This guide explains all you need to know to do your Master’s Study in Belgium for international students. Reading on, we have explicitly explained how to engage in Online Master’s degree in Belgium, Master’s degree scholarships in Belgium, tuition fees for a Master’s study in Belgium, how to secure a Belgian student visa, and all other answers you seek.
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Introduction
Let’s say you’ve considered maybe going abroad, and Belgium seems to come to mind. Before you decide, read on to discover why your Master’s Study in Belgium is for International Students.
Belgium is one of the most multicultural places on Earth, especially since the country is composed of three regions, each corresponding to one of the three official languages (Dutch, French, and German).
Known as the heart of Europe, Belgium is a hub of international cooperation and networking, offering an enriching educational experience. We could say Belgium offers the ‘classic’ continental study abroad experience.
Let’s get started!!!
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Why should I Study Master’s in Belgium?
Belgium combines high-quality education, affordable tuition fees, and reasonable living costs, establishing itself as a prime destination for postgraduate study. Studying Masters’s in Belgium allows you to immerse yourself in the center of Europe, within easy reach of beautiful old cities and modern metropolises like Paris, London, and Amsterdam. Here are some of the most compelling reasons you should study for the Master’s program in Belgium.
- Belgium is a Multi-lingual society where French, Flemish / Dutch, and German are spoken. This allows you to learn new languages while doing your Master’s.
- Although there are French and Flemish language universities, many offer Master’s courses in English. So no fear if you don’t know the other languages yet.
- Belgium is home to major European political and higher education institutions.
- You can find a lot of historic universities in Belgium.
- Belgian Universities are well-placed in international rankings
This and more make Belgium an awesome study destination for Master’s students.
Discover the cost of a Master’s degree in Belgium for international students!!!
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What is the Cost of a Master’s Degree in Belgium for International Students?
Postgraduate studies in Belgium remain relatively affordable, but there is a considerable range in tuition fees, even within one institution. The tuition fee for a Master’s study in Belgium can be as little as €906 per year, but non-EU students will pay more (around €3,000).
Courses such as the LLM (Masters of Law), MBA, Erasmus Mundus, or Medicine/Dentistry-related programs can cost considerably more.
As a Master’s student in Belgium, you may also need to pay the following additional fees:
- Application fee, if applicable: €50-100
- Medical insurance (if from outside the EU): €100-150
- Third Party Liability insurance: around €15
Considering these, you agree that the cost of a Master’s degree in Belgium for international students is cheap.
If you’re making your decision based on the tuition fee for a Master’s study in Belgium only, then that might deceive you. You sound to consider the average cost of living in Belgium as an international student.
Here is a summary below;
- Average tuition fees: Around €906 (~US$1,060) per year for EU students; €4,175+ (~US$4,900+) per year for non-EU students. These figures apply to all study levels.
- Average living costs: €10,200-11,400 (~US$11,940-13,350) per year
Note: the living cost solely depends on your lifestyle, location, and choice of living. Aside from that, living in Belgium is not expensive compared to other countries.
Read on to see available Master’s degree scholarships in Belgium!!!
What are the Entry Requirements for a Master’s Study in Belgium?
For entry into a two-year Master’s study in Belgium for international students, you have to read these requirements;
- We expect students to hold a bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent of 240 ECTS. Most already have a standalone Master’s degree or an integrated Master’s such as the UK M.Eng.
- A completed application form, which is often submitted online (or by email)
- An official copy of your qualifications and transcripts
- A translation of these documents into Dutch, French, German, or English by an accredited translator
- Curriculum vitae
- A document explaining the grading/credit system in your country
- Proof of Dutch / English proficiency, depending on the program you are applying for
- References/recommendation letters
- Letter of motivation
- They may also require work experience for some types of Master.
- Sometimes, applicants cannot be admitted directly to a Master’s program but have to do a specific preparatory course (between 45 and 90 ECTS credits) first, depending on their previous studies.
These are the basic entry requirements to study Master’s program in Belgium. Getting these documents and requirements ready makes you 50% ready to enter a university to study Master’s program in Belgium. You should also consider the application process below.
Read on to learn how to do an online Master’s degree in Belgium!!!
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What’s the Application Process for Belgian Master’s Degrees?
The application process for Masters’s in Belgium is like that of other countries. This is what the process looks like keeping you on your toes about what to do once you get started.
- Submit the requirements stated above to the University website (the one you chose)
- A central office will assess your application to ensure you meet all the minimum entry requirements. They then send it to the faculty/school, which will assess the academic quality and suitability of your application in relation to your program of choice.
- If successful, you will receive a letter of admission, which is necessary to apply for a visa (if relevant), scholarships for Master’s study in Belgium if you need one (you do), and complete your enrollment before or at registration.
You can secure a Belgian student visa easily. See how below!!!
What are the Top Universities in Belgium to Study Master’s?
Belgium is home to over 40 higher education institutions divided into:
- Universities–award Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees
- University colleges–provide only Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees without doctoral degrees
- Arts colleges–degrees specialized in art and design fields
- Business and management schools–dedicated mostly to graduate degrees in business
Below is a list of the top universities in Belgium;
- The University of Leuven
- Vrije University, Brussels
- Antwerp Management School
- Hasselt University
- The University of Liege
- Vesalius College Brussels
These are not all universities in Belgium, but if you need the best, apply to any of these universities.
Are there Cheap Master’s Degree Universities in Belgium?
Yes, there are cheap Master’s degree universities in Belgium. Suppose you don’t enter any of these cheap Master’s degree universities. In that case, you can look for scholarships for Master’s students in Belgium or an online Master’s degree in Belgium.
The list of cheap universities includes;
Tuition fees: From EUR 830
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Tuition fees: From EUR 900
Tuition fees: from EUR 900
Tuition fees: From EUR 900
Tuition fees: from EUR 2500
Tuition fees: from EUR 1200
The University of Liege Antwerp
Tuition fees: From EUR 4500
The list of cheap Master’s degree universities goes on and on, but here are the cheapest ones.
Have you considered the tuition fee for a Master’s study in Belgium above!!!
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How do I Secure my Belgian Student Visa?
If you want to study Master’s program in Belgium, you need a Belgian Student Visa. The good news is that not all international students require a student visa and a residence permit.
How do I know if I need a Visa or not?
It depends on your nationality and the length of your studies: Keep reading to determine if you need a visa and how to get it.
- Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do NOT need a visa or a residence permit.
- Non-EU/EEA students must apply for a D visa to stay in Belgium for 90 days or less. If their studies are longer, they have to apply for the D visa and follow it with an application for a residence permit.
Where do I Apply for a Belgian Student Visa?
Apply for a visa at your home country’s local Belgium embassy or consulate.
- For a long-stay study visa/residence permit, we recommend you make an appointment at the embassy at least two months before departure.
- For a brief stay visa, make an appointment at least 3 weeks before your departure.
What are the Documents for the Visa Application in Belgium?
- Passport (valid for three months longer than the visa)
- Two original visa application forms
- Acceptance letter from a Belgian university (usually the original document plus two copies)
- Copies of educational certificates
- Cover/motivational letter
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover all your expenses during an academic year (670 EUR/month)
- A medical certificate
- A certificate of moral conduct (or the local equivalent) if you are over 21 (including fingerprinting)
- Visa application fee (70 EUR for a brief stay visa and 210 EUR for long stay visa)
The processing of your Belgian student visa application can take anywhere from a few weeks to over 3 months, depending on your nationality, the length of your studies, and how many people apply for a visa. The sooner you start your application, the better.
See the Master’s degree scholarships in Belgium below!!!
Are there Available Master’s Degree Scholarships in Belgium?
Yes, there are scholarships for Master’s study in Belgium. The good thing about Master’s degree scholarships in Belgium is that most are fully funded. Here’s a list you can look out for;
- ARES Masters and Training Scholarships for Developing Countries
- VLIR-UOS Masters & Training Scholarships in Belgium for African/Developing Countries
- Government of Flanders Mastermind Scholarships for Excellent International Students
- Government of Flanders Priority Country Scholarship Programme for African/International Students
- Hasselt University Masters of Transportation Sciences Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries
- Hasselt University Masters Scholarship Program for Students from Developing Countries
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Scholarships at the University of Antwerp
- International Masters in Rural Development (IMRD) Scholarship–Erasmus Mundus
- Science@Leuven Scholarships for International Students
- Erasmus Masters in Digital Communication Leadership (DCLead) Scholarship Program for International Students
- World Veterinary Association (WVA) Veterinary Student Scholarship Program for Students from Developing Countries
- Elisabeth & Amelie Grants for Students from Developing Countries Studying
- Ghent University Ph.D. Scholarship Grants for Candidates from Developing Countries
- Global Minds Doctoral Scholarship Program for Ph.D. Students in Developing Countries
- Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships
- K.U. Leuven University Ph.D. Scholarships for Developing Countries
- Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) Ph.D. Scholarships for Developing Countries
- KU Leuven Travel Grants for Researchers from Developing Countries
- MISF Du Pré Grants for Multiple Sclerosis, Researchers from Developing Countries
- International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Fellowship for Developing Countries–Belgium
These Master’s degree scholarships in Belgium are available to both international students and residents.
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Is there Online Master’s Degree Program in Belgium?
Yes, there are online Master’s degree programs in Belgium.
Otherwise known as the Distance-learning master’s program. It provides many opportunities for career advancement. The fully online self-paced study offers students the time flexibility to balance work and studies. By using the latest advancements in communication technology, online masters open the way to new business opportunities by building networks of students with common goals. Remote studies offer lower tuition fees while preserving content quality and teacher involvement as on-campus master’s programs.
Some online Master’s degree programs in Belgium include;
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- International Law Micro Masters Program
- Master Business Administration
- Double Degree MBA: Swiss-UK
- Swiss School Of Business and Management
You can apply for this distance learning Master’s program in Belgium to reduce the cost of a Master’s degree in Belgium.
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Check out these Online Programs !!!
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s Study in Belgium
How many types of Universities are there in Belgium?
Well, there are two types of Master’s degrees in Belgium:
Initial Master’s (two years–120 ECTS) and the Advanced Master’s (1 year–60 ECTS) for those with a Master’s qualification or equivalent.
How do I Study Master’s program in Belgium for free?
The tuition fee for a Master’s study in Belgium is not free; however, there are many ways in which you can afford to pursue your studies in this beautiful country, which boasts of having one of the best weathers in Europe during the entire year. You can study in Belgium for free by;
Government Scholarships
Find A Suitable Job
University scholarships
These can lower the cost of a Master’s degree in Belgium.
Are the academic programs in Belgian universities offered in English?
Depending on the university, select courses are taught in English. Proficiency in the language is essential in this case. Foreign students have access to intensive language training courses if it interests them to learn languages such as French or Dutch.
Can international students work during their studies?
They entitle foreign students who are enrolled at an accredited Belgian institution of higher education and have a valid student visa to up to 20 hours of work a week during term time on the condition that it does not interfere with studies.
Conclusion
The cost of a Master’s degree in Belgium for International students has been quite a hindrance. Still, with Master’s degree scholarships in Belgium, online Master’s degrees, low tuition fees for Master’s study in Belgium, and studying in Belgium for free, the problem has been assuaged. Master’s study in Belgium for international students will require a Belgian student visa.
Good luck as you make your decision. Once you secure a place in Belgium as a Master’s student, contact us. Share with friends and family.
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