Research University (WO) 

Students who will or have obtained a bachelor degree from a research university (WO) in the Netherlands must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 7.0. A GPA of 6.95 will be rounded off to a 7.0. A 6.94 will be rounded down to a 6.9. The GPA is based on the weighted average of all grades from your bachelor programme.


University of Applied Sciences (HBO) 

Students who will or have obtained a bachelor degree a university of applied sciences (HBO) in the Netherlands must have an overall grade point average of 7.3 or higher. A GPA of 7.25 will be rounded off to a 7.3. The GPA of HBO students will be calculated over the final 3 years of the bachelor - unless the applicant needs the grades of the first year to meet the GPA requirement.


Additional grades from other studies

If you have obtained additional grades at a Dutch higher education institution during a second bachelor degree, master programme, or extra minor, these can be added to the GPA calculation (for the benefit of the applicant). 


Exchange Grades 

Grades earned outside of the Dutch education system will not be converted or used in the GPA calculation. It is not possible to compensate for an insufficient GPA with work experience, certificates or other non-academic experiences. RSM does not convert exchange grades for internal students. 


If your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement at the time of application, you can still apply, but the following conditions apply.


  • You must obtain a sufficient GPA before the start of the master (by 31 August).
  • If you are applying for a programme that has a maximum capacity, you need to obtain a sufficient GPA before the programme has filled up (which can happen before the regular application deadline). Students who meet the minimum GPA requirement at the time of application are given priority for these programmes.


GMAT: It is no longer be possible for applicants with a bachelor/master degree obtained in the Netherlands to compensate for an insufficient GPA with a GMAT test score.


Premaster: It is not possible to use the premaster to raise your GPA. Students must meet the 7.0 or 7.3 GPA in order to be eligible for the premaster and the grades received during the premaster do not contribute to your cumulative GPA.