Meet Brandon Kirby, Director of Marketing & Admissions at the Rotterdam School of Management

The MBA program at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University is one of the most prestigious MBAs in Europe. It’s also one of the most international, with the most recent class made up of 121 students and 40 different nationalities.

There are endless reasons why it’s worth studying for an MBA at RSM – and in this list they’ve managed to boil them down to the five most important. Let’s take a look!

1. Start a Career in Europe

Studying for an MBA at RSM gives you all the tools you need to start a career in Europe. 88% of RSM graduates stayed in Europe after completing the program, which puts RSM amongst the top ranked business schools for international mobility. But how do they manage it?

One key factor is the Netherlands’ visa policy. Your student visa runs for 18 months despite the fact that the MBA program lasts for just 12 months, and should you need extra time to find your dream job then all university graduates in the Netherlands are entitled to an additional year-long job search visa.

To help in your search all RSM students also benefit from a comprehensive careers service. The careers team provide you with personalized coaching, interview tips, negotiation skills as well as networking and careers events throughout the year.

2. Diverse & International

The RSM MBA brings together people from all walks of life to create a truly international experience. The MBA class here is typically 99% international students. You’ll experience diversity not only in the nationalities represented in the class, but also their work backgrounds.

Having the ability to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds is an essential part of being a global business leader in today’s world, and the RSM MBA can provide you with that.

3. Personal Leadership Development

Developing your soft skills is a big motivating factor for many people studying an MBA. Luckily, the RSM MBA has a program in place from the very first day of the degree that meets these demands. Their Personal Leadership Development program has been cited by many alumni as the most memorable part of their MBA experience.

Through a combination of one-on-one coaching, leadership retreats and self-reflection, the PLD program will not only develop your leadership skills but also allow you to learn more about yourself as a person.

4. Shape Your Career With Your Curriculum

The flexible curriculum on offer at RSM means that you can align your modules with your career aspirations. One such example is the nine different study trips offered by the school throughout the program. Each trip takes in a different destination and a different theme, so you can choose the one that’s right for you based on the country and industry that you’re most interested in.

Another chance to customize your curriculum comes in the form of electives. There are 35-40 on offer and you can choose four to study. For those hoping to use the MBA to transition to a different job function, RSM’s Advanced Career Concentrations can help you do that. They are a three week deep dive into a topic of your choice – Finance, Marketing, Strategy or Supply Chain & Operations – which will give you the tools you need to thrive in a different facet of business.

5. Become a Force for Positive Change

RSM believe that business can solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Through modules on topics such as sustainability, the circular economy and sustainable finance, RSM is helping its graduates to become a force for positive change by taking on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals put forward by the UN.

From the application process to the delivery of the program itself, every part of the RSM MBA is designed to meet the school’s mission statement of becoming a force for positive change in the world. This mission is then carried out by the school’s alumni network around the world.