Study in Belgium… Requirements, Costs and Visa Guide
Belgium is an increasingly attractive destination for international students who want to study in Europe. The country combines internationally recognized universities, a multilingual environment, relatively accessible tuition fees at many public institutions, and the opportunity to live in the heart of the European Union.
Students can choose programs taught in Dutch, French or English, depending on the university and field of study. Belgium is also home to several internationally recognized institutions, including KU Leuven, Ghent University, the University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, ULB and UCLouvain.
But what does it actually take to study in Belgium?
The answer depends on several factors, including your nationality, previous education, chosen university, study program and whether you want to study in Flanders, Brussels or French-speaking Belgium.
This guide explains the main requirements, tuition fees, student visa rules, scholarships and work opportunities for international students planning to study in Belgium in 2027.
Who can study in Belgium?
International students can apply to Belgian universities and other higher education institutions if they meet the academic requirements of their chosen program.
There is no single admission requirement that applies to every university in Belgium. Each institution and study program can have its own rules.
For example, universities may look at:
- Your previous diploma
- Your academic results
- Your transcripts
- Your language proficiency
- Your motivation
- Specific entrance examinations
- Additional qualifications required for the program
In Flanders, the official Study in Flanders guidance states that the general requirements are a qualifying diploma and proof of the required language level. Foreign qualifications are not automatically considered equivalent to a Flemish diploma, so an individual admission procedure may be required.
This means that having a high school diploma does not automatically guarantee admission to every Belgian university or every degree program.
Bachelor’s degree requirements
Students applying for a bachelor’s degree normally need a secondary school qualification that gives them access to higher education in their home country.
In Flanders, international applicants may need an additional access declaration confirming that their secondary school diploma allows them to enter university in the country where the diploma was issued.
Requirements can be different in French-speaking Belgium.
For bachelor’s programs in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, international students generally need a qualification that gives access to the requested study cycle. Depending on the qualification and program, they may also need to obtain an equivalence of their diploma.
Students should therefore check the admission page of their chosen university before submitting an application.
Master’s degree requirements
Students applying for a master’s degree normally need a relevant bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
The university will assess whether the previous degree matches the academic requirements of the master’s program. Some programs may require specific subjects, academic results, professional experience or additional qualifications.
English-taught master’s programs may also require proof of English proficiency.
For example, Belgian universities can accept recognized English-language tests, but the required score depends on the institution and program. Some programs may require IELTS, TOEFL or another recognized qualification.
Language requirements
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German.
However, international students do not necessarily need to speak one of Belgium’s official languages.
Many higher education institutions offer programs taught entirely or partly in English, particularly at the master’s level. Flanders currently lists a wide range of English-taught bachelor’s, master’s and other higher education programs for international students.
If you apply for an English-taught program, the university may require proof of English proficiency.
The exact requirement varies by institution and program. For some programs, a B2 level may be sufficient, while others may require a higher level.
For programs taught in French, the institution may require evidence of French proficiency. In French-speaking Belgium, certain teacher-training bachelor’s programs specifically require B2-level French.
The safest approach is to check the language requirements of the exact program before taking an English or French language test.
Are there entrance exams in Belgium?
Most degree programs do not require a general national entrance examination. However, some fields have special selection procedures.
In French-speaking Belgium, these can include:
- Medicine
- Dental sciences
- Veterinary medicine
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Speech therapy
- Civil engineering
- Some arts programs
The exact procedure depends on the program. Some courses may use an entrance examination, selection procedure, quota system or another form of assessment.
Arts schools can also require an admission test to determine whether applicants have the necessary skills for the program.
Therefore, students should not assume that the admission process is the same for every subject.
How much does it cost to study in Belgium?
One of the advantages of studying at a public higher education institution in Belgium is that tuition fees are often lower than at universities in countries such as the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom.
However, international students should carefully calculate both tuition and living expenses.
Tuition fees in Flanders
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the general tuition guidelines for a full-time 60-ECTS program at Flemish public higher education institutions are:
- EU/EEA students: about 1,181 euro
- Non-EU/EEA students: approximately 5,300 to 12,000 euro
- Schools of Arts: approximately 8,800 to 25,000 euro
The exact amount depends on the institution and program.
These figures are useful when planning for 2027, but students should always check the university’s latest fee schedule before applying.
Tuition fees in French-speaking Belgium
Fees can also differ in the French-speaking part of Belgium.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, non-EU students who are not covered by an exemption may generally have to pay the regular registration fee plus an additional contribution. Wallonie-Bruxelles Campus lists a total of about 5,369 euro in the applicable general university cases, although exemptions and special situations exist.
The exact amount should always be confirmed with the institution because the fee can depend on nationality, program and legal status.
How much money do international students need for Belgium?
Students applying for a Belgian study visa must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the minimum financial requirement is 1,062 euro per month.
That corresponds to 12,744 euro for a full academic year, before adding tuition and other study-related costs.
This amount should not be confused with the actual cost of living.
Rent, food, transportation, health insurance, study materials and other expenses can make the real annual budget higher.
For students planning to begin their studies in 2027, it is important to check the updated financial requirement when submitting the visa application because the amount is indexed and can change from one academic year to another.
Student visa for Belgium
Students from the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland generally have different residence rules from students arriving from outside Europe.
If you are a non-EU student planning to study in Belgium for more than 90 days, you will normally need a long-stay student visa, commonly known as a D visa, before traveling to Belgium.
The Belgian Foreign Affairs authorities state that the student visa applies to students studying at bachelor, master or doctoral level.
Visa applications are normally submitted through the Belgian diplomatic mission or the designated visa application process in the student’s country of residence.
The exact procedure can differ depending on the country.
Documents commonly required for a Belgian student visa
The exact list depends on your nationality and individual situation, but students should generally expect to provide documents such as:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application
- Proof of admission or enrollment at a Belgian higher education institution
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Proof of health insurance or the required medical coverage
- A medical certificate when required
- Documents relating to previous education
- Additional documents requested by the Belgian authorities
Some applicants may also need a criminal record certificate or other supporting documents depending on their age, nationality and circumstances.
Belgian diplomatic authorities recommend checking the requirements of the embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant’s place of residence because visa procedures and supporting documents can vary.
Can international students work while studying in Belgium?
Yes. International students can work in Belgium, but the rules depend partly on their residence permit.
For non-EU students with a residence permit marked “labour market limited,” student work is generally limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year. During official school holidays, they can work without that 20-hour weekly limit under the student-work rules.
EU students generally have the same student-work rights and obligations as Belgian students.
Working while studying can help with everyday expenses, but students should not rely on a part-time job as their only source of funding. Visa applicants must still demonstrate sufficient financial resources.
Scholarships for international students
Belgium offers several scholarship opportunities for international students.
However, there is no single scholarship that is automatically available to every international student.
Eligibility can depend on:
- Nationality
- Academic performance
- Degree level
- Field of study
- University
- Country of residence
- Scholarship program
Master Mind Scholarships
The Master Mind Scholarship is one of the major scholarship opportunities in Flanders.
It is offered to outstanding international students who want to pursue a master’s degree at a participating Flemish higher education institution.
For 2026–2027, the scholarship provides a grant of 10,225 euro and a tuition fee waiver, subject to the program’s conditions. The Flemish government has indicated that the scholarship is under review for 2027–2028, meaning that the amount and conditions may change.
Applicants should therefore check the latest call before applying for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Erasmus Mundus scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are another important option for students from around the world.
These programs are delivered by international university partnerships, and successful applicants can receive EU-funded scholarships.
Some programs include Belgian universities as participating institutions.
VLIR-UOS scholarships
VLIR-UOS provides scholarships for applicants from a defined list of eligible countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America who want to study in Flanders.
The program is not limited to students from one region, and eligibility depends on the official list and the specific scholarship call.
Scholarships in French-speaking Belgium
Wallonie-Bruxelles International also offers master’s scholarships to international students.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, WBI announced master’s grants for international students who hold a recognized bachelor’s or master’s degree and want to study at a recognized higher education institution in Wallonia or Brussels.
Students interested in studying in French-speaking Belgium should check the latest WBI scholarship call because eligibility and deadlines can change.
What are the best universities in Belgium for international students?
Belgium has several strong universities, and the best choice depends on your field of study, language and preferred location.
Some of the most internationally recognized institutions include:
KU Leuven
KU Leuven is one of Belgium’s oldest and best-known universities.
Founded in 1425, it celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2025. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, KU Leuven is ranked 59th worldwide, making it the highest-ranked Belgian university in that ranking. It is also ranked 45th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.
The university offers a large number of programs and has a significant international student community.
For students looking for English-taught programs, KU Leuven has international bachelor’s and master’s options, although the available programs and admission requirements differ by faculty.
Ghent University
Ghent University is another major Belgian research university and a popular choice for international students.
It offers programs across fields including science, engineering, medicine, humanities and social sciences.
University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is located in one of Belgium’s largest cities and offers programs in areas such as business, economics, social sciences, sciences and medicine.
Its location can also appeal to international students interested in studying in a major European port city.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, or VUB, is based in Brussels and has a strongly international environment.
Studying in Brussels can be particularly attractive for students interested in European politics, international relations, business and international organizations.
Université libre de Bruxelles
ULB is one of the major French-speaking universities in Belgium.
It is located in Brussels and offers programs in a wide range of academic fields, including social sciences, law, science, engineering and medicine.
UCLouvain
UCLouvain is another major French-speaking Belgian university with campuses in different parts of Belgium.
Students looking for French-taught programs may want to compare its programs with those offered by ULB and other institutions in the French-speaking higher education system.
Do I need to speak Dutch or French to study in Belgium?
Not necessarily. Belgium has Dutch-, French- and German-speaking communities, but international students can find programs taught in English.
This is particularly common at the master’s level. However, learning Dutch or French can still be extremely useful.
It can make everyday life easier, help students communicate outside the university and potentially improve their employment opportunities after graduation.
If you choose an English-taught program, the university will determine whether you need to provide an English-language certificate and what score is acceptable.
Is Belgium a good country for international students?
For many students, Belgium offers an attractive combination of academic opportunities and European location.
Brussels is home to major European institutions, while cities such as Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp and Liège have large student populations and strong academic communities.
Another advantage is Belgium’s location.
Students can travel relatively easily to neighboring countries such as France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg, making Belgium a practical base for exploring Europe.
However, students should also consider housing costs, tuition, transportation and the language of their chosen program before making a decision.
How to apply to a Belgian university?
The application process usually follows these steps:
1. Choose your study program
Start by deciding what you want to study and whether you prefer an English-, French- or Dutch-taught program.
2. Check the admission requirements
Read the requirements on the official university website.
Check your previous diploma, academic results, language requirements and any entrance examination.
3. Prepare your documents
Depending on the university and program, you may need:
- Passport
- Diploma
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of language proficiency
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of financial resources
- Certified translations where required
4. Submit your application
Apply through the university’s official application system before the deadline.
Do not wait until the last minute. Some Belgian universities have different deadlines for EU and non-EU applicants.
For example, KU Leuven notes that several English-taught programs have their own deadlines, while non-EEA applicants applying to Dutch-taught programs generally face a February 1 deadline.
5. Wait for the admission decision
If accepted, you will receive the documents needed for the next stage of the process.
6. Apply for your visa if necessary
Non-EU students who need a visa should begin the visa process as soon as they have the required admission documents.
7. Arrange housing and insurance
Finding accommodation should be treated as an important part of the preparation process.
Many Belgian universities provide information about student housing or maintain lists of available accommodation.
What should students prepare before moving to Belgium?
Admission to a university is only one part of preparing to study abroad.
Before traveling to Belgium, students should plan for:
- Tuition fees
- Rent and housing deposits
- Health insurance
- Food
- Public transportation
- Study materials
- Visa and residence costs
- Emergency expenses
- Travel costs
It is also worth learning about the city where you will live.
The cost and lifestyle can differ significantly between Brussels, Leuven, Antwerp, Ghent, Liège and smaller Belgian cities.
Study in Belgium in 2027: What should you remember?
Studying in Belgium in 2027 can be a good option for students from Europe and around the world, but there is no single set of requirements for everyone.
Your admission conditions will depend on your university, degree, previous education and nationality.
If you are applying from outside the EU, you should pay particular attention to the student visa, proof of financial resources and residence requirements.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the financial requirement for a Belgian study visa is 1,062 euro per month, but students starting in the 2027–2028 academic year should check the updated amount before submitting their visa application.
The same applies to tuition fees and scholarships. Amounts and eligibility rules can change each academic year.
The best strategy is to start early, compare several universities, check the exact admission requirements for your chosen program and use the official university and Belgian government websites for the final application and visa information.
For international students who want a European education in a multilingual and highly connected country, Belgium is worth considering.
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