How to Study in Belgium for International Students

Belgium, a small country in Northwestern Europe, is another excellent place to consider if you’re looking to study abroad. Despite having a low population of more than 11 million people, the country is still known for its diverse cultures. It’s also the perfect place to study some of the most spoken languages in the world, such as Dutch, French, and German. With its globally known universities, stunning landscapes, and availability of scholarships, Belgium is a unique destination for international students.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Belgium currently has 63 universities, from which 46 universities are a part of the public sector and 17 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Belgium you should definitely check out are KU Leuven, Ghent University, and UC Louvain.

Being able to study in Belgium as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Belgium, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Belgium

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Belgium, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 450 Euros to 13,000 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 600 Euros and 41,500 Euros.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Belgium

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Belgium, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution	Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee	Master’s International Tuition Fee
LUCA School of Arts	7,464 Euros	7,464 Euros
Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts	8,462 Euros	1,092 Euros
Tournai Academy of Fine Arts	1,487 Euros	1,984 Euros
Hainaut University College	1,487 Euros	1,984 Euros
Antwerp Management School		16,500 Euros - 20,000 Euros
Royal Conservatory of Brussels	1,941 Euros	2,438 Euros
Albert Jacquard University College	450 Euros - 500 Euros	600 Euros
Howest University of Applied Sciences	7,092 Euros
VIVES University of Applied Sciences	4,900 Euros
PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts		980 Euros
University of Antwerp	3,100 Euros	5,800 Euros
UC Louvain	835 Euros - 2,505 Euros	835 Euros - 2,505 Euros
Institute of Tropical Medicine		16,500 Euros
University College Ghent	939 Euros	939 Euros
Hasselt University		1,092 Euros - 2,314 Euros
Ghent University	1,092 Euros - 6,540 Euros	2,118 Euros - 6,540 Euros
University of Liege	835 Euros - 4,175 Euros	835 Euros - 4,175 Euros
KU Leuven	1,344 Euros - 7,099 Euros	1,344 Euros - 7,099 Euros

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Belgium

Institution	Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee	Master’s International Tuition Fee
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences	7,265 Euros
ICHEC Brussels Management School	2,323 Euros	2,820 Euros - 3,212 Euros
Brussels School of Governance	13,000 Euros	13,000 Euros - 17,000 Euros
UCLL University of Applied Sciences	5,800 Euros
Vlerick Business School		18,000 Euros - 41,500 Euros
College of Europe		27,000 Euros
Odisee	980 Euros
Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts	7,103 Euros	7,103 Euros
Free University of Brussels	835 Euros - 2,505 Euros	835 Euros - 2,505 Euros
Thomas More University of Applied Sciences	9,000 Euros
University of Namur	835 Euros - 4,175 Euros	835 Euros - 4,175 Euros
Vrije Universiteit Brussel	3,254 Euros - 3,850 Euros	980 Euros - 3,850 Euros

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Belgium, check out the Cheap Universities in Belgium!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Belgium for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Belgium, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Belgium, English and Dutch are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting NT2-II for Dutch.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Belgium and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Artevelde University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor’s degree

IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 79
Duolingo: 110
Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

LUCA School of Arts

Master’s degree

IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 79
Duolingo: 110
Master's English Language Requirements Page

Evangelical Theological Faculty

Master’s degree

IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 90
CEFR: B2
Master's English Language Requirements Page

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Belgium

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Belgium have online applications available on their websites, like KU Leuven and Ghent University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Belgium.

KU Leuven

Ghent University

UC Louvain

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Belgium differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Belgium.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Belgium

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Belgium. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Belgium as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Belgium. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Long-stay Visa D.

To start your student visa application in Belgium, you will need to present the following:

Valid passport
Visa application form
Recent passport photos
Proof of financial capacity
Proof of good conduct and morals
Medical certificate
Evidence of health insurance
Proof of paid visa application fee
For Ph.D. students, a registration certificate and proof of funding, such as a scholarship

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Belgium is 180 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

Receive the offer from your host university.
Contact the nearest Belgian consulate or embassy in your home country to confirm the requirements.
Collect the requirements.
Set up an appointment with the Belgian consulate or embassy and submit the visa application requirements in person.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Belgium. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!