Rotterdam School of Management

Rotterdam, Netherlands · Public · 1-year full-time International MBA (12 months, January intake)

Average GMAT Focus: 595
Class size: 97 (Class of 2027)
Program tuition: €79,569 (full program)

Deadlines

Deadline 1 (January 2027 intake): Feb. 10, 2026
Deadline 2 (January 2027 intake): April 14, 2026
Deadline 3 (January 2027 intake): June 2, 2026
Deadline 4 (January 2027 intake): Aug. 11, 2026
Deadline 5 (January 2027 intake): Oct. 1, 2026
Deadline 6 (January 2027 intake; only applicants not needing a student visa/residence permit): Nov. 10, 2026

Essays

Prepared essay (About 500 words)

At Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), our mission statement says that, as an institution, we will be a force for positive change in the world. This mission, which is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations General Assembly, drives our thinking and approach to education, business and the world around us. The mission also guides our admissions process, as we look for academically excellent candidates who also share our belief that we can all make a difference in the world. Keeping this thought in mind, please answer the following question: RSM's mission is to be a force for positive change. How have you done this so far during your life/career, and what does being a force for positive change uniquely mean to you during your MBA and after graduation?

Scholarship essay (optional) (Up to 500 words)

Applicants can choose to upload an additional scholarship essay of up to 500 words via the "Additional Documents" section in the online application. In this essay, applicants are invited to describe their alignment with just one of the scholarships listed below.

Kira Talent video response (interview invitees)

Candidates who are invited for an admissions interview must complete a video response via Kira Talent.

Editor's notes

Timing is the whole game here. On Sept. 24, 2026, only two January 2027 deadlines are left: Oct. 1, and Nov. 10 for applicants who don't need a Dutch visa. If you need a visa, Oct. 1 is effectively your last date, and RSM warns that applying after October can hurt the visa process. Otherwise, plan for the January 2028 intake.
The essay is RSM's mission, handed back to you as a question. The school says the mission guides its admissions process. Every other part of your file (your CV, your references, your interview) should show the same kind of change your essay claims.
Don't skip the test because of your experience. RSM requires a score from everyone, but it offers its own BAT free to applicants who have submitted, and it publishes a 595 GMAT Focus average with no minimum. If standardised tests are your weak spot, ask about the BAT before paying for a retake.
Write the scholarship essay. Awards come with the admission decision, only one per person, and RSM names a specific essay slot for them. Pick the award you fit best and give it a different story from your main essay.