Rotterdam Business School Bachelors (4 years)
To enter the bachelor programme International Business of Rotterdam Business School you must meet the following requirements:
4-year programme
Dutch secondary education diploma
Applicants with a Dutch secondary education diploma: HAVO, MBO 4 or VWO diploma, please check the website of Hogeschool Rotterdam for details about Admission Requirements.
EU and non-EU nationality applicants without a Dutch diploma
Students with a Secondary school diploma equivalent to a Dutch HAVO, MBO 4 or VWO diploma are eligible for our Bachelor programmes..
Click here to check at the Nuffic website whether your diploma meets the minimum level requirement.
You need to meet the following requirements:
- For your final registration we need to either receive an original certified photocopy* of your diploma and a final transcript by post. Or you can show your original diploma and transcript in person before the deadline of 31st of August**. Certified translations (by sworn translator) are required if not in Dutch, English, French, German or Spanish.
- English test level (scroll down to check the language requirements).
- Complete the study programme check.
*An original certified photocopy is a photocopy of your original diploma. This copy is stamped and signed by the school or the institute which awarded your diploma.
When you graduate before September 1st, 2021 but do not receive your diploma before September 1st, 2021, then you must hand in a declaration of graduation (completely filled in and signed) by August 31st, 2021 at the latest at the Centre of International Affairs. You will be sent this form, but we will also add it here when available.
Rotterdam Business School Bachelors Fast Track (3 years)
What is the Fast Track Programme?
The 3 year fast track programme is a more intense version of our International Business programme. It was designed to provide students who have a VWO background a more challenging education. As mentioned in order to do this version, students must have a VWO equivalent previous education. These are educations such as the international baccalaureate. Below is some more information for you to understand further the fast track programme.
International equivalent for Dutch diploma
Students who want to study one of our Bachelor programmes should have a secondary school diploma equivalent to a Dutch HAVO, MBO4 or VWO diploma. Please check the list below and be aware that this list is an indication of your diploma level. Your admission is based on your actual documents.
Country | National degree | Dutch equivale |
Brazil | Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau/Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio | HAVO |
Bulgaria | Diploma za Sredna Obrazovanie – Диплома за средна образовагие (квалификация). met een beroepstitel (vocational stream) | HAVO |
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie - Диплома за средна образовагие (academic stream) | VWO | |
China | Senior middle school graduation certificate (gaozhong) | HAVO |
Colombia | Bachiller Académico | HAVO |
Técnico Profesional / Tecnólogo | MBO 4 | |
Croatia | Svjedodžba o zavrsnom ispitu (secondary vocational education - 4 years) | HAVO |
Svjedodžba o (državnoj) maturi (general education) | VWO | |
Svjedodžba o zavrsnom ispitu (secondary arts education) | VWO | |
Estonia | Lõputunnistus kutsekeshariduse omandamise kohta | HAVO |
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus | VWO | |
Lõputunnistus keskhariduse baasil kutseõppe läbimise kohta | MBO 4 | |
Germany | Fachhochschulreife | HAVO |
Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife | VWO | |
Indonesia | Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) | HAVO |
Latvia | Diploms par profesionālo vidējo izglītību | HAVO |
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību | VWO | |
Lithuania | Brandos Atestatas | VWO |
Kvalificaijos Pažymėjimas/ Profesinio Mokymo Diplomas (Profesine Mokykla, Technologiju Gimnazija or Jaunimo Mokykla) | MBO 4 | |
Romania | Diploma de Bacalaureat (obtained before 2005) | HAVO |
Diploma de Bacalaureat (obtained since 2005) | VWO | |
Certificat de absolvire a scolii post-liceale | MBO 4 | |
Russia | Attestat o Srednem (Polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii Аттестат о Среднем (Полном) Общем Образовании | HAVO |
Diplom ob Okonchanii Srednego Proftechuchilisha (SPTU) Диплом об Окончании Среднего Профтехучилища (3 years) | HAVO | |
Diplom ob Okonchanii Srednego Special’nogo Uchebnogo Zavedenija (SSUZ) Диплом об Окончании Среднего Специального Учебного Заведения (3-4 years)
|
HAVO | |
Svidetel’stvo (Professionalnoe Litsei) - Свидетельство профессиональное Лицей (2 years)
|
MBO 4 | |
Thailand | Certificate of Secondary Education | HAVO |
Vietnam | Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc / Bang Trung Hoc Pho Thong/Bang Tu Tai/Baccalaureate | HAVO |
Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc obtained at a high school for the gifted | HAVO | |
UK |
General Certificate of Secondary Education in 4 subjects with marks ranging from A∗ -C plus a General Certificate of Education with 2 subjects at advanced subsidiary level (6 different subjects in total)
|
HAVO |
General Certificate of Secondary Education in 3 subjects with marks ranging from A*-C plus a General Certificate of Education with 3 subjects at advanced level (6 different subjects in total) | VWO | |
Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma | VWO | |
BTEC Level 3 National Extended | MBO 4 | |
Aruba | HAVO | HAVO |
VWO | VWO | |
Secondary Vocational Educational diploma | MBO 4 | |
Afghanistan | Vocational Education Certificate | MBO 4 |
12 Grade Graduation Certificate | HAVO | |
Albania | Diploma vocational training programme | HAVO |
Dëftesë Pjekurie | VWO | |
Argentina | Técnico (en modalidad técnico profesional) | MBO 4 |
Bachiller en Arte / Bachiller (en) / Técnico (en) (modalidad artistica) | HAVO | |
Bachiller en | HAVO | |
Australia | Higher School Certificate (Queensland) | HAVO/VWO |
Certificate of Education (Southern Australia) | HAVO/VWO | |
Certificate of Education / Qualifications Certificate | HAVO/VWO | |
Tasmanian Certificate of Education (Victorian) | HAVO/VWO | |
Certificate of Education (Western Australia) | HAVO/VWO | |
Certificate of Education/ ACT Year 12 Certificate | HAVO/VWO | |
Northern Territory Certificate of Education | HAVO/VWO | |
Austria | Reife- und Diplomprüfungszeugnis | VWO |
Reifezeugnis/Reifeprufungszeugnis | VWO | |
Bangladesh | Higher Secondary Certificate vocational | HAVO |
Higher Secondary Certificate (humanities/sciences) / Alim Certifica | HAVO | |
Belgium | Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, Beroepssecundair Onderwijs (BSO) | MBO 4 |
Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, Kunst Secundair Onderwijs (KSO)/ Technisch Secundair Onderwijs (TSO) | VWO/HAVO | |
Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs (ASO) | VWO | |
Cameroon | GCE, O-level (at least 4 subjects with a final result of Grade A, B or C) + GCE, A-level (at least 2 subjects) | HAVO |
Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement Secondaire | HAVO | |
General Certificate of Education (Technical/Commercial) Advanced Level | HAVO | |
Brevet de Technicien/Brevet Professionnel/Baccalauréat | MBO 3/4 | |
Diplôme de Technicien | MBO 3/4 | |
Canada | High School Diploma (English-speaking provinces) | HAVO |
Diplôme d’ Études Secondaires (DES) | HAVO | |
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) | HAVO | |
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six university preparation courses or Ontario Academic Courses (OAC) | VWO | |
High School Diploma with a relatively large number of academic courses in grades 11 and 12, with good grades (English-speaking provinces) | VWO | |
Diplôme d’ Études Collégiales (DEC) with the designation préuniversitaire (2 years) | VWO | |
Diplôme d’ Études Collégiales (DEC) with the designation de formation technique or de formation en métiers d’art (3 years) | VWO | |
Chile | Licencia de Educación Media/Licencia de Enseñanza Media (humanístico-científica) | HAVO |
Licencia de Educación Media/Licencia de Enseñanza Media (técnico-profesional/artística) | HAVO | |
Técnico de Nivel Superior | MBO | |
Curaçao,St Marten and BES Islands | HAVO-diploma | HAVO |
VWO-diploma | VWO | |
Certificate of Secondary Education (CXC-examen) with at least 5 subjects at the level of general and with the marks 1, 2 of 3 (St. Martin, Caribbean Examination Council) | HAVO | |
SBO-diploma (level 4) of management training | MBO 4 | |
Czech Republic | Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce obtained at a Střední odborná učiliště | MBO 4 |
Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce obtained at a Střední odborná škola | HAVO | |
Maturitní zkouška obtained at a music school | HAVO | |
Vysvědčení o maturitní zkoušce obtained at a Gymnázium | VWO | |
Denmark | Højere Handelseksamen (HHX)/ Højere Teknisk Eksamen (HTX) | VWO |
Studentereksamenbevis (STX) / Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) | VWO | |
Egypt | General Secondary Education Certificate | HAVO |
Technical Institute Diploma | MBO 4 | |
Diploma of Advanced Technical Studies | MBO 3/4 | |
Ethiopia | Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate/Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination | HAVO |
Finland | Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studentexamenbevis Matriculation Examination Certificate | VWO |
Ammatillinen perustutkinto/ Yrkesinriktad grundexamen | MBO 4 | |
France | Baccalauréat Professionne | MBO 4 |
Baccalauréat Technologique | VWO/HAVO | |
Baccalauréat Général | VWO | |
Ghana | Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least six subjects with a score of A to C) | HAVO |
West African Senior Secondary School Certificate (at least six subjects with a score of A1 to C6) | HAVO | |
Greece | School Leaving Certificate of an EPAL (level 3) | MBO 3/4 |
Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou with an average mark lower than 10 | HAVO | |
Apolytirio (Genikou) Lykeiou with an average mark of 10 or higher | VWO | |
Hungary | Gimnáziumi Érettségi Bizonyítvány | VWO |
Szakközépiskolai Érettségi-Képesítö Bizonyítvány | VWO | |
Iceland | Stúdentspróf (Matriculation Examination), obtained at a Menntaskóli | VWO |
Sveinprof, obtained at a Iðnskóli or Sérskóli | MBO 4 | |
India | Vocational Diplomas and Certificates | MBO 4 |
Polytechnic Diploma following Standard X (Basic Diploma) | MBO 4 | |
Standard XII diploma (vocational stream) | MBO 4 | |
Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Intermediate Examination Certificate / Higher Secondary School Certificate with marks ranging from A-E in 5 subject | HAVO | |
Standard XII diploma (academic stream): All Indian Secondary School Certificate with marks ranging from A (A1, A2) – B (B1) in 5 subjects | VWO | |
Standard XII diploma (academic stream): Indian School Certificate with an average of 75% in 5 subjects | VWO | |
Iran | Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies (academic programme) (until early 1990s) | HAVO |
Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies (theoretical programme) (since early 1990s) | HAVO | |
Pre-University Certificate | HAVO | |
Integrated Associate Degree/Associate Degree (kârdânî) (post-secondary institution) | MBO 4 | |
Iraq | Secondary School Certificate – / مدرسیة وثیقة الإعدادیة المرحلة (wathîqa madrasiyya / al-marhalla al-i‘dâdiyya) | HAVO |
Ireland | Leaving Certificate Applied | HAVO |
Leaving Certificate (at least 6 exam subjects with a ‘higher level’ final result and a grade of A, B or C in at least 2 subjects) | VWO | |
Leaving Certificate (at least 6 exam subjects of which at least 2 subjects at higher level with a result of H1 - H4) | VWO | |
Israel | Te’udat Bagrut | HAVO/VWO |
Italy | Diploma di Qualifica | MBO 4 |
Diploma di Maestro d’Arte | MBO 4 | |
Diploma di Superamento dell’Esame di Stato Conclusivo dei Corsi di Istruzione Secondario Superiore (liceo classico / scientifco / linguistico) | VWO | |
Japan | High School Certificate of Graduation (卒業証明書 Sotsugyoshomeisho) | HAVO |
Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C) | HAVO |
Certificates/diplomas (technical training institutes and institutes of technology) | MBO 4 | |
Malaysia | Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia | HAVO |
Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia/Matriculation Certificate | VWO | |
Unified Examination Certificate with an average score of less than 75% | HAVO | |
Unified Examination Certificate with an average score of 75% or higher | VWO | |
Mexico | Bachiller Técnico | HAVO |
Bachiller | HAVO | |
Morocco | Attestation du Baccalauréat | HAVO |
Attestation du Baccalauréat (with vocational component) | HAVO | |
Nepal | HSEB (Migration) Certificate (humanities/science) | HAVO |
HSEB (Migration) Certificate (management/science) | HAVO | |
New Zealand | NCEA Level 3 (with sufficient credits from general level 3 subjects) | VWO |
NCEA Level 2 | HAVO/ MBO 4 | |
Nigeria | Advanced National Commercial Certificate/Advanced National Technical Certificate level 4 | MBO 4 |
(Ordinary) National Diploma | MBO 4 | |
Senior School Certificate ( WAEC) (at least 6 subjects with A, B or C or 1-6) | HAVO | |
Senior School Certificate (NECO) (at least 6 subjects with A or B or 1-4) | HAVO | |
Norway | Svennebrev (Journeyman’s certificate) or Fagbrev (Trade certificate) level 4 | MBO 4 |
Vitnemål for Videregående Opplaering | HAVO/VWO | |
Pakistan | Higher Secondary School Certificate/Intermediate School Certificate with a final result of at least Grade C | HAVO |
Bachelor (Pass) | VWO | |
Peru | Profesional Técnico a Nombre de la Nación level 4 | MBO 4 |
Certificado Oficial de Estudios | HAVO | |
Poland | Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Liceum Zawodowego (Vocational lyceum - 4 years) | HAVO |
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci Liceum Zawodowego (Vocational lyceum - 4 years) | VWO | |
Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Technikum Zawodowego (Technical lyceum - 4 or 5 years) | HAVO | |
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci Technikum Zawodowego (Technical lyceum - 4 or 5 years) | VWO | |
Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Liceum Ogolnoksztalcacego (General lyceum) | HAVO | |
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci Liceum Ogolnoksztalcacego (General lyceum) | VWO | |
Slovakia | Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške obtained at a Stredná odborná škola | HAVO |
Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške obtained at a Stredné odborné učilište | HAVO | |
Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške obtained at a Konzervatórium | HAVO | |
Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške obtained at a Gymnázium | VWO | |
Slovenia | Poklicna Matura (Vocational Matriculation Certificate) | HAVO |
Splošna Matura (General Matriculation Certificate) | VWO | |
South Africa | National Senior Certificate with minimal requirements for admission to a bachelor’s degree programme | HAVO |
South Korea | High School Certificate (general high school) | HAVO |
High School Certificate (science high school) | HAVO | |
Spain | Título de Técnico Superior | MBO 4 |
Título de Bachiller | HAVO | |
Surinam | HAVO diploma | HAVO |
Certificate for the Algemeen Vormende Fase | HAVO | |
VWO diploma | VWO | |
Sweden | Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan with vocational courses | HAVO |
Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan | HAVO/VWO | |
Switzerland | Berufsmaturität/ Fachmaturität/Specialised Maturity Certificate | HAVO |
Maturity Certificate/Maturitätszeugnis/ Maturitätsausweis/Certificat de Maturité | VWO | |
Taiwan | Senior High School Diploma | HAVO |
Turkey | Teknik Lisesi Diplomasi | HAVO |
Lise Diplomasi (3 years) | HAVO | |
Lise Diplomasi (4 years) | HAVO | |
Ukraine | Dyplom kvalifikovanogo robitnika / Qualified worker with Svidotstvo pro bazovu zagal’nu serednyu osvitu (level II) | HAVO |
Atestat pro zagal’nu serednyu osvitu / Certificate of completed secondary education | HAVO | |
USA | High School diploma | HAVO/VWO |
Associate’s degree (terminal/vocational program) | MBO 4 | |
Associate’s degree (transfer program) | VWO | |
Portugal | Diploma de especialização tecnológica - nível 4/Certificado de qualificação profissional de nivel 4 | MBO 4 |
Diploma/Certificado de qualificação profissional de nivel 3 | HAVO | |
Diploma/Certificado/Certidão do Ensino Secundário | HAVO |
Exemption on placement semester
Exemption on placement semester
Students with a minimum of one-year full-time relevant work experience (in the fields of Finance & Accounting, Marketing Management, Logistics Management and/or International Human Resource Management) can apply to the examination board for an exemption from doing their placement semester. Instead they provide a placement report to meet the placement criteria.
English language requirements
English language requirements
English requirements (we accept):
- IELTS Academic 6.0;
- TOEFL iBT 80;
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition 80;
- Cambridge: Minimum score of 169
Exemptions for the English level requirement are: Applicants whose medium of instruction of the previous education was in English and some EU secondary education diplomas.
Please send the required application documents by email to the admissions team. Your previous education and your level of English will be reviewed to check if you meet the admission requirements.
EU and non-EU applicants who reside in the Netherlands also need to submit:
- Valid residence permit
Application deadline
Application deadline Bachelor programmes
European (EEA) applicants | 31 Jul |
Non-European (non-EEA) applicants* | 1 May |
Non-EU applicants with valid Dutch residence permit | 31 Jul |
*Non-EU applicants have an early deadline of May 1st due to visa applications that have to be submitted.
Willem de Kooning Bachelors
For a Willem de Kooning Academy bachelor programme, please see the admission information on the Willem de Kooning Academy website.