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Best Universities in Belgium- Eligibility Criteria, Career and more

Updated on 09 November, 2023

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

Belgium is one of the renowned educational hubs throughout Europe. Its neighboring nations include France, Germany, the Netherlands, and  Luxembourg. Belgium has a high literacy rate of 99% while there are several top-ranked universities in Belgium offering high-quality educational programs to students as well. The education system focuses mainly on innovation, research, and hands-on learning, along with participation in community service programs. 

There are several top colleges in Belgium in regions such as Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia. Courses are taught in English, French, or Dutch here. The best universities in Belgium comprise state, private and Catholic universities. There are some free institutions as well. The education system adhered to the conventional French framework till 1965 although the new system was built in the 1970s, enabling distinct long-term and short-term educational pedagogies as a result. 

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Eligibility and other aspects

For studying at the top colleges and universities in Belgium, you will have to abide by specific eligibility criteria. These include the following: 

  • Proof of identity 
  • Upper secondary certificate for bachelor’s programs
  • Bachelor’s degree for master’s programs
  • Filled-up application form
  • IELTS/TOEFL scores or Dutch/French language proficiency if required 
  • Application fee payment proof
  • LORs (letters of recommendation)
  • Motivation letter

You should submit your application and wait for the evaluation period. Once you get the offer letter, you can apply for your student visa accordingly. 

List of top universities in Belgium

Here is the list of top ranked universities in Belgium as per the QS World University rankings for 2023. 

Name of the InstitutionQS World University Ranking (2023)Approximate FeesPopular Courses
KU Leuven 76€3900Business administration, business engineering, business and information systems engineering, business economics 
Ghent University143€245.20 as a fixed component and €1847.20- €5687.20 as a variable component for several educational programs Bioscience engineering, biomedical engineering, data analytics, finance, systems biology 
Universite Catholique de Louvain195€4,175 in enrollment costsAgriculture, international studies, law, sociology, modern languages, medicine 
Universite Libre de Bruxelles210€4,175Clinical, pre-clinical and health programs, arts and humanities, business and economics, physical sciences, social sciences, life sciences 
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)251€1.450 in fixed amount and a varying amount which could be €2.400 (bachelor in social sciences) for example, leading to a total cost of €3.850 (this is an illustrative example)Business economics, social sciences, biology, architectural engineering, applied computer science 
University of Antwerp280€400 + €45-90 for each creditSocial sciences, pharmaceutical, biomedical and veterinary sciences, business and economics, design sciences, law, applied engineering 
Hasselt University449€253.60 as a fixed component with a varying portion as well. This could be €12,10 for each ECTS credit. The total 60 ECTS credit fees are €979,60 Management, Biomedical Sciences, Statistics 
Universite de Liege521-530€835 in regular registration costsArchitecture, management, law, political science and criminology, veterinary medicine

These are some of the top universities in Belgium for masters and bachelors programs. 

Academic Cycles and Intakes

The top universities in Belgium for bachelors and masters courses usually have the following intakes: 

  • Fall (September)
  • Winter (January)
  • Summer (May)

Cost of attendance 

The average tuition costs are €940-6,000 per year for international students in Belgium. 

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Cost of Living 

The cost of living includes the following heads: 

  • Accommodation- €200-1,000 per month 
  • Utilities- €100-400 every month 
  • Books- €35-50 per month
  • Transportation- €20 Euros after getting student discounts 

Top Recruiters

Some of the leading employers in Belgium include the following: 

  • Anheuser-Busch InBev
  • Delhaize Group
  • KBC Group
  • Dexia
  • Solvay
  • Colruyt Group
  • Umicore
  • Belgacom
  • Banque nationale de Belgique
  • UCB Pharma

Career Prospects 

Here are some job positions with their average salaries: 

  • Software Engineer- €27552.03-56682.90
  • Project Manager- €31942.79-79054.46
  • Data Scientist-€31027.16-63207.45
  • Software Developer- €25609.09-55536
  • Project Engineer- €30222.26-63378.33

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best university in Belgium?

Some of the best universities in Belgium include the Ghent University, Catholic University of Leuven, University of Antwerp and the University Catholique of Louvain. Other names include the University of Liege and the University of Mons.

 

 


 

What is the best course to study in Belgium?

Some of the top courses to study in Belgium include international relations, social sciences, political science, medicine, journalism, and humanities.

 

 


 

Is Belgium good for higher education?

Belgium is one of the best countries to pursue higher education abroad, with its academic credentials, top-rated universities, and emphasis on research and innovation. There are several reputed programs that are taught here in English.

 

 


 

Is Belgium good for international students?

Belgium is popular with international students for its warm and welcoming communities, tolerance, and diversity. It also has comparatively reasonable study and living costs, along with highly-rated universities and innovative courses on offer.

 

 

 

 

 


 

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.

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