For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.
The 1st step of our application process for students with international prior education is checking the entry and selection requirements of this Master’s. In your online application you will be asked to upload proof of all mentioned requirements.

Since the Master’s in Business Administration is a popular programme and we want to guarantee an interactive programme, we apply a selection procedure. This means that besides the entry requirements, your application will also be selected based on the selection criteria.

Entry requirements

The Admissions Office will evaluate your application for this programme based on 2 specific entry requirements:

  • 1. Your academic Bachelor’s degree

    To be eligible for this Master’s programme, your academic Bachelor’s degree requires:

    • An academic Bachelor's or Master's degree (BSc or BA) in (International) Business Administration or an academic Bachelor’s degree in an Economics or Businesses related field.
    • 15 ECTS in academic research with a minimum of 10 ECTS on quantitative research oriented courses (intermediate/advance).
    • Business courses (intermediate/advance), up to an equivalent of a minimum of 15 ECTS, in at least 2 of the following fields: 
      • strategy,
      • international management,
      • organisation,
      • marketing,
      • leadership,
      • entrepreneurship or
      • organisational psychology

    Educational systems differ around the world. International degrees are evaluated based on the guidelines provided by the NUFFIC.  Are you unsure whether your academic background is considered equivalent to a Dutch Bachelor's degree? Find a list of equivalent degrees here

    If your previous education does not fulfill this programme’s requirements:

    • Students with previous EU academic/applied science education and an EU/EEA nationality might be eligible to apply for a pre-master’s programme.
    • Students with previous non-EU education and a non-EU nationality may wish to consider applying for a Master’s-qualifying programme at the Cambridge Education Group.  
  • 2. Your English language proficiency

    Our Master’s programmes are in English. Good English skills are essential for successful class participation and understanding. To ensure this, we'll assess your English skills through specific proficiency tests listed below.

    Tests and required scores 

    • TOEFL iBT Test: minimum total score of 92 with a minimum of 22 per subscore. You can use the institution code 9011 to have your score report sent to us. 
    • IELTS Academic: overall band score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 per subscore. Please note that the IELTS Indicator test is not allowed. 
    • Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: overall score of 180 and a minimum of 180 per skill. 

    Other test versions or modules are not accepted. Examples of this include but are not limited to: IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest Scores, etc.

    Validity of scores 

    • Test scores may not be older than two years, counting back from the start of the programme. For example, if you are applying for the September 2025 intake, we do not accept English proficiency tests taken before September 2023.
    • Scores older than 2 years are only valid in combination with certain study programmes (check the exemptions). 
    • Sufficient test scores received after the application deadline are accepted, as long as your English proficiency test was taken before the application deadline. 

    Exemptions  

    Did you obtain your previous education in the Netherlands, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America? Or did you participate in an exchange programme in one of these countries, while your English proficienct test results are older than 2 years?

Selection 

Meeting the entry requirements alone is not a guarantee for admission. Besides the entry requirements you need to meet the selection criteria. This means that your application will be compared with other applicants. The selection is based on your GPA, GMAT (GRE) score, and motivation letter.  

  • 1. Your Grade Point Average (GPA)

    Since the Master’s in Business Administration is a popular programme and we want to guarantee an interactive programme, we apply a selection procedure. One of the selection criteria is the Grade Point Average (GPA). 

    Applicants with a sufficient background are required to have an overall GPA equivalent to at least a Dutch grade of 7.0 or higher, to be eligible for selection. Check this list to see which grade is equivalent to a Dutch 7.0 in your degree

    This means that you are not automatically admitted when you have a 7.0 GPA, but that you will be considered for the selection round where places are offered to the applicants with the highest GPA until all places are filled.  

    Calculate your GPA over: 

    • All Bachelor's degree results (year 1-3). Also include any additional Bachelor’s courses. 
    • If you also have a Master's degree, you have to add a second GPA calculation (also minimum 7.0) from all Master's degree results as well.

    You do not have to update your GPA calculation after the application deadline. 

  • 2. Your GMAT score

    Good analytical writing and quantitative reasoning skills are crucial for starting in this Master’s programme. To ensure this, you need to provide a sufficient Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score. And in some cases a Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test result is accepted. The GMAT test will be replaced by the GMAT Focus test. If you have a valid score report of the old GMAT test, we still accept this. 

    Tests and required score 

    GMAT Focus Edition: Minimum score: 535 and preferably 565

    GMAT test (old edition): Minimum score: 560 and preferably 600  

    • Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required. 
    • You can use the institution code 0500 to have your score report sent to us. 
    • The GMAT (Focus) Online Exam is allowed for the  September 2025 intake. 

    Instead of a GMAT, a GRE test score may be accepted if you have already obtained a GRE score or it is difficult to take the GMAT test on short notice in your country.  

    • Minimum score: 152 and preferably 155 in the Quantitative Reasoning section
    • Please note that completion of all sections of the exam is required. 
    • You can use the institution code 7878 U Amsterdam School of Economics to have your score report sent to us. 
    • The GRE at home test is allowed for the September 2025 intake.  

    Deadline of handing in test scores 

    Your test scores should be submitted before your application deadline. Please keep in mind that receiving these results can take up to two weeks. 

    Exemptions 

    Based on mutual agreements with certain universities, you might be exempted from taking a GMAT or GRE test. Check the list of universities to see whether this applies to you.

  • 3. Your motivation letter

    The motivation letter (max. one A4)  allows you to explain why you would be a good fit for the Master’s programme and which experiences have led you to this decision. 

Track choice

Given the high demand for the programme and our commitment to maintaining an interactive learning environment, it is possible that your preferred track may reach full capacity (which is variable based on teaching capacity and shifting student demand). Therefore you are required to choose 2 tracks, when applying for the Master’s in Business Administration. Should your first option reach full capacity, we check if there is place in your second track choice.  Please note that Digital Marketing and Consumer Marketing cannot be combined for the September intake.

Your eligibility for the programme and track will be determined based on your completed application.

  • After submitting your application we will notify you via email if you are accepted to the programme and  for which track you can enrol.
  • There is also a possibility that you may not be accepted into either track. Admission is competitive, and priority is given to applicants who best meet the selection criteria, which are based on factors such as GPA, motivation letter, and GMAT/GRE scores.