When it comes to intellectual excellence, Belgium punches far above its weight for a tiny country: Numerous colleges in Belgium have some of the best universities in the world, hence the country upholds top ranks internationally and combine cutting-edge research with top-notch instruction. Belgium, a country in Western Europe, is well-known for its beer, chocolate, music, and, of course, its world-famous waffles. Belgian colleges are among the best in the continent, and the country’s impressive architecture, museums, and other cultural landmarks make it a popular choice for international students from all over the world.
The capital, Brussels, as well as Antwerp, Liege, Ghent, and Charleroi are Belgium’s largest cities. The predominant language is French, however there are sizeable Dutch-speaking populations as well as a minor German-speaking population in the east. German is another official language of the nation, alongside Dutch and French, albeit it is spoken by a far smaller portion of the populace. German-speaking students frequently study abroad in Germany or attend a university in the French-speaking region. There are many international programs that are taught in English, even though French and Dutch are the primary teaching languages. So, if you are an international student, you shouldn’t worry because, depending on your course, you will be able to get by with English the most of the time.
We will be looking at the best universities in Belgium for international students in this article.
Numerous universities in Belgium rank high internationally and have a strong international focus and student body. Nine universities from Belgium are listed in the Qs world university rankings, 2022, and all but one are among the top 500 universities worldwide. The Flemish (a variant of Dutch) community and the French community are the two primary language communities in Belgium, and higher education is typically divided into these two groups.
Universities, university colleges (known as hautes écoles in the French community), art colleges (called écoles supérieures des arts and only offered in the French community), institutes of architecture (only available in the French community), and the Royal Military Academy are among the higher education institutions in Belgium.
In Belgium, bachelor’s degree typically takes three years to finish, while a master’s degree often takes one to two years. Students can pursue research projects leading to a doctoral degree after earning a master’s degree. In Belgium, universities and colleges can both grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but only universities can grant PhDs.
KU Leuven, Ghent University, Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) are among the best universities in Belgium and all firmly fall inside the top 200 universities in the world. It’s no surprise that thousands of overseas students enrol in Belgian universities each year given the abundance of high-quality options available.
Best Institutions In Belgium
University of Antwerp
University of Belgium, Antwerp is situated in the city of Antwerp hence its name. It was established in 2003. The university is renowned for its entrepreneurial mindset and rigorous academic standards. The majority of the English-taught courses at UA are for Masters and Advanced Masters degrees; all Bachelor programs are taught in Dutch. Before beginning their degree at University of Antwerp, students who still want to enrol in the university as bachelors might take a one-year language study program.
KU Leuven
KU Leuven is one of the universities in Belgium for masters. It is the oldest and greatest english universities in Belgium for foreign students is KU Leuven, which consistently ranks among the top 100 universities worldwide and first in Belgium. It was established in 1425 and is primarily a Dutch-speaking institution, however it also offers courses in French and English. There are currently 10,000 international students enrolled at the university, and it is ranked high for both the excellent quality of its course materials and its enjoyable extracurricular programs. Based on a variety of factors, the college received 4.2 out of 5 stars from the international students.
Ghent University
University of Ghent was established in 1817 and it is one of the best universities in Belgium. The university is more pluralist and unaffiliated with any religious institutions than other institutions of higher learning in the country. It is one of the biggest Flemish universities in the country and with over 45,000 students enrolled, it provides a broad range of academic programmes to its students. It is not surprising given its exceptional academic reputation that this institution has consistently been listed among the top 100 universities in the world.
The academic structure of the institution is made up of 11 major faculties and over 100 sub-departments. The students have access to more than 100 different courses and degrees of study overall. Science, medicine, law, and engineering are just a few of the many disciplines covered in studies. The largest hospital in the belgium, the University Hospital of Ghent, is located in the university campus. The institution also participates in a number of international networks and alliances, including the Erasmus exchange program and other well-known international universities. University exchange programs are available for students at institutions on all six continents.
University of Liege
The Institution of Liege is a significant public university situated at the central of the country. It was established in 1817 and it is one of the best universities in Belgium. Because of its location among the nation’s French community, the majority of its educational programs are delivered in French. The institution offers a high-quality education with inexpensive tuition prices and has more than 24,000 enrolled students. It consistently receives top 300 university rankings worldwide based on the Times Higher Education rankings.
Nearly 5000 of the current student body at this affordable institution in Belgium are international students. The university’s academic structure is divided into 11 primary faculties of study, spanning from applied science and veterinary medicine to philosophy and law.
Hasselt University
Public university, Hasselt was formally founded in 1971 and it is one of the best universities in Belgium. It has about 6,000 students and serves as a haven for students from other countries. It comprises seven colleges, including Business Management, Law, Sciences, Engineering Technology, Architecture and Arts, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Educational Sciences, and School of Transportation Sciences. It offers roughly 17 bachelor’s degrees and 30 master’s programs. There are three research centres and four research institutes at the University of Hasselt. The University offers a number of scholarships for international students.
Hasselt University is a recognised institution with a strong international orientation, which is why it made it into our list of the best universities in Belgium for international students despite being comparatively smaller than other institutions in Belgium. English-language master’s degrees are offered at Hasselt University, but admission requires passing a pre-enrolment test to demonstrate your language proficiency. Master in Biomedical Sciences, Interior Architecture, Management, Statistics, and Transportation Sciences are among the master’s degrees offered in English.
Université Libre de Bruxelles
The Université Libre de Bruxelles, also known as ULB, is a free-education university founded in the year 1834. It was the idea of lawyer and politician Pierre Théodore Verhaegen. The university has shifted from being bilingual (teaching in both Dutch and French) to being primarily French-speaking. The least expensive university in Belgium for overseas students is Université Libre de Bruxelles, with undergraduate tuition starting at $1,015 per semester. ULB is one of the best universities in Belgium as it ranks as the fifth-best university in the nation, is well known for its courses in social, physical, and life sciences. Additionally, it holds a position in the fields of business, the humanities and the arts, clinical health, and computer science.
With 31% of its 24,000+ students hailing from abroad, ULB has the most international students in Belgium. The faculties of architecture, physical science, arts & philosophy, psychology & education, law & criminology, social & political science, science, and European studies make up ULB at the moment.
UC Leuven-Limburg
One of Belgium’s newest universities, UC Leuven-Limburg, or UCLL, is regarded as a “Catholic applied scientific school.” It was established in 2014 as a result of the union of the Leuven University College and the Katholieke Hogeschool Limburg. It runs 10 campuses in the cities of Diest, Leuven, Hasselt, Genk, and Diepenbeek as a part of the KU Leuven network. The institution has a growing student body despite only offering 21 bachelor’s and 13 graduate degrees in management, technology, health, education, and wellness. More than 14,500 domestic and international students currently attend UCLL.
The university’s extensive range of English-taught programs, which include a Bachelor’s in Management Marketing, International Management, and Design Thinking & Innovation, are said to be the reason for its popularity. Additionally, it provides post-graduate courses in international cooperation, content & language learning, and international education that are taught in English.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel is also one of the best university in Belgium for international students, though the school is not as popular as some of the other institutions in Belgium. Unlike the majority of the other institutions on this list, it offers programs in both English and Dutch for all degrees, including the bachelor’s, making it the perfect place for international students to come and study. It is not surprising that students from all over the world attend this university and make up such a high percentage of the total number of registered students because Brussels is also an incredible place to live.
The Institute for European Studies
The Institute for European Studies in Brussels(IEE-ULB). The international teams, interactions with EU institutions, and close ties between teaching and research make ULB’s structure exceptional.The four fields that the IEE-ULB primarily covers are European law, political science, economics, and history. It educates specialists in European concerns as an inter-disciplinary centre for research and instruction. The IEE-ULB is an institution with global reach. The lecturers at the IEE-ULB are from a twenty different countries. At least 30 different countries are represented by the pupils. With regard to our researchers, the global component is much more clear. The institute is essential to the development and management of European or global research networks.
Vesalius College
Vesalius College, a prestigious university in the city of Brussels, is the last school on our list of the least expensive institutions in Belgium for foreign students. One of the most recent additions to the educational system, it was established in 1987 and primarily concentrates on offering education for undergraduate students through 3-year Bachelor degrees. It is also one of the few schools in the nation that uses English as the language of instruction. With undergraduate concentrations including Business and International Affairs, the university’s primary strength is in the area of social and international relations. The university also collaborates with other universities around the world.
Conclusion
Having looked at the best universities in Belgium, it is no surprising that international students come from all across the world to study in Belgium. Belgian cities like Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges historically played significant roles in academic breakthroughs, and this history is still present in the nation’s renowned universities today.
Antwerp is the city for you if you are interested in medicine. The University of Antwerp Medical School, a top-notch university hospital ideal for acquiring real-world experience while you study. Of course, there are also the Brussels art schools. The reason Bozar is so well known worldwide is because of its excellent arts programs. LUCA School of Arts and La Cambre are two other art colleges in Brussels.
Currently, Belgium is home to about 50,000 international students. While the majority of bachelor-level courses are taught in either French or Dutch, many students choose to pursue their master’s degrees in Belgium because there are many more possibilities that are also offered in English. With several scholarships and other benefits provided by colleges all around Belgium, you can study there for free and even stay back after your studies to benefit from several post study opportunities in the country.