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BSc International Business - Numerus fixus

The Bachelor's degree programme in International Business (BSc IB) (Croho 50019) is a fixed quota programme (numerus fixus). The reason for this is the wide interest for the programme, meaning that the programme receives more applications than places available.

For the BSc IB the fixed number of places available is 550. For these places, a selection procedure takes place. In order to have a chance to start the programme all applicants will have to apply in Studielink no later than 15 January 2024. Furthermore all applicants have to complete the admission and selection procedure outlined below.

Admission and Selection procedure 2024-2025

The application procedure for the start of the BSc IB in September 2024 will open on 1 October 2023. The final deadline for application in Studielink is 15 January 2024. All applicants will have to successfully complete both an admission and a selection procedure.


The application procedure consists of the following steps:

Admission Procedure

Registration in Studielink

All applicants have to apply for the Bachelor programme International Business (CROHO 50019) of the University of Groningen on Studielink, the central registration platform for higher education in the Netherlands. For questions about registration in Studielink, please contact Information Services.

  • In Studielink choose 1 September 2024 as the starting date and make sure to choose Groningen as your preferred location.
    Please follow the instructions in Studielink carefully!

Diploma validation

› Applicants with a Dutch (VWO) diploma

Applicants with a Dutch (VWO) diploma who have completed their registration in Studielink, should continue with the steps of the selection procedure (see further below).

› Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma or International / European Baccalaureate

Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma or International/European Baccalaureate who have completed their registration in Studielink, will receive a message from Studielink stating that the University of Groningen (UG) has to verify your educational background through the Progress Portal (replacing the previous system, OAS, as per October 2023). This system allows you to upload digital copies of your application documents and offers you the opportunity to keep track of the progress of your application. More information about the admission process can be found here.

The admissions officer determines if your previous education is in principle sufficient for admission to the University of Groningen.                                            Please note, the deadline for submitting your application in the Progress Portal is 15 January 2024.

Applicants who have to follow these steps of the admission procedure, also need to complete the steps of the selection procedure.

For questions about diploma validation, please contact the Admission Office.

Selection Procedure

The selection procedure of the BSc International Business at the University of Groningen is separate from the admission procedure for both Dutch and International applicants.

Fill out and submit the BSc IB selection web form

All applicants will have to submit the official BSc IB selection web form in order to participate in the BSc IB selection procedure. In this web form we will ask you for some personal details and a number of other questions concerning your secondary school grades and motivation. We will also ask you to upload an official transcript of your grades, as well as your motivation letter.

You will receive a link to the BSc IB selection web form by email as soon as possible after your registration for the BSc IB in Studielink. Please be aware that this email may end up in the spam folder of your mailbox, so please check this folder regularly.

The BSc IB selection web form combined with your motivation letter and transcript of grades will comprise your personal BSc IB selection file for the selection procedure.

The final deadline to submit the BSc IB selection web form is 1 February 2024. Please note, forms submitted after the deadline will not be processed.

For questions regarding technical or procedural issues only, please contact ibselection rug.nl (please include your full name and UG student number in your email).

Motivation letter

All applicants have to write a motivation letter in English (500 words maximum), addressing the following points:

  1. Describe your international background. Refer to any relevant overseas education, exchange and international projects, or extracurricular activities.
  2. What made you apply for a BSc programme in International Business, and why did you apply for this programme at the University of Groningen?
  3. On this site you can find the curriculum of the BSc IB in Groningen. Have a look at the first year courses. Which of these first year courses appeals most to you and why?
  4. How do you think you can contribute to the international classroom experience in the IB programme, given your personality, background and/or skills? Illustrate by providing an example from your personal, professional, or educational life.

You will need to upload your motivation letter as a PDF in the space available on the selection web form.

Complete the BSc IB web class

The BSc IB web class of the University of Groningen is designed to give you an impression of the range of topics addressed in the BSc International Business.
The web class consists of four modules addressing issues from globalization and cultural differences to accounting, marketing, and ethics. Each of the four modules is divided into submodules, and contains ten multiple choice questions for you to answer. The web class should take you at most eight hours.

The BSc IB web class will be made available after 15 January 2024. You will then receive a link to the web class. Please note, the deadline for completing the web class is 15 February 2024.

How does the selection procedure work?

The BSc IB programme management will review all individual applications of applicants who

  • are in principle admissible to the University of Groningen based on their previous education;
  • have successfully completed the steps above; and
  • have not already participated in the BSc IB selection procedure three times before.

The individual applicant will be awarded with a score on the different components of their BSc IB selection file. The overall scores of each individual applicant will be compared to the scores of the entire cohort of applicants, in order to award the individual applicant a specific place in the ranking. The BSc IB programme management awards individual scores on the various components in the BSc IB selection file 2024 based on the following selection criteria:

  • Cognitive skills of the applicant
    The BSc IB programme management will evaluate the cognitive skills of each individual applicant, based on their previous school results, with emphasis on proficiency in Mathematics and English. 
  • Motivation of the applicant
    The BSc IB programme management will evaluate the motivation of each individual applicant, based on their motivation letter.
  • International orientation of the applicant
    The BSc IB programme management will evaluate the international orientation of each individual applicant, considering for instance possession of a non-Dutch secondary school diploma, evidence of having spent a substantial period of time or schooling abroad, or having held a (summer) job or internship abroad.

The BSc IB programme management will score and rank all applicants and give each a unique spot in the ranking. This ranking will be in the form of a number: 001 or higher. On 15 April 2024 all applicants who successfully participated in the selection procedure will receive their individual ranking.

Timeline admission and selection procedure

  • 1 October 2023 - 15 January 2024
    All applicants who wish to start the BSc IB will have to apply for the programme in Studielink.
  • 15 January 2024
    Deadline for application in the Progress Portal.
  • 1 February 2024 
    Deadline for submitting the BSc IB selection web form.
  • 15 February 2024
    Deadline for finishing the BSc IB web class.
  • 15 January 2024 to 15 April 2024
    The Admission Office will determine if all applicants are in principle admissible to the University of Groningen. The BSc IB department will review the BSc IB selection file. Please make sure to submit your application in the Progress Portal before January 15, 2024.
  • 15 April 2024
    All applicants receive their individual number in the ranking of the selection procedure.
    Applicants with a ranking number within the numerus fixus (550) are immediately offered a place in the programme. Applicants have a maximum of two weeks to accept this place. If the offer is not accepted within this time frame the offer will be withdrawn and will be offered to the next applicant in the ranking (ranking numbers 551 and higher).
  • 1 May 2024 - 15 August 2024
    Places that are not accepted are offered to applicants next in the ranking.
  • 4 September 2024 
    Start of the programme.

More information

For more information about the rules and regulation concerning selection and placement procedures within the University of Groningen, please see the Portal Fixed Quota Programmes of the University of Groningen.

Disclaimer

While the University of Groningen makes every endeavour to ensure the accuracy of the information presented about our numerus fixus procedures, it cannot be held liable for any errors or inaccuracies you may find. No rights can be derived from incorrect or incomplete information.

Last modified:01 December 2023 1.27 p.m.