WHY FLANDERS?
Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, is a great place to choose as your study destination. Here you find six good reasons why studying at one of the Flemish higher education institutions in Flanders or Brussels would be a smart choice: you will find excellent higher education with an excellent price/quality ratio in an open and multilingual society and an economically strong region, at the heart of Europe, boasting a high quality of life.
The capital city of Brussels is the third region and is the coming together of all these communities in one place. Home to both the European Parliament and NATO, Brussels has something for everyone and ranked as one of the top 50 student cities of the world!

Belgium is a free for all celebration of culture and one of the best educational destinations Europe has to offer. Don’t believe us? See for yourself! Read through our Study Abroad in Belgium Guide and begin looking for a program that fits you best today!

”Brussels is the European Capital so there are various and affordable ways of travelling
around the world.”

More about studying abroad in Belgium
Due the adoption of the Bologna process, higher education in Belgium is organised as per the bachelor, master and doctorate system and has three types of institutions that are recognized by the Belgian government: universities, university colleges and art colleges, all of which provide many courses and programs to choose from.

The universities provide long-term courses for bachelor’s and master’s studies and are the only ones that offer doctorate level programs. On the other hand, the university colleges and art colleges provide long-term programs for bachelor’s and master’s studies or short-term courses for a vocational bachelor’s degree.

While most bachelor level courses will be taught in Dutch or French, there are plenty of courses, particularly at master’s level and above, that are entirely taught in English. Alternatively, universities often offer cheap (or free) courses in Dutch or French as well.

Your tuition fee will depend on which of these you choose and whether they are a public or private institution. That said, there are scholarship programs available for students in need of funding, but they are competitive.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships:
EU/EEA/Swiss national
Every year, students in Belgium must pay a registration fee. If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, higher education is financed to a very large extent by the public authorities. The registration fee varies depending on the higher education establishment and the program you choose to study, but it is set at around €850 for public institutions.

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students must pay additional registration fees and those sums will vary in accordance to the field, program level and type of institution you choose. In a public institution in Wallonia, you can expect to pay between €835 and €4,200 per year for a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. For a doctorate degree, students will have to pay an application fee of around €835 the first year, then €50 for subsequent years. In a public institution in Flanders, tuition fees are determined by Flemish law annually, so be sure to contact your host institution for more information. Private institutions will most likely charge more.

Scholarships for international students in Belgium are competitive — they’re granted by some universities, the government, the Academy of Research and Higher Education and other Belgian agencies or organisations, and can come in the form of grants, reductions in registration fees and housing benefits. Qualifications and requirements will vary according to each case. For more information, contact your host institution.

Student Accommodation & Living Costs in Belgium:
Student living costs depend on type of program, type of accommodation and way of life. On average, living costs in Belgium can vary between €750 and €1,100 per month, without taking registration fees into account.

Some average living costs throughout Belgium are:

Meal

€8 – 16

Coffee

€3.54

Beer

€3.88

Cinema Ticket

€10.50

Monthly rent

€200 – 700

Monthly Transport

€20 with a student pass

Housing costs will vary depending on if you choose to stay in university or private accommodations, for more information on student housing in Belgium, you should contact your host institution. Health insurance is another important cost to consider; if you do not hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you will need to either purchase health insurance or ensure that your current policy is valid for your stay in Belgium.

While it’s possible to get a part-time job if you are from a non-EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you may need to seek permission in the form of a work permit in order to work during your studies and will only be allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during term time.

Language & Culture in Belgium:
Belgium’s rich and diverse culture offers a global and multilingual environment to anyone who chooses to study here. This small country invites you to an exciting, lively and cosmopolite urban setting where the world gathers to enjoy fine culture, beautiful architecture and great cuisine. It’s the ultimate study abroad experience and a must-see destination for all travelers!

Historically linked to both commercial and cultural exchange, much of Belgium’s character is due to its role as the great meeting place of Western Europe and traces of this can still be seen in its architecture and the cultural identity of its people. Most of Belgium’s attractions and traditions are the combination of this powerful historical heritage with its strong contemporary innovation practices, so culture lovers rejoice! At the same time as you can visit fairytale castles or have fun at beer-brewing festivals and medieval carnivals, you can also enjoy an avant-garde fashion show or go to a world-class art museums or restaurant. Not to mention try some of the world’s best chocolate!

It’s also a great place to practice your language skills, even though it’s not necessary. Though Belgium has as many as three official languages —Flemish, French and German— English is the fourth, unofficial language and Belgians are used to welcoming the world and have no problems conversing in English. Many universities offer courses in English, but if you prefer to learn one of the official languages, most universities offer cheap or free language courses!