Bachelor IBA

Application and admission for BSc International Business Administration

This is the application and admission procedure for applicants with a non-Dutch educational background.

a) Check your eligibility

Get a quick indication of your eligibility to our international Bachelor's programs.*

Go to our Eligibility tool

*Currently only available for students who want to apply for admission with a national diploma obtained in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, or USA or with one of the following international diplomas: International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, GCE A-levels (UK, Cambridge). If you want to apply for admission with another diploma, this is possible, please check the information below.

1. Diploma requirements

Diploma requirements

To be eligible for admission to a research university such as Tilburg University, you must have a high school diploma equal to the highest level of secondary education in the Netherlands (the Dutch vwo diploma).

You can review a list of most commonly accepted diplomas on our website.

  • If your diploma is not on the list, this does not necessarily mean that your diploma cannot be accepted. We advise you to submit your application via our online application system so that we can assess your eligibility.
  • Haven’t obtained your diploma yet? You are welcome to apply if you are in the final year of your secondary education, but only if you will graduate before the start of your program at Tilburg University (i.e., by the end of August).
2. English language requirements

English language requirements

As this Bachelor’s program is taught entirely in English, you must prove your English language proficiency. 

Tilburg University accepts one of the following tests, which must not be older than two years at the time of application:

  • Academic IELTS  with a minimum overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score of 5.5 for each section.
  • TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 80 for the traditional TOEFL iBT test at a test center or the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition. 
  • Cambridge English test results: C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) or C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE). For both C1 and C2, we accept a score of A, B, or C.

Please note

  • All tests must be taken at an authorized exam center, we do not accept online versions of tests like IELTS Online. The only exception is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition which we accept under certain circumstances. Please check our corona FAQ for more information.
  • We do not accept a combination of test results on different test dates, e.g., TOEFL's 'My Best Scores'. 
  • You must be able to prove your English language proficiency at the time of application. Without test results your application cannot be processed, unless you are exempted.

For a full overview and list of exemptions, please check out our English language requirements.

3. Mathematics requirements

Mathematics is a required course. This means that even if you have obtained or are going to obtain a recognized diploma, you must be able to prove that you have a sufficient level of Mathematics.

More information on the level of mathematics that is required for admission to this Bachelor’s program can be found on our mathematics requirements page.

b) Remember the deadline

If you want to start the program end of August 2023, you must submit your complete application at the latest by:

  • EEA nationals: May 1, 2023
  • Non-EEA nationals: April 1, 2023

Please note:

  • Applicants with a non-EEA nationality and a valid residence permit of an EEA country, other than the Netherlands, should apply before the non-EEA deadline.
  • Applicants with a non-EEA nationality and a valid residence permit of the Netherlands, can follow the deadline for EEA nationals. The residence permit should be valid until at least up to the intended start date of your study program.

c) Follow the procedure for international applicants

For a step-by-step guide through the application process, please watch our video How to apply for a Bachelor's program as an international student (12:29).

Make sure you apply for the correct study program
  • The name of this Bachelor's program in Studielink:
    B International Business Administration
Step 1: Prepare your application documents

During the application process, you must upload several documents. The process consists of two phases, an application phase and a matching phase. You will need to upload documents in both phases.

Please prepare the following documents in pdf format:

  1. Copy Passport / ID card
    Please check the exact requirements, including the minimum validity of your passport or ID card, on the webpage Documents to verify your identity.
  2. Your diploma(s) in the language in which it/they are issued, OR the Statement of Educational Institution.
    • If you have not yet obtained your secondary school diploma, please upload the Statement of Educational Institution - Highschool. This Statement helps us assess your eligibility for admission correctly. Please ask your School Counselor or another representative of your school to complete the form as requested, sign it, and stamp it.
    • If you are currently studying at a higher education institution but have not (yet) obtained your diploma, please upload the Statement of Educational Institution – Higher Education. This Statement gives us more insight in your curriculum and will help us assess your eligibility for admission correctly. You can complete this form yourself. 
    • If you are selected for the program, you must send in a certified copy of your diploma once you get it, and before you start your studies at Tilburg University.
  3. Your grade list(s). If you have not obtained your diploma yet, please enclose your most recent grade list(s) and/or predicted grades.
    • Please note that we only accept official grade lists which have been issued by your school and/or academic advisor. A screenshot of your school’s digital environment where you can review your academic progress is not accepted.
  4. A legalized translation of all documents: grade lists and diplomas if these are not already in Dutch, English, French, or German.
  5. The results of an English language test (unless you are exempted).
    • The test results must not be older than two years at the time of application.
    • If you do not have your test results at the time of application, your application can not be processed.
  6. Curriculum vitae
    A curriculum vitae (CV) is a summary of all your work experience and skills. When you have limited or no work experience yet, it may seem difficult to create a CV. However, there are many life experiences and educational experiences which have shaped the person you are today. These can range from extracurricular activities to courses you’ve taken or internships and exchanges you’ve taken part in. Even a visit to a company, organization or social institution can be relevant to your development as a person. If you have never created a CV before, you can use our guidelines to create a CV. Make sure that your CV does not exceed two pages.
  7. Chinese nationals are advised to apply for a Nuffic Certificate as soon as possible to avoid any delays in the immigration procedure. For more information, please go to the Nuffic website.


The following document is part of the matching phase and you only need to complete it once you have been conditionally admitted:

 8. Motivation letter

Your motivation letter is your chance to show us why you are a good fit for International Business Administration. Your letter should not exceed two pages in length, and it should answer the following questions:

  • What drives you to apply for a BSc in International Business Administration, rather than another business or economics related program?
  • What makes you want to study at Tilburg University, rather than another university?
  • What motivates you to apply for an international program? In answering this question, please highlight your international experience.
  • What are your ambitions for your future education and/or career?

Please use our template to create your motivation letter.

Sending documents via regular mail

It is not necessary to send us certified copies of your documents right away. You can apply via the online application system, and upload your documents there. Submitting certified copies of your documents is necessary for enrollment. If you are conditionally accepted to the program, you will be prompted to send us certified copies of your documents.

Step 2: Register in Studielink

You must register in Studielink, the Dutch national registration system for higher education, including the information below. Please do so correctly or we will not be able to process your application.

  • Make sure you register for the correct study program as described above.
  • Add your personal details (including your full name) as stated in your passport.
  • Enter an e-mail address that you use regularly. Tilburg University will send you important information via this e-mail address, so please check it regularly.
  • For instructions on how to register via Studielink, please watch our video How to register in Studielink or check the Step-by-step plans on the Studielink website.

Register in Studielink

Please note: you must follow the application procedure in step 3 to be considered for admission. Registration in Studielink only is not sufficient. Both processes must be completed by the deadline stated above. 

Step 3: Continue your application in our online application system

After you have registered in Studielink, you need to continue your application in OSIRIS Aanmeld, our online application system.

Within 48 hours of your registration in Studielink, you will receive two e-mails from Tilburg University.

  • One e-mail contains your Tilburg University account details (your student number and Tilburg University e-mail address). You will not need these details for your application, but please save them carefully, as you will need them at a later stage.
  • The other e-mail contains your OSIRIS Aanmeld account details as well as information on how you can start your application in OSIRIS Aanmeld. If you have not received this e-mail within 48 hours of your registration in Studielink, please contact your International Admissions Coordinator via Admissions@tilburguniversity.edu.

For instructions on how to apply via OSIRIS Aanmeld, please watch our video How to apply for a Bachelor in OSIRIS Aanmeld (07:00).

Some tips for your application:

  • You can prepare for the e-mail containing your Osiris Aanmeld account details by confirming noreply@tilburguniversity.edu as a safe sender in your e-mail system. You should also check your spam/junk inbox. 
  • If you want to upload a document with more than one page, scan each page of the document into one PDF.
  • You do not have to complete your application in one go.  You can save your application and return to it later.

Submit your application before the deadline as stated above

If you submit your application either close to or on the deadline, but have not uploaded the correct documents, Tilburg University reserves the right not to process your application.

After submitting your application

Our International Admissions Coordinator will check that your application is complete, according to the requirements above.

If your documents are not complete, you will be asked to submit any missing or replace any illegible document(s). Your International Admissions Coordinator may request additional information from you during the assessment process.  Please check your e-mail regularly (including your spam folder) to avoid a delay in the processing of your application.

You can check your application status anytime you log in to your account in OSIRIS Aanmeld.

Step 4: Outcome of the admissions process

When your application is complete, the Admissions Committee will assess your documents to determine whether your academic background meets our admission requirements. 

Within four to six weeks of the start of the process, you will receive the Admissions Committee's decision by e-mail.

The possible outcomes of your application are:

Admission

You meet all of our admissions requirements and will be admitted to the Bachelor’s program. You may proceed to the matching phase in the next step.

  • Your admission may be conditional.
    In case of certain missing admission requirements because, for example, the timing of your graduation from your current program.
    • You will receive a conditional admission letter that will state what you need to do to turn your conditional admission into unconditional admission and by which deadline.
    • One of the conditions will also be that you complete the next phase: matching.
    • Please read your conditional admission letter carefully and contact your International Admissions Coordinator if you have any questions.
  • Once you have met all the admission requirements, you will receive your unconditional admission letter via e-mail.

Rejection

Unfortunately, you do not meet the admissions requirements for this Bachelor’s program and we are unable to admit you based on your current academic background. Your application process ends here and your registration in Studielink will be cancelled. You are welcome to re-apply for this program in the future if your academic background changes.

Step 5: Matching

Through matching, both you and the university find out whether the program you have chosen is a good fit for you, regarding your abilities and aspirations. We expect that you have given your decision to apply for this program careful consideration.

Within a week after receiving your conditional admission letter, you will receive an e-mail with information about the matching process.

Please note: this is a mandatory step in your application process.

Upload the necessary documents

At this stage, you will log back into your OSIRIS Aanmeld account, and upload the necessary documents for the matching process:

  • Diploma (if available) or Statement of Educational Institution
  • Grade list
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Motivation letter

Most of these documents you have uploaded in OSIRIS Aanmeld before. If that is the case, you can just upload the same documents again. Details about the format and content of the required documents can be found in 'Step 1: Prepare your application documents'.

The most important documents during the matching process are your CV and motivation letter. We want to get to know you and your aspirations and goals in life. All information you give us, in your motivation letter and CV, will help us to advise you whether this program is a good fit for you.

Deadline to submit your documents

We strongly recommend you to submit your matching documents before:

  • Non-EEA nationals: April 1

  • EEA nationals: May 1

That way, you have enough time to carefully consider whether the program is the right match for you. The ultimate deadline for submitting your matching documents (not recommended) is:

  • Non-EEA nationals: July 1
  • EEA nationals: August 1

After submitting your documents

Our International Admissions Coordinator will check if you have uploaded all the necessary documents for the matching process.

If your document set is incomplete, you will be asked to submit any missing or replace any illegible document(s). Please check your e-mail regularly (including your spam folder) to avoid a delay in the processing of your application.

You can check your application status anytime you log in to your account in OSIRIS Aanmeld.

Step 6: Positive or negative advice to start with the program

The Admissions Committee will inform you of their decision via e-mail. You will receive either a positive or a negative advice.

  • Positive advice to start with the program means that we believe that this program will be a good match for you.
  • Negative advice to start with the program means that we do not feel that this program is a good match for you and we advise against you starting. We strongly encourage you to follow this advice, but it is not binding.
Step 6: Admitted, what's next?

Congratulations on being admitted to Tilburg University, either conditionally or unconditionally! We welcome you and wish you good luck with the start of your studies.

We will walk you through the next steps:

  • Complete your enrollment and pay your tuition fees
    Please check your enrollment status and any to-do items  that may still be pending in OSIRIS Student. You can use your login details for Tilburg University’s computer network to access OSIRIS Student.
  • Arrange practical matters
    Before you can start your studies in Tilburg, there are a number of important practical matters to take care of, such as your visa (non-EEA nationals only), housing, and insurances.
  • Participate in orientation activities
    All Tilburg University students are encouraged to arrive in Tilburg during our Registration Days, which will take place in mid-August. During the week prior to the start of the academic year, there is a mandatory study program introduction. You may also want to take part in the Tilburg Orientation Program (TOP Week) – a great way to get to know your fellow students and the city of Tilburg.

Take the next steps to become a Tilburg University student

Tilburg University complies with all the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) regarding all personal information included in the application process, including photocopies of passports/residence permits, etc. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Statement.

Any questions?

Please feel free to contact us with any personal queries about the program, admissions and enrollment. You can contact us before, during or after you have submitted your application. Our team will be glad to answer all your questions about studying at Tilburg University and provide you with detailed practical information.