How to study, work and live in Belgium

Do you wish to study in Belgium? Join me as I provide you with the details on how to study, work and live in Belgium. Brussels is the capital of Belgium; the country is one of the top destinations amongst International students who wish to study in Europe. A study in Belgium is good expressly for students who seek a country with a high-income economy, offers affordable tuition, and a good education system.

Belgium is situated in the Western part of Europe; bordering Germany, Luxembourg, France and the Netherlands. The country is split into three distinct regions. In northern Flanders, people mostly speak Dutch (Flemish), in southern Wallonia, people mostly speak French, and in Brussel, which is the capital city, most people speak both French and Dutch.

The French and Flemish communities organize Belgium’s educational system. Belgium follows the Bologna System. A Bachelor’s degree takes three years to complete (180 ECTS credits), whereas a Master’s degree takes one to two years to complete (60 or 120 ECTS credits).

Being a part of the Schengen zone means that international students studying in Belgium can visit other countries especially, the countries, it shares with it, without obtaining a visa, only with their student permit. There are also other hallmarks why you should consider Belgium.

Why Study in Belgium?

• Offers standard education
Belgium is among the rich countries in Europe; the country values its education and heaps a large sum to support the education system. Most universities in Belgium have a good reputation; they provide standard education in several disciplines. Students are provided lessons in a serene study environment.
• Multicultural
Studying in a country without any form of racial abuse can be an exciting experience. Interestingly, Belgium is non-discriminatory. It is a multicultural country, students study in Belgium without any sort of harassment.
• Global degree recognition
A degree obtained from a Belgian accredited academic institution is recognized globally. There are universities in Belgium with a high acceptance rate of international students.

How to study in Belgium

1. Choose a program
There are so many study programs to choose from. You must be careful in selecting a study program. You can choose a program from the bucket lists of programs listed on the school website or you type a program on the search button to see if your preferred course is available.
2. Select a university
Did you find your intending program? now, make your choice on the university where you will study. Just as there are many programs to choose from, there are also lots of universities in Belgium. It can be difficult to make a selection, check the university ranking to know which one is suitable, also, include in your search, the tuition fee and mode of instruction.
3. Check the entrance requirements
The entrance requirements for EU and Non-EU students are not the same. Check the requirements pertaining to you.
General application documents are:
A valid Passport
Passport photos
Bachelor’s degree or transcript of records
Proof of language proficiency
A motivation letter
A reference letter
4. Submit and wait for the university’s decision
After submitting your documents, it will take between 1-2 months to know the status of your admission. If approved, your offer letter will be sent.
5. Apply for a visa
Depending on your nationality, you may be required to apply for a Belgian visa to study in Belgium. Students from the EU, EEA, do not require a visa or other authorization to study in Belgium. However, Non-EU/EEA nationals who wish to study in Belgium must obtain the Belgian study visa- the Visa D from the Belgian embassy in their country.
General Belgian study visa requirements
Official letter of admission from a recognized university in Belgium
Proof of funds
Health insurance coverage
Academic certificates
Language test
A valid passport/travel ID
A medical certificate
Proof of no criminal record if you’re older than 21 years.
*Your foreign documents may need to be translated into German, French, or Dutch by a sworn translator, as well as legalized.

Additionally, you may be required for an “equivalence declaration” to demonstrate how your native country’s educational qualifications compare to Belgian ones. If you already hold a higher education diploma and want to continue your studies in Belgium, equivalencies are normally established by the university.

Important note

You must obtain a residence permit and register once you arrive in Belgium. To do so, you must go to your local municipal administration offices/town hall (Maison communale/gemeentehuis) within eight days of your arrival in Belgium to apply for a residence permit and be registered as a foreigner.

Top-ranked universities in Belgium

Catholic University of Leuven
Ghent University
University Catholique of Louvain
Université Libre de Bruxelles
University of Antwerp
Free University of Brussels
University of Liège
University of Mons

Cheap Universities in Belgium

1. Université Libre de Bruxelles
Tuition fee ranges from EUR 1100 – 2300 per year for an undergraduate degree
2. Université Libre de Bruxelles
Tuition fee ranges from 1500-2000 EUR per year for an undergraduate degree
3. UC Leuven-Limburg
1800-2500 EUR/ yearly for undergraduate study
4. Ghent University yearly for undergraduate study
5. Université Saint-Louis – Bruxelles
Tuition fee ranges from 1800-3000 EUR per year for an undergraduate degree
6. University of Antwerp
1800-3000 EUR per year for an undergraduate degree.

English taught universities in Belgium

University of Namur
Université Saint-Louis
Ghent University
Université catholique de Louvain
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
University of Antwerp

Are international students allowed to bring family members to Belgium?

International students can bring family members to Belgium by applying for a dependent visa. But must provide some documents such as:
A copy of the marriage certificate
A copy of a birth certificate for dependents (kids)
An official letter of admission to study in Belgium
Proof of sufficient funds
Proof of accommodation in Belgium

Tuition fee

Payment of tuition fees in Belgium depends on certain factors such as the university location, the university, and the program. Take note of the following study areas in Belgium.
1. Flemish community
A fixed tuition fee and a variable charge per credit of study have been established by universities in the Flemish community in Belgium. The tuition fee is calculated per credit of study (minimum 60 credits per academic year); this means EU students could pay between 845-906 EUR per year, while non-EU students could pay between 1,500 – 5000 EUR per year. The rate varies depending on the student’s income, course of study, and whether or not the student is eligible for a grant or scholarship.
2. French community
The regional government sets tuition prices, which range from 374 to 840 EUR per year for EU students, depending on their income and whether or not they are qualified for a grant or scholarship.
Non-EU students must pay higher tuition fees, which can range from 1100 to 5000 EUR per year.
3. Community of Germans
Tuition prices range from 600 euros – 835, with the majority of students paying around 425 euros on average.

Scholarships in Belgium

There are plenty of scholarship opportunities available to EU and Non-EU students who wish to study in Belgium. Some universities, the Belgian government, individuals, Non-governmental organizations give scholarships to international students in Belgium.
Some of the Belgian universities that offer scholarships mainly offer to Masters students, as only a few offer to undergraduate students and a majority of the scholarships may be limited to EU students. Nonetheless, there are others available to all students like:
VLIR-UOS Training and Masters Scholarships
VLIR-UOS provides scholarships to students from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America who wish to pursue a development-related training or master’s program at Belgian universities. Tuition, room and board, stipends, travel expenses, and other program-related expenses are fully covered by the scholarships.
Erasmus Mundus Programmes in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
The Erasmus Mundus Master’s and doctoral degrees at Belgian universities are eligible for study grants.
Science@Leuven Scholarships for International Students
The Science@Leuven Scholarship is for ambitious and bright international students who wish to enroll in an international master’s program at the K.U.Leuven’s Faculty of Science. The scholarship can be worth up to 10,000 Euros over a year. The scholarship will always cover the cost of tuition for one year, as well as insurance and basic health insurance. The amount granted for living expenses is subject to change.

Ghent University Top-up Grants for Developing Countries
Candidates from all countries on the OESO-DAC (OECD Development Assistance Committee) list who desire to pursue a master’s degree at Ghent University are eligible for Top-up Grants. The scholarship includes a monthly income of 1,000 euros as well as comprehensive insurance.

Liege Heritage Foundation Scholarships for International Students Both EU and non-EU students interested in pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. degree at Liege University can apply for a scholarship for the Liege Heritage Foundation Scholarships for International Students.

ARES Scholarships
The ARES awards an average of 150 master’s scholarships and 70 training scholarships to citizens of poor nations annually. International travel expenses, a living stipend, school fees, insurance, and a housing allowance are all covered by the scholarship.

Study and work in Belgium

Foreign students with a valid residence visa who are enrolled at a Belgian institute are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time as long as it does not in any way clash with their studies. It is required that your employer must provide you with a documented fixed-term contract, sometimes known as a “student employment contract,” as well as a type C work visa.
These students can also work during university breaks without needing a Belgian work permit.

Can international students stay back in Belgium after Graduation?

Non-European students will be able to stay in Belgium for a year after graduating to search for work but these students must find work immediately after completing their studies if they haven’t found an employer willing to sponsor their visa.
Recently, Belgium’s Council of Ministers adopted a plan that would allow non-European students to stay in the country for a year after graduation to look for work or start a business. The “search year” popularly called the “orientation year” is still on the discussion table by the Belgian government.

Conclusion

A study in Belgium is a worthwhile experience. The country is among the peaceful countries in the world with a great economy, and an intriguing education system. International students can study either in the Flemish region, French region, or the German region. Most Belgian Universities are rated among the world-best, and these universities are affordable.