BSc International Business - Numerus fixus

On the Studielink website, you can apply for a programme in Dutch higher education. Apply for the Bachelor programme International Business (CROHO 50019) of the University of Groningen on Studielink between 1 October 2025 and 15 January 2026, which is the deadline for application.

Make sure to select 1 September 2026 as the start date and Groningen as your preferred location; otherwise, you may encounter issues during the application process.

Please follow the instructions in Studielink carefully. For questions about registration in Studielink, please contact Student Information & Administration services.

Fixed quota degree programme

You may apply for a maximum of two fixed quota degree programmes in one academic year. This can also be the same degree programme at two different educational institutions. Please consult the studiekeuze123 website for more information.

Transfer

Applicants transferring from a similar Bachelor's programme from another Dutch university, follow the same application and enrollment steps as other candidates, including the IB Programme Fit & Benchmarking Activity. This means you need to apply via Studielink as a first-year student. After full enrollment, you can request exemptions through the Examination Board.

Applying with a Dutch VWO diploma

Applicants with a Dutch (VWO) diploma who have completed their registration in Studielink, should continue with step 2 (Fill out and submit the BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form).

Applying 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 their educational background through the Progress Portal. 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.

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 2026.
More information about the admission process can be found here.
For questions about diploma validation, please contact the Admission Office.

Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma or International/European Baccalaureate who have completed their registration in Studielink, should continue with step 2 (Fill out and submit the BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form).

Applying with a Dutch HBO-P

To enroll with an HBO background, you must demonstrate sufficient prior knowledge at the VWO level through one or more additional exams. On this page, you will find information about these additional entry requirements, how to meet them, and the steps you need to take.

Applicants with a Dutch HBO-Propedeuse who have completed their registration in Studielink, should continue with step 2 (Fill out and submit the BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form). 

The Fit & Benchmark procedure of the BSc International Business at the University of Groningen is separate from the admission procedure for all applicants.

All applicants must submit the official BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form to participate in the BSc IB Programme Fit & Benchmark Activity. In this web form, we will ask you for some personal details, and your preference for the day of the IB Programme Fit & Benchmark Activity. Your CV and study results in prior education will not be considered in benchmarking, but the web form information is needed to proceed with the Fit & Benchmark procedure.

You will receive a link to the BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form by email 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 final deadline to submit the BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form is 1 February 2026. Please note that 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).

Process and objectives

Experience our teaching, benchmark your performance, and find your fit.

Instead of a traditional exam, applicants participate in the IB Programme Fit & Benchmarking Activity.

This activity offers a preview of our lectures and a first glimpse of what studying International Business at Groningen is like.

Through mini videos by our professors and short readings, you will explore key themes from the programme and answer a limited number of related questions to benchmark your performance with other motivated applicants worldwide to determine your ranking for admission within the fixed quota.

Preparing for the Fit & Benchmark Activity

To help you get ready, you’ll gain access to the IB Preview Module on our student portal after 15 January 2026.
This short online module lets you:

• Explore examples of the type of content, mini videos, and questions you will encounter in the Fit & Benchmark activity.

• Practice navigating the online environment where the activity will take place.

No separate study materials are required — everything you need is included in the IB Programme Fit & Benchmarking Activity itself.

We recommend that you explore the IB Preview Module in advance to get comfortable with the format and ensure a smooth experience on your Fit & Benchmark activity day.

Language

All videos, readings, and questions are in English, as the teaching language of the BSc International Business programme.

You will be automatically registered for the activity once you have applied in Studielink and submitted the BSc IB Fit & Benchmark web form.

Based on your preferred date, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the activity and the online platform.

Dates

In the webform (Step 2), you indicate your preferred day for participation from the following options:

Option 1: 14 February 2026
Option 2: 28 February 2026
Time frame: 11.00 - 17.00 CET

The wide time frame accommodates international time zones; within it, you can choose when to start (the activity takes about one hour).

The activity takes place online, so you can participate from any location.

Before your activity day, make sure to test your computer and internet connection using the IB Preview Module.

Use a standard browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) on a laptop or desktop computer — not a mobile device — and avoid VPN or IP-masking software to prevent technical issues.

The BSc IB programme management will review all individual applications that

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

Each applicant receives a score on the IB Programme Fit & Benchmarking Activity.
The overall scores are compared across all participants to determine ranking numbers.

Applicants with a ranking number within the fixed quota of 550 will be immediately offered a place in the programme. You must accept your place via Studielink within two weeks of receiving the offer. Unaccepted offers are automatically passed to the next applicant on the waiting list.

You will receive your ranking number via Studielink on 15 April 2026. More information about your personal results, ranking number, and the further process will be emailed to you shortly after 15 April  2026.

Places may continue to be offered until 31 August 2026.