Study in Belgium

Belgium is literally one of the most multicultural places on Earth, especially since the country is composed of three regions, each one corresponding to one of the three official languages (Dutch, French, and German). Known as the heart of Europe, Belgium is a hub of international cooperation and networking, offering an enriching educational experience

Belgium is steeped in history and has a unique mix of cultures. Here, you will discover many medieval castles and historical sites - like the battlefield of Waterloo.

Around half of all students enrolled in Belgian universities and colleges are international, and you’ll benefit from a high standard of education with a great research focus.

Why study in Belgium?

1. Belgium universities are among the best in Europe

International rankings often list Belgian universities among the best higher education institutions in Europe. The most popular areas of study are Social Sciences (e.g. Economics, International Relations, Political Science), the Humanities, Journalism, and Medicine.

2. Tuition fees are affordable

In Belgium, tuition rates vary based on your nationality, the region where you study, the type of university, the chosen academic programme, and so on. One thing to keep in mind is that the tuition policy is fair and the universities offer scholarships and grants.

On average, internationals can expect to pay anywhere between 800 and 9,000 EUR per academic year. As a broad rule, fees are lower for EU/EEA students.

3. Belgium is one of the most globalised countries in the world

Belgium's high level of globalisation is an inevitable positive consequence of the international collaboration between Belgian institutions (both public and private) and other organisations from all over the world. This means that foreign citizens will feel at home and won't take too long to settle and enjoy the local lifestyle.

4. It is a paradise for language enthusiasts

In addition to the three official languages — Dutch, German, and French — a significant number of Belgians also speak English. So if you dream of becoming a polyglot or you simply want to know the basics of as many languages as possible, you should definitely study in Belgium.

5. Iconic buildings and historic places wait to be discovered

There are numerous historic buildings and places you can visit during your time as a student. Here are only a few examples to get you started: the Grand Palace, the Atomium, Ardennes, the medieval tower Belfry of Bruges, the Mini-Europe miniature park, Gravensteen — the 10th century castle, the Royal Palace of Brussels, the battlefields of Flanders, etc.

Which universities and colleges to attend in Belgium?

Belgium has over 40 higher education institutions divided as follows:

Universities – award Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees

University colleges – provide only Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees without doctoral degrees

Arts colleges – degrees specialised in art and design fields

Business and management schools – dedicated mostly to graduate degrees in business

Examples of universities in Belgium we recommend:

KU Leuven

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

University of Antwerp

Hasselt University

Vlerick Business School

What is it like to study in Belgium?

University lectures usually have a fixed schedule. Your professors are all experts in their field and encourage students (particularly internationals) to ask questions. You will be involved in plenty of research work and can also join internships with local companies.

You will have the chance to create and test out your ideas in cutting-edge laboratories with ultra-modern equipment. You’ll also benefit from several student services including career counselling and tutoring.

What to study in Belgium?

Due to its numerous universities, Belgium offers study programmes for all degree levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD) in every field you could ask for. You can study plenty of Art and Design degrees, as well as Business and sciences programmes, such as Medicine, Finance, Political Science, Marketing, or Information Technology.

Here are some of the most popular study options in Belgium

Masters in Economics in Belgium  

Masters in Political Science in Belgium 

Masters in International Business in Belgium 

Masters in Biology in Belgium 

Masters in International Relations in Belgium 

Where to study in Belgium?

Belgium has around 10 student cities and each one offers you plenty of social and cultural activities. From museums and beautiful natural surroundings to fancy bars and charming shopping centres, you can have some great and memorable leisure time in Belgium.

Check out some of these cities and learn more about what it is like to study there:

Study in Antwerp 

Study in Brussels 

Study in Gent 

Study in Leuven 

Study in Liege

How to apply

You can apply through the official website dedicated to higher education studies in Belgium.

You can also contact your chosen university first and check if you can simply apply through their website. Carefully check all the required application documents and make sure they are all translated into English. For instance, an internationally recognised Bachelor's degree or equivalent is the main requirement when enrolling in a Master’s degree at a university in Belgium.

Make sure to know what the language requirements are, and whether you need to prove skills in English before enrolling in a degree programme.

Show how you performed as a student, and be sure to know what your Grade Point Average (GPA) was during your studies.

To help your chances of going to Belgium, be sure to apply to more than one university!

Make sure you qualify for a Belgium university

Take Preparation Courses

These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.

Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.

Improve your English through an English-language prep course

If you’re attending a degree programme in Belgium, you will sometimes need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.

English-language tests

Since Belgium has three national languages — Dutch, French, and German — the language of instruction at universities is dependent on the language of the local community where the institution is located. However, you will also find plenty of English-taught degrees; on our portals alone, there are over 350 programmes.

Universities in Belgium will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their courses. Almost all Belgium universities accept these official English exams:

PTE Academic

IELTS

TOEFL

C1 Advanced