Study In Belgium

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About

Belgium has three regions and ten provinces. Two of these regions, Flanders and Wallonia, are each subdivided into five provinces. The third region, Brussels, isn’t divided into areas, as it was initially only a small part of a province itself.

Flemish region is known as Flanders. The people there speak Dutch.

Antwerp, the most northern province and has borders with the Netherlands.

East Flanders is also bordering the Netherlands.

Flemish Brabant, which has the Brussels region.

Limburg is the most eastern province and has borders with the Netherlands.

West Flanderstouches Netherlands and France.

Wallon region of Wallonia, people there speak French.

Hainaut has borders with France.

Liege has borders with Germany, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Luxembourg has borders with Luxembourg. Namur has borders with France.

Wallon Brabant, it’s a central province.

Brussels region and it’s the capital of Belgium.

Overview

Belgium is one of the smallest and most populated countries in Europe. It’s located in Western Europe, and its capital is Brussels. It is a developed country and has an advanced high-income economy.

The Belgian educational system occupies an important place in European countries, including high-education levels at institutions, schools, and the top-ranked universities offering various disciplines in many fields.

The education system that you’ll follow to study in Belgium is known for affordable tuition fees for international students with several fully-funded scholarships.

Belgium is characterized by charming nature and places rich in cultural and tourist diversity.

Although Belgium is a relatively small country, it has a significant international influence in the European Union.

The country is considered a study destination for many students due to the existence of an educational system and world-class universities with high ratings, which adopt English as the main language of instruction.

The cost of living for students in Belgium is relatively low compared to other European Union countries, and the country has a variety of job opportunities.

However, the Belgian government does not provide financial support to all students, and less than 45% of students receive grant funding.

Weather

The climate in Belgium tends yo be Oceanic because it’s bordering with oceans. So the first factor that affects on the weather there is humid climate which is looming over the country.
We sum up that winters are mild and summers are cool. Generally, in winter the climate has quite differences depending on the location of your living.

The coastal regions usually be warmer than the inner regions.
In Ardennes, the snow falls more than the coastal regions and sometimes the snow falls in both at the same time.

In average, the temperatures are several degrees lower than other regions.

Languages

French, Dutch, and German are the official languages in Belgium.

  • People who live in provincies van BelgiĂ« speak Dutch.
  • People who live in provinces de Belgique speak French.
  • People who live in provinces Belgians speak German.

Culture

Belgian people are friendly, clean, and tidy. Belgians take pride in their homes. Untidy gardens are a disgrace to the family and an insult to their neighbors, and they take care of the elegance of their dress.

The Belgians are educated people who care about culture and science and attach great importance to the family. The family plays a pivotal role in their lives, and they love equality in society.

Places you have to visit in Belgium

The student can invest his time in Belgium to study by wandering and visiting many archaeological sites and cities. The most prominent features of this country are:

Bruges

Located in the heart of Flemish Belgium and dating back to the Middle Ages, the city is a maze of winding stone streets and is considered one of the elegant cities that attracts many tourists.

Ghent City

It is one of the most prominent tourist cities, especially the old city, surrounded by attractive roofed buildings along beautiful canals. A boat tour in these canals is a perfect option to have fun.

Derby

The city has a beautiful natural setting at the bottom of a wooded valley with a rustic network of cobbled paths and simple country cottages. The town has ancient medieval streets.

Antwerp

It is the cultural capital of the northern Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, has an important port, and includes a magnificent cathedral, the Town Hall, and many other historic buildings in the center of the old town.

Ibri

It is one of the most important cities in Belgium with many old buildings.

National Park Hoge Kempin

The park covers 60 square kilometers of the picturesque Limburg region and is home to meadows, green hills, misty pine forests, and clear, mirror-like lakes where large numbers of wild deer live and flowers and lavender grow.

Brussels city

The capital of Belgium and its largest urban center are the headquarters of the Belgian royal family and the capital of the European Union.

Mons

It is located in south-central Belgium on the edge of two rivers, the Heine and the Troll. It is home to great cultural and scientific institutions and several beautiful museums.

Spa City

It contains mineral springs flowing worldwide, and this city includes royal facades and architectural pieces. And this city is famous for its hot baths overlooking the city center, which dates back to the fourteenth century AD.

city ​​of Liege

It is the third-largest city in Belgium and was historically one of the most important industrial centers in the country, with some beautiful museums and churches.

Ardennes forests

Stretching from the city of Namur through the meandering valleys of the Meuse River, it is a sprawling forested area in southern Belgium known as one of the most beautiful hiking and camping destinations in all of Europe with many worth visiting attractions such as castles and historic palaces.

Study Cost

Tuition fees to study for EU students on your budget are around €906 per year, about $1,060.

Tuition fees for non-EU students are around €4,175 per year, about $4,900.

Books and study materials cost around €50 per month, depending on the selected program you’re studying.

Heads Up: These costs are for all study levels; Bacherlor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees.

Living Cost

A single person’s estimated costs are 899.71$ (800.49€) per month without renting.

Living costs about €10,200-11,400, about $11,940-13,350 per year.

Food

  • Fast food meal costs about 9 Euros.
  • 1kg of rice is 1 euro 1Kg of any vegetables or fruits is 1-2 euros.
  • Twelve eggs are about 2.64 Euros.
  • One liter of milk is 0.90 Euro.
  • Local Supermarket expenses around 300 EUR per month.

Transportation cost

  • One-way Ticket for local transportation is 2.50 Euros.
  • Taxi start at 4.98 Euros.
  • For monthly transportation 20-25 EUR with the student discount.

Basic Utilities

  • Essential Utilities, such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage for small Apartment 145.49 € per month.
  • 1 min. Of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 0.20 € per month.
  • Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 46.94 € per month.

Accommodation

There are many properties you can rent when you want to study in Belgium. The price you’ve paid depends on your budget and the location you want to stay in. the living cost mentioned above in this blog varies between small and big cities, center and outside cities. However, we’ll list some of the most common accommodations for international students in Belgium.

1-On-campus Dormitory

This housing is so standard because it’s safe, nearby the university, and social. You can take a dormitory without sharing it with any other students. Don’t worry because this housing is affordable.

2-Off-campus Apartment

Renting this housing is a perfect choice for you because it’s private accommodation, but remember! in this case, you have to afford all living costs by yourself, and of course, you’ll keep your privacy and live as you want.

Heads Up: Your lifestyle, ability to reduce your private costs, and managing your money are necessary to live abroad comfortably and get a high-quality life without problems.

Housing Costs

  • Apartment with one bedroom in big cities is ranging 732.30 € per month.
  • Apartment with one bedroom outside of Centre 618.77 € per month.
  • Apartment with three bedrooms in City Centre 1,160.66 € per month.
  • Apartment with three bedrooms outside of Centre 951.83 € per month.

Universities

The most prestigious Universities and top-ranked Institutions to study in Belgium:

1-KU Leuven

It is considered one of the oldest European universities; its founding dates back to 1425 and is closed during the rule of Napoleon and then reopened in 1834.

What makes it distinguished?

Its large area distinguishes it, and about 55 thousand students study in it in various disciplines, including theology, canon law, philosophy, law, arts, business and economics, science, pharmacy, social sciences, psychology, educational sciences, medicine, and engineering.

Heads Up: Biological and the College of Science Engineering adopt the Dutch language for teaching.

2-Ghent University

It is one of the most important and oldest Belgian universities, its foundation dates back to 1817, and it is located in the city of Ghent. The number of its students is about forty-one thousand students.

Ghent’s Colleges

It has many specializations such as the:

  • The College of Arts and Philosophy.
  • The College of Medicine.
  • The College of Health Sciences.
  • The College of Science.
  • The College of Law.
  • The College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • The College of Economics & Business Administration.
  • The College of Biological Sciences Engineering.
  • The College of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • The College of Psychology and Educational Sciences.
  • The College of Political and Social Sciences.

3-University of Antwerp

It is considered one of the newly established universities, as it was established in 2003, but it has become one of the most important universities in the country. It includes about 20,000 students.

Antwerp’s Colleges

Its specializations vary,here are the colleges in Belgium:

  • The College of Science.
  • The College of Law.
  • The College of Medicine.
  • The Institute for Development and Administrative Policies.
  • The College of Political and Social Sciences.

4-Vrije University Brussel (VUB)

It is located in Brussels and is considered one of the newest Belgian universities. It was founded in 1971, and about 13,500 students study there.

5-Hasselt University

Founded in 1973, it is an independent and innovative university with strong regional roots, taught in German.

This university has a long-standing relationship with distinguished universities all over the world.

What are their prestigious disciplines?

It contains several disciplines, the most important: medicine and life sciences, biology, physics, chemistry, technology, business, law, architecture, and the arts.

6-University of Liege

The quality of its teaching distinguishes this university, and its founding dates back to 1817. It teaches a large number of disciplines with 17,000 students

Liege’s Colleges

Among the most prominent of these colleges are:

  • The College of Philosophy and Arts.
  • The College of Science.
  • The College of Law.
  • The College of Medicine.
  • The College of Veterinary Medicine.
  • The College of Applied Sciences.
  • The Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences,.

7-University of Namur

It is one of the best universities, established in 1831, and contains the College of Arts, Philosophy, and independent Sciences recognized and financially supported by the state.

8-University of Mons

This university was established in 2009 after the merger between the University of Mons – Hainaut and the Faculty of Engineering in Mons, the university’s oldest faculty.

Founded in 1837, it is a French-speaking university; the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning teaches many fields, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, and other disciplines.

9-Free University of Brussels

It is one of the best Belgian universities for master’s studies, located in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Its founding dates back to 1834, and it teaches in both French and Dutch. This university teaches a large number of disciplines.

Its graduates have won several awards, including Nobel Prizes.

The Faculties at it

There are many faculties, such as;

  • The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.
  • The Faculty of Law and Criminal Sciences.
  • The Faculty of Medicine.

10-Unfair University

The university is considered the latest Belgian university to rank 300-400 globally. It was established in 2013 and had 11,000 university students. It is famous for the disciplines of physics, medicine, and social sciences.

The Prestigious Specializations in Belgium

Through its prestigious, distinguished, and strong academic & professional universities, Belgium teaches many disciplines and programs with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.

What are the most important majors at it?

We will mention the most important majors taught by the country’s universities, and the most popular ones are:

Medicine, Marketing, International Business, Information Technology, International Relations, Biology, Political Science, Economics, Science, Pharmacy, Social Sciences, Psychology, Educational Sciences, and Biological Sciences Engineering.

Study Visa

As an international student, you have to provide some required documents to study in Belgium before applying for the Belgian student visa, so the following is what you have to do to get your official visa:

  • A completed application form is on the official website of your selected institution.
  • Valid passport for at least twelve months.
    Proof of having sufficient funds to support yourself while staying in Belgium. This has to cover healthcare, living costs, study costs. It is currently set monthly at €666.
  • Health insurance.
  • Clearance police certificate.
    Submitted application to your university.
  • Copies of your graduation certificates.
  • Letter of reference.
  • An evidence of your language proficiency test.

Heads Up: All required certified documents have to be translated into English, French, Dutch, or German by a sworn translator.

Why Study In Belgium

International students who complete their studies in Belgium have a specific perspective about this destination. I think this is the best way to know the pros of studying there because students’ experiences reflect the truth of how learning there will be. Basically, all students appreciate the quality of life there, and they’re satisfied with the high-quality education that Private and Public Universities give to the students.

  • Positive Students’ Reviews about Universities: Most universities that absorb a considerable number of international students every year receive awards from students who had a good study year there. Belgium is one of the most prestigious countries globally, and its universities are the most critical education destinations in European countries. This feature will motivate you to study in Belgium.

 

  • English Courses: There are numerous courses taught in English, and the English language plays a key role in international students’ lives, so living there is more accessible than in any other country abroad. In addition, English is spoken widely there.

 

  • Exchange Cultures with Other People: Belgium provides many cultural attractions and places of vibrant nightlife & entertainment. This exchange culture allows students to move between other European countries without problems easily and mingle with people from different cultures.

 

  • Bike Services are Available: Belgium is small enough to depend on the bike service for moving from university to housing and vice versa, and big enough to find what you need and have a good time.

 

  • Many Outdoor Activities are Waiting for You: Some outdoor activities you can do with your friends in Belgium are going shopping from one of the most exciting countries in fashion, going to the open-air cinemas, sitting in the bars, attending concerts and summer festivals, and reading interesting books with your housemates.

 

  • Easy and Cheap Transportation: The transportation there is so easy, reliable, and cheap for international students, especially those who hold student cards and study in Belgium.

 

  • High-quality Education Level: Belgium Universities have a high academic level, have many spots for indoor activities and entertainment, and aren’t overcrowded.

 

  • No IELTS or TOEFL for many courses: Many universities have no IELTS or TOEFL proficiency test requirement. That’s why we advise students to read the requirements for every university thoughtfully and closely.

 

  • Student Visa is Accessible: The students’ Visa process is so easy, and all you have to do is submit the required documents that we’ve mentioned above and book an appointment in the Belgium embassy.

 

  • Schengen Scholarship is available for international students in Belgium: You can apply to the universities in Belgium through the Schengen scholarship, and it’s one of the top scholarships in the world because it offers fully-funded scholarships for international students.

 

  • Work while studying:
    Working in Belgium is allowed and limited; you can work 20 hours per week in any field you want without exceeding the permitted limit of work hours.

 

  • Linguistis People: It is one of the few countries with three official languages, namely French, Dutch, and German, and educational institutions there attach great importance to developing foreign language skills.
  • Belgium has a prestigious educational system: that is one of the best and strongest educational systems globally through several universities that occupy advanced ranks in international rankings, studying many disciplines and programs at acceptable and relatively low prices compared to neighboring countries.
  • Belgium is a founding European country: Belgium is an ideal choice for studying international relations and diplomacy because the country is one of the six founding countries of the European Union.

Scholarships

Scholarships in Belgium are more than 400 for international students. But there are fully-funded top-ranked scholarships, so these can afford total study expenses besides others for living in Belgium.

These are for all levels of study; Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees. In addition, some courses don’t need English proficiency scores like IELTS or TOEFL.

The first condition to apply for a fully-funded scholarship in Belgium, you have to come from a developing country.

You can study your course in the English language. That’s why some universities and courses that demand to be your English language are excellent.

Some universities require a specific number of previous study years; in addition, age is a common condition for getting admission.

When you visit the scholarship’s official website, you can see the timeline, which includes the start date and the deadline.

You can also see the benefits of the scholarship and study in Belgium, the presenter courses, and the costs of studying, living, and traveling that will be funded.