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Study in Belgium: The Ultimate Abroad Guide for Students in 2024
Belgium is a city in Western Europe, filled with fun, education, chocolate, castles, history, and cultural diversity. It is not left behind in education and knowledge as it also imparts high-quality international education to students who are seeking education in the country. Belgium is a hub for multiple top universities and recruiters, opening up avenues for employment. To study in Belgium for international students implies an array of exposures.
1. Why study in Belgium?
- It opens doors for an international career as degrees received from affiliated universities are globally accepted.
- Belgium is a founding member of many international organizations such as the EU, and NATO and has the potential for internationalization and broadening the aspects of your ambitions.
- It is also known for being the hub of startups and innovations and invites talented candidates to further research and development.
- Diverse faculty and robust academic training for medicine with internationally graded infrastructure provide opportunities to turn you competent.
- Belgium can make you learn multiple languages and as an aspirant, you will know how knowing a language even to the intermediate or beginning level can bring so much edge to your resume in the globalized village our world is turning into.
- Last but not least, Belgium is known for being student-friendly without any level of biases of gender, creed, race, or nationality.
2. Most Popular Courses to Study in Belgium
Belgium provides a variety of courses at different streams for all degree levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.). There are plenty of courses in the field of Art, Design, and humanities. You can also give a chance to Business and sciences programs such as medicine, finance, polity, marketing, or data science. Some of the most popular courses in universities in Belgium for international students are:
- Business Administration
- Bioscience Engineering
- Data Analytics
- Agriculture
- Arts and Humanities
- Architectural Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Business Economics
- Biomedical Science
- Business and Information Systems Engineering
3. Top Universities in Belgium
The following universities provide bachelor’s and masters in Belgium for Indian students. These universities have their advantages in various fields of academia and the larger world.
- KU Leuven
- Ghent University
- University of Antwerp
- UCLouvain
- Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Hasselt University
- University of Liege
- University of Namur
3.1. KU Leuven University
KU Leuven is a Belgian University that ranks 76th in the list of top universities of 2023. It is also known as the Catholic University of Leuven among English-speaking nationals but it is often referred to by its Dutch name due to the popularity and authenticity it holds. It was one of the first universities founded in the 14th century although it was closed in the Napoleonic period and was reopened for educational purposes in the year 1834. It is rich in history, and quality education and boasts about teaching more than half a lakh students till 2019, turning it into one of the largest teaching institutes in Belgium.
3.2. Ghent University
Ghent University is positioned at 143 st in the list of top universities in the world. The University of Ghent is the first Dutch Speaking university in Belgium whose foundation was laid in the year 1817. The university is well known for its services, rendering quality education in multiple streams such as pure sciences, arts, life sciences, etc. The university boasts 52nd position for engineering and technology-related courses and 55th rank for life sciences, according to QS World Rankings categorized by subject, 2021. The University of Ghent is the second largest university with an alma mater nearing half a lakh across 11 streams.
3.3. University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is located in the heart of Belgium. It is positioned at 233rd in the QS world rankings, for 2023. Its foundation was laid in the year 2003 and it has already managed to render its services to more than 20,000 students out of which 20 percent of students are international. The University of Antwerp scores well, especially in the subjects under arts and humanities.
3.4. UC Louvain University
UC Louvain is famous for being Belgium’s largest French-speaking University. Its main campus is located in Louvain-la-Neuve. The university has several campuses in Brussels, Charleroi, Mons, and Tournai. It boasts a position of 171st in the world and performs exemplarily in subjects related to theology, mythology, divinity, and religious studies.
3.5. Université Libre de Bruxelles
Institute for European Studies (ULB) covers four major streams such as European Law, Politics, History, and Economics. It is famous for its well-rooted history and relation with the Treaty of Rome. It is a heaven for researchers as it bridges education and research and promotes open-ended questions and unraveling solutions for already-stated problems.
3.6. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VUB is at the 251st position in the world, according to the QS World rankings. VUB was established when Universite Libre de Bruxelles was split into two. When translated into English, both Universities have the same name (Free University of Brussels), and hence the translation of their name is avoided to prevent any misunderstanding and confusion. Like its sister university, it also remains in research and academic excellence. It promotes research and finding excellence in the fields of education.
3.7. Hasselt University
It is one of the most sought universities in Belgium. It caters to a large number of students across various streams. It combines research with political, social, and economic relevance with utmost care and academic excellence.
3.8. University of Liège
The University of Liege has 11 faculties that are well spread over its four campuses. It is widely networked and ranks 360th across the world. It was established in the year 1817. The school brags about teaching around 26,000 students. It performed at par excellence in the field of life sciences and medicine subjects. It is highly ranked in agriculture and forest (151 and 200 respectively).
3.9. University of Namur
The University of Namur is placed in the French Speaking Association. It has around six faculties in the fields of Philosophy, Law, Economics, Social and Management Sciences, Computer Sciences, and Medicine.
4. Top Scholarships in Study in Belgium
In Belgium, there are several scholarships available to international students. These scholarships may be quite valuable to students who are experiencing financial difficulties and can help to lessen their financial burden. There are some most popular scholarships in Belgium.
- Mastermind Scholarships
- Ghent University Special Research Fund
- Ghent University Top-up Grant
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
- Anonymous Hope Fund
- Global Excellence Scholarships 2023/24
- Education Future International Scholarship
- Taught Master’s Scholarships
- Engineering Alumni Scholarship
- D.S. Wilson Entrance Scholarship
5. Belgium Universities 2024 Intakes
These are the two intakes available to get enrolled in Belgian universities, if you want admission to one of the Belgian universities you should target for Feb 2024 intake with us.
|
Intakes in Belgium |
Duration |
|
Fall intake |
September-January |
|
Spring intake |
February-June |
6. Language
There are three languages in Belgium. Dutch, French, and German. Courses are taught in all languages but the majority of courses are offered in French. Most of the universities and faculties are French-speaking. There is no doubt that accommodations for English Speakers will be provided to facilitate the smooth imparting of knowledge and education. To enroll yourself in a course taught in any of the three official languages of Belgium, you need to provide proof of having an advanced language proficiency test whereas if you are applying for a course taught and practiced in the English language then you need to appear for a language proficiency test and provide proof of fluency in English to process your education further. These tests ensure you are eligible for enrolment in courses and provide a basis to assess the capabilities to comprehension, understanding, and fluency to make sure the student is competent to sustain the academic requirements.
7. Living in Belgium
Belgium is rich in a variety of food, cuisine, languages, art, and enriched history. It caters to a good number of international students with multi-faceted exposure and knowledge. Belgium is a magnet for students as it provides a safe home, free of bias atmosphere, and developed infrastructure to thrive and move forward in their study abroad journey. While we have told you almost everything about studying in Belgium, we cannot miss out on the cost of living as it is sometimes a deciding factor to choose a place for further studies.
7.1. Cost of Living
While moving to any nation, it is extremely important to keep track of your expenditure and have knowledge of basic budget constraints. This allows you to be well versed with the money required to have a comfortable life and still manage to sustain by leveraging over margins and allowing yourself.
7.2. Accommodation
Let’s begin with accommodation costs, students can either choose dormitories in the university or campus or opt for private accommodation such as a one-bedroom kitchen, or studio apartment. Accommodation in Brussels and for other students HubSpot is affordable. Students usually pay 500 to 700 Euros per month for private accommodation and dormitories, it is a meager amount of 200 Euros per month. To get the best deal, you should contact a counselor or a point of contact person to book your living space in advance. Living in a college campus dormitory will slash your expenses by half and will allow you to network as well.
7.3. Commute/Transportation
Commute and transportation are super affordable in Belgium. A person can easily avail of commuting with a student discount of 20-30 Euros. You can also opt for a bicycle or take a stroll on foot if places are closer to you. Take advantage of student discounts and get monthly passes wherever possible to cut costs.
7.4. Food
Supermarket expenses are around 250 to 270 Euros per month. Cooking food instead of taking food from outside or dining out will reduce the cost by several percent.
7.5. Utilities and Other Expenses
Utilities and other expenses such as cinema, entertainment, beer, coffee, meal, gas, etc when combined with accommodation costs can go up to 180-400 Euros per month.
8. Application Process and Eligibility
Application processes are smoother once you have shortlisted the institute you want to go to and the course you want to study. The guidelines usually vary according to the institute and hence it is important to select a program first. Your credentials will be checked based on the place you chose to study in. Belgium’s schooling system is divided into two types: French and Dutch. The three regions deciding which framework will be applied are Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. For courses chosen to be studied in English, you need to be eligible by scoring a band score of 6.5 or above in IELTS or appearing in TOEFL to prove fluency and comprehension skills in English. Apart from this, this document’s requirement list should be met:
- A valid passport
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Grade sheets
- SOP
- LOR
- IELTS/TOEFL scorecard
- Acceptance letter
9. Choose a Program
Do plenty of student research. Engage with seniors and peers to understand their experience in the field. Look into the possibilities regarding employment and further widening scope as we as students are investing into our present to make a better and enriched future. It is important to ask questions like: Where will I be in five years if I choose this course? Will I like to study in French or Dutch (Flemish)? Where would I like to study? What would you like to research? What kind of degree will suit your ambitions?
10. Prepare the Necessary Documents
After successful confirmation and cross-checking of guidelines required to be fulfilled for further process in admission:
- Government Identification Card
- Higher secondary certificate (if applying for a Bachelor’s degree).
- A copy of your Bachelor’s degree (if you apply for a Master’s degree).
- A filled-in application.
- TOEFL or IELTS examination scorecard (if English is your chosen language for studies).
- If French is chosen then you need to have DELF or DALF and for Dutch, you need the Dutch NT2-II language competency test
- Proof of application fee.
- Statement of Purpose and Personal Essays/ Motivation Letter explaining why you want to study in Belgium.
- Letters of recommendation, if applicable.
11. Belgian Student Visa: Necessary Documents
To have a Belgian student visa, you will need to have these documents:
- Acceptance letter from the Belgian university.
- A completed, proofed, and signed visa application form.
- Grade Sheets
- Certifications
- Passport with at least 12 months validity remaining before application.
- Evidence of financing capacity. The minimum amount for Belgium is around 660 EUR per month.
- Certificate of good conduct.
- Proof of no criminal activity.
- Medical certificate and insurance. If you are a European national, then you need to provide a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Proof of completing the payment of the administrative fee.
12. Conclusion
Belgium can be a great destination for your overseas education. You'll get exposed to different cultures and three different official languages of Belgium which are French, German, and Dutch. Belgium is comparatively less expensive than the US And UK for education and living expenses. Belgium has a quality of life and is a country that is highly competitive in job opportunities. You need to have a good command of one of the official languages of Belgium to increase your chance of employment. With our Career Clinic, you can process your studies abroad in Belgium faster. Why wait then? Contact us now.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a population of just over 11 million, it is one of the smallest nations in Europe. In addition to being a great country to vacation or abide in, Belgium is an outstanding alternative for students, given its strong greater education organization and quantity of well-evaluated universities.
The expenses of studying in Belgium are conditional on the university and program. On standard Indian students can contemplate paying a minimum of Euro 2,500 to Euro 7,500 per year in tuition fees. Living costs will also depend on the location, but students can anticipate spending a minimum of Euro 873 to Euro 1,370 per month.
Admission is essentially very contingent on the university and program. However, mostly, international students require to have a secondary school diploma, proof of language proficiency, and a passport to register for universities in Belgium.
Belgium is a popular destination for Indian students to go after higher studies. Many Indian students go to Belgium universities because they wish for a strapping occupation path and foreign education. Belgium colleges and universities provide programs in the main three constitutional languages: Dutch, French, and German.
