Erasmus University Rotterdam: Rankings, Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

Erasmus University Rotterdam is one of the Netherlands' most internationally recognized universities, particularly known for its business, economics, and law programs delivered from a genuinely global port city. Founded in 1913, it enrolls roughly 28,000 to 32,000 students across seven faculties, with international students making up somewhere between a fifth and a quarter of the student body, drawn from more than 100 countries. This guide covers exactly what Erasmus University Rotterdam international students need to know: current rankings, admission requirements, tuition and living costs, the Holland Scholarship, and Dutch post-study work rights.

Quick facts snapshot

• Founded: 1913
• Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Setting: Urban, single main campus (Woudestein) plus the Erasmus MC medical campus
• Total enrollment: approximately 28,000 to 32,000 students
• International student share: approximately 20-25%, from over 100 countries
• Acceptance rate: approximately 53%
• Primary intake: September, with limited February intakes for some programs
• QS World University Ranking 2026: #140

Rankings and global reputation

Erasmus University Rotterdam holds a QS World University Ranking of #140 in the 2026 edition, placing it solidly among the world's top research universities without the extreme name-recognition of a top-20 institution. Its genuine international reputation is strongest and most concentrated in business and economics: the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University is consistently ranked among Europe's leading business schools, and Erasmus School of Economics holds a strong reputation across European economics rankings specifically. Erasmus School of Law and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Erasmus MC) also carry genuine standing within their respective fields, particularly in health economics and policy, an area where Erasmus has built a distinctive research niche.

Academics and signature programs

Erasmus University Rotterdam is organized into seven faculties: Erasmus School of Economics, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, Erasmus School of Philosophy, and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Erasmus MC). The university's own thematic framing, organizing its academic strengths around Health, Wealth, and Governance, reflects its genuine specialization in economics, management, law, and medicine rather than attempting to compete broadly across every discipline. Teaching commonly combines lectures with smaller seminar groups and, particularly in the business school, considerable group project work modeling real-world professional collaboration. A meaningful number of bachelor's and nearly all master's programs are taught entirely in English, though a portion of undergraduate offerings remain Dutch-medium, making program-specific language confirmation genuinely important before applying.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission requirements are set at the program level rather than through one university-wide cutoff, with competitive programs at Rotterdam School of Management and Erasmus School of Economics typically expecting genuinely strong secondary or prior-degree academic records. Applicants should check their specific target program's admission page directly, since requirements differ meaningfully between an International Bachelor in Economics and Business Economics, for example, and a Bachelor in International Business Administration.

English language requirements

• IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.5 for both bachelor's and master's admission
• The test must be taken at an official test centre; online formats like IELTS Online, IELTS Indicator, and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted
• English language certificates cannot be older than two years at the time of application
• Applicants with a prior degree taught entirely in English, with documented proof, are typically exempt from submitting a separate English test
• TOEFL and other approved English proficiency tests are accepted as alternatives to IELTS for most programs

Standardized testing and application checklist

Erasmus University Rotterdam does not require SAT or ACT scores for standard bachelor's admission, relying instead on secondary school qualifications and, for several programs, a specific numeracy or motivation assessment. GMAT or GRE scores are commonly requested for MBA and select Rotterdam School of Management master's programs specifically. A complete international bachelor's application with a non-EEA diploma requires a non-refundable €100 application fee, certified transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and program-specific supplementary materials such as a motivation letter, with some programs also requiring a numeracy test or selection interview.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Non-EU/EEA international students pay institutional tuition rates considerably higher than the statutory Dutch rate EU/EEA students pay. Most bachelor's programs charge roughly €13,500 to €16,300 per year for non-EEA students, while master's programs range from approximately €21,000 to €34,100 per year, with Erasmus MC medical programs at the top of that range. For comparison, EU/EEA students pay the statutory rate, set at €2,694 for the 2026/27 academic year on a standard first bachelor's.

Estimated living costs in Rotterdam

• Total monthly living costs in Rotterdam typically range from roughly €1,000 to €1,350, covering accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses
• Student housing in Rotterdam is genuinely competitive; applying to university-affiliated housing services early is strongly recommended
• Public transport across the Netherlands offers student discount options through the national OV-chipkaart system
• Dutch immigration requires proof of sufficient funds as part of the residence permit application for non-EU students
• Rotterdam is generally more affordable than Amsterdam for housing, a genuine practical advantage for cost-conscious international students

Scholarships for international students

The Erasmus University Holland Scholarship, funded jointly by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the university itself, offers €5,000, €10,000, or €15,000 depending on faculty, for non-EEA students pursuing a full-time bachelor's or master's degree. This is a partial, not full-tuition, award, and can only be received once per student, with eligibility requiring that applicants have not previously earned a Dutch diploma or been enrolled as a full-time student in the Netherlands. The separate NL Scholarship, a national Dutch program, awards €5,000 based on academic excellence to eligible non-EEA applicants. Deadlines for the Holland Scholarship differ by faculty, making early, program-specific research genuinely important for applicants hoping to secure this funding.

Campus life and student support

Most of Erasmus University Rotterdam's teaching takes place at the Woudestein campus, a self-contained, walkable university campus a short tram ride from central Rotterdam, with the Erasmus MC medical campus located separately closer to the city center. Rotterdam itself is a genuinely international, modern port city, rebuilt largely after wartime destruction into a city known for striking contemporary architecture, a diverse population, and a considerably lower cost of living than Amsterdam. The university maintains dedicated international student support services covering visa guidance, housing assistance, and orientation programming specifically for new arrivals, alongside more than 100 active student associations covering everything from academic and professional interests to sports and culture. The Netherlands maintains strong public safety standards and accessible healthcare, with mandatory health insurance required for all enrolled international students.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Erasmus University Rotterdam's strong reputation in business, economics, and law translates into a genuinely well-connected alumni and recruiter network across the Netherlands and wider Europe, particularly in finance, consulting, and international trade given Rotterdam's status as Europe's largest port city. The university's careers service supports students with internship placement and recruitment events connecting directly with Dutch and multinational employers based in the Randstad region.

The Dutch orientation year visa

Non-EU graduates of a bachelor's or master's degree from a Dutch university are eligible for the Netherlands' orientation year residence permit, granting up to twelve months to search for employment or work freely without an employer needing a separate work permit. This permit can be applied for within three years of graduation, but is strictly one-time and cannot be renewed or extended under any circumstances. Graduates who use the orientation year benefit from a considerably reduced salary threshold, roughly €2,801 gross per month rather than the standard threshold of around €4,752 for workers under thirty, when subsequently transitioning to a Highly Skilled Migrant visa, and this reduced threshold applies for up to three years after the orientation year ends.

Frequently asked questions