Study and find schools in Belgium

Studying in Belgium

Belgium is a small federal country at the centre of Europe, with 11,867,634 inhabitants on 1 January 2026, according to the national statistics office Statbel. Brussels hosts the main institutions of the European Union, and the country has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. For students this matters more than anywhere else, because higher education is run by the language communities, not by the federal state.

In practice, there are two main systems. The Flemish Community (Dutch-speaking Flanders and Dutch-language institutions in Brussels) has 18 publicly funded higher-education institutions: five universities, the oldest dating back to 1425, and 13 university colleges. The French Community, often called the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, has its own universities, university colleges (hautes écoles) and schools of arts. According to Study in Flanders, 14% of students at Flemish institutions are international.

The education system in Belgium

Both communities follow the European Higher Education Area model, with three cycles and ECTS credits; 60 credits represent one year of full-time study.

• Bachelor's degree: 180 ECTS (three years) in most fields, up to 240 ECTS in some programmes. In Flanders, universities award academic bachelor's degrees and university colleges award professional bachelor's degrees focused on practice and internships
• Master's degree: 60 to 120 ECTS in Flanders, and 60 to 180 ECTS (one to three years) in the French Community
• Advanced master's degree: a further specialisation after a first master's
• PhD: a research doctorate at a university

Flemish programmes are accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). Most public institutions are funded by their community, and there are also private institutes and business schools that award their own qualifications; check whether a programme leads to a recognised degree before you enrol.

The academic year starts in mid-September. It has two teaching semesters, with exams in January and in June, and a resit period from mid-August to September.

Admission and recognition

Each institution decides on admission. The general requirements are a school-leaving diploma that gives access to university in the country where it was awarded and proof of the language level. Flemish institutions also ask for an access declaration completed by your secondary school. Entrance examinations are compulsory for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science (taught only in Dutch) and for schools of arts.

Language requirements depend on the programme:

• English-taught programmes in Flanders: usually CEFR level B2, for example IELTS 6.0
• Dutch-taught bachelor's programmes: usually B2 in Dutch
• French-taught programmes in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation: proof of French according to the institution's rules

Most bachelor's programmes are taught in Dutch or French, while English-taught programmes are concentrated at master's and PhD level. In the French Community, the ENIC-NARIC centre can issue a certificate on the value of a foreign qualification, which costs €70 per case; some institutions require it.

Student visa and residence

Students from the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need a visa; they only register at the town hall after arrival. Most other students need a long-stay visa (type D) for studies, applied for at the Belgian embassy or consulate for their country of residence. According to Study in Flanders, the procedure can take six to eight weeks, and the application includes:

• An admission letter from a Belgian higher-education institution
• A passport valid for at least 12 months at the time of application
• Proof of solvency: at least €1,062 per month for 2026-27, for example through a blocked account, a bank guarantee, a scholarship or a sponsor
• A certificate of good conduct and a medical certificate

After arrival, every student must register at the town or city hall of their place of residence. Check the current list on the website of the Belgian embassy and the Immigration Office before you apply.

Costs

Tuition at public institutions is subsidised, and fees depend on nationality:

• Flanders, 2026-27: €1,181.40 a year for EU/EEA students; €5,300 to €12,000 for non-EU/EEA students, depending on the institution and programme
• Wallonia-Brussels Federation: up to €1,194 a year for EU students; most non-EU students pay an additional contribution of €4,175, a total of €5,369 a year, with exemptions, for example for nationals of the UN list of least developed countries

For living costs, Study in Belgium estimates €1,000 to €1,300 a month for a student in French-speaking Belgium, including accommodation at an average of €575 a month with utilities. Costs in Brussels are usually higher than in smaller university towns.

Where to study

Our directory lists universities in Brussels, Ghent, Leuven, Louvain-la-Neuve, Liège, Mons and Bruges. Ghent University, founded in 1817, and KU Leuven are large Dutch-speaking universities with many English-taught master's programmes. On the French-speaking side, the Université catholique de Louvain in Louvain-la-Neuve and the Université de Liège are full universities, and the Faculté Polytechnique of the University of Mons has trained engineers since 1837. Brussels has the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, international institutes such as the Brussels School of Governance (Vesalius College) and business schools. In Bruges, the College of Europe offers postgraduate programmes in European affairs to around 350 students a year from more than 50 countries. Vlerick Business School has campuses in Ghent, Leuven and Brussels, and AAA Europa Language School teaches languages in Brussels.

Culture and practical life

Language is part of daily life: Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia, and both, alongside English, in Brussels. Learning the local language helps with housing, part-time jobs and life outside the campus.

Health insurance is required. Students from the EEA should bring a European Health Insurance Card, while students from outside the EEA should take out a policy with a Belgian health insurance fund after enrolling. International students with a valid residence permit may work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and without a limit during school holidays. After graduating, students from outside the EU can ask to extend their stay for up to 12 months to look for a job or start a company.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Belgium in English?

Yes, mainly at master's level. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in Dutch or French, while English-taught programmes are concentrated in master's degrees, advanced master's degrees and PhDs.

How much are tuition fees in Belgium?

For 2026-27, EU/EEA students pay €1,181.40 a year in Flanders. Non-EU/EEA students pay €5,300 to €12,000 in Flanders and generally €5,369 in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Do I need a visa to study in Belgium?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not. Most other students need a long-stay (type D) visa and must prove at least €1,062 a month in means of support for 2026-27.

Can international students work in Belgium?

Yes. With a valid residence permit, students can work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and without a limit during school holidays.

What is the difference between a university and a university college in Belgium?

Universities are research-based and award academic bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees. University colleges focus on practice and mainly award professional bachelor's degrees.