25 Best Universities In Belgium For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Belgium, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 63 universities and colleges in Belgium, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 63 universities in Belgium, KU Leuven and Ghent University are the top-performing schools in Belgium. This list covers both public and private institutions in Belgium.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Belgium. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Belgium.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Belgium?

Applying to the universities in Belgium involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Belgium to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Belgium?

Tuition fees at Belgium’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 450 Euros to 13,000 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 600 Euros to 41,500 Euros. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Belgium!

As we cover the best universities in Belgium for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Belgium for International Students

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

The University of Mons is a French-taught institution in Belgium; hence, it also has a French name: Universite de Mons. Besides its location in Mons, the university also has a campus in Charleroi. As a relatively small institution, it implements a more student-centered learning experience. This, along with its optimal location in the center of Europe, opens many opportunities for skill and knowledge development. It is also committed to internationalization, with international students making up a significant portion of its population.

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 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.

Inaugurated over a century ago, the Institute of Tropical Medicine is dedicated to the educational and scientific development of public health and tropical medicine in Belgium. It started as a training school for nurses and doctors in Congo and has now evolved into a global frontrunner in medical education, research, and service. With excellence as one of its core values, the university provides outstanding and accessible healthcare services, especially for concerns about sexually transmitted infections and HIV. 

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. 

The College of Europe is an institution borne out of growing solidarity between the first members of the European Union. It consists of two campuses, each in a different country (Belgium and Poland), which allows for better integration of European cultures and interests. The institution takes pride in its intensive programs, which aim to expose students to the continent’s incredible diversity while adhering to high academic standards.

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.

Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is a member of the Ghent University Association and offers a broad range of academic and technical courses. Fields the university specializes in include healthcare, communication, business and management, media and design, and the humanities.

Since its founding in 2000, the university has distinguished itself as a center for transformative education, impactful research, and sustainable societal development. In addition, the university has many international partners and regularly collaborates with numerous industry partners in Europe and abroad.

Founded in 1995, the Howest University of Applied Sciences is most well-known for its innovative programs in digital arts, cybersecurity, game design, and other technological courses. With a strong focus on service, empowerment, and care, the university has a prominent reputation for conducting impactful research and social responsibility projects. It also encourages the involvement of its students in carrying out activities that help address the current problems of the region.

Brussels School of Governance is a specialized public institution that concentrates on teaching and conducting research on policy-relevant fields. Specifically, it covers the following disciplines: digitalization, democracy, innovation, environment, economy, energy, migration, diversity, justice, security, diplomacy, and strategy. Its close relationships with Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s Institute for European Studies and Vesalius College also open many opportunities for its students and help advance its research projects and knowledge.

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.

AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp is a public university for applied sciences and arts with seven campuses located in different areas of Antwerp. It aims to provide a stimulating and supportive environment to its students to nurture them into socially aware, active, and knowledgeable individuals who can adapt and thrive in modern society. The university also involves its students and faculty in conducting groundbreaking research and carrying out innovative projects that help different sectors of the community.

Located in the historical city of Antwerp, Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts was established in 1995. It was named after Karel de Grote, also known as Charlemagne, the Roman emperor who had a significant contribution to European educational development. The university provides project-based and practical programs to prepare students for life after graduation and increase their employment prospects. 

Thomas More University of Applied Sciences is generally known as the most prominent applied sciences university in Flanders. It provides a range of educational programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university offers study options to students. They can choose from a large selection of Dutch-taught programs tailored to students’ needs or obtain a degree in one of the several English-taught programs specifically designed for foreign nationals.

Aimed to increase its reputation in the international community, the university has been actively promoting inclusivity within its campus, implementing equal opportunities for all students, regardless of where they come from.

Vlerick Business School is a specialized institution with three campuses across Belgium: Ghent, Leuven, and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, which is in Brussels. Its roots can be traced to KU Leuven and Ghent University, the present-day top universities of Belgium. Vlerick is one of the best in its field and takes pride in its triple accreditations, which affirms the high standards the school has set for itself. To maintain such excellence, Vlerick remains concentrated on its forte: business.

La Cambre National School of Visual Arts, an institution more shortly known as La Cambre or ENSAV, is one of Belgium’s premier art schools. It covers various disciplines, including ceramics, photography, art restoration, design, and more. It was aptly founded by Henry van de Velde, a Belgian artist who helped establish the art style called Art Nouveau in Belgium. Besides honing students’ natural inclinations, the school’s teaching also pushes them to explore other disciplines, making them multi-skilled and multi-talented graduates.

Antwerp Maritime Academy is a public institution for maritime higher education inaugurated in 1834 in Antwerp, Belgium. It is known as the smallest university in the Flanders region and the only one in the country that offers vocational programs in Dutch and French. The academy currently offers programs in marine engineering and nautical sciences designed to train future professionals and managers in the maritime industry.