Universities in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the seat of the main institutions of the European Union, which makes it a natural choice for students of European affairs, international relations and business. The Brussels-Capital Region had 1,255,834 inhabitants on 1 January 2026, according to the Brussels statistics institute IBSA. Our directory lists three universities and business schools in Brussels; the list below the text shows them all.

Two university systems in one city

Belgian higher education is organised by the language communities, and Brussels has institutions of both: the French-speaking system of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, with the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), and the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) system, with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Bachelor's programmes at these universities are mostly taught in French or Dutch; the ULB lists master's programmes taught in English. Next to them, Brussels has private and international schools with their own admission rules.

What the schools in our directory offer

• 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 places for study-abroad students, on the VUB campus at the Pleinlaan. For the bachelor's spring intake the deadlines are 31 October for non-EEA applicants and 30 November for EEA applicants.
• Brussels Business School, listed in our directory as a private business school.
• International Management Institute (TIMI), whose roots go back to 1973. The institute itself states that it is a private, unaccredited institute under Belgian law, and that students looking for accredited or government-recognised programmes should not apply.

This difference matters: a degree recognised by the French-speaking or Flemish Community is not the same as a private institution's own certificate. Check the status of a programme before you enrol, especially if you need a student visa or plan to continue to a master's or doctorate.

Costs

Fees depend on the community and your nationality. At Flemish institutions, according to Study in Flanders, EU/EEA students pay €1,181.40 a year, and non-EU/EEA students between €5,300 and €12,000 for a full-time programme. At French-speaking institutions, most non-EU students pay the registration fee plus an additional contribution of €4,175 a year, a total of €5,369; nationals of countries on the UN list of Least Developed Countries can be exempted. Private schools set their own fees.

Study in Belgium puts the cost of living at between €1,000 and €1,300 a month, including accommodation at about €575 a month with utilities and local transport at about €50 a month.

Practical tips

• Visa: EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not need a visa. Most other students need a long-stay student visa (type D), requested at the Belgian embassy or consulate for their country of residence; the procedure can take six to eight weeks. For 2026-27 the minimum proof of means of support is €1,062 a month.
• Registration: all students, from the EEA or not, must register at the town hall of the municipality where they live.
• Transport: on the STIB network you can pay with a contactless bank card: a journey costs €2.40, changes within 60 minutes are free and you pay at most €8.50 a day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English at a university in Brussels?

Yes, mainly at master's level: the ULB lists master's programmes taught in English. Most bachelor's programmes at the public universities are in French or Dutch, so check the language of each programme with the school.

How much are tuition fees in Brussels?

At Flemish institutions non-EU/EEA students pay €5,300 to €12,000 a year; at French-speaking institutions most non-EU students pay €5,369 a year. EU/EEA students pay much less, for example €1,181.40 at Flemish institutions.

How much does it cost to live in Brussels as a student?

Study in Belgium estimates €1,000 to €1,300 a month, with accommodation at about €575.

Do all schools in Brussels award recognised degrees?

No. Some private institutes award their own certificates; TIMI, for example, states that it is unaccredited. Check recognition before you apply.