About the university
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) grew out of the Netherlands School of Commerce, founded in 1913 by Rotterdam's business community. It took the name of the humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus, who was born in the city, in 1973. Its roots in trade and economics still shape its profile today.
EUR is best known for business and economics. The Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) is one of Europe's leading business schools, and the Erasmus School of Economics is strong in econometrics, finance and economics. The university also has a large medical centre, Erasmus MC, and well-regarded schools of law, health policy, social sciences and media.
Rotterdam is the Netherlands' second city and home to Europe's largest port. Rebuilt after heavy bombing in the Second World War, it is known for bold modern architecture and a diverse, international population. The main Woudestein campus is a short tram or metro ride east of the centre, and student life is busy but less touristy than in Amsterdam.
Indian students come to EUR mainly for one-year master's at RSM and the School of Economics, in fields such as finance, supply chain, business analytics, marketing and business information management. Admission to RSM master's is selective and often asks for a GMAT or GRE and a strong English score. Rotterdam's port and many multinational offices are useful for internships.
- Founded
- 1913 as the Netherlands School of Commerce; named after the Rotterdam-born scholar Erasmus in 1973
- Type
- Public research university focused on business, economics, health, law and social sciences
- Students
- 30,257 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 28% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Business school
- Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), holder of AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditations
- Non-EEA tuition 2027/28
- €28,000 for RSM master's; €22,800 for most other master's; €14,700–€15,200 for most bachelor's
- Intake
- September
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
148th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
109th in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Business Information Management
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Business Analytics and Management
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Strategic Entrepreneurship
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
- Postgraduate
MSc Global Business and Sustainability
- Fee / year
- €28,000
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 7.0 or equivalent is typical for RSM master's; check the programme
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Business Information Management | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| MSc Finance and Investments | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| MSc Supply Chain Management | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| MSc Marketing Management | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| MSc Business Analytics and Management | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| MSc Strategic Management | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| MSc Strategic Entrepreneurship | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| MSc Global Business and Sustainability | 1 year | €28,000 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Erasmus University Rotterdam with similar universities in the Netherlands.
Scholarships
- Non-EEA bachelor's and master's students
Erasmus University Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship)
Value: €5,000, paid once in the first year (not a full scholarship)
Eligibility: For students who have not studied in the Netherlands before. EUR sets its own deadline and criteria within the national scheme.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - RSM one-year master's
RSM scholarships for MSc students
Value: Partial tuition awards; amounts and numbers set each year
Eligibility: Merit-based and diversity awards for strong applicants. Check RSM's scholarship pages for 2027 deadlines, which are usually tied to early admission rounds.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Joint master's run by European university groups
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships
Value: Programme costs, travel and visa costs, and a monthly living allowance
Eligibility: Top applicants from any country. Applications usually open between October and January.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Indian Class 12 (CBSE/ISC) with high marks and the required subjects (usually mathematics for business and economics). Some programmes also ask for a year of university study; check EUR's country requirements.
- Apply through Studielink. IBA and IBEB have selection procedures with early deadlines (often 15 January).
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree with a strong academic record. RSM master's look for a high average and often a GMAT or GRE score.
- RSM uses several admission rounds between autumn and spring; applying early improves your chance of a place and scholarships.
- Erasmus School of Economics master's check prior knowledge of mathematics, statistics and economics.
- Your university applies for your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit on your behalf; you show proof of funds of €1,130.77 a month (IND, 2026).
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's) or bachelor's transcripts and degree certificate (master's)
- English test score (IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or another test the programme accepts)
- CV
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose
- One or two reference letters, where the programme asks for them
- GMAT or GRE score, only for programmes that ask for it
- Course descriptions or a list of courses, for programmes that check your prior knowledge
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| RSM master's | IELTS 7.0 or an equivalent TOEFL score is typical; check the programme. |
| Other master's | IELTS 6.5 or higher depending on the programme. |
| Bachelor's | IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is common; some programmes ask for more. |
Accommodation and living costs
Rotterdam is cheaper than Amsterdam or Utrecht, but rooms near Woudestein go quickly before September. EUR works with housing providers that reserve rooms for new international students; apply as soon as you are admitted.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Non-EEA RSM master's tuition, 2027/28Other EUR master's €22,800 | €28,000per year | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| Rent for a student roomRotterdam is usually cheaper than Amsterdam or Utrecht | €450–900per month | ≈ ₹47,700 – ₹95,400 |
| Groceries and meals | €200–300per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹31,800 |
| Health and liability insuranceDutch basic health insurance is required, at a higher cost, if you take a paid job | €80–120per month | ≈ ₹8,480 – ₹12,720 |
| Public transportMany students cycle, which keeps this low | €50–70per month | ≈ ₹5,300 – ₹7,420 |
| IND proof of funds for living costs, 2026The amount the IND expects students to have; about €13,570 a year | €1,131per month | ≈ ₹1.2 lakh |
Campus and location
Rotterdam is a modern port city of about 670,000 people, known for its skyline, Markthal and the Erasmus Bridge.
- Woudestein campus in the east of the city hosts most faculties, the library and sports centre.
- Erasmus MC, the university medical centre, is in the city centre.
- The port of Rotterdam and many multinational offices offer internships in logistics, finance and trade.
- The Hague and Delft are 10–25 minutes away by train; Amsterdam about 40 minutes by fast train.
Careers and graduate outcomes
EUR graduates often join banks, consultancies, logistics firms and multinationals in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and across Europe. The figures below are general rules and statistics, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation year permit after graduating | 1 year to look for work, with no work permit needed | IND: residence permit for the orientation year |
| Work allowed while studying | Up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August (not both); employer needs a work permit (TWV) | IND: student residence permit |
| Minimum wage from 1 July 2026 (age 21+) | €14.99 an hour gross | Government of the Netherlands: minimum wage |
| International students at Erasmus University Rotterdam | 28% | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the Netherlands
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the Netherlands. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in the Netherlands
Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicDelft University of Technology (official website, opens in a new tab)
Delft, NetherlandsOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Fons Heijnsbroek, CC0 PublicUniversity of Amsterdam (official website, opens in a new tab)
Amsterdam, NetherlandsOften chosen for Business & Management, Data Science & AI, Law
Photo: Kleon3, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicMaastricht University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Maastricht, NetherlandsOften chosen for Business & Management, Life Sciences, Law
Photo: Marvin Raaijmakers, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicEindhoven University of Technology (official website, opens in a new tab)
Eindhoven, NetherlandsOften chosen for Engineering, Data Science & AI, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Rudolphous, CC BY 3.0 PublicLeiden University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Leiden, NetherlandsOften chosen for Law, Life Sciences, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUtrecht University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Utrecht, NetherlandsOften chosen for Life Sciences, Data Science & AI, Law
FAQs
How much does an RSM master's cost for Indian students?
€28,000 for the one-year MSc for 2027/28 (non-EEA), plus living costs.
Do RSM master's need GMAT?
Many do, or accept the GRE. Check your programme's requirements.
How long are EUR master's?
Most RSM and Erasmus School of Economics master's take one year.
Is Rotterdam a good place for supply chain and logistics?
Yes. It is home to Europe's largest port, and RSM's Supply Chain Management master's draws on that.
Can I stay after graduation?
Yes, through the one-year orientation year permit, which lets you look for work without a work permit.
Sources
- Erasmus University Rotterdam: tuition fee 2027-2028 (opens in a new tab)
- Rotterdam School of Management: MSc programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Rotterdam School of Management: MSc Finance & Investments (opens in a new tab)
- Erasmus University Rotterdam: master's programmes overview (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: Erasmus University Rotterdam (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: Erasmus University Rotterdam (opens in a new tab)
- Study in NL: NL Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- Study in NL (Nuffic): tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- IND: student residence permit for university education (opens in a new tab)
- IND: required amounts (income requirements) (opens in a new tab)
- IND: residence permit for the orientation year (opens in a new tab)
- Government of the Netherlands: minimum wage amounts 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.eur.nl/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details