In this post, I am going to write about what to expect as an international student planning to study in Belgium. So, if you’re interested, read on!
- There are several types of higher education institutes in Belgium depending on the community: The Flemish community (Dutch speaking) has universities, university colleges and registered institutes of higher education. The French speaking community has universities, university colleges and art colleges. Belgium, like many other European countries, has adopted a three-cycle degree system established by the Bologna process. Generally, a Bachelors degree takes 3 years, a Masters takes 1-2 years and a doctorate around 4 years. A university can award all 3 degrees. There are 2 types of Bachelor’s degrees: professional and academic. Professional Bachelors degrees are offered by university colleges and prepare students for a professional career in their field. Academic Bachelors degrees are offered by both universities and university colleges which prepare students for a Masters program in their field. You can get admitted to a Masters program after completing a professional Bachelors program as well provided you complete a bridging program which will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills. Following a Masters program, you can choose to pursue doctoral studies which are only offered by universities. The registered institutes of higher education offered in the Flemish community grant degrees in many specialized fields. Further more, art colleges which are offered in the French speaking community provide 3 kinds of study tracks: a Bachelors degree meant for professionals, a transitional Bachelors degree plus a Masters which takes longer, and PhD degrees in collaboration with a university.
- For admission to the university of your choice, carefully prepare your application according to the requirements of the university and degree program you’re applying to. Some specialized courses such as engineering/management courses, arts programs and medicine/dentistry programs in certain universities might require you to take an entrance exam to gauge your aptitude for the chosen area.
- Regarding tuition fees, like with most other European countries, fees is largely subsidized by the government if you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. International students pay more depending on the specific university, program etc. Living costs depend on where you’re living. On an average, they are moderate compared to many other European countries. Scholarships are awarded to international students by the government, universities and external bodies which I will elaborate on later!
- The language of instruction for most courses in Belgian universities depend on the language of the territory where you will study: mostly Dutch and French. But there are a lot of Masters and doctoral programs taught in English. You may be required to demonstrate proficiency in English/French/Dutch depending on the program.
- DO NOT count on getting a job in Belgium if you’re not a EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. The vast majority of people I know personally from other countries went back to their countries for work. So, plan accordingly.
- Belgium is multicultural and offers plenty of opportunities for socializing, networking etc. The weather, both in the summer and winter is mild compared to many other European countries. You can take advantage of the country’s location and even travel to neighboring countries like France, Germany etc.
Good luck!
