A vibrant cultural life, international atmosphere, and affordable world-class education make Belgium an ideal place to study abroad. More than 52,000 students have chosen one of the 81 Belgian universities.
Studying in Belgium will be an amazing experience for international students for several reasons:
- You can easily travel during the semester and holidays.
- You can learn and master several languages, as Belgium is famous for its multilingual residents speaking Dutch, French, German, and many local dialects.
- You will be surrounded by foreigners both on and off campus, especially if you study in the capital, Brussels.
- Education in Belgium is affordable and top-notch.
- You will have unlimited access to world-famous Belgian beer, fries, and waffles. Need we say more?!
- Every Belgian city is unique, from modern Antwerp to historically charming Bruges.
- It’s a country of festivals! From Tomorrowland to Rock Werchter, you can have a great time with your new friends.
While these things are exciting, you must also consider the reality of studying in Belgium as an international student. For example:
- The cost of living in Belgium is generally high, but as a student, you can get a student job and discounts on health insurance, public transport, and scholarships to offset costs.
- Getting a job after graduation is difficult for international graduates, as you often need to know several languages, if not for work, then for communication with colleagues.
- Applications for a Belgian work visa can be complex, especially since companies need to prove that you are highly qualified or that your skills are worth more than a local candidate’s.
- You will find that there are more Master’s degrees than Bachelor’s degrees taught in English.
- The weather is often gray and rainy. But when it’s sunny, you will be charmed by how people enjoy the sun on terraces.
The best programs taught in English in Belgium are located at:
- KU Leuven
- Ghent University
- Université Catholique de Louvain
- Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
- University of Antwerp
- Hasselt University
- Université de Liège
General requirements for study applications in Belgium include:
- High school, Bachelor’s, or Master’s diploma
- Academic transcript or grades
- Proof of proficiency in English, French, or Dutch
- Copy of passport or national ID card
- Motivational letter
- CV
- Proof of financial support (if necessary)
- Letters of recommendation (if necessary)
- Certificate such as GMAT, SAT, GRE, AP Calculus AB and/or SOWISO OMPT-A/-D (if necessary)
All official documents must be translated by a sworn translator into English, Dutch, or French (depending on your university requirements) and certified.
Belgium is a very good choice if you plan to study in Europe.