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Study in Belgium

EU capital, trilingual campuses and low public tuition at globally ranked universities.

Why Belgium

What makes Belgium worth considering

Belgium hosts the institutions of the European Union, which makes Brussels a natural base for international relations, law and policy study. Public tuition is modest, and universities in both the Flemish and French communities rank highly.

Heart of the EU

Brussels hosts the European Commission, Council and Parliament — unmatched for policy, law and diplomacy.

Low public tuition

Public universities charge non-EU students significantly less than comparable Western European institutions.

Highly ranked universities

KU Leuven and Ghent are consistently among Europe's leading research universities.

Trilingual environment

Dutch, French and German are official; English is widely used in postgraduate teaching.

Strong research funding

Deep links with pharmaceutical, biotech and technology research across Flanders and Wallonia.

Search year

Graduates can apply for a 12-month search year to find work or start a business.

Key facts

Tuition (public)	Approximately €4,000–€6,000 per year for non-EU students
Tuition (private/business schools)	€10,000–€25,000 per year
Living cost	Approximately €850–€1,100 per month
Financial proof	Approximately €12,000 per year
Intakes	September (main) and February (limited)
Language	English-taught master's widely available; Dutch or French for most bachelor's
Work while studying	20 hours per week during term
Post-study stay	12-month search year (zoekjaar / année de recherche)

Indicative figures — tuition, living costs and visa funds are revised periodically. We confirm current numbers during counselling.

Popular courses

International LawEuropean StudiesBiotechnologyBusiness ManagementComputer SciencePharmaceutical SciencesEngineeringPublic HealthPolitical ScienceData ScienceNanotechnologyEconomics

Top universities in Belgium

KU Leuven
Ghent University
Université catholique de Louvain
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
University of Antwerp
Université Libre de Bruxelles
Hasselt University
Vlerick Business School

Background

About Belgium

Country facts

Belgium is a federal state of about 11.7 million people in western Europe, bordering France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. It has three official languages — Dutch, French and German — and Brussels serves as the de facto capital of the European Union.

Higher education system

Higher education is organised separately by the Flemish and French-speaking communities. Both run universities offering research degrees and university colleges (hogescholen / hautes écoles) offering professional programmes. Degrees follow the Bologna structure and use ECTS credits.

Admission requirements

Relevant bachelor's degree for master's admission
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 for English-taught programmes
Legalised and translated academic documents
Motivation letter and CV
Proof of funds or a sponsor's guarantee (annexe 32)
Some programmes require an entrance test or interview

Student visa — Belgium

Apply for a Belgian type-D student visa with your admission letter, proof of funds, medical certificate and police clearance. After arrival you register with the local commune to receive your residence card.

Read our visa guidance →

Thinking about Belgium?

Send us your academic record and budget — we will tell you honestly whether Belgium is the right fit, and which universities you are competitive for.