Studying in Belgium

One country with different education systems

Education in Belgium is organised by its language communities. For most international applicants, the key distinction is between the Flemish system and the French-speaking Wallonia-Brussels Federation’s system. Brussels has institutions belonging to both, so an address alone does not determine the teaching language or admissions process.

Universities offer academic degrees that combine teaching with research. Alongside them are Flemish hogescholen, or universities of applied sciences and arts, and French-speaking hautes écoles. Their programmes include degrees that prepare students for specific professions. Specialist arts institutions form another part of the system, with artistic aptitude playing an important role in admissions.

A typical bachelor’s programme lasts three years and carries 180 ECTS credits, although there are exceptions. Many master’s degrees take one or two years. An academic bachelor’s degree is usually a stepping stone to a master’s, while a professional programme places greater emphasis on preparing students for employment. Moving between the two routes may require additional courses or a bridging programme.

English-taught degrees in Flanders and Wallonia

You can study in Belgium in English without prior knowledge of French or Dutch if your chosen programme does not require those languages. However, the choice is much wider at master’s level than immediately after secondary school.

English-taught undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Business Administration at KU Leuven in Brussels and the Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Leuven. Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers Business Economics and Social Sciences. English-taught degrees are also available at Flemish universities of applied sciences.

At master’s level, there are numerous specialisms in engineering, computer science, the natural sciences and business. Ghent University has a broad English-taught offering, as does KU Leuven. In the French-speaking system, examples include the English-taught Master in Economics at ULB and programmes at UCLouvain, including master’s degrees in management.

Not every programme with an English title is taught entirely in English. For example, European Studies at ULB combines French and English, while the separate advanced programme in EU Interdisciplinary Studies is taught in English. The language of all compulsory courses therefore matters more than the language of the university’s website.

Subjects from business to science

Economics, management and finance are an important part of Belgium’s academic offering. Options range from broad business degrees to specialisms in data analysis, economic policy and entrepreneurship. Business Engineering, a title used at Belgian universities, refers to a degree that combines business with a strong foundation in quantitative methods and technology.

Brussels is particularly interesting for students choosing European studies, political science and international relations. At ULB, the Institute for European Studies brings together perspectives from law, economics and politics. This setting allows students to explore how Europe works from several angles, from public decision-making to relations between countries.

Other options in Belgium include computer science, engineering, biotechnology and the natural sciences. KU Leuven and Ghent University have extensive research facilities and expertise in these fields. Students with other interests can choose psychology, languages and literature, history, communication, architecture and the arts. In fields such as law, education or work with local communities, knowledge of the language spoken in that part of the country is particularly important.

Well-known universities in Belgium

KU Leuven

KU Leuven is a broad-based university covering the sciences, engineering, business, law and the humanities. Connecting teaching with research carried out at the university is central to its approach. Although its name is associated with Leuven, programmes also take place on campuses in other Belgian cities. For example, the English-taught Bachelor of Business Administration is based in Brussels, while Engineering Technology is based in Leuven. Its English-taught offering includes undergraduate degrees, numerous master’s programmes and further specialisations. An extensive network of libraries, organisations and student services completes the experience of studying at a large university.

Ghent University

Ghent University, also known as UGent, teaches and conducts research across a wide range of subjects. Its faculties include engineering and architecture, the natural sciences, bioscience engineering, economics, psychology and the social sciences. The university has a well-developed range of English-taught master’s programmes, while Dutch remains the main language on many undergraduate degrees. Campuses and university buildings are spread throughout the city, allowing academic life to blend with everyday life in Ghent. UGent also has sites in other locations, including Kortrijk and Ostend, associated with particular specialisms.

UCLouvain

UCLouvain, or Université catholique de Louvain, is a French-speaking university with locations including Louvain-la-Neuve and Brussels. It is a separate institution from KU Leuven, although the two share historical roots. Its programmes include management, the social sciences, humanities and engineering, with some master’s degrees available in English. Louvain-la-Neuve has a distinctive character as a town built around the university. Student initiatives play an important role in local life, including kots à projet, which combine shared accommodation with cultural, social or sporting activities. This allows involvement outside the classroom to become an integral part of the university experience.

Université libre de Bruxelles

ULB is a French-speaking university in Brussels that also offers programmes in English. Studies relating to Europe, politics, law and economics are a distinctive part of its offering. The Institute for European Studies works with the university’s faculties to bring together different approaches to European integration. ULB is also home to Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, which offers university degrees in business and economics. These include the English-taught Master in Economics. Its location in the capital adds context to these subjects: the institutions and processes discussed in class are part of the environment in which students live every day.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

VUB belongs to the Flemish higher education system and is a separate university from ULB. Based in Brussels, it combines a Dutch-speaking academic tradition with programmes for international applicants. English-taught undergraduate options include Business Economics and Social Sciences. The former develops business knowledge alongside analytical and mathematical skills and the ability to interpret data. VUB also offers other subjects, and one of its attractions for international applicants is the opportunity to begin studying in English at bachelor’s level. Living in Brussels also gives students opportunities to learn French and Dutch outside the classroom.

Business schools and higher-fee specialist programmes

In Belgium, a simple distinction between public and private institutions tells you little about tuition costs. Some independently managed institutions receive public funding, while the term “business school” can refer either to a university faculty or to a separate school with its own fees. Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management is part of ULB, so its standard university programmes should not automatically be treated as expensive private degrees.

Prominent specialist institutions include Vlerick Business School and Antwerp Management School. Their programmes develop management and business skills, often through case studies, teamwork and projects for companies. They are primarily aimed at students continuing their education after an earlier degree.

In this category, tuition can be around €20,000 per programme or more, rather than the standard university fee. For example, Vlerick lists approximately €21,500 for its Masters in Business Analytics & AI. Scholarships that reduce tuition are available: both Vlerick and Antwerp Management School offer support to selected applicants. The amount of funding depends on the scholarship scheme, the applicant’s achievements and their circumstances.

Admissions and recognition of international qualifications

To enter a bachelor’s programme, you need a secondary school qualification that gives access to higher education, as well as meeting the language and programme requirements. The institution may assess your grades, preparation in specific subjects, supporting documents or test results. At arts institutions, portfolios and entrance examinations also matter.

In Flanders, foreign qualifications are assessed through the relevant institution’s own procedure. Alongside your qualification, you may need confirmation that it gives access to higher education in the country where it was awarded. There is no single application form through which every applicant applies to all Belgian universities.

In the French-speaking system, applicants with a foreign secondary school qualification often need équivalence, formal recognition that their qualification is equivalent to the Belgian CESS. This is a separate procedure, rather than simply a translation of the document. The standard application deadline is 15 July, with certain exceptions. Some qualifications, including certain international diplomas, are subject to separate rules. Having your qualification recognised does not replace an application to the university.

For master’s degrees in Belgium, the key factors are your previous degree, the courses you completed and your preparation for the chosen specialism. The university may admit you directly or require an additional preparatory programme. Language proficiency is assessed separately. B2 is a common reference level for English-taught programmes, but specific requirements and test scores may be higher.

How much does it cost to study in Belgium?

For many EU applicants, tuition fees in Belgium are around €1,200 per year on standard programmes covered by the basic rate. In Flanders, the fee for 60 ECTS credits in the 2026/2027 academic year is €1,181.40 for EU and EEA students in this category. Selected programmes, particularly advanced and specialist degrees, may cost more.

Current rules also matter in the French-speaking system. For example, ULB lists a full annual fee of €1,194 for EU students in 2026/2027, with lower rates for those who meet the relevant criteria. The €835 figure frequently quoted in older material is no longer a universal full fee.

Students from outside the EU or EEA may pay considerably more. In Flanders, fees depend on the institution and programme and can reach several thousand euros per year or more. At ULB, the basic fee plus the additional contribution totals €5,369 per year for many non-EU students who do not qualify for an exemption or equivalent status to EU applicants. Tuition therefore depends on both the programme and the applicant’s fee category.

Living expenses and accommodation

A reasonable starting point for everyday budgeting is around €1,050 to €1,400 per month, in line with the indicative costs provided by KU Leuven. This is not a fixed amount that applies across the country. Your actual spending will depend mainly on your accommodation, city and lifestyle, and renting a place of your own may require a larger budget.

Students often rent a kot, a student room or unit in university accommodation or on the private market. Rooms may have a shared kitchen or bathroom. Alongside rent, you need to allow for food, transport, insurance, phone bills and study materials. Tuition is a separate expense, while a deposit and moving costs also need to be covered at the start.

Louvain-la-Neuve also has its distinctive kots à projet. Here, living in shared accommodation involves participating in a joint initiative, so shared interests and a willingness to work with the other residents matter.

Scholarships for studying in Belgium

One of the main schemes for international applicants in the Flemish system is the Master Mind Scholarship. It supports particularly talented students beginning a master’s degree and combines a living allowance with a waiver covering most tuition charges. The institution may still charge a small fee at the lowest rate. Applicants go through a selection process at a participating institution, which nominates selected candidates for the scheme.

In the French-speaking system, options include MASTER IN WBI, aimed at international students with an earlier degree from a recognised institution outside Belgium. University schemes, Erasmus Mundus programmes and business school scholarships offer further opportunities. Funding varies in scope: it may support living expenses, reduce tuition or cover both. The widest range of opportunities is generally available at master’s level and beyond.

Professional experience and working while studying

Studying in Brussels offers an interesting setting for developing interests related to Europe, but internships are not limited to EU institutions. Opportunities also include businesses, community organisations and projects that form part of a degree. Availability depends on the programme, your skills and the languages you speak. French or Dutch can open up more opportunities than English alone.

The rules for working while studying in Belgium depend on your citizenship and right of residence. EU and EEA citizens can work under the rules applicable to them without the student working-hour limit imposed by immigration rules. Many non-EU students with restricted labour market access are limited to 20 hours per week during term time, and their work must be compatible with their studies. This limit does not apply during official school holidays.

After completing their studies, non-EU graduates who meet the conditions can apply to stay for up to 12 months to look for work or set up a business. This requires a separate application and is not an automatic extension of residence after graduation.