15 Cheapest Universities in Belgium for International Students

In Belgium, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Belgium without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Belgium, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 63 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Belgium, make sure to read more!

How do I get admission to affordable universities in Belgium?

Applying to cheap universities in Belgium requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Belgium for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in Belgium?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Belgium. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Belgium is the Albert Jacquard University College, which offers Preschool Teaching, Primary School Teaching, and Psychomotor Education to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Albert Jacquard University College offers Transmedia Architecture.

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Belgium for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Belgium ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Albert Jacquard University College 450 Euros - 500 Euros 89%
University of Liege 835 Euros - 4,175 Euros 79%
University of Namur 835 Euros - 4,175 Euros 79%
Free University of Brussels 835 Euros - 2,505 Euros 79%
UC Louvain 835 Euros - 2,505 Euros 79%
University College Ghent 939 Euros 76%
Odisee 980 Euros 75%
Ghent University 1,092 Euros - 6,540 Euros 72%
KU Leuven 1,344 Euros - 7,099 Euros 65%
Hainaut University College 1,487 Euros 62%
Tournai Academy of Fine Arts 1,487 Euros 62%
Royal Conservatory of Brussels 1,941 Euros 50%
ICHEC Brussels Management School 2,323 Euros 40%
University of Antwerp 3,100 Euros 19%
Vrije Universiteit Brussel 3,254 Euros - 3,850 Euros 15%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 3,827 Euros for universities in Belgium.

1. Albert Jacquard University College

The Albert Jacquard University College is a forward-looking university committed to raising competent professionals in the computer graphics, economics, education, and medical industries. It is known to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and provide immense support to students who wish to carry out entrepreneurial projects. The university also maintains strong partnerships with numerous international universities and institutions.

2. University of Liege

The University of Liege is the home of some of the world’s renowned scholars who have pioneered and left historical and scientific contributions in different fields of study, from medicine and sciences to astrophysics. The university, which champions providing high standards of teaching and research, has its unique learning approach that trains countless students to be socially accountable and competent individuals with the highest proficiency level in their respective fields.

3. University of Namur

University of Namur (UNamur) is a private university belonging to the French-speaking community in Belgium. UNamur has undergone several reforms since its founding in 1831, restructuring existing programs and developing future-oriented courses to meet the current market needs.

The university also excels in research studies, contributing to engineering, physics, and biotechnology fields. Aside from offering its heavily invested advanced facilities, researchers will also have the opportunity to collaborate with experts from across the globe to work on their academic projects and activities.

4. Free University of Brussels

The Free University of Brussels is a multicultural and modern educational institution recognized as one of the top universities in Europe and the world. It is known for producing several notable alumni with significant contributions in different fields of research and services to the community. Living up to its name, the university strives to facilitate an atmosphere that promotes free inquiry and critical thinking to develop intellectual, independent, and self-disciplined individuals to shape the future of society. 

5. UC Louvain

UC Louvain was established in 1834 by Catholic bishops after Belgium gained independence from French rule as a successor of the first University of Leuven which was closed in 1797. It is now known as the largest French-speaking educational institution in the country. The university is dedicated to providing cutting-edge academic and research programs aimed at addressing regional needs and producing internationally competitive graduates. 

6. University College Ghent

Situated in one of the top student cities in the country, University College Ghent is a forward-looking university known for its excellent academic programs and groundbreaking research in different fields of science and the arts. It is committed to raising individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and employable skills to make them competent candidates in the international labor market. The university also has a strong focus on internationalization and encourages its students and faculty to participate in mobility programs in its vast network of international partners. 

7. Odisee

Odisee was established in 2014 and is among the largest universities of applied sciences in the Flanders region. It calls itself a “co-university” that strives to facilitate an open environment among its learners and faculty and encourages the spirit of collaboration and co-creation. The university provides practice-oriented education that allows students to gain skills that are sought after by different industries.

8. Ghent University

Ghent University is a premier Dutch-speaking public university in Belgium. Interestingly, the institution precedes Belgium; thus, it has centuries of experience and credibility. This rich and long history led to the university’s status as one of the best academic institutions worldwide and the country’s biggest. The programs offered are specialized and of excellent quality and may be taught in Dutch, English, or both.

9. KU Leuven

KU Leuven, which ranks amongst the most innovative European universities, is recognized for its superior quality of education and research. Academic disciplines and faculties are equally given priority to create and enhance their multidisciplinary programs, covering all areas of expertise and training. In addition, the university, which belongs to the Flemish-speaking community, has subsidized tuition fees, making its internationally acknowledged programs accessible and affordable for both EU/EEA and non-EU/non-EEA students.

As a global university with unmatched contributions to society, students will be presented with countless opportunities, such as off-campus engagements. Students can achieve their personal goals while studying at one of the world’s top-ranking universities.

10. Hainaut University College

Hainaut University College is a French-speaking academic institution located in Mons, Belgium. It currently has four departments that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in different areas of liberal arts, applied sciences, and education. The university also provides numerous opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in mobility programs in its vast network of international partners. 

11. Tournai Academy of Fine Arts

The Tournai Academy of Fine Arts is a public art college established in 1756 to respond to the region’s need for creative professionals in the porcelain manufacturing industry. It currently offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in nine study areas including painting, textile design, digital arts, and architecture. The university aims to raise open-minded artists and encourages them to engage in international exchanges, internships, artistic projects, and other activities that would help them discover and develop their artistic styles and approaches.

12. Royal Conservatory of Brussels

The Royal Conservatory of Brussels is a French-speaking institution known for its long history of teaching performing arts in Belgium. Indeed, the conservatory has been operational since 1813, which has given it centuries of experience and expertise in the field. Such is evident in its long list of prominent alums, consisting of Belgium’s top directors, musicians, actors, and artists.

13. ICHEC Brussels Management School

ICHEC Brussels Management School is one of the leading business schools in Belgium known for its research-oriented and transformative business education. It is also the first French-speaking business school in the country to be granted accreditation by AACSB International, a prominent accrediting body for business schools around the world. The university’s main objective is to produce open-minded, forward-looking, and responsible managers with an international perspective. 

14. University of Antwerp

In 2003, three prominent educational institutions in the city of Antwerp united to form the University of Antwerp, one of the top universities in the world. At present, it offers over 140 research-driven academic programs in diverse disciplines designed to encourage freedom of expression, critical thinking, and philosophical discussion. The university also provides several opportunities for international learning through mobility programs and other international activities. 

15. Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a remarkable university in Brussels, Belgium’s capital region and the European Union’s administrative center. Due to its strategic location, the university, comprising competent academic members, a multicultural student body, and partnered industries, is wholly dedicated to promoting an economically sustainable society.

With its continued commitment to generating human resources, VUB prepares students to gain fundamental knowledge, acquire necessary skill sets, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset to cultivate a pool of ethically responsible professionals and experts.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Belgium for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Belgium ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Albert Jacquard University College 600 Euros 90%
University of Liege 835 Euros - 4,175 Euros 86%
UC Louvain 835 Euros - 2,505 Euros 86%
University of Namur 835 Euros - 4,175 Euros 86%
Free University of Brussels 835 Euros - 2,505 Euros 86%
University College Ghent 939 Euros 84%
PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts 980 Euros 83%
Vrije Universiteit Brussel 980 Euros - 3,850 Euros 83%
Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts 1,092 Euros 81%
Hasselt University 1,092 Euros - 2,314 Euros 81%
KU Leuven 1,344 Euros - 7,099 Euros 77%
Hainaut University College 1,984 Euros 65%
Tournai Academy of Fine Arts 1,984 Euros 65%
Ghent University 2,118 Euros - 6,540 Euros 63%
Royal Conservatory of Brussels 2,438 Euros 57%

* Average Master’s International Tuition is 5,615 Euros for universities in belgium.

1. Albert Jacquard University College

The Albert Jacquard University College is a forward-looking university committed to raising competent professionals in the computer graphics, economics, education, and medical industries. It is known to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and provide immense support to students who wish to carry out entrepreneurial projects. The university also maintains strong partnerships with numerous international universities and institutions.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Albert Jacquard University College should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 600 Euros annually for their master's degree.

2. University of Liege

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is University of Liege. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at University of Liege is 835 Euros to 4,175 Euros.

The University of Liege is the home of some of the world’s renowned scholars who have pioneered and left historical and scientific contributions in different fields of study, from medicine and sciences to astrophysics. The university, which champions providing high standards of teaching and research, has its unique learning approach that trains countless students to be socially accountable and competent individuals with the highest proficiency level in their respective fields.

3. UC Louvain

UC Louvain was established in 1834 by Catholic bishops after Belgium gained independence from French rule as a successor of the first University of Leuven which was closed in 1797. It is now known as the largest French-speaking educational institution in the country. The university is dedicated to providing cutting-edge academic and research programs aimed at addressing regional needs and producing internationally competitive graduates. 

The tuition fee at UC Louvain for incoming international master’s students is 835 Euros to 2,505 Euros. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Namur

Another affordable university to consider in Belgium is University of Namur.

University of Namur (UNamur) is a private university belonging to the French-speaking community in Belgium. UNamur has undergone several reforms since its founding in 1831, restructuring existing programs and developing future-oriented courses to meet the current market needs.

The university also excels in research studies, contributing to engineering, physics, and biotechnology fields. Aside from offering its heavily invested advanced facilities, researchers will also have the opportunity to collaborate with experts from across the globe to work on their academic projects and activities.

The tuition fee in University of Namur for master’s program for foreign students starts from 835 Euros.

5. Free University of Brussels

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Free University of Brussels has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 835 Euros yearly.

The Free University of Brussels is a multicultural and modern educational institution recognized as one of the top universities in Europe and the world. It is known for producing several notable alumni with significant contributions in different fields of research and services to the community. Living up to its name, the university strives to facilitate an atmosphere that promotes free inquiry and critical thinking to develop intellectual, independent, and self-disciplined individuals to shape the future of society. 

6. University College Ghent

Situated in one of the top student cities in the country, University College Ghent is a forward-looking university known for its excellent academic programs and groundbreaking research in different fields of science and the arts. It is committed to raising individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and employable skills to make them competent candidates in the international labor market. The university also has a strong focus on internationalization and encourages its students and faculty to participate in mobility programs in its vast network of international partners. 

7. PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Founded in 2013, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts is a relatively young university committed to producing dynamic, forward-thinking professionals with an entrepreneurial mindset. Its x-factor model aims to impart its students with knowledge and skills to contribute to the improvement of organizations and work for the well-being of society. The university operates on 5 campuses and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in arts, business, technology, and education. 

8. Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a remarkable university in Brussels, Belgium’s capital region and the European Union’s administrative center. Due to its strategic location, the university, comprising competent academic members, a multicultural student body, and partnered industries, is wholly dedicated to promoting an economically sustainable society.

With its continued commitment to generating human resources, VUB prepares students to gain fundamental knowledge, acquire necessary skill sets, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset to cultivate a pool of ethically responsible professionals and experts.

9. Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB) is an institution of higher learning located in Brussels, the heart of Europe. Students will experience a multicultural city while studying in an inclusive university with top-notch research and training facilities.

The university has eight campuses in Brussels and three other campuses in various locations in Flanders. All these campuses are fully loaded with amenities and the necessary infrastructure for a smooth and engaging learning experience.

10. Hasselt University

Hasselt University was established in 1971 through the collaborative efforts of citizens from different sectors of the city of Hasselt in demanding an institution to educate the local youth. It considers itself a civic university that establishes strong connections with the environment surrounding it, addresses its issues, and assists in its improvement. The university has received multiple recognitions for its outstanding academic programs, groundbreaking research, and regional contributions. 

11. KU Leuven

KU Leuven, which ranks amongst the most innovative European universities, is recognized for its superior quality of education and research. Academic disciplines and faculties are equally given priority to create and enhance their multidisciplinary programs, covering all areas of expertise and training. In addition, the university, which belongs to the Flemish-speaking community, has subsidized tuition fees, making its internationally acknowledged programs accessible and affordable for both EU/EEA and non-EU/non-EEA students.

As a global university with unmatched contributions to society, students will be presented with countless opportunities, such as off-campus engagements. Students can achieve their personal goals while studying at one of the world’s top-ranking universities.

12. Hainaut University College

Hainaut University College is a French-speaking academic institution located in Mons, Belgium. It currently has four departments that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in different areas of liberal arts, applied sciences, and education. The university also provides numerous opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in mobility programs in its vast network of international partners. 

13. Tournai Academy of Fine Arts

The Tournai Academy of Fine Arts is a public art college established in 1756 to respond to the region’s need for creative professionals in the porcelain manufacturing industry. It currently offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in nine study areas including painting, textile design, digital arts, and architecture. The university aims to raise open-minded artists and encourages them to engage in international exchanges, internships, artistic projects, and other activities that would help them discover and develop their artistic styles and approaches.

14. Ghent University

Ghent University is a premier Dutch-speaking public university in Belgium. Interestingly, the institution precedes Belgium; thus, it has centuries of experience and credibility. This rich and long history led to the university’s status as one of the best academic institutions worldwide and the country’s biggest. The programs offered are specialized and of excellent quality and may be taught in Dutch, English, or both.

15. Royal Conservatory of Brussels

The Royal Conservatory of Brussels is a French-speaking institution known for its long history of teaching performing arts in Belgium. Indeed, the conservatory has been operational since 1813, which has given it centuries of experience and expertise in the field. Such is evident in its long list of prominent alums, consisting of Belgium’s top directors, musicians, actors, and artists.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Belgium, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Belgium as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Belgium for international students was helpful!