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Study in Belgium

Belgium stands at the heart of Europe as its diplomatic and institutional capital, offering an exceptional study destination for students seeking top-tier education in international affairs, sciences, medicine, and engineering. Home to world top-100 universities such as KU Leuven and Ghent University, Belgium offers a vast array of English- and French-taught degrees. Generous funding opportunities include the Flemish Government Master Mind Scholarships, ARES International Grants, and VLIR-UOS Master awards. International students can work up to 20 hours per week and benefit from a 12-month post-study orientation year.

0
universities listed
4
scholarships & discounts
6
government programmes
French, nl, English
teaching languages
September
academic year starts

Government scholarships & national programmes

Scholarships funded by the state or its official bodies for international students.

Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES)

Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The federation of French-speaking higher education institutions in Belgium (Wallonia-Brussels Federation). Funded by Belgian development cooperation, it offers fully funded international training scholarships for professionals from 32 partner countries.

European Solidarity Corps

European Solidarity Corps

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is the European Union initiative offering young people aged 18 to 30 fully funded volunteering in community and humanitarian projects across Europe, covering travel, accommodation, pocket money, and full health insurance.

Flemish Government Master Mind Scholarships (Belgium)

Flemish Government Master Mind Scholarships (Belgium)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The Master Mind Scholarship program is funded by the Government of Flanders to award grants to outstanding international master students at Flemish universities (such as KU Leuven, Ghent University, and University of Antwerp). It provides a grant of €10,000 per academic year plus a significant tuition fee waiver.

VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)

VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

Scholarships funded by Belgian (Flemish) development cooperation for students from 29 developing countries: fully funded international professional Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Belgium.

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI)

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI)

Partially Funded1 scholarship

Wallonie-Bruxelles International is a government body in Belgium that promotes international relations and academic cooperation for the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. It provides information and support for international students wishing to study in French-speaking higher education institutions in Belgium.

Erasmus Mundus Programme (European Commission)

Erasmus Mundus Programme (European Commission)

Fully Funded

Erasmus Mundus, funded by the European Commission, offers full scholarships to students worldwide for joint master's programs run by consortia of European universities, in which students study in two or more countries. The scholarship typically covers tuition, a monthly living allowance, travel and insurance. You apply directly to the consortium of your chosen program, each with its own deadlines and requirements.

All scholarships & discounts (4)

Filter by funding type and study level.

Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES)
Fully Funded

ARES International Training Scholarships in Belgium 2028–2029

by Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES)

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails
Flemish Government Master Mind Scholarships (Belgium)
Fully Funded

Flemish Government Master Mind Scholarship for International Master Students

by Flemish Government Master Mind Scholarships (Belgium)

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails
VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)
Fully Funded

VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships in Belgium

by VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails
Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI)
Living Stipend Only

Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) Master IN Scholarship in Belgium 2027

by Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI)

Master’s
Open for applicationDetails

Other international opportunities in this country (1)

Fellowships, competitions, leadership summits and volunteering hosted or run from here — not study scholarships, so not included in the scholarship count.

Study guide

The study system

Higher education in Belgium is organized under two linguistic communities within the Bologna framework: 1) The Flemish Community (Flanders): Primary instruction in Dutch, with extensive English-taught Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD offerings. 2) The French-speaking Community (Wallonia-Brussels Federation): Instruction in French and English. Degrees: • Bachelor's Degree: 3 years (180 ECTS credits). • Master's Degree: 1 to 2 years (60–120 ECTS), including advanced research Masters. • Doctorate (PhD): 3 to 4 years, frequently funded through academic research contracts. The academic year runs from mid-September to late June.

How to get admitted

1) Deadlines: For non-EEA students, applications generally open in November/December and close between 1 March and 1 May for September intake. 2) Documentation: Academic degree certificates and transcripts, CV, letter of motivation, and two academic recommendation letters. 3) Language: IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL 85–95 for English-taught programmes; DELF B2 or DALF C1 for French-taught curricula. 4) Equivalence: For French-community Bachelor's admissions, an official high school diploma equivalence (Équivalence) must be submitted to the Brussels Equivalence service before 15 July.

Fees and living costs

Public university tuition fees in Belgium: • Flemish Universities (Flanders): Standard fees are ~€1,116/year for EEA students; non-EEA students pay between €2,500 and €7,000 per year depending on programme and faculty. • French-speaking Universities (Wallonia-Brussels): Non-EU students pay base tuition (~€835) plus a supplementary international fee of up to €4,175 per academic year for Master's programmes. Living Expenses & Visa Proof of Solvency (2026/27): The Belgian Immigration Office sets a mandatory monthly threshold for students, currently requiring proof of at least €803 to €830 per month (~€9,800 to €10,000 annually) demonstrated via university blocked accounts, formal commitment sponsorship (Annexe 32), or scholarship certificates.

Visa, residence permit and health insurance

Non-EEA students must apply for a national Long-Stay Student Visa (Type D). Mandatory documents: unconditional letter of admission, proof of sufficient financial resources (university blocked account certificate, formalized Annexe 32 guarantor form, or scholarship award), embassy-recognized medical certificate, apostilled police clearance certificate, and proof of administrative fee payment (Redevance) to the Belgian Immigration Office. Upon arrival, students register at the local municipality (Commune/Gemeente) to receive their resident identity card (A card).

Working while studying

International students enrolled in higher education in Belgium can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official semester breaks. Upon graduation from an accredited Bachelor's or Master's programme, graduates are entitled to apply for a 12-month Search Year permit (Orientation Year / Zoekjaar), enabling them to seek employment or launch a startup in Belgium.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps for 2026 / 2027.

The Master Mind Scholarship is a premier grant funded by the Flemish Government for outstanding international Master's students, providing up to €10,000 per academic year alongside significant tuition waivers at top institutions including KU Leuven and Ghent University.

Yes, especially at Master's and PhD levels, where Flemish and Brussels universities teach an extensive range of degrees in English across technology, natural sciences, business, and European affairs.