The Belgian Spirit:
What is it like to live and study in Belgium?
Studying in Belgium means positioning yourself at the exact centre of where major global decisions happen. As the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, the country breathes a cosmopolitan, diplomatic and highly academic atmosphere. In Belgium, the mindset is one of tolerance, multiculturalism, a focus on critical thinking and scientific research.
Living in Belgium means sharing your daily life with students and professionals of all nationalities, benefiting from public transport that connects you to Paris, Amsterdam or London in just a few hours, and enjoying vibrant cities steeped in history. The Belgian higher education system is rigorous and widely recognised for its modern infrastructure and proximity to the European job market. Whether you choose the dynamism of Brussels or the purely academic charm of Flanders, Belgium offers the perfect springboard for a global career.
What are the advantages of studying in Belgium?
Unbeatable Cost-Benefit Ratio:
Belgian public universities consistently feature in the rankings of the best in the world (such as KU Leuven or the Ghent University), but tuition fees for EU students are heavily subsidised by the government, making top-tier education incredibly affordable.
The European Networking Hub:
Studying in the capital of Europe gives you direct access to international job fairs, internships in European institutions, multinationals, NGOs and global think tanks that you simply cannot find anywhere else.
Massive Offer of Courses in English:
Especially at Master’s level (and with an ever-growing choice in Bachelor’s degrees), Belgium offers programmes of excellence fully taught in English, set within truly international university campuses.
Most Sought-After Fields of Study and Courses
Political Science, International Relations and European Affairs:
Unsurprisingly, Belgium is the best European destination for these fields, allowing students to study theory just meters away from where practical politics takes place.
Business, Economics and International Management:
Rigorous programmes focusing on global markets, international trade and finance, strongly connected to the business fabric of Brussels and Antwerp.
Engineering, Biotechnology and Computer Sciences:
Belgian universities are global pioneers in research and technological development, attracting massive funding for laboratory innovation.
International and European Law:
Prestigious law faculties offering unique specialisations focused on the EU and global legal framework.
The Programmes You Can Study in Belgium
Bachelor’s Degrees
Structured 3-year programmes (180 ECTS credits). They are divided into Professional Bachelors (focused on direct entry into the job market) and Academic Bachelors (designed for those who wish to progress to research and Master’s degrees).
Master’s Degrees
Advanced specialisation programmes lasting 1 or 2 years (60 or 120 ECTS credits), characterised by a strong practical focus, theses in corporate environments and high international prestige.
Where do you want to study? Two regions, endless opportunities.
The higher education system in Belgium is divided according to linguistic communities, each with its own charm and course offerings:
The Flemish Community (Flanders – Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp):
This is the Dutch-speaking region and where the largest offering of higher education courses fully taught in English is concentrated. Cities like Leuven and Ghent are historic academic capitals, where life revolves entirely around students.
The French Community (Wallonia and Brussels):
French-speaking region. Brussels welcomes highly prestigious universities (such as ULB and VUB) in a bilingual and international environment, while cities like Louvain-la-Neuve offer campuses purely dedicated to university life.
Entry Routes and Academic Requirements
Higher Education
What do you need for your application?
Diploma Equivalence (The most important step): If you are applying for a Bachelor’s degree in the French community, you must submit your secondary school diploma to the Equivalence Service (Service des Équivalences) in Brussels by mid-July. In Flanders, the university itself evaluates your diploma during the application process.
Academic Transcripts and Grades: Translated into English, French or Dutch (depending on the institution).
Language Proficiency: IELTS certificate or equivalent for courses taught in English (generally requiring a B2 or C1 level).
Letters of Motivation and Recommendation: Essential for the selection processes of the most competitive Master’s programmes.
How Much Does It Cost to Study in Belgium?
Planning the financial side is essential. To help you structure your budget, we share the average reference values for programmes in Belgium.
Students with European Citizenship (EU):
The fees are regulated and highly attractive. In the French community, the standard amount is around €1,116 per year. In the Flanders region, the total cost is calculated per credit, usually settling between €1,000 and €1,300 annually.
Non-European Students (International):
Public universities apply higher tuition fees (propinas majoradas) that typically range between €3,500 and €9,000 per year, depending on the programme and the institution—amounts that remain well below those charged in the United Kingdom or the USA.
Monthly Cost of Living
Estimated Budget:
Between €850 and €1,300 per month. Brussels is the most expensive city when it comes to housing. In the student cities of Flanders (such as Leuven), the student housing market (Kots) is highly organised, although demand is extremely high, requiring an early booking.
Visa Information
Students with European Citizenship (EU):
Visas: They benefit from free movement. They only need to register their residence at the local Belgian municipality (Administration Communale) within the first few months after arrival.
Non-European Students:
Student Visa (Type D): Must be requested at the Belgian consulate or embassy well in advance.
The “Blocked Account” Mechanism (Blocked Account): To obtain a visa, the Belgian government requires rigorous proof of financial means (around €850 to €1,000 per month of stay). The safest and most preferred method by universities is the transfer of this total annual amount to a blocked bank account managed by the university itself, which then returns it to you in fixed monthly instalments throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. EU students can work without any restriction on hours. Non-European students with a valid residence visa can work part-time up to a maximum limit of 20 hours per week during term time (and full-time during school holidays). We review this information with you.
The Belgian healthcare system is based on a mandatory insurance scheme. EU students use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medical assistance. Upon arrival, all students (European and international) must register with a public Belgian health insurance fund (called a Mutuelle or Mutualiteit). The registration fee is highly reduced (around €10 to €15 per month) and guarantees a reimbursement of up to 75% of your medical expenses and consultations.
The deadlines depend entirely on your nationality:
Non-European Students: Applications close very early, generally between 1 February and 1 March for the semester starting in September, due to the time required for diploma evaluation and visa issuance.
EU Students: The process usually extends until 1 June or even the beginning of July, depending on the faculty. However, starting the process at the beginning of the year is highly recommended to guarantee a vacancy in university student housing.