Information for parents/guardians BSc Business Administration

The Netherlands: VWO Diploma 

Mathematics: Mathematics A or B with a sufficient grade (6)

English: English with a sufficient grade (6)

The Netherlands: HBO Propaedeutic 

Minimum a 6 in Math and English on HAVO diploma.

Additional Math test (OMPT-A) is required.

European Baccalaureate (EB)

Mathematics: Minimal 5 hours with a minimum grade of 7  or minimal of 3 hours with a minimum grade of 8.

English: Language 1 or 2 with a minimum grade of 7

General Certificate of Education (GCE)/International Advances A-Levels(IAL)

General: 6 different subjects in total

3 GCE A-Level/A2 level (including mathematics with a grade of AAB; max. of one language course)

3 (I)GCSE subjest with final grades A*-B (9-5)

Mathematics: Minimum score of B for AS level and mathematics at GCE A-Level

International Baccalaureate (IB)

General: Only a full IB diploma is accepted. We count final and not predicted grades.

Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL -> minimum grade of 5

Applications & Interpretations SL -> Additional Math Test required

Analysis & Approaches HL -> minimum grade of 4

Applications & Interpretations HL -> minimum grade of 5

Math Studies -> Additional Math Test required (See below Additional Math Test section)

Belgium: Diploma Secundair Onderwijs, stream Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs (ASO) / Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (Général) / Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts

Mathematics:

ASO – Economy / Mathematics profile with a minimum math grade of 70%

CESS – 5 hours of mathematics/science with a minimum grade of B

English: Students who were taught in Dutch/Flemish need a minimum English grade of 70%

Germany: Abitur/Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife

Mathematics: Minimum grade of 10 (taken up until graduation)

English: Minimum grade of 10 (taken up until graduation)

South Africa: National Senior Certificate 

General: A minimum of 7 subjects (at least 70%; preferable 7 out of the following subjects: Economics, Geography, History, Home Language, First Additional Language, Second Official Language, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Religion Studies)

Mathematics: Additional Math Test required (See below Additional Math Test section)

English: Entire education must be in English

USA: American High School Diploma

General: Minimum of 4 Advanced Placement (AP) Exams with a minimum grade of 4.

Only one language AP

Not accepted: AP Capstone, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Art & Design program

SAT & ACT are not accepted.

Mathematics: AP exam in Calculus  AB or BC with a minimum grade of 4

Additional English Test

Students must have a B2 level of English at the start of the program. Below you can find our recommended options:

TOEFL: We accept TOEFL (iBT) with a minimum overall score of 80.

IELTS: We accept IELTS Academic Test with a minimum overall score of 6.5

Cambridge: We accept B2 First or C1 Advanced with minimum overall score of 170

Please discuss your options with the admissions office or the program advisors.

Additional Math Test

If your level of math is not sufficient or you do not meet the requirements to join the program, you can sign up for an additional math test. Below you can find our recommended options:

OMPT-A: Online mathematics exam that can be taken from anywhere at any time. In order to take the test, please register via www.omptest.org and choose Nyenrode Business University and the BScBA program. On the website you can also find information on covered topics. NBU requires a score of minimum 75% and you have 2 attempts.

Boswell-Beta exam: The James Boswell institute in Utrecht offers courses and exams for students who need a Mathematics A or B (VWO) certificate. We allow for a maximum of 2 attempts.

Korteweg-de Vries: We accept the pre-university (VWO) certificate for Mathematics A or B from the Korteweg-de Vries institute for mathematics. We allow for a maximum of 2 attempts.

Please discuss your options with the admissions office or the program advisors. Successfully passing these exams means that you meet the mathematics requirements but doesn’t guarantee a place in the program.

Nyenrode Business Universiteit attracts students from diverse backgrounds, and while we understand that the cost of a private education can be a factor, our community consists of down-to-earth, motivated individuals who prioritize personal growth, teamwork, and academic achievement.

The focus at Nyenrode is on creating an inclusive environment where students can learn from each other, build lifelong friendships, and develop the skills they need for a wide range of careers. Rather than status or recognition, our students are driven by the desire to make a positive impact and gain practical, real-world experience in business.

At Nyenrode, we prioritize student safety and provide tailored environments on our two campuses to support our students’ development into responsible adults.

In Breukelen, students live and study on the same campus, where there is 24/7 security and a close-knit community that fosters accountability and support. Students take care of each other, and the atmosphere is similar to a boarding school in terms of structure, though as university students, they are expected to conduct themselves as adults.

The Amsterdam campus offers more independence, as students are not required to live on campus. While we maintain safety measures within the university premises, students here enjoy the freedom of city living and are ultimately responsible for their conduct outside the campus environment. As always, our students are reminded that they represent Nyenrode, and we encourage them to act responsibly both on and off campus.

Whether Breukelen students go home on weekends depends largely on their academic schedule, social activities, and personal preferences. Throughout the academic year, students may have varying workloads and group projects that often require in-person collaboration, sometimes over the weekend.

Additionally, our student association organizes events and activities that many students participate in, making weekends an important time for both social and academic life on campus. Ultimately, students have the freedom to manage their own schedules, so their choice to go home on weekends will depend on how they balance their commitments and plan their time.

Yes, students can own a car and leave it on campus. The parking is free for cars and bikes. This also applies to visitors. 

The process of selecting a compatible roommate begins with the initial interview, where our program managers assess each student’s personality and preferences. Our goal is to match students with roommates who can contribute to each other’s growth and create a positive living environment, as they will spend a significant amount of time together. This matching process is carefully considered to support a successful living experience. In their second year, students have the option to remain with the same roommate, choose a new one, or opt for a private room.

We recommend that students have a background in business and/or economics, as this will provide them with a foundational skillset that will be useful during their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration studies. However, students without this background are also welcome to join the program. They may just need to put in a bit of extra effort to master some of the basics, but we provide the support needed to help all students succeed.

The study load averages around 40 hours per week and includes 16 to 20 hours of classes, 3 to 4 hours of sports (usually 1.5 hours, twice per week), 10 hours of group work, and 8 to 10 hours of self-study. Classes take place between 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM, with weekly schedules varying depending on the courses. In the first year, students must earn a minimum number of ECTS to progress to the next year, so staying on top of coursework is essential. Additionally, student association activities, whether in Breukelen or Amsterdam, can be time-intensive, so effective time management is key.

Graduates of Nyenrode’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program are well-prepared for a wide range of career paths. Many go on to work in areas such as consulting, finance, marketing, or management across various industries. Others use their skills to start their own businesses or pursue roles in international companies.

Additionally, some graduates choose to continue their education through master’s programs, either at Nyenrode or at other universities around the world. The program equips students with both the practical and analytical skills needed to succeed, whether they choose to enter the job market directly or continue their studies.

During the Open Days and Matching Days, your child will get a good idea of ​​the study and the work that awaits him or her. Despite all the information and help, it is always possible that the study does not fully suit. We would like it if your child would inform us about this in good time, so that we can see together whether solutions can be found. If that does not work, your son or daughter can of course change study. In that case, the study coaches and the program management will help with the successful completion of the study.

In their third year, students have the chance to participate in an exchange semester at one of our partner universities. Students select their top 10 preferences, and we aim to place them within their top 5 choices. Placement depends on each student’s academic performance and the availability at each university. Please note that our partnerships can vary each year. For a full list of current partner universities, please visit our international page.

Our selection already starts when our applicants get in touch with our Program Advisors or visit a Nyenrode Event. We want to make sure that you are a perfect fit for Nyenrode, but also that Nyenrode is the right fit for you! Because of this pre-selection and our highly motivated candidates, we are happy that our rejection rate is below 10%.

Students have two chances to pass each course: an initial attempt and a retake. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as illness or significant personal issues, they may request an additional attempt through the Exam Committee (ECGM). In the first year, it’s crucial for students to pass Mathematics for Business and Principles of Economics and meet the ECTS requirements to progress. Students with 50-59 ECTS may continue provisionally, while those with fewer than 50 ECTS or who fail these key courses cannot continue in the program. Additionally, if students need to retake classes in a later year, there will be extra costs associated with these retakes.