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Studying in Belgium

Home of the EU institutions, low public fees

EuropeMid budget2 universitiesPost-graduation work rights

Brussels hosts the EU institutions, making it a strong base for international relations and law. At bachelor's level instruction is usually Dutch or French; English programs are mostly at master's level.

Who is it for?

  • •Those targeting international relations and EU policy
  • •Dutch or French speakers
  • •Those seeking low-fee public education

Watch out for

  • •Almost no English-taught bachelor's
  • •Bilingual bureaucracy can be confusing

Strong fields

International relationsLawBiotechnologyEngineeringPublic policy

Education system

Degree lengthBachelor's 3 years
GradingOut of 20
Academic calendarSeptember intake

Application system

PlatformDirect to the university
DocumentsDiploma equivalence, Language certificate, Motivation letter
DeadlinesApril–July

Exam requirements

Academic examsEntrance exams for medicine and engineering
EnglishIELTS 6.5 for English programs; DELF B2 for French

Costs

TuitionNon-EU 4,000–6,000 € / year
Living costs850–1,100 € / month
Annual total14,000–19,000 € per year

Scholarships

  • •VLIR-UOS and ARES scholarships
  • •University partial support

Visa & work rights

Student visaType D student visa
Working while studying600 hours per year
After graduation12-month job-seeking permit

Is Belgium right for you?

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