What a guided shortlist looks like
This is a real sample of what Pro members receive: not a filtered list, an application strategy. Meet Alex, an example student. Predicted 32 IB points, wants business or economics, budget of EUR 25,000 a year all in, lives in the UK, and is a dual national with French citizenship through a parent. That last detail matters more than most students realise.
Alex's shortlist
Six English-taught business and economics degrees fit Alex's grades, budget and preferences. His French citizenship changes the price of four of them.
Alex's application strategy
Alex's French passport is the biggest lever in this list: Sweden and Denmark charge EU, EEA and Swiss citizens no tuition at public universities, so four of these six would cost him nothing in fees. His real decision is between the free Nordic route, where living costs run higher, and the Dutch route, where strong business schools charge EUR 10,500 to 13,000 a year but day-to-day costs are more moderate. With a predicted 32 IB points he meets Copenhagen Business School's guideline exactly and sits two points below Stockholm School of Economics, which is worth an application but not a plan. A balanced spread here is two safer choices, three solid matches and one stretch.
Copenhagen Business School (CBS)· DenmarkSolid match
Guideline entry is 32 IB points, exactly Alex's predicted score, and it is one of Europe's best-known business schools.
No tuition for Alex as an EU citizen (non-EU students pay around EUR 13,500 a year). Copenhagen living costs are high, so budget carefully.
Aarhus University· DenmarkSolid match
Guideline entry of 32 IB points matches Alex's prediction, with strong business and social science programmes.
No tuition for Alex as an EU citizen, and Aarhus living costs sit in the moderate band, cheaper than Copenhagen.
Erasmus University Rotterdam· NetherlandsSolid match
Guideline entry of 30 IB points, which Alex clears with room, and a strong international business reputation.
Around EUR 10,500 a year tuition plus moderate living costs keeps the total inside Alex's EUR 25,000 all-in budget.
Stockholm University· SwedenSafe choice
Guideline entry of 28 IB points, four below Alex's prediction, with a broad business faculty in a capital city.
No tuition for Alex as an EU citizen (listed at around EUR 10,500 for non-EU students). Stockholm living costs are high.
Warsaw School of Economics· PolandSafe choice
Poland's leading economics school with a guideline of 28 IB points, four below Alex's prediction.
Around EUR 5,000 a year tuition with moderate living costs makes this the cheapest total on the list.
Stockholm School of Economics· SwedenWorth a stretch
The guideline is 34 IB points, two above Alex's prediction. Entry grades are guidelines rather than hard cut-offs, so this is worth an application.
No tuition for Alex as an EU citizen (listed at around EUR 17,300 for non-EU students), which makes the stretch cheap to attempt.
A two-point gap is real but not disqualifying; apply, and hold the solid matches as the plan.
What could change the picture
- ·If Alex could not confirm EU citizenship, the four Nordic entries would cost EUR 10,500 to 17,300 a year in tuition, and the Dutch and Polish options would lead the list instead.
- ·Two more IB points would move Stockholm School of Economics from a stretch to a solid match.
Alex's next steps
- Gather proof of citizenship early: Swedish and Danish fee exemptions are granted on a passport or national identity card, and Swedish applications run through universityadmissions.se.
- Confirm current course-specific requirements, fees and deadlines on each university's official admissions pages.
- Compare the real monthly cost of Copenhagen, Rotterdam and Warsaw side by side in the Affordability comparison before ranking final choices.
Alex is an example student. Every university, entry guideline and fee above is a real figure from our verified university data as of 25 July 2026; fees vary by course and change over time, so always confirm with the university. A shortlist is a strong, personalised starting point, not a guarantee of admission.