 5,000 one-time) for non-EU students. RSM offers its own merit-based scholarships for master’s students, covering partial tuition. The EUR Fellowship is available for a limited number of strong non-EU master’s applicants, covering tuition or tuition plus living costs.

Post-study, the Dutch orientation year visa (zoekjaar) allows non-EU graduates to stay in the Netherlands for one year to seek employment.

Things to Verify Before Applying

• Programme-specific deadlines vary: IBA has an early deadline (typically 15 January) due to its numerus fixus status. Other programmes may have a 1 May deadline. Check each programme’s specific deadline.
• GMAT requirement for RSM master’s: While not always mandatory, a GMAT score of 600+ is strongly recommended for competitive RSM programmes. Check whether your target programme requires or recommends GMAT/GRE.
• Mathematics prerequisites: Economics and IBA require mathematics at secondary school level. Verify that your Class 12 syllabus meets the requirements.
• Housing: Rotterdam’s housing market is tight. Apply through EUR’s housing portal (The Student Hotel, DUWO, or SSH) as soon as you receive an admission offer.
• Visa timeline: Indian students need an MVV entry visa. EUR’s International Office coordinates this, but processing takes 6–8 weeks after admission confirmation.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• BA Economics — comparing economics degree pathways
• BBA — undergraduate business administration options
• MBA — postgraduate MBA programmes globally
• MSc Data Science — data science and analytics programmes
• University of Groningen — another Dutch research university with strong English-taught programmes
• TU Delft — Dutch technical university
• University of Amsterdam — Amsterdam-based research university

Sources Used

• Erasmus University Rotterdam, Bachelor’s Programmes
• Erasmus University Rotterdam, Master’s Programmes
• Rotterdam School of Management, About RSM
• Erasmus University Rotterdam, Facts and Figures