Best universities in Belgium 2024

The best universities in Belgium are advanced higher education institutions with excellent conditions for foreign students. Many states claim to be the "center of Europe", but Belgium has the most reason for this title: a small cosmopolitan nation played an important role in the formation of the European Union (it is no coincidence that it was in Brussels that the European government was located). Belgium is an excellent educational route with a lot of options and bonuses.

• Low cost (when comparing program prices in Belgium with neighbouring countries: the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK )
• Multilingualism - there are three official languages in the country: the local population speaks excellent English, and universities offer programs in French, English and Dutch
• Intercultural environment
• Flexible curriculum
• Belgium is in the TOP-19 countries with the highest level of education
• Advanced technologies and modern research centers.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

The best universities in Belgium are located in two main regions of the country - Flemish and Walloon: in the first part of the country they speak Dutch, in the second - French. There is no single television or press in the country, both regions retain their identity. The Kingdom of Belgium is a cosmopolitan society consisting of several communities - Flemish, French and German. Those who wish to receive a German education go to neighbouring Germany, and representatives of the Flemish and French communities study in their “native” higher education system. In the Flemish part of the country, they study according to the Dutch educational system, and francophones study according to the French education system. Foreign students can find a large number of English-language courses in both regions of the country: in Belgium, a huge number of universities are opened in which the main language of instruction is English.

In 2004-2005, the universities of Belgium switched to the Bologna system, and today in the country you can take undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. National characteristics were reflected only in the name of scientific degrees. At the undergraduate programs last from four years, in the master's program - 1-2. The academic year lasts from September to June and consists of two semesters.

• A school certificate or diploma that is equivalent to the educational standards of Belgium
• Foreign students must apply for recognition of their education as equivalent to Belgian through the Belgian Ministry of Education
• It is necessary to confirm the availability of financial security for living in the country - parents / guardians / sponsors issue a sponsorship certificate, which is certified at the Embassy of Belgium
• You may need to pass the entrance exams.
• Foreign applicants also may need to complete one year in a university or take a pre-university course  at educational institutions in Belgium.

• The cheapest option is homestay
• The cost of living in a hostel will be from 150 to 300 euros per month
• Apartment rental - 300-800 euros excluding utility costs
• Students spend about 100-150 euros a month on food + another 50 euros on Internet and communication
• You need to pay for educational materials, the costs can reach about 400 euros per year
• Students are allowed to officially earn extra money while studying, but no more than four hours a day
• Students may qualify for scholarships, but tough selection has been established at universities.

• KU Leuven has entered the TOP-27 universities in Europe and the TOP-81 universities in the world
• Ghent University entered the TOP-150 universities in the world
• Université catholique de Louvain (UCL)
• Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
• University of Antwerp.

Popular programs:

• International business management
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• International Business and Trade Short Program
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• Liberal Studies.