Study in Brussels, Belgium

About Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the seat of the main institutions of the European Union. The Brussels-Capital Region had 1,255,834 inhabitants on 1 January 2026, according to the Brussels statistics institute IBSA, and 186 nationalities live there. Belgium as a whole had 11,867,634 inhabitants on the same date (Statbel).

Students come to Brussels for European and international studies, business and languages, and for the chance to study in French, Dutch or English in one city. Internships and contacts around the EU institutions are part of the appeal.

Studying in Brussels

Brussels is home to institutions of both Belgian higher-education systems: the French-speaking one (the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) and the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) one. Flemish institutions in the city include the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Programmes taught in English are offered mainly at master's level.

Our directory lists four schools in Brussels:

• Brussels School of Governance - Vesalius College: since February 2021 Vesalius College has been part of the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG), an alliance with the Institute for European Studies of the VUB. It offers undergraduate and graduate programmes and study-abroad places, on the VUB's Pleinlaan campus.
• Brussels Business School, a private business school.
• International Management Institute (TIMI), whose roots go back to 1973. The institute states that it is a private, unaccredited institute under Belgian law and that students looking for accredited or government-recognised programmes should not apply.
• AAA Europa Language School ASBL, a non-profit language school in Uccle that teaches English, French, Dutch, Spanish and other languages with native-speaking teachers and prepares students for official language tests.

The difference between recognised degrees and an institution's own certificates matters in Belgium: check whether a programme leads to a degree recognised by the French-speaking or Flemish Community before you enrol, especially if you need a student visa.

Visa and tuition fees

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not need a visa. Most other students need a long-stay student visa (type D), applied for at the Belgian embassy or consulate before travelling; the procedure can take six to eight weeks. Proof of means of support is required: for 2026-27 the minimum is €1,062 a month, according to Study in Flanders. All students must register at the town hall of the municipality where they live after arrival.

Fees depend on the community and on nationality. At Flemish institutions, a full-time year (60 ECTS) in 2026-27 costs €1,181.40 for EU/EEA students and between €5,300 and €12,000 for others. At French-speaking institutions, most non-EU students pay an additional contribution of €4,175 a year on top of the registration fee since 2025-26; nationals of the UN's least developed countries are among those exempt.

Cost of living for students

Study in Belgium, the French-speaking Community's portal, estimates a student's living costs at €1,000 to €1,300 a month, including on average €575 for accommodation with utilities and €50 for local transport.

Getting around and daily life

The city's metro, trams and buses are run by STIB-MIVB. A single journey paid contactless with a bank card or phone costs €2.40, transfers within 60 minutes are free, and you never pay more than €8.50 a day (STIB, 2026). For regular travel a season ticket on a MOBIB card is usually cheaper. Belgian railways (SNCB) offer reduced fares for students under 26, which makes weekend trips to Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp or Liège easy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Brussels?

Yes, especially at master's level, and some schools, such as the Brussels School of Governance, present their whole programme range in English. Check the language of instruction for each programme, as many bachelor's programmes are taught in French or Dutch.

How much does a month in Brussels cost for a student?

Study in Belgium estimates €1,000 to €1,300 a month, including accommodation. For a visa, Flemish institutions ask for proof of at least €1,062 a month for 2026-27.

Do I need a visa to study in Brussels?

Not if you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national. Most other students need a long-stay (type D) student visa from the Belgian embassy or consulate, and should apply early.

Is Brussels a good place to learn French or Dutch?

Yes. Both languages are used in the city, and language schools such as Europa Language School teach them, among many others, with native-speaking teachers.