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 UCLouvain.
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 1,116 Euros to 15,000 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 1,116 Euros and 30,000 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 | 7,925 Euros | 7,925 Euros |
| Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts | 4,200 Euros - 4,960 Euros | 1,157 Euros - 4,960 Euros |
| Tournai Academy of Fine Arts | 1,487 Euros | 1,984 Euros |
| University College of the Town of Liege | 4,565 Euros | 4,565 Euros |
| University College of the Province of Namur | 4,175 Euros | 4,175 Euros |
| Higher Institute of Social Training and Communication | 5,012 Euros | 5,012 Euros |
| School of Arts Saint-Luc de Liege | 4,516 Euros - 4,679 Euros | 4,549 Euros - 4,891 Euros |
| Higher National Institute of Performing Arts and Diffusion Techniques | 4,525 Euros | 4,629 Euros |
| Hainaut University College | 4,175 Euros | 4,175 Euros |
| School of Arts of Liege | 4,525 Euros | 4,525 Euros |
| Antwerp Management School | 19,500 Euros - 22,500 Euros | |
| Royal Conservatory of Brussels | 8,970 Euros | 8,970 Euros |
| Albert Jacquard University College | 4,592 Euros - 4,997 Euros | 4,864 Euros - 4,968 Euros |
| University College of Louvain en Hainaut | 4,175 Euros | 4,175 Euros |
| Antwerp Maritime Academy | 9,500 Euros | 9,500 Euros |
| Provincial University College of Hainaut Condorcet | 4,406 Euros - 4,685 Euros | 4,581 Euros - 4,685 Euros |
| HELMo University College | 4,906 Euros | 4,906 Euros |
| University of Mons | 5,010 Euros | 5,010 Euros |
| Howest University of Applied Sciences | 7,157 Euros | |
| VIVES University of Applied Sciences | 6,500 Euros | |
| PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts | 1,157 Euros | |
| University of Antwerp | 3,100 Euros | 3,100 Euros - 5,800 Euros |
| UCLouvain | 5,010 Euros | 5,010 Euros |
| Institute of Tropical Medicine | 16,500 Euros | |
| HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts | 1,116 Euros | 1,116 Euros |
| Hasselt University | 1,157 Euros - 7,157 Euros | |
| Ghent University | 2,165 Euros - 6,929 Euros | 2,165 Euros - 6,929 Euros |
| University of Liege | 5,010 Euros | 5,010 Euros |
| KU Leuven | 3,093 Euros - 9,494 Euros | 4,591 Euros - 9,494 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 | 7,760 Euros | |
| Institute of Visual Arts | 5,010 Euros | 5,010 Euros |
| ICHEC Brussels Management School | 5,010 Euros | 5,010 Euros |
| Brussels School of Governance | 15,000 Euros | 6,000 Euros - 15,000 Euros |
| UCLL University of Applied Sciences | 5,800 Euros | |
| Vlerick Business School | 21,000 Euros - 23,000 Euros | |
| College of Europe | 30,000 Euros | |
| Odisee | 1,157 Euros | |
| Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts | 7,530 Euros | 7,530 Euros |
| Université Libre de Bruxelles | 5,010 Euros | 5,010 Euros |
| Thomas More University of Applied Sciences | 9,000 Euros | |
| University of Namur | 5,010 Euros | 5,010 Euros |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel | 4,200 Euros - 4,960 Euros | 1,157 Euros - 4,960 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
UCLouvain
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!
How to apply for MBA?
You should check with the business school page for each university and follow the application procedure there