Why Study in Belgium?

There are several reasons for studying in Belgium: overall high-quality of life, beautiful and amazing countryside, a host of regional cuisines and specialities, famously multilingual and multicultural cities, excellent opportunities for international networking, world-class universities, and of course, those amazing Belgian waffles.

An established hub for international politics, Brussels (the capital of Belgium) has even more journalists and ambassadors than Washington DC and is the headquarters of many international organizations and businesses. As you would expect, the resident population of Belgium is also highly foreign, with around a quarter of the population of eleven million called ‘New Belgians’ – those from other nations, and their descendants, who have become PC.

If you are keen to spend time studying in Belgium, read the text that follows.

Best Universities to Study in Belgium

Many universities in Belgium have a strong position in the international rankings, as well as strong international composition and outlook. A total of 8 universities in Belgium are featured in the 2018 QS World University Ranking, all but 1 of which is ranked within the top 350.

Higher education in the country is typically categorized into 2 groups, split along the lines of Belgium’s 2 main language communities –

1. The French Community
2. The Flemish Community (a variety of Dutch)

Alongside French and Dutch, Germany is also an official language of Belgium, although it is spoken by a smaller % of the population. German-speaking students usually travel to study in Germany or attend a university in the French community. While Dutch and French are the standard languages of teaching, there are other international programmes taught in the English language.

Higher educational institutes in Belgium include the Royal Military Academy, institutes of Architecture (it is only available in the French community), art colleges (only offered in the French community), university colleges and universities.

As in most Euro nations, a bachelor’s degree typically takes 3 years for completion and a master’s degree 1 to 2 years. Bachelor’s degree is categorized as either an academic bachelor or a professional bachelor. The 1^st of these is more academic and designed for preparing students for a master’s degree, while the 2^nd has a vocational element. Students can also pursue research projects leading to a PhD, after having earned a master’s degree. Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees can be awarded by both universities and colleges in Belgium, while PhDs are only awarded by universities.

The top 5 universities in this nation are –

1. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven)
2. University of Ghent
3. Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
4. Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
5. Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)  

Fees in Belgium

Belgium is divided into 3 regions –

1. The Walloon Region (or Wallonia)
2. The Capital Region of Brussels
3. The Flanders or Flemish Region

In the Wallonia universities, EEA/ non-EU students have to pay specific tuition fees, set by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (known as the ARES). Still, these tuition fees cannot be more than 5 times the amount the EEA/EU students have to pay.

In the Flemish region, non-EU/EEA and EU/EEA citizens have to pay different tuition fees, as well, but all start at around 900 EUR per academic year. Tuition fees are limited for EEA/EU students, while they can increase depending on each university.

You do not need to worry much as Belgian universities are fair if we talk about tuition fees. If it’s higher, the plausible reasons may be scholarships, available grants, the type of study programme, and the income of the student.

Some examples of fees in Belgium are –

• The University of Liége – average tuition fees of 835 EUR per year.
• Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) – tuition fees between 835 EUR per year and 4500 EUR per year.
• The University of Namur – tuition fees between 835 EUR per year and 4175 EUR per year.
• KU Leuven – tuition fees between 835 EUR per year and 9000 EUR per year.

Accommodation in Belgium

Accommodation costs in this country typically vary between 700 EUR per month to 950 EUR per month. You might need a bigger purse in big cities, but this largely depends on your spending habits and accommodation type.

Below are a few examples of average accommodation costs in some Belgium student cities –

• Liege – around 700 EUR per month to 1100 EUR per month.
• Leuven – around 800 EUR per month to 1300 EUR per month.
• Gent – between 750 EUR per month to 1200 EUR per month.
• Brussels – between 890 EUR per month to 1300 EUR per month.
• Antwerp – between 780 EUR per month to 1230 EUR per month.

Costs for accommodation are in line with the international average when we talk about the student halls of residence. However, prices are higher when it comes to the private accommodation sector.

See, you have 3 options when it comes to finding accommodation in this country –

• University halls of residence – a room in the student campus can cost you anywhere around 200 EUR per month and 400 EUR per month.
• On average, in the private sector, a student room can cost around 500 EUR per month.
• Sharing/ Renting a studio or an apartment will cost you around 600 EUR per month to 700 EUR per month.

Note – Apartment costs are higher if they are closer to the city centre.

Also, you should keep in mind ‘The Utility Bills’. These are included in the price in the student halls of residence. Utilities such as the internet, water, electricity cost around 100 EUR per month to 400 EUR per month, if you rent a private place.

Lifestyle in Belgium

Belgium is a fascinating place to study, and nowadays the universities are just as multicultural as the rest of the nation. Of course, there is much on the provision that appeals to international students besides their chosen university and programme.

There are many fascinating sports facilities and a plethora of several festivals and cultural events taking place across the nation’s big cities every week.

This again brings us to the particular programme you are interested in, and it is certainly a good idea to look for the ratio of students: lecturers. As everyone is accepted to Belgium universities provided they fulfil the eligibility criteria and have the right qualifications, the 1^st year of a study programme is typically intensive and calm as the expectation is that many people will fail the course and won’t pass their exams.

This essentially means that classes will be full although numbers can significantly drop in the 2^nd year. Part of the reason is that many students enrol because of the low tuition fees.

There are plenty of ways that students can immerse themselves in university life alongside their study programme. It can be either through volunteering seminars, research groups, sports clubs, or associations.

Additionally, Belgium universities offer a myriad of opportunities for students looking to do an internship or work during their course of study in the country. There are many fun activities to do here as an international, exchange or foreign student!

It is imperative here to mention that Belgium chocolate and beer is tantalizing, however touristy as they sound, have to be taken during a vacay as these 2 delights are as much part of Belgium culture as chips and mussels without/ with the mayo.

Universities in the main and big cities of Belgium have something for everyone. Tours specialize in local breweries which make the nation’s popular craft delights. Also, universities take students on a delicious stroll to the best chocolate places in Brussels, guided by an expert chocolatier.

Most of the academic institutes will start the 1^st semester of the year off with an orientation week to make friends, help new students (whether local or international) settle in, and learn about the opportunities offered by the institutions and the capital in general.

There will also be specific informative sessions at several points throughout the year for Erasmus students for getting to grips with student life in Belgium and experience the student life at its best!

Post-Study Work Opportunities

As I have told you earlier, Belgium has 3 native languages – French, Dutch, and a little German as well. The residents of Belgium are also fluent in the English language making the transition exceptionally easy for people who speak English as a 1^st or 2^nd language. When looking for a job, it would be to your advantage to learn the local language. Even if your job profile doesn’t require you to be proficient in the local language, you can’t discount that the employers would feel you need to be able to communicate with your office people. Bridging the language gap will certainly make a big difference when you will be entering the labour market and competing with local and other EU job hunters.

Belgium is an integral part of the EU and as an international student, your permit to stay after your graduation depends upon your purpose of stay, length of stay, and of course, your nationality. For Swiss and EU/EEA nationals, a passport or an identity card is usually sufficient. You need to request and register for a residence document that will entitle you to work in the nation.

If you are a non-EU student, then it is a whole different story as you need a work permit and a Visa to live and stay in Belgium and there are many types of residence status. You need to have a job offer + an employer who supports your application if you want to get a work permit.

Unlike Germany, the immigration system of Belgium doesn’t offer a jobseeker or work permit after you have completed your studies. As a non-EU student, if you want to live and stay in Belgium after earning your degree, you can stay beyond the expiration date of your current permit in the country by seeking an employer who is willing to support and sponsor your Visa. Your employer should submit a work permit application for you once your contract is finalized. After that, you can subsequently apply for an Immigrant/ Non-Immigrant Visa. You can apply for the Visa either through the local Belgium town halls or local Belgium municipal administration offices.

Conclusion

All said and done, these were the top reasons for the question ‘Why Study in Belgium’.

Belgium is a fascinating place that is ideally situated for efficient and fast travel to many sought-after locations such as Spain, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. This nation showcases delectable food that includes chocolates, festivals, beautiful artwork, architecture, castles and gorgeous historic monuments. These are a few aesthetic reasons that draw international, exchange, and foreign students to stay in this nation after completing their studies.

Belgium is world-famous for its vibrant culture, high-quality lifestyle, and safety. From its countless culinary heights to an internationally famous healthcare system, Belgium offers many things to see and do.

We are here for your concerns or questions regarding your study in this beautiful and amazing nation!

Best Scholarships to Study in Belgium

Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships for International Students

The Flemish Ministry of Education and Training awards scholarships for master’s programmes in Flanders and Brussels to outstanding students from around the world. A Master Mind Scholarship includes a grant of €8 200 + a tuition fee waiver per academic year (60 ECTS). 

Provided by: Government of Flanders
Course: Masters
Award:€8 200 per academic year
Application Deadline: April 30, 2021
Apply Now

Ghent University Top-up Grants For International Students in Belgium

All the students who are willing to study in Belgium must take a look over the beneficial Top-up Grants Programs organized by Ghent University. The scholarships are open for students entering the university for their Master’s degree for the academic year 2021-2022.

Provided by: Ghent University
Course: Masters
Award: 11 Scholarships
Application Deadline: Open
Apply Now

Best International Scholarships in Belgium

There are many students carrying a desire for taking higher studies in Belgium. For them, various universities in Belgium offer scholarships to international students and local citizens every year. 

Provided by: Varies
Course: Varies
Award: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
Apply Now

Global Minds Doctoral Scholarships Programme at KU Leuven

he Global Minds Programme is managed by IRO, the university’s Interfaculty Council for Development Cooperation. The aim is to give students the opportunity to conduct PhD research in a ‘sandwich’ system, which means that 50% of the research takes place at KU Leuven and 50% at the home institution of the scholar, supported by a local co-promoter. 

Provided by: KU Leuven University
Course: Doctoral
Award: Tuition Fees
Application Deadline: Open
Apply Now