The Education System in Belgium

Educational institutions are regulated and maintained by one of the communities. The school system is more or less the same in all the communities. Education in Belgium is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 18. Private home education is possible, though rare.

Primary school lasts up to age 12 and teaches the usual subjects but secondary school can be of four types: General, Technical, Vocational and Art. This gives students the choice of pursuing specialized interests or vocations from a very young age.

Higher education in Belgium is organized by the two main communities, the Flemish Community and the French Community. Admission to universities and colleges is fairly easy and financial aid is possible. There are a wide number of colleges and universities both regular and specialized ones teaching art, architecture, medicine and engineering.