Its vibrant cultural life, internationality, and affordable world-class education make Belgium a perfect study-abroad destination. More than 52 thousand students have chosen to study in one of the 81 Belgian universities.
Studying in Belgium is going to be an amazing experience for international students for several reasons:
- You can easily travel during term time and holidays.
- You’ll get to learn and master multiple languages because Belgium is famous for its multilingual residents who speak Dutch, French, German, and many local dialects.
- You’ll be surrounded by internationals, both on and off campus, especially if you’re studying in the capital city Brussels.
- Education in Belgium is affordable and top-notch.
- You’ll have unlimited access to Belgium’s world-famous beers, fries, and waffles. Need we say more?!
- Each Belgian city is uniquely different, from modern Antwerp to historically charming Bruges.
- It’s the land of festivals! From Tomorrowland to Rock Werchter, you can enjoy yourself a lot with your new friends.
While these things are exciting, you should also consider the reality of studying in Belgium as an international student. For instance:
- The cost of living in Belgium is typically high, but as a student, you can get student jobs and discounts on health insurance, public transport, and scholarships to offset the costs.
- Getting a job after graduation is hard for international graduates as you’ll often need to know multiple languages, if not for work, then for socializing with colleagues.
- The Belgian work visa applications can be tough, especially as companies need to prove you’re highly skilled or that your skills are worth more than that of a local candidate.
- You’ll find that there are more Master’s degrees than Bachelor’s degrees taught in English.
- The weather is often grey and rainy. But when it’s sunny, you’ll be charmed by how much people enjoy the sun on the terraces.
The best English-taught programs in Belgium are found at:
- KU Leuven
- Ghent University
- Université Catholique de Louvain
- Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
- University of Antwerp
- Hasselt University
- Université de Liège
Common application requirements to study in Belgium include:
- high-school, bachelor’s, or master’s diploma
- academic transcript or grades
- proof of English, French, or Dutch language proficiency
- copy of your passport or national ID card
- motivation letter
- CV
- proof of financial support (if required)
- letters of recommendation (if required)
- certificate such as GMAT, SAT, GRE, AP Calculus AB, and/or SOWISO OMPT-A/-D (if required)
All the official documents must be translated by a sworn translator in English, Dutch, or French (depending on the requirements of your university) and authenticated.
Belgium is an excellent choice if you are considering studying in Europe.
