Diploma overview 2026

General Admission Requirements Erasmus University Rotterdam 2026/2027

The Central Admissions Office has created a list of the most common international diplomas that meet the minimum admission requirements for the academic year 2026. Where relevant, minimum grades and language test exemption criteria are included.

Please note:

  • Your diploma being on the list does not guarantee admission to our Bachelor’s degree programmes.
  • Generally, we require final exams in general education subjects; applied/vocational subjects are not accepted.
  • For some diplomas we only accept specific exam subjects. Where relevant, these are listed
  • Homologation of foreign diplomas is not valid for admission; students are assessed based on the diploma they obtained, not its equivalent.
  • Foundation year programmes/courses/certificates are not accepted for entry into our Bachelor’s degree programmes
  • Admission in an earlier year, to another institution, or the admission of another applicant with a similar degree, is not an indication of admissibility for the current year.
  • If you do not meet our grade requirements by August 31st and still need to obtain your diploma, you cannot enrol for the academic year starting September 2026.
  • If your diploma is not listed and you are interested in studying at Erasmus University Rotterdam, please contact the Central Admissions Office. Please note that we can only provide general information; in order for your admissibility to be evaluated, a complete application must be submitted.

For questions about admission to the International Business Administration (IBA) and International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics (IBEB) programmes, please contact the faculties directly.

English language exemption is only possible if:

  • You obtain a European Baccalaureate with English as a first or second language.
  • You obtain an International Baccalaureate with English A at Higher or Standard Level, or English B at Higher Level.
  • You have obtained your diploma(s) and/or attended secondary school for at least two and a half years in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa*, the United Kingdom, or the United States.

* Exemption is only granted when the National Senior Certificate has been obtained with English Home Language.

International diplomas that meet the minimum admission requirements

American High School Diploma (outside USA)

From an accredited High School; a minimum GPA of 3.00 in grade 11 and 12 plus 4 independent AP courses in general academic subjects* (with grade 3 or higher). AP exams are required to be taken externally with the College Board.

*Accepted subjects: Art History, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, African American Studies, Comparative Government and Politics, European History, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern, Calculus AB or BC, Computer Science Principles, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics (1, 2, and C).

World Languages and Cultures AP - will only be accepted as a 5th AP.

Overlapping subjects are counted as 1 AP exam. For example, AP US History, AP European History and AP World History are not counted as 3 individual APs but as one. The same applies to AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics, and AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition.

British (International) GCE A-levels

A minimum of 6 different subjects are required:

  • 3 GCSE subjects with grades A* to C (or 9 to 4), and
  • 3 A-level subjects with grades A* to C.

It is preferred that English and Mathematics are included among these subjects.

*Generally accepted subjects: English Language/English Literature**, Ancient History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science / Technology, Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Islamic Studies, Law, Life and Health Sciences, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Statistics.

**Languages: With the exception of ‘English Language and English Literature’ A-levels, all other A-level Languages will only be accepted as a 4th GCE A-level.

Certain A-Level subjects with an applied component are only accepted for certain Bachelor degree programmes. For example, Media Studies is only accepted for International Bachelor Communication and Media. Likewise, the A-Level Physical Education is only accepted for International Bachelor in Psychology.

Overlapping subjects: Narrow subject combinations such as Economics, Business and Accounting, are not preferred.

European Baccalaureate

The EB diploma is sufficient for general admission.

Language test exemptions:

  • Dutch: Language 1 or 2
  • English: Language 1 or 2

For Geneeskunde (Medicine), all examinations in the natural sciences subjects must be taken as written exams.

International Baccalaureate

The full IB diploma is sufficient for general admission. When applying, ensure that the levels of all subjects, including the language-related ones, are clearly indicated (HL, SL, A or B, etc.).

Language test exemptions:

  • Dutch: Dutch A or B at Higher Level, Dutch A Standard Level
  • English: English A or B at Higher Level, English A Standard Level

West African Senior Secondary School Certificate

At least 6 general academic subjects with grades of C6 or higher.

Proof of English Language proficiency test (TOEFL IBT, IELTS Academic, CAE/CPE, Pearson PTE, Language Cert Academic) is mandatory.

Country Specific Diplomas per continent

Kenya

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with grades A, B or C in at least 6 subjects.

Morocco

Attestation du Baccalauréat with the following Série:

  • Sciences de la vie et de la terre
  • Sciences mathématiques
  • Sciences physiques

with a General Average of at least 14 and with scores of 14 for each of the 5 National Examinations

South Africa

National Senior Certificate with an average overall score of at least 70% and the mention “has met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree”. Score required for individual subjects: 55% or higher.

Accepted subjects: Home Language, First Additional Language, Second Official Language, Economics, Geography, History, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Religion Studies.

Language test exemptions:

• Exempted from English proficiency test with English Home Language

Afghanistan

12th Grade Graduation Certificate from the general subject cluster. The curriculum consists of general education subjects.

Azerbaijan

Orta Tahsil Haqqinda Attestat with a score of 80 or higher for both English and Mathematics on the centralized exams. Minimum total score must be 225/300 or 300/400 (depending on the number of exams taken). The centralized exam results are valid for a maximum of two years.

China

Senior Middle School diploma plus Gaokao university entrance examination; minimum required score for most provinces 550 out of 750.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with 6 subjects:

  • Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and at least two additional accepted subjects*, all at Level 3, 4, or 5.
  • and the subject Citizenship and Social Development with the assessment “attained”.

*Accepted subjects from Category A (Senior Secondary Subjects): Chinese Literature; Literature in English; Chinese History; Economics; Ethics and Religious Studies; Geography; History; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Combined Science; Integrated Science; Business, Accounting and Financial Studies; Health Management and Social Care; Information and Communication Technology; Physical Education.

India

Standard XII Diploma with at least 5 independent general academic subjects plus the Standard X Diploma

  • CBSE: All India Secondary School certificate with a minimum score of 80% for each of the 5 examination subjects
  • CISCE: Indian School Certificate with a minimum score of 80% for each of the 5 examination subjects
  • NIOS: Migration Cum Transfer Certificate obtained at the Senior Secondary School Examination with grades A, B or C for each of the 5 exam subjects
  • State Boards: Standard XII Certificate with a minimum score of 80% for each of the 5 examination subjects

Overlapping subjects: Narrow subject combinations such as Business Studies, Economics, Accountancy and Marketing are not accepted. 

For a list of approved subjects, please contact admissions.office@eur.nl

Indonesia

Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA).

Japan

High School Certificate of Education

Kazakhstan

  • Жалпы Oрта білім туралы аттестат/Аттестат об общем среднем образовании/ Certificate of completed general secondary education
  • Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) Grade 12 certificate with grades A-C for the GCE A-level exams

Malaysia

  • Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia plus Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
  • Unified Examination Certificate with score B3 or higher in all subjects

Singapore

Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A Level) with at least

  • 5 different subjects, which include: 3 general education subjects at H2 level with grades A-C
  • and 1 general education subject at H1 level,
  • plus the subject General Paper/Knowledge and Inquiry

Language test exemptions:

Exempted from English proficiency test with the English Language Cambridge (O-level)

South Korea

High School Certificate

Taiwan

Senior High School Diploma

Vietnam

Bang Tot Nghiep Trung Hoc Pho Thong, combined with the Giay Chung Nhan Tot Nghiep THPT and a GPA of at least 80%.

Aruba

VWO Diploma
Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

Curaçao

VWO Diploma
Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

Sint Maarten

VWO Diploma
Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

Suriname

VWO Diploma
Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English proficiency test

Argentina

Título de Bachiller in one of the following profiles: Ciencias Sociales, Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales, Ciencias Naturales, or Lenguas

Brazil

  • Certificado de Conclusão de 2° Grau
  • Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio

Plus an ENEM with a minimum score of 550 in each of the 5 subjects, and an average score of at least 600 or higher.

Chile

  • Licencia de Educación Media Humanistico–Científica
  • Licencia de Enseñanza Media Científico-Humanista

Plus Pruebas de Admisión Transitorias with a minimum score of 600

Colombia

Título de Bachiller Académico plus El Examen de Estado de la Educación Media, Saber 11° with a minimum score of 200

Ecuador

  • Título de Bachiller en Ciencias
  • Título de Bachiller en Humanidades

Mexico

Bachillerato General – Preparatoria (Bicultural, Multicultural, Internacional)

Panama

Título de Bachiller en Ciencias / Ciencias y Letras / Letras

Peru

Certificado Oficial de Estudios de Nivel Educación Secundaria en el Area de Ciencias y Humanidades with a final GPA of at least 17.

Albania

Diplomë e Maturës Shtetërore obtained at a Gjimnazi with 5 general academic final examination subjects

Armenia

Atestat Mijnakarg (Yndhanur) Krtutyan

Austria

  • Reifeprüfungszeugnis
  • Reife- und Diplomprüfungszeugnis

Language test exemptions: exempted from English proficiency test

Belgium

  • Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs
  • Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, Technisch Secundair Onderwijs met doorstroomfinaliteit
  • Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, Kunst Secundair Onderwijs met doorstroomfinaliteit
  • Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur, Enseignement General
  • Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts (Allgemeinbildender Unterricht)

Language test exemptions: exempted from Dutch and English only when the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs is obtained

Bosnia and Herzegovina

  • Diploma o položenom maturskom ispitu from a Gimnazija
  • Diploma o završenoj srednjoj školi from a Gimnazija

Bulgaria

Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with a general education stream

Croatia

Svjedodžba o (državnoj) Maturi (general education) from a Gimnazija

Cyprus

Apolytirio Lykeio from a public school or a private school of the same type, with an average final mark of 16 or higher, and with the following specialisations:

  • Classical studies and humanities
  • Foreign languages and European studies
  • Economic sciences
  • Natural sciences/life sciences/information science/technology

Apolyrio Lykeios from private schools of similar or different type, or schools with a special status are not accepted. Applicants from these schools can only be admitted on the basis of the UK or US curriculum they studied and the corresponding qualification, see requirements on the Cyprus Ministry of Education website.

Czech Republic

Vysvědčení o Maturitní Zkoušce from a Gimnazium

Denmark

  • Studentereksamen (stx)
  • Højere handelseksamen/merkantil studentereksamen (hhx)
  • Højere teknisk eksamen/teknisk studentereksamen (htx)

Estonia

Gumnaasiumi Loputunnistus plus Riigieksamitunnistus

Finland

Ylioppilastutkintotodistus plus Lukion päättötodistus

France

  • Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général
  • Diplôme du Baccalauréat Français International

Language test exemptions:

  • The option BFI (formerly OIB) American or British section grants exemption from an English proficiency test
  • The option BFI Neérlandais grants exemption from a Dutch proficiency test.

Georgia

General Education Diploma

Germany

Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur)

Language test exemptions: Exempted from English proficiency test if English was included in the final year or was one of the final examination subjects

Greece

Apolytirio Genikou Lykeiou with a minimum average mark of 15 or higher

Hungary

Érettségi Bizonyítvány obtained at a Gimnázium (general/academic curriculum) with at least one exam subject at advanced level (Emelt). The fifth elective exam must be in a general education subject.

Other type of schools e.g. Szakiskola, Szakközépiskola, Szakgimnázium or Technikum: admission will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Iceland

Stúdentspróf from a Menntaskóli

Ireland

Leaving Certificate (Established) with at least 6 subjects (general/academic subjects*), with a minimum of 400 CAO points

*Accepted subjects: all languages, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Mathematics, Physics, Physics & Chemistry, Politics & Society, and Religious Education.

Israel

Te’udat Bagrut with a minimum of 21 units, including at least three general academic subjects*. 

English and Mathematics are mandatory with a minimum of 4 units.

*Accepted subjects: Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Foreign Languages and Social Studies.

Italy

Diploma di Superamento dell’Esame di Stato Conclusivo dei Corsi di Istruzione Secondario Superiore from one of the following: 

  • Liceo Classico
  • Liceo Scientifico
  • Liceo Linguistico
  • Liceo delle Scienze Umane

Kosovo

Certifikatë e Maturës Shtetërore plus Diplomë për kryerjen e shkollës së mesme të lartë from a gjimnazi

Latvia

Atestāts par Vispārējo Vidējo Izglītību in one of the following streams: 

  • General Education,
  • Humanities and Social Science,
  • Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology. 

Applications from students studying the vocational stream are not accepted.

Plus Vispārējās Vidējās Izglītības Sertifikāts with an average grade of at least 60% for the state exams. Students with lower grades or who are exempted from taking state exams will be considered

for admission on an individual basis, depending on the relevant subjects, levels and results

Lithuania

Brandos Atestatas from a Gimnazija or Licejus

Luxembourg

Diplome de Fin d'Etudes Secondaires 

Moldova

Diplomă de Bacalaureat, profilul: Real or Umanist
 

Norway

Vitnemål for Videregående Opplæring - General Studies - mentioning: og har oppnådd generell studiekompetanse 

Poland

Świadectwo Dojrzałości plus Świadectwo Ukończenia Liceum Ogólnokształcącego

Portugal

Certificado Nivel Secundario de Educaçao with a Media Final of at least 14 plus the certificate Classificações para Acesso ao Ensino Superior (declaration issued by DGES). We only accept the following streams from the Cursos Científicos Humanisticos: 

  • Ciências e Tecnologías
  • Ciências Socioeconomicas
  • Linguas e Literaturas
  • Ciências Sociais e Humanas 

     

Romania

Diplomă de Bacalaureat Filiera Teoretică 

 

Russia 

Attestat o Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii 

 

Serbia

Diploma o Stečenom Srednem Obrazovanju from a Gimnazije

Slovakia

Vysvedčenie o Maturitnej Skúške from a Gymnázium


Slovenia

Spričevalo o Splošni Maturi from a Gimnazia

Spain

Titulo de Bachiller/ Bachillerato in combination with an average of at least 6.0 for the Calificación de la Evaluación on the PAU/EBAU/EvAU exams.

  • A minimum score of 60 is required for each of the PAU/EBAU/EvAU subjects
  • Mathematics is a mandatory PAU/EBAU/EvAU exam subject

Sweden

Gymnasieexamen: Högskoleförberedande examen, accepted profiles: 

  • Ekonomiprogrammet/Business Management and Economics Programme
  • Humanistiska programmet/Humanities Programme
  • Naturvetenskapsprogrammet/Natural Science Programme

Switzerland

Maturity Certificate/Maturitätszeugnis/ Maturitätsausweis/Certificat de Maturité

Türkiye

Lise Diplomasi from a Genel Lise 

The following diplomas will only be considered in combination with completed 1st year university results and a 3.0 GPA:

  • Imam-Hatip Lise Diplomasi,
  • Meslek Lisesi Diplomasi
  • Teknik Lisesi Diplomasi
  • Güzel Sanatlar Lise Diplomasi 

 

Ukraine

Svidotstvo pro Zdobuttia Povnoi Zagalnoi Serednoi Osvity

 

United Kingdom, England & Wales

A minimum of 6 different subjects are required:

  • 3 GCSE subjects with grades A* to C (or 9 to 4), and
  • 3 A-level subjects with grades A* to C.

It is preferred that English and Mathematics are included among these subjects. 

*Generally accepted subjects: English Language/English Literature**, Ancient History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science / Technology, Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Islamic Studies, Law, Life and Health Sciences, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Statistics.

**Languages: With the exception of ‘English Language and English Literature’ A-levels, all other A-level Languages will only be accepted as a 4th GCE A-level.

Certain A-Level subjects with an applied component are only accepted for certain Bachelor degree programmes. For example, Media Studies is only accepted for International Bachelor Communication and Media. Likewise, the A-Level Physical Education is only accepted for International Bachelor in Psychology.

Overlapping subjects: Narrow subject combinations such as Economics, Business and Accounting, are not preferred.

Scotland

  • Scottish Qualification Certificate with at least 4 Highers and 2 Advanced Highers in general academic subjects* with grades A-B.

*Generally accepted subjects: All languages, Ancient History, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Classical Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science / Technology, Further Mathematics, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Islamic Studies, Law, Life and Health Sciences, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Statistics.

Iran

Gowahinameh-ye payane tahsilate doreh-ye motawasseteh-ye dowom / Secondary School Leaving Certificate:

  • shakheh-ye Nazari: reshteh-ye olume tadjrobi / Theoretical Branch: Experimental Sciences
  • shakheh-ye Nazari: reshteh-ye riyazi fizik / Theoretical Branch: Mathematics and Physics

Diplomas obtained before 2019: Certificate of Completion of Secondary School Studies (theoretical profile) plus Pre-University Certificate.

Iraq

Secondary School Certificate/Baccaleureate - Scientific section

Jordan

Shahadat ad-dirasa ath-thanawiyya al-’amma / General Secondary Education Certificate (general education) al-far’ al-’ilmi for the Scientific Stream

Lebanon

Baccalauréat Libanais

Saudi Arabia 

General Secondary Education Certificate -Scientific section

Syria

Ash-shahada ath-thanawiyya al-'amma al-far' al-'ilmi / General secondary school report of the Science stream

Canada

One of the following diplomas, with a minimum overall average of 80%. For diplomas obtained after completing only 1 year of Canadian education (e.g. only grade 12 in the Ontario system): applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases, previous

education is also taken into consideration.

  • Quebec - Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales – Pré-universitaire
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with at least 6 4U courses in grade 12 (M courses are not accepted)
  • Alberta High School Diploma with 5 independent general academic courses (course numbers 30-39) in grade 12
  • British Columbia Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with at least 13 successfully completed general academic courses of which 5 must be completed in grade 12.
  • Manitoba High School Graduation Diploma including 5 full credits at the Grade 12 level in general academic courses designated S, G or U.
  • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma with at least 5 grade 12 general academic courses (level 2)
  • Newfoundland High School Graduation Diploma with at least 36 credits, of which 20 credits must be level 2 & 3 general academic courses and at least 9 credits in level 3 courses
  • Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma with proof of at least 5 general academic (ACAD) or advanced (ADV) grade 12 courses
  • Saskatchewan Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement in at least five different grade 12 (level 30) courses in general, academic subjects

Important: Canadian secondary school diplomas obtained from an institution outside of Canada will only be accepted if the institution is officially authorized and has a formal agreement with the Ministry of Education. A list of authorized schools can be found here

United States of America

From an accredited High School; a minimum GPA of 3.00 in grade 11 and 12 plus 4 independent AP courses in general academic subjects* (with grade 3 or higher). AP exams are required to be taken externally with the College Board. 

*Accepted subjects: Art History, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, African American Studies, Comparative Government and Politics, European History, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern, Calculus AB or BC, Computer Science Principles, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics (1, 2, and C). 

World Languages and Cultures AP - will only be accepted as a 5th AP.

Overlapping subjects are counted as 1 AP exam. For example, AP US History, AP European History and AP World History are not counted as 3 individual APs but as one. The same applies to AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics, and AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition. 

Australia

  • Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate
  • New South Wales Higher School Certificate
  • Queensland Certificate of Education
  • South Australian Certificate of Education
  • Tasmanian Certificate of Education
  • Victorian Certificate of Education
  • Western Australian Certificate of Education
  • Northern Territory Certificate of Education Secondary School Certificate

We only accept general academic subjects in combination with a minimum ATAR score of 86. 

Vocational subjects such as Theatre, Tourism, Business, Home Economics, Media, Sports, Fine Arts are not accepted.

New Zealand

National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 plus University Entrance, with a total of at least 5 independent general education subjects* with a total of:

  • 60 credits in "Level 3", including 3 subjects with at least 14 credits each in "Level 3"
  • 20 credits in "Level 2"
  • including Mathematics with at least 7 credits in "Level 3" and 7 credits in "Level 2" or higher)
  • including English or Māori with at least 10 credits in "Level 2" or higher (of which 5 in "writing" and 5 in "reading").

Applied/Practical subjects are not accepted. For a list of approved subjects, please contact admissions.office@eur.nl

Disclaimer:  This information is provided with the greatest possible care, Erasmus University Rotterdam cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. The content therefore is not legally binding. Erasmus University Rotterdam accepts no liability for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations which might arise from the content of this information. Admissibility can only be determined after you have submitted a complete application via the EUR Admissions Portal. Inquiries regarding diploma and admissibility will not be handled by email or telephone. 

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