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Study in Belgium: costs, visa, scholarships and universities

Costs, visa process, work rights, scholarships and university options for studying in Belgium.

Free consultation for Belgium

Overview

Belgium has three language communities, and higher education is organised separately by the Flemish Community and the French Community. Both offer a growing set of English-taught master's programmes, while most bachelor's programmes are taught in Dutch or French.

Tuition is state-subsidised but non-EU students pay increased rates. Flemish universities set their own fees, with a published guideline of EUR 5,300-12,000 for 60 ECTS in 2026-2027, whereas French-speaking institutions apply a common rule of EUR 1,194 plus a EUR 4,175 additional contribution unless the student is exempt.

Non-EEA students need a long-stay type D visa and must show proof of means (EUR 1,062 per month in 2026-2027, usually by blocked account). Students may work up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time during holidays, and graduates may apply for a 12-month orientation year.

Application deadlines for non-EEA applicants are early, usually between late February and 1 May for a September start. Scholarships for international students exist, notably Master Mind in Flanders, WBI grants in French-speaking Belgium and Erasmus Mundus joint masters, but eligibility is often restricted by nationality or programme.

Public university tuition
Flanders: guideline for full-time programme of 60 ECTS in 2026-2027: EU/EEA EUR 1,181.40; non-EU/EEA EUR 5,300-12,000; schools of arts EUR 8,800-25,000; institutions set own prices. French-speaking Belgium: registration fee EUR 1,194 + EUR 4,175 additional contribution (EUR 5,369) for non-EU unless exempt; ARES circular exempts LDC countries and countries on annexes 2-3 (e.g. India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Palestine in the 2025-001 circular). Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Azerbaijan do not appear in those annexes (circular 2025-001, read via OCR).Source
Monthly living cost
Flanders/Brussels EUR 800-1,000 per month (rooms EUR 450-600). French-speaking Belgium EUR 1,000-1,300 per month (accommodation average EUR 575, food 300, materials 50, insurance 30, transport 50).Source
Visa processing time
Normal procedure can take six to eight weeks; appointments fill quickly.Source
Work rights
Foreign students with a valid residence permit may work without separate work permit: unlimited hours during holidays, up to 20 hours per week during the school year; more than 20 hours may jeopardise permit renewal.Source
Intakes and deadlines
Main intake in September (academic year 2026-2027 at UHasselt began 21 September 2026). Non-EEA application windows close between late February and 1 May.Source
Language requirement
English-taught masters generally require B2-C1 evidence: IELTS Academic 6.0-6.5, TOEFL iBT 79-89 (old scale) or 4.0-4.5 (new scale since 21 Jan 2026). Dutch B2 for Dutch-taught bachelors; French tests for French-taught programmes.Source

Tuition and living costs

Public university tuition
Flanders: guideline for full-time programme of 60 ECTS in 2026-2027: EU/EEA EUR 1,181.40; non-EU/EEA EUR 5,300-12,000; schools of arts EUR 8,800-25,000; institutions set own prices. French-speaking Belgium: registration fee EUR 1,194 + EUR 4,175 additional contribution (EUR 5,369) for non-EU unless exempt; ARES circular exempts LDC countries and countries on annexes 2-3 (e.g. India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Palestine in the 2025-001 circular). Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Azerbaijan do not appear in those annexes (circular 2025-001, read via OCR).Source
Private university tuition
Most Belgian universities are publicly funded; UCLouvain and UNamur follow the same French Community fee rules. Fully private institutions (e.g. business schools such as Vlerick) set their own fees; not collected.Source
Monthly living cost
Flanders/Brussels EUR 800-1,000 per month (rooms EUR 450-600). French-speaking Belgium EUR 1,000-1,300 per month (accommodation average EUR 575, food 300, materials 50, insurance 30, transport 50).Source

Accommodation

Flanders: rooms EUR 450-600 per month; contact your institution first; rental deposit usually two months on a blocked account for flats. French-speaking Belgium: average EUR 575 per month including utilities.

When planning the total budget, separate one-off and monthly items. Budget planning guide

Visa and residence permit

Non-EEA students staying over 90 days need a type D long-stay visa (authorisation for provisional sojourn) from the Belgian embassy or consulate for their country of residence, then register at the municipality on arrival.

Visa processing time
Normal procedure can take six to eight weeks; appointments fill quickly.Source
Proof of funds
Proof of sufficient income of at least EUR 1,062 net per month for the stay (or a blocked amount of 1,062 x number of months for the first academic year, returned in monthly transfers). Passport must be valid at least 12 months. Health cover: Belgian mutuality or private insurance valid in Belgium, minimum 3 months, at least EUR 30,000 coverage.Source
Health insurance
Non-EEA students should take out Belgian health insurance (mutuality) with proof of enrolment; funds cover about 75% of doctor, hospital and clinic costs. Civil liability and fire insurance recommended.Source

Application steps

  1. Receive admission letter from the Belgian institution.
  2. Prepare proof of solvency (blocked account, bank guarantee, scholarship or Annex 32 sponsorship).
  3. Apply at the Belgian embassy/consulate for your place of residence (appointment usually required).
  4. Enter Belgium and register at the town hall with passport, visa, enrolment certificate, health insurance proof, photos and solvency proof.
  5. Obtain residence card; renew annually.

Documents required

  • Admission letter or permission to enrol
  • Passport valid at least 12 months at application
  • Proof of solvency
  • Certificate of good conduct
  • Medical certificate
  • Proof of payment of the administrative fee
Fees
{ "text": "Embassy checklist (March 2026): visa handling fee EUR 180 (citizens of Morocco, Israel, San Marino, Japan and Turkey are exempt from the handling fee); visa contribution fee paid to the Immigration Office EUR 251 (EUR 242 for private institutions; Turkish citizens in private education are exempt from the contribution fee). Scholarship holders of a Belgian organisation or EU-funded programmes may be exempt from both. Fees can differ by embassy; confirm with the consulate handling your residence.", "handlingFeeEur": 180, "contributionFeeEur": 251, "contributionFeePrivateEur": 242, "source": "https://finland.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-03/Student%20Visa.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-25", "additionalSources": [ "https://portugal.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-03/C4_Checklist_for_Students.pdf" ] }Source

Nationality-specific notes: Turkish: No Belgium-specific rule found beyond general non-EEA requirements; Turkey not on ARES fee-exemption annexes.; Russian: General non-EEA rules; not on ARES exemption annexes. Any Schengen-wide restrictions not checked.; Kazakh: General non-EEA rules; not on ARES exemption annexes.; Ukrainian: General non-EEA rules; temporary-protection holders may be exempt from the additional contribution (not verified for individual cases).; Azerbaijani: General non-EEA rules; not on ARES exemption annexes.

Our visa consulting

Work rights and after graduation

Foreign students with a valid residence permit may work without separate work permit: unlimited hours during holidays, up to 20 hours per week during the school year; more than 20 hours may jeopardise permit renewal.

After graduation: 12-month orientation-year residence permit to seek work or start a business.

Source

Language requirements and intakes

Language requirement
English-taught masters generally require B2-C1 evidence: IELTS Academic 6.0-6.5, TOEFL iBT 79-89 (old scale) or 4.0-4.5 (new scale since 21 Jan 2026). Dutch B2 for Dutch-taught bachelors; French tests for French-taught programmes.Source
Intakes and deadlines
Main intake in September (academic year 2026-2027 at UHasselt began 21 September 2026). Non-EEA application windows close between late February and 1 May.Source

Language and exam preparation

Scholarships

master (Flemish universities, schools of arts, Antwerp Maritime Academy)By nomination

Master Mind Scholarships

Flemish Ministry of Education and Training

Coverage
Grant EUR 10,225 per academic year plus tuition fee waiver (host may charge EUR 136.50 for 2026-2027); 1 year for 60 ECTS or 2 years for 120 ECTS
Deadline
2026-2027 call closed; scheme under review for 2027-2028, check host institution deadlines
Eligibility
Outstanding students worldwide; each institution may nominate max 20; not combinable with other Flemish government, Erasmus+/Mundus, BAEF, Fulbright scholarships; reserved places for Japan, Mexico, Palestine, USA.
Source
masterDirect application

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships

European Union (EMJMD consortia)

Coverage
EU-funded scholarship; amounts set by Erasmus+ programme (not captured)
Deadline
per consortium annual round
Eligibility
Apply to the consortium; Belgian examples include UAntwerp MAEH and LIVE, UNamur EMOTION.
Source
master (selected programmes)Direct application

VLIR-UOS scholarships (ICP Connect)

VLIR-UOS (Flemish universities)

Coverage
Scholarship for selected masters; amount not captured
Deadline
per call
Eligibility
Nationals of listed countries only (Africa, Morocco, Palestine, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam). Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Azerbaijan are not on the published list.
Source
master (French-speaking Belgium)Via the university

WBI Master In grants

Wallonia-Brussels International

Coverage
Amount not captured
Deadline
31 March 2026 (2026-2027 round)
Eligibility
Bachelor/master degree obtained within 5 years; admission file number from university required; priority countries Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Japan, Lebanon, Morocco, Mexico, UK, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, USA; applicants already studying in Belgium excluded.
Source
masterVia the university

Institutional tuition waivers and scholarships (KU Leuven, UGent, UAntwerp, VUB, UHasselt)

Flemish universities

Coverage
Varies; not itemised here
Deadline
per scheme
Eligibility
Study in Flanders lists institutional funding pages; individual schemes (e.g. KU Leuven scholarship database) not verified.
Source
master (selected international programmes)

VLIR-UOS ICP Connect scholarships

VLIR-UOS (Flemish universities)

Coverage
Full scholarship for 12, 24 or 36 months; monthly allowance covers living costs and tuition (insurance/accommodation may be deducted); no application fee.
Deadline
2027-2028 call: submission 28 February 2027; start 1 September 2027 (programme dates may vary)
Eligibility
Nationals and residents of 25 eligible countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Azerbaijan are not mentioned on the call page; full country list not read, so treat as not eligible until checked.
Source

Cities

Leuven

Ghent

Brussels

Namur

Hasselt

Universities

KU Leuven

Leuven · Public

2026-2027 fee tiers for a 60-credit programme: EUR 1,181.40 / 3,093.12 / 5,613.12 / 9,493.92 (fixed cost + amount per credit; which tier applies depends on programme and nationality and is calculated in the KU Leuven tuition fee tool, not published as a nationality table). Example: Master of Artificial Intelligence EUR 9,493.92 (EUR 5,613.12 reduced for recent graduates without professional activity). Master Mind scholars pay EUR 139.40.

Ghent University (UGent)

Ghent · Public

Master (not advanced), non-EEA, 2026-2027, 60 credits: Tuition fee A EUR 2,297.40 (Arts and Philosophy, Law and Criminology, Psychology and Educational Sciences); Tuition fee B EUR 7,079.40 (Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Economics and Business Administration, Veterinary Medicine, Bioscience Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Political and Social Sciences with exceptions). EEA rate EUR 1,181.40; non-EEA students from lowest-two OECD-DAC categories, VLIR-UOS scholars and some residence-permit holders pay EEA rate.

University of Antwerp

Antwerp · Public

2026-2027: increased rate for non-EEA nationals EUR 1,000 + 55/credit (EUR 4,300 per 60 credits) for bachelor programmes; EUR 1,500 + 105/credit (EUR 7,800 per 60 credits) for master programmes; Master of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy EUR 5,700; Research Master of Philosophy EUR 4,400; English advanced masters at IOB EUR 7,800 (non-EEA); Master of Maritime and Air Transport Management EUR 19,500. EEA rate EUR 1,181.40.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Brussels · Public

Non-EEA 2026-2027 official per-programme table: fixed amount + EUR 52 per ECTS. English programmes e.g. MSc Biology, Research MA Philosophy, MA Linguistics and Literary Studies EUR 4,800 per 60 ECTS (1,680 fixed); MSc Management, International Business, Communication Studies, Applied Informatics, Political Science (European and International Governance), Business Engineering EUR 5,720 (2,600 fixed); BSc Social Sciences EUR 5,320 (2,200 fixed); Applied Sciences and Engineering: Applied Computer Science EUR 4,400; MSc Molecular Biology EUR 2,500. Some non-EEA nationalities pay the EEA rate (nationality list on VUB site).

Hasselt University (UHasselt)

Hasselt · Public

From 2026-2027 non-EEA students in English-taught masters pay one of three categories (fixed EUR 305.40 + per ECTS): category 1 EUR 59.91/ECTS = EUR 3,900 per 60 ECTS (Master of Management, Interior Architecture, Transportation Sciences); category 2 EUR 105.40/ECTS = EUR 6,630; category 3 EUR 153.14/ECTS = EUR 9,493.80 (Energy Engineering Technology). EEA rate EUR 1,181.40.

Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)

Louvain-la-Neuve / Brussels / Mons · Private

2026-2027 (pending approval by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation government): full registration fee EUR 1,194 plus additional contribution EUR 4,175 for non-EU nationals (total EUR 5,369), unless exempt (ARES circular 2026-001 annexes 1-3, assimilation criteria, etc.).

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Brussels · Public

2026-2027: full fee EUR 1,194 for European students; non-European students pay an additional EUR 4,175 on top (derived total EUR 5,369) unless assimilated or exempt.

Université de Liège (ULiège)

Liège · Public

Wallonia-Brussels Federation rule applies: registration fee EUR 1,194 (2026-2027 ULiège page) plus EUR 4,175 additional contribution for non-EU nationals (derived EUR 5,369) unless exempt. EUR 200 administrative down payment at online application, deducted from registration fee if accepted.

Université de Namur (UNamur)

Namur · Private

UNamur page lists EUR 1,194 total annual fee (EUR 374 / 485 for low / intermediate income). Non-EU additional contribution of EUR 4,175 per French Community rules (derived total EUR 5,369), not stated on the UNamur page.

Antwerp Maritime Academy

Antwerp · Public

AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

Antwerp · Public

2026-27 (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp page): students outside the EEA pay EUR 2,500 fixed + EUR 375 per credit (60 credits = EUR 25,000); EEA non-scholarship EUR 1,181.40. Admission test fee EUR 30. Estimated living costs ~EUR 9,000/year.

Artevelde University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Ghent · Public

2026-27: non-EEA students staying in Belgium on a student/work visa pay the increased fee EUR 7,760 per 60 ECTS (EUR 1,940 fixed + EUR 97/ECTS); regular fee (EEA, or non-EEA residents without student visa) EUR 1,181.40.

Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Brussels · Public

2026-27: non-EEA students in artistic study programmes (60 credits) pay a total of EUR 17,501.40 (fixed EUR 1,181.40 + EUR 272/credit per EhB table); regular fee EUR 1,181.40. Increased fee for non-EEA in professional bachelors is abolished; some non-EEA categories qualify for regular fee. Postgraduate Applied AI (25 ECTS): EUR 2,040 incl. internship / EUR 1,890 excl. (no EEA distinction given).

HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Ghent · Public

2026-27 KASK & Conservatorium (School of Arts Ghent): non-EEA increased tuition EUR 8,800.20 for a 60-credit curriculum (EUR 916.20 fixed + EUR 131.40/credit) plus a studio-fee contribution; EEA non-scholarship EUR 1,181.40. A scholarship system for non-EEA students in drama, visual arts, audiovisual arts and music is announced (equal to the increased tuition, for bridging/preparation/master students).

Howest University of Applied Sciences

Bruges · Public

2026-27 English-taught bachelors: non-EEA EUR 8,000 per 60 ECTS (EUR 2,000 fixed + EUR 100/ECTS); EEA EUR 1,181.40. Non-EEA students also need a blocked amount of EUR 13,200/year for living costs (visa). Application fee EUR 50; first instalment EUR 2,000. Advanced Bachelor of Bioinformatics@home: non-EEA EUR 4,000 per 30 ECTS/year.

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Antwerp · Public

Non-EEA tuition EUR 9,020 for 2026-27 (EUR 2,600 fixed + EUR 107/credit x 60); EEA EUR 1,181.40. Charged annually; application fee EUR 139.40 deducted from tuition if accepted.

LUCA School of Arts

Brussels · Public

2026-27 non-EEA: tuition EUR 2,376.72 fixed + EUR 118.62 per credit = EUR 9,493.92 for 60 credits; plus flat EUR 330 additional study costs = EUR 9,823.92 total (page figure). Students already enrolled before 2026-27 follow older rates (Music EUR 129.77/credit).

Odisee University College

Brussels · Public

PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Hasselt · Public

Thomas More University of Applied Sciences

Mechelen · Public

2026-27 non-EEA needing a student visa: tuition EUR 9,300 per academic year (EUR 4,800 fixed + EUR 2,250 per 30-credit semester x 2); a blocked account (EUR 12,994 for 12 months) brings the total registration costs to EUR 22,294 (page figure). EEA EUR 1,181.40. Handling fee EUR 120 for some countries. Postgraduate programmes 2026-27 priced separately (e.g. African Business Studies non-EEA visa EUR 3,990).

UCLL University of Applied Sciences

Leuven · Public

2026-27 English-taught programmes: non-EEA EUR 8,600 per 60 credits (EUR 2,000 fixed + EUR 110/credit); EEA EUR 1,181.40. Advanced Bachelor in Advanced Business Management: non-EEA EUR 8,600 (EEA EUR 1,950). Advanced Bachelor in Global Citizenship and Development: a single fee EUR 1,181.45 is listed (no separate non-EEA amount).

VIVES University of Applied Sciences

Kortrijk · Public

Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp

Antwerp · Public

Non-EEA: registration fee EUR 945 (courses over 3 months) + EUR 273 per credit (EUR 180 per credit for collaborative MSc, e.g. MScGOH); a 60-ECTS master costs EUR 17,325 (EEA EUR 5,775). Postgraduate certificate 30 ECTS: non-EEA EUR 9,135 (EEA EUR 3,045). Swiss and UK citizens treated as EEA.

Antwerp Management School

Antwerp · Private

Full-time masters (1 year, English): EUR 20,600 (Finance & Investments, Management, People & Change Management, Maritime and Air Transport Management, Sustainable Innovation & Entrepreneurship) to EUR 21,600 (Global Management); VAT-exempt; same price shown regardless of nationality.

Vlerick Business School

Leuven · Private

Masters programmes (10 months, 2027-28): EUR 21,500 (Business Analytics & AI; General Management; Marketing Strategy; Innovation & Entrepreneurship) and EUR 23,500 (Financial Management; International Management & Strategy). Scholarships up to 50% of fee; instalments in four payments (admin fee EUR 250).

College of Europe

Bruges · Private

Vesalius College

Brussels · Private

Flanders Business School

Antwerp · Private

Evangelical Theological Faculty

Leuven · Private

Brussels Faculty for Protestant Theology

Brussels · Private

Continental Theological Seminary

Sint-Pieters-Leeuw · Private

University of Mons

Mons · Public

Non-EU students (from 2025-2026, ARES circular 2025-001): registration fee EUR 835 plus additional contribution EUR 4,175 per year, total EUR 5,010, with listed exemptions; applies to universities, university colleges and schools of arts. Some advanced Masters/MBAs may differ.

Protestant Faculty of Theology (Brussels)

Brussels · Private

Liège Provincial University College (HEPL)

Liège · Public

Haute École Louvain en Hainaut (HELHa)

Private

Haute École provinciale de Hainaut – Condorcet

Charleroi · Public

Haute École Léonard de Vinci (HE VINCI)

Private

Haute École libre mosane (HELMo)

Liège · Private

Haute École Namur-Liège-Luxembourg (Hénallux)

Private

Haute École Galilée (HEG)

Brussels · Public

Haute École EPHEC

Woluwe-Saint-Lambert · Private

Haute École en Hainaut (HEH)

Mons · Public

Haute École Charlemagne (HECh)

Public

Haute École Groupe ICHEC – ECAM – ISFSC

Brussels · Private

Haute École Francisco Ferrer (HEFF)

Brussels · Public

Haute École Bruxelles-Brabant (HE2B)

Brussels · Public

Haute École Albert Jacquard (HEAJ)

Private

Haute École libre de Bruxelles – Ilya Prigogine (HELB)

Brussels · Private

Haute École Robert Schuman (HERS)

Private

Haute École de la Ville de Liège (HEL)

Liège · Public

Haute École Lucia de Brouckère (HELdB)

Brussels · Public

Haute École de la Province de Namur (HEPN)

Namur · Public

Académie des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Tournai

Tournai · Public

Royal Academy of Fine Arts Brussels (ARBA-ESA)

Brussels · Public

Arts²

Mons · Public

Royal Conservatoire of Brussels

Brussels · Public

Royal Conservatoire of Liège

Liège · Public

La Cambre (École nationale supérieure des Arts visuels)

Brussels · Public

Le 75 (École supérieure des Arts de l'Image)

Woluwe-Saint-Lambert · Public

ERG – École de Recherche Graphique

Saint-Gilles · Public

Beaux-Arts de Liège – École Supérieure des Arts

Liège · Public

École supérieure des Arts du Cirque (ESAC)

Auderghem · Public

Saint-Luc Tournai School of Arts

Tournai · Private

Saint-Luc Brussels School of Arts

Brussels · Private

Saint-Luc Liège School of Arts

Liège · Private

Institut des Arts de Diffusion (IAD)

Louvain-la-Neuve · Public

INSAS

Brussels · Public

Institut supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie (IMEP)

Namur · Private

Autonomous University College of East Belgium

Eupen · Public

Royal Military Academy

Brussels · State (other ministry)

All universities

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.

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