© visit Brussels – Eric Danhier

www.studyinflanders.be
 6 REASONS TO STUDY
IN FLANDERS AND BRUSSELS

HELSINKI » 2H10
OSLO » 1H30
STOCKHOLM » 1H45

© Layla Aerts © KU Leuven

COPENHAGEN » 1H10 EXCELLENT HIGHER EDUCATION EXCELLENT PRICE / QUALITY RATIO

All 5 Flemish universities appear in the Times Higher Education top 400 (2020). Access to higher education is strongly valued in Flanders. All initial bachelor
The University Colleges, a.k.a. Universities of Applied Sciences (and Arts), and master programmes offered at public institutions, are subsidised by
offer practice based degrees of high quality, using state-of-the-art teaching the government, making tuition fees affordable. The Flanders region has
BERLIN »6H45
methods. So whether you choose a nearly 600-year old university or a much a world class education system, while fees are relatively low. You will get
AMSTERDAM »1H50
younger institution, you will receive a world class education, where challenging excellent value for money!
LONDON » 2H10
coursework will put you on the path to excellence.
BRUSSELS
PRAGUE » 1H10

PARIS » 1H25 VIENNA » 1H30

BUDAPEST » 1H30

ROME » 1H50

MADRID » 2H20

© Visit Brussels – Eric Danhier © www.woodmonkey.be

LISBON » 2H40
OPEN AND MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY ECONOMICALLY STRONG REGION

Flanders and Brussels boast a high level of diversity on and off campus. Flanders has a strong, export-oriented, innovation-driven, globalized economy.
Brussels is the second most diverse city in the world, after Dubai. Belgians in The port of Antwerp is the 2nd in Europe. Beside big companies, Flanders has
general are known for being open-minded and interested in meeting people more than 600.000 small and medium enterprises, including spinoffs, startups
FACTS & FIGURES of different backgrounds. English is widely spoken, on top of the three official and scaleups. Brussels is home to more than 2.000 international businesses
languages: Dutch, French and German. Flemish Higher Education welcomes and organisations, including NATO and the EU institutions, giving rise to a high
more and more international students, which results in an increasingly number of diplomats and one of the world’s largest press communities.
multicultural and international campus environment. What better place is there to find an internship, build a professional network
and prepare for a successful career?

POPULATION OF BELGIUM 3 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES POPULATION OF BRUSSELS POPULATION OF FLANDERS

11 431 406 DUTCH, FRENCH & CAPITAL REGION
6 589 069
GERMAN 1 208 542

FLANDERS BELGIUM LANGUAGE IN FLANDERS

FEDERATED ENTITY OF FOUNDING DUTCH
THE FEDERAL STATE MEMBER STATE
© visit Ghent
OF BELGIUM OF THE EU © visit Brussels – Sophie Voituron HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
AT THE HEART OF EUROPE
The Belgian standard of living is among the highest in the world, thanks to
Study in Flanders and discover the world. Your adventure doesn’t stop here. universal health care, social security coverage and an excellent education
London, Paris, Amsterdam,… are just around the corner. Most European capitals system. A cosmopolitan lifestyle, great sport facilities, top notch restaurants,
can be reached within about 2 hours by train or plane. But in Belgium, atmospheric cafés, a vibrant cultural scene and the best chocolates,…
COUNTRY DIALING CODE CURRENCY TIME ZONE Europe also comes to you. In Brussels you will find a variety of international Belgium has it all. As an international student, you might find Belgians reserved
GMT +1 conferences and events to attend, giving you the chance to network at first, but this impression will soon vanish once you visit a Belgian home,
+32 EURO throughout the continent. where you will be warmly welcomed.

2 3
STUDENT LIFE

© visit Mechelen © visit Kortrijk © visit Brussels – Eric Danhier © Arteveldehogeschool

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER FEBRUARY MARCH
WELCOME TO BELGIUM! START OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR INTER-TERM RECESS A HEALTHY MIND IN A HEALTHY BODY

Congratulations, you made it to Belgium, and more specifically to Flanders The academic year starts around mid-September. Whether you study After all the long hours of study you put in, you definitely deserve a break! Hooked on the Belgian eating culture of fries, waffles and chocolate?
or Brussels. Excellent choice. We have many student rooms available in in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Geel, Ghent, Hasselt, Kortrijk, Leuven or Exploring Europe or showing your friends around our Flemish art cities? No worries! All Flemish institutions provide sport classes, sport infrastructure
the middle of our student cities. Hopefully you will soon feel at home. Mechelen, every study destination offers a student welcome event at This is your week to relax and enjoy! and/or discounts to sports clubs, which will assure you don’t feel guilty
If you really want to fit in and get around easily, make sure to get a bike! the start of the academic year. Lots of new friends to meet out there! after eating that delicious Belgian praline!

© Ghent University © Ils Braes, Hasselt © sigridspinnox.com © KU Leuven

OCTOBER NOVEMBER APRIL MAY
HIGH LEVEL EDUCATION AUTUMN COLOUR FESTIVAL OFF TO AMSTERDAM, LONDON OR PARIS WINTER IS OVER, TIME TO ENJOY THE SUN

All Flemish Higher Education Institutions offer top quality education. 1 and 11 November are national holidays in Belgium. Perfect timing to Work hard, play hard! All students have a two-week spring break. Some extra Spring is in the air! Make sure to enjoy it while you can. Gather your
Your coursework is a combination of lectures, group assignments, put on your walking boots, head out to one of Belgium’s forests and time to revise your coursework, and to enjoy a short getaway. Belgium is very friends and explore our historical city centers, go on a boat trip, or have
presentations and individual study work. All practice-based bachelor enjoy the wonderful autumn colours. well connected: it has a vast railway network and high-speed train connections a drink with a view.
degrees, offered by University Colleges, a.k.a. Universities of Applied to Amsterdam, London, Paris, Berlin,… Very convenient for discovering Europe.
Sciences (and Arts) include compulsory internships, in Belgium or abroad.

© Tomorrowland
JULY / AUGUST
HOLIDAYS, TIME TO CELEBRATE
© LUCA School of Arts – Brussels
© Visit Bruges – Wouter Glas © KU Leuven
JANUARY JUNE Belgium offers plenty of fun opportunities during summer time! Do you
DECEMBER
STUDY, STUDY, STUDY, EXAMS, EXAMS, EXAMS RAIN OR SHINE, IT’S EXAMINATIONS TIME like live music? Whatever kind of festival vibe you prefer, you will find at
WINTER MAGIC
least one music festival (but probably two, or three) that corresponds to
The end of the first term already! Note down your exam dates and and plan End-terms are here. To avoid retakes in August, give them all you’ve got! your taste! Dance till you drop at Tomorrowland, listen to the classics at
Need a break from studying? Put on an extra layer of clothes and explore
your exam prep carefully. A desk in the library or your student room? One last effort and you can enjoy the summer holidays. If you don’t want to Rock Werchter, enjoy world music at Couleur Café, or have a nice time at
the winter magic around the city on the days before Christmas: ice rinks,
Find your spot, sit down and study, study, study. Now is the time to miss out on the sun, you can always try to find a quiet spot in the park to study. the Gentse Feesten. If you come (back) early you can explore Pukkelpop
chalets, sound and light shows and Belgian waffles to keep you warm.
secure those credits. Go go go! in August before the start of the academic year.
4 5
STRUCTURE OF
HIGHER EDUCATION IN FLANDERS
Flanders has a binary higher education system, consisting of universities
FACTS & FIGURES
and university colleges, a.k.a. Universities of Applied Sciences (and Arts).

ACADEMIC
BACHELOR ADVANCED
MASTER PhD
MASTER
offered at universities, STRONG RESEARCH
schools of arts and the ECOSYSTEM
Antwerp Maritime Academy

bridge programme

ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL
DEGREES BACHELOR ADVANCED
BACHELOR
offered at
University Colleges
offered at
University Colleges
4
Flemish universities are in
the top 200 of the Times Higher
Education ranking (2020).
ACADEMIC CALENDAR

R – DECEM
BER EMBER
SEPTEMBE JANUARY FEBRUARY – MAY JUNE JULY– SEPT
FEBRUARY

TERM 1 1 WEEK TERM 2 summer break /

TERM 1 TERM 2
examinations mid-year break examinations retake examinations

Strong culture of spin-offs,

ADMISSIONS STUDENT VISA LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
created with the use of the intellectual
property of Flemish universities.
Admission requirements depend on the study EU/EEA nationals: no visa needed; only register As Flanders is a Dutch speaking region, many
programme and the host institution. Each institution with the residence authority. programmes are taught in Dutch. However, we also
has its own deadline for submission of applications, have a lot of English-taught programmes. Proof of
Non EU/EEA nationals need a visa or autho-
starting from February onwards. Entry examinations language proficiency is required for most degree
rization to enter and stay in Belgium. Apply
are compulsory for Dentistry, Medicine and Fine Arts. programmes. If needed, you can do a language
at the Belgian consulate or embassy in your
Find more information on the website of the year before you enrol for a degree programme.
country of residence. If there is no Belgian
Flemish institution of your choice.
consulate or embassy in your country,
you can check on the website below which
HOUSING
2016
Belgian consulate or embassy is competent for
TUITION FEES researchers of University Colleges, a.k.a.
your country.
In Belgium students usually rent a private room in a Universities of Applied Sciences
EU/EEA nationals: Needed for a student visa: proof that you can support student house with a shared kitchen and bathroom. (and Arts) provide solutions for
940 euros (2019 – 2020, full time programme) yourself by own financial means, a scholarship, Many institutions have rooms for students available practice-based research questions
a guarantor. Minimum financial means (2019 – 2020): on campus or provide lists of private rooms for rent. from companies and society at large.
NON EU/EEA nationals:
666 euros per month. Contact your host institution Contact your host institution for housing information.
average fees 940 – 6.000 euros
for more info about the blocked account option. Average rent per month: 300 – 500 euros for
with some exceptions.
a room / 500+ euros for a studio flat with private
Belgian embassies and consulates general
kitchen and bathroom.
outside Belgium, Foreign embassies in Belgium:
» www.diplomatie.belgium.be
Immigration Service of the Federal Public
COST OF LIVING (per month) Flemish universities are partners in
Service Home Affairs:
many Horizon 2020 research consortia.
» www.dofi.fgov.be
Most institutions have restaurants, sports facilities,… Three of them are also members
offering student discounts. of the pioneering European
universities networks:
WORK & STUDY Accommodation: 300 – 500 euros
UNA Europa (KU Leuven)
Health Insurance: 50 euros
As a student, you can work a few hours a week to YUFE ( University of Antwerp)
top up your budget, but financing your education Other expenses: 450 euros (food, EUTOPIA (VUB)
© University of Antwerp - Dries Luyten through a student job is not advisable as it could transportation, study materials, personal activities)
SCHOLARSHIPS harm your study progress. Non EU/EEA nationals
in Belgium with a student visa: you have to be Total: 800 – 1.000 euros
• Erasmus+ a full-time student. You are allowed to work up
to max. 20 hours a week. Depending on your ENGLISH TAUGHT
• The Master Mind Scholarship Programme
citizenship, a work permit is needed. For more PROGRAMMES
for master studies in Flanders and Brussels,
information, you may contact the job service of
funded by the Flemish Ministery of Education
your Flemish host institution or the Immigration
and Training.
Service of the Federal Public Service Home Affairs:
» www.studyinflanders.be
» www.dofi.fgov.be
• International Course Programmes for
12%
INTERNATIONAL
students from developing countries.
STUDENTS
» www. https://www.vliruos.be/en/
scholarships/6
• Scholarships from the Flemish host institutions
6 7
 5 RESEARCH 13 UNIVERSITY COLLEGES,
UNIVERSITIES A.K.A UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED
SCIENCES (& ARTS)

www.studyinflanders.be
[email protected] | v.u. Ravensteingalerij 27, 3-6, 1000 Brussel