| Updated On - Sep 16, 2025
Erasmus University Rotterdam is a public research university in Rotterdam, Netherlands, within an urban business environment. It has a mid-size enrollment of around 39,000 students, with undergraduate and graduate programs. The admissions are moderately competitive, with an estimated acceptance rate of around 53%. Popular fields of study are Business, Economics, Medicine, and Law. Erasmus is particularly famous for the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and Erasmus Medical Center, both with excellent international reputations. The university itself is highly regarded for its applied research, especially in business and healthcare, and derives an advantage from its close entanglement with Rotterdam's thriving port economy and international business community.
The University of Amsterdam is a government-funded research institution in the Netherlands' capital city, Amsterdam, in an active international urban environment. It is one of the largest universities in Europe, with a combined student enrollment of over 41,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. UvA has an acceptance rate of 51%, though admissions are competitive, especially for choice programs like Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) and Amsterdam University College (AUC). Popular college majors at UvA include Social Sciences, Psychology, Law, Medicine, and Business. UvA is strongly acclaimed for its interfacultary research and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, with specific global excellence in social sciences, psychology, and medicine. Its Amsterdam location offers academically stimulating and culturally diversified surroundings with broad professional prospects.
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | University of Amsterdam | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.7 Out of 10 | 6.3 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 107 Times Higher Education 2026 # 140 QS World University 2026 # 107 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 53 QS World University 2026 # 62 Times Higher Education 2026 # 55 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 401 for Engineering by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022 # 42 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 93 for Law by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 173 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 36 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -8 PG Programs -42 Doctorate Programs -5 | UG Programs -11 PG Programs -99 |
| Acceptance Rate | 53.0 % | 0.0 % |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 6900 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 15500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 1000 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 13200 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19272 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 925 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | The average salary of a fresh RSM alumnus is EUR 2,912 per month, compared to EUR 2,783 euro for other MSc graduates starting out on the Dutch job market. Some of the programs and average salary are as follows: MBA: $83,000 Masters in Management: $77,000 Phd: $79,000 Executive MBA: $128,000 Doctorate: $93,000 | The University of Amsterdam has a team for career and employability that has won an award for their dedication to supporting the student throughout the process of placement. The university hosts fairs and events to provide students with a job. The students in the final year gain more work experience and are also placed in research institutions, museums, or private conservation studios. Avverage Salaries by Degree:
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| application requirements | Students should have a minimum grade of 75 on average Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts of all previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Submit resume |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) | Amsterdam Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.7/10 Read 1 reviews | 7.7/10 Read 10 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 22 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 23 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 77 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 87 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 95/120 | IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -74100 |
| application dates | Aug 12, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake) Nov 4, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake) | Jun 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Erasmus University Rotterdam | University of Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1913 | 1632 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 50% Male, 50% Female | 0% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | Campus Woudestein is the central point of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Erasmus MC is an academic hospital and medical faculty of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The Erasmus University College is located in the center of Rotterdam. The ISS is an international institute for the social sciences and is located in the center of The Hague. The Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship (ECE) is the leading center for entrepreneurship in Europe. It is located at Marconiplein in Rotterdam-West. | The University of Amsterdam has always been housed in old and new buildings scattered throughout the capital. The university lies within the largest megalopolis in the Netherlands, the Randstad. The campuses are scattered across city center, science center, academic medical center and Roeterseiland campus. |
| Library | The following libraries can be your source(s) for scientific ideas and opportunities: University Library The EUR Libraries provide access to a wide range of hard copy literature, e-books, e-journals and databases | The university has libraries across its different campuses. The libraries provide various services to the students like study rooms, journals, e-books, databases etc. It normally houses around 750,000 items owned by the libraries of all the UVA schools, including Law, Health Sciences, and Darden. |
| Campus Life | Erasmus University Rotterdam fits right into the dynamic atmosphere of the city with unique campuses, various student associations and possibilities to engage in sports or cultural activities. Erasmus University has many different student associations that are primarily focused on social activities, all with their own offer, culture and characteristics. These organizations offer you the opportunity to get to know many people from different studies and with different backgrounds. | The University of Amsterdam is a modern university with a rich history, providing a high-quality education in inspiring surroundings. The University is a world-class centre for research and teaching, and is committed to helping students think in an original, independent and academic way. The University is conveniently located in the heart of Amsterdam, overlooking the famous canals. Surrounded by history and culture, and within a short walk of the shops and restaurants in the city centre, the University of Amsterdam is the perfect base to enrich your student experience. The University of Amsterdam has many student associations catering to a variety of student needs including social clubs, career and study societies and cultural and sporting societies. ISN is an organisation run by Dutch students for international students studying in Amsterdam. Their goal is to optimize the social-cultural integration of international students into Dutch society. They organize weekly activities for students, provide information on housing and work, run a coaching and mentoring system and publish a magazine all about (student) life in Amsterdam. |
| Hostel | #Accommodation rent/month - $1000 | #Accommodation rent per month - $925 |
| Famous Alumni | Feike Sijbesma (business executive), Jo Ritzen (politician), Ruud Lubbers (politician, diplomat), Maria poonlertlarp (actress, model) | Khadija Arib (Dutch politician), Pim Fortuyn (businessman, author), Jesse Klaver (politician), Thierry Baudet (politician) |
| City Life | Rotterdam is a multicultural hub with a modern look, low level of corruption, an advanced public transport system and superb network of bike-paths. While less touristy than some of its neighboring Dutch cities, Rotterdam hosts the largest port in Europe, making it an important transit, logistical and marine center. With its high quality of life and lively cultural scene, Rotterdam has been welcoming visitors for almost 800 years. Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands when it comes to population, with 650 thousand residents. Being a business city, the average cost of living in Rotterdam mirrors that in other big cities across western Europe. The average rental prices in Rotterdam are 5.24 % lower than those in Amsterdam.
| Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is situated in the heart of Europe. It is a real cosmopolitan capital and one of Europe's most beautiful, with an enormous number of attractions. Students have voted Amsterdam the 5th best city in the world to live in. It is also one of the safest capital cities in Europe. The city has around 850,000 inhabitants and is voted as the 11th best city to live in. There are around 50 world famous galleries and 16,000 performances per year. Bicycle is the most popular form of transportation. Amsterdam has more than 30 parks and public gardens. Various festivals are held across the city over the year. |
| Weather |
Erasmus University Rotterdam vs University of Amsterdam
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Amsterdam is ranked above Erasmus University Rotterdam in global rankings. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, UvA is ranked 53rd, and Erasmus 140th. In Times Higher Education 2025, UvA ranks 58th, and Erasmus is ranked 107th. UvA is strongest in Social Sciences, which is ranked 9th international in QS 2025, Psychology at 14th, and Medicine at 36th, with various subjects repeatedly within the top 50 in the world. Erasmus performs best in Business, where it is 22nd in the world according to QS 2025, in Medicine at 42nd, and in Economics, where it is constantly within the top 100. In general, UvA is more subject-strong while Erasmus excels most in business and economics.
General Information
When it comes to academic size and offerings, UvA is just a bit bigger, with more than 41,000 students compared to 39,000 in Erasmus. UvA has 11 undergraduate and 99 graduate offerings in seven faculties, while Erasmus has eight undergraduate and 42 graduate courses, with a more pointed emphasis on economics, business, and medicine. UvA's Amsterdam campus provides students with an international, cosmopolitan atmosphere, while Erasmus' Rotterdam campus is closely tied to Europe's biggest port and is a center for trade and business.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Admission at Erasmus is relatively competitive with an estimated acceptance rate of 53 percent. English proficiency requisites are an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of 92, with more competitive programs like RSM also demanding a GMAT score of 650. About 25 percent of students at Erasmus are foreign. UvA doesn't release an official acceptance rate, but admissions are more competitive for courses like PPLE and AUC. Language requirements are comparable, with IELTS 6.5 and TOEFL 92 being typical cut-offs. Around 30 percent of UvA's student population is international, a testament to its international popularity.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are research universities, but UvA generates a greater overall research output, especially in the social sciences, humanities, and medicine. Its library network contains over four million volumes, underlining its good academic foundation. Erasmus specializes in applied, industry-oriented research, particularly business, economics, and health sciences, and its contemporary Woudestein campus provides close interaction with industries and companies in Rotterdam.
Cost & Financial Aid
As far as cost goes, non-EU/EEA international students pay around €13,200 yearly for undergrad and €19,272 for postgraduate at UvA. Erasmus is less expensive, with the average being €6,900 for undergrads and €15,500 for postgrads. Living expenses are a bit more in Rotterdam at around €1,000 monthly compared to €925 in Amsterdam. UvA offers a broader range of scholarships, including Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and Holland Scholarship, whereas Erasmus also provides scholarships like Holland Scholarship, Erasmus Trustfonds, and RSM-specific funding.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Career outcomes at both institutions are robust. UvA graduates have access to a broader worldwide alumni network and excellent international reputation, with many finding success in social sciences, law, and academia. Erasmus alumni, especially from RSM, are prized in business and finance, with MBA graduates posting employment rates of approximately 86 percent within three months of graduation. Although UvA is more universally known globally, Erasmus features career specialization in business, economics, and healthcare, closely tied to Rotterdam's position as a global commercial center.
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