How to Study in Ghent for International Students

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Ghent, one of the beautiful cities in Belgium, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Ghent currently has 4 universities, from which 2 universities are a part of the public sector and 2 universities are private institutions.

In case you are not just searching for a place to study, but you are trying to be a part of the best schools available, you have several choices, such as Ghent University and University College Ghent.

Being able to study in Ghent 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 Ghent, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Ghent

The cost of your studies in Ghent may vary depending on various factors such as your degree, program, and chosen university. In Ghent, the average tuition fee for international students is 3,100 Euros.

Here are some of the universities here with their tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences 7,265 Euros
Vlerick Business School 18,000 Euros - 41,500 Euros
University College Ghent 939 Euros 939 Euros
Ghent University 1,092 Euros - 6,540 Euros 2,118 Euros - 6,540 Euros

If you're looking for an affordable school to enter in Ghent, check out our article on cheapest universities in Ghent for international students.

Aside from tuition fees, you also need to consider other costs like your accommodation, travel, and daily expenses. It's a good thing to compute these costs beforehand to make sure that you have enough budget for your studies.

2. Requirements to Study in Ghent for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Ghent, 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 Ghent, 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 Ghent and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Artevelde University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor’s degree

Ghent University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

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 Ghent

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

Ghent University

University College Ghent

Vlerick Business School

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 Ghent 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 Ghent.

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 Ghent

If you’re going to study in Ghent, you will need to apply for a student visa in Belgium

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 Ghent, you will need to present the following:

  1. Valid passport
  2. Visa application form
  3. Recent passport photos
  4. Proof of financial capacity
  5. Proof of good conduct and morals
  6. Medical certificate
  7. Evidence of health insurance
  8. Proof of paid visa application fee
  9. 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:

  1. Receive the offer from your host university.
  2. Contact the nearest Belgian consulate or embassy in your home country to confirm the requirements.
  3. Collect the requirements.
  4. 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 Ghent. 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!