In this article
- Check deadlines for each programme
- The RSM example: the 2027 timeline
- At RSM IBA, penultimate-year grades count towards the ranking
- How many numerus fixus applications can you submit?
- Which other universities should you watch?
- What budget should you plan?
On 1 October 2026, applications open at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), one of the most sought-after programmes in the Netherlands, for September 2027 entry. It is the starting gun of the Dutch application season, and it is also when many international families discover a system that works nothing like UCAS or the US Common App.
To place this step in the wider calendar, see our bachelor admissions coaching page.
If you are aiming at a master’s in the Netherlands, see our Master in Management application preparation.
Here is what to understand before you create an account on Studielink, the national enrolment platform.
Check deadlines for each programme
Study in NL gives two general benchmarks: 15 January for numerus fixus programmes and 1 May for other programmes. Earlier deadlines can apply depending on the course, qualifications, visa or housing arrangements. Check the deadline for your own situation.
The trap is easy to fall into: an applicant who assumes “the Netherlands is a May deadline” finds out in January that the programme they wanted had a quota. Many of the most popular business, economics and psychology bachelors are affected, so check programme by programme. Our Studielink application guide walks through the platform step by step.
The RSM example: the 2027 timeline
For the International Business Administration (IBA) bachelor at RSM, the published dates are:
- 1 October 2026: applications open;
- 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET: Studielink deadline;
- 31 January 2027, 23:59 CET: deadline for the supplementary application on the school’s own portal (OLAF);
- 15 April 2027: rankings are released;
- 14 days to accept or decline an offer in Studielink.
One warning: RSM states that its admission requirements for September 2027 are being updated and will be updated before 1 October 2026. Re-read the official page on opening day before you build your plan.
At RSM IBA, penultimate-year grades count towards the ranking
When a programme receives more applicants than places, it ranks them. At RSM, only 650 students are admitted for the September intake, and the ranking is 75% grades and 25% motivation answers. For students still in school, the grade average is calculated from the penultimate year, the year before the final one.
For a final-year pupil applying to RSM IBA, those grades are already set. Focus on diploma requirements, programme choice and motivation answers. Other programmes use their own selection criteria. Consult the official RSM requirements.
How many numerus fixus applications can you submit?
A maximum of two numerus fixus applications per academic year, according to Study in NL. For Medicine, Dentistry, Dental hygiene and Physiotherapy the rule is stricter: one application per programme per year. Choose your two bets carefully and keep options without a quota in reserve.
Which other universities should you watch?
At the University of Amsterdam, deadlines, fees, English tests and any Matching requirements depend on the programme and your educational background. 1 May is not a universal fallback deadline. For example, Business Administration’s English track closes on 15 January for 2027 entry; its Dutch track has a 1 April deadline for certain visa or housing arrangements. Check the procedure for your situation and your chosen course’s language requirements.
Book your English test early this autumn: it is often the step that delays an application.
What budget should you plan?
For 2027-2028, the official RSM IBA page lists €2,771 per year for students eligible for the statutory fee and approximately €15,200 at the international rate. Fees remain subject to change; confirm your fee category with the university and budget separately for housing and living costs.
Why not wait until January?
15 January falls in the middle of mock exams and report cards, and the supplementary file (OLAF at RSM, 31 January) takes time: motivation answers, supporting documents, transcripts. Applying in the first weeks after opening removes last-minute stress and leaves room to fix a mistake.
What to do this week
Three actions are enough to start well: list your programmes and separate quota from non-quota ones, note each official deadline from the university’s own site, and schedule your English test. Our guide to studying in the Netherlands compares the universities, and the RSM page covers the school in detail.
At Your Dream School, our Bachelor admission coaching for the Netherlands helps you choose your two quota applications, build a strong file and keep to the calendar, backed by a team rated on 160+ Google reviews.
Author
With a Bachelor's (LLB) from UCL and Assas, and the Grande Ecole program at HEC Paris, Adam co-founded Your Dream School in 2018. Since then the company has coached more than 1,000 students through university admissions and interview preparation for top global institutions.
Need personalized guidance? Talk to our experts.
Talk to an Expert →
