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Studying in Belgium

Tuition, living costs, visas and how to apply, from the European Commission's official profile — with student numbers from Eurostat and the Erasmus Mundus master's you can take here.

🇧🇪 Browse Belgium’s universities on CollegeMatcher

At a glance

Tuition · EU/EEA students

€1,157 a year in Flanders and Brussels (2025–26)

Tuition · non-EU/EEA students

€1,200 – €8,000 a year in Flanders and Brussels, depending on the programme

Fees — more detail

Belgium's three language communities each run their own higher education; these figures are the Flemish community's. French-speaking institutions publish theirs on Study in Belgium.

Living costs

€800 – €1,000 a month in Flanders and Brussels

Erasmus Mundus master's

53 joint programmes with a university here

Students in Belgium

Tertiary students · 2024

551,141

From abroad · 2024

48,6488.8% of all students

Of whom from the EU · 2024

24,58750.5% of students from abroad

Largest countries of origin: France (14,019), Netherlands (3,995), Luxembourg (1,533), Cameroon (1,353), Morocco (1,306).

“From abroad” means degree-mobile students — enrolled for a whole degree, having gained their previous qualification in another country. Exchange students on Erasmus aren't counted.

Tertiary students by year
201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
488,488495,910504,745508,270526,760515,530519,212521,201539,777549,399550,999551,141

The Kingdom of Belgium has a federal state structure, organised into 3 Communities.

Each Community has its own government and ministry of education. The capital city, Brussels, links to the communities.

Source: Study in Belgium, last updated 17 December 2025.

Study in Belgium (Flanders and Brussels) – higher education, costs and applying

Tuition fees and living costs

Tuition fees vary by institution and programme. For the academic year 2025-2026, the fees are

  • EU/EEA students: €1 157
  • Non-EU/EEA students: €1 200 - €8 000, depending on the programme

Living costs in Flanders and Brussels are estimated at €800 - €1 000 per month, covering accommodation, food, study materials, transport, insurance, phone and internet and personal expenses.

More details on tuition fees

Visa requirements

If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in Belgium.

If you are not a citizen of the EU/EEA, you must apply for a student visa. As a non-EU/EEA student, you must apply for a short-stay visa or a a long-stay visa.

Details description of visa requirements

Higher education system

The Flemish higher education system is a binary system and offers a large number (more than 500) of study programmes taught in English at universities or universities of applied sciences (and arts). Diplomas obtained at these institutions will be recognised everywhere in the European Union.

Degree options

  • Bachelor’s degree (3–4 years)
  • Master’s degree (1–2 years)
  • Doctorate (PhD) (4 years)

Other study opportunities

  • a postgraduate certificate
  • short-term studies and exchange programmes (including Erasmus+)
  • language and summer courses

Education system and academic calendar

Application procedure

The academic year starts in September. A very limited number of study programmes allow students to start in February. In general, students can apply for programmes at Flemish higher education instituions as of November-December. Applications and deadlines differ per institution and study programme.

In general, here are the steps to apply for a programme in Belgium:

  1. Prepare all the documents you need and start an online application via the website on the Flemish university or university of applied sciences (and arts) of your choice. Get to know your options by browsing the available study programmes and scholarship options (read below).
  2. After submitting your online application, you may need to send hard copies of certain documents. If your application is complete, you will receive an admission officer that you need to accept to receive your official admission letter.
  3. Prepare your stay. Get practical information about applying for a visa, finding housing, healthcare and insurance.
  4. When you arrive in Belgium, you can complete your registration at the enrollment desk of your Flemish university or university of applied sciences (and arts).

Scholarship opportunities

Find out about available scholarships in Flanders and Belgium.

Student life in Flanders and Brussels

Want to know what to expect as an international student in Flanders and Brussels? Read about the Dutch speaking part of Belgium and the six reasons for studying at one of the Flemish higher education institutions.

Frequently asked questions

Are programmes taught in English?

Yes, many programmes are fully taught in English. Get a complete overview of English-taught programmes in Flanders and Brussels.

Can I work while studying in Flanders and Brussels?

Yes, international students can work while studying in Flanders and Brussels as long as they are enrolled in a university.

EU/EEA students can work full-time without restrictions.

Non-EU/EEA students have to study full-time to get a student visa. If you have a legal residence in Belgium, you can work for any employer in Belgium for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year. During official holiday periods, you can work more than 20 hours per week.

Detailed specifications on combining work and study

Is health insurance required?

Yes, health insurance is mandatory for international students in Belgium. You must have valid health insurance to enroll and apply for a residence permit. EU/EEA students may use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Non-EU/EEA students should take out a health insurance policy in Belgium. You can become a member at Belgian health insurance provider of your choice with your proof of enrolment. Some Non-EU/EEA countries have agreements with Belgium that cover insurance for the duration of your studies.

More on health and insurance

How can I find housing in Flanders and Brussels?

Housing options offered on campus are limited in Flanders and Brussels. Most students live in private student houses throughout the city. Your first point of contact to find housing should be your institution. Most institutions offer accommodation services for international students.

Finding a place to live

Source: Study in Belgium (Flanders and Brussels) – higher education, costs and applying, last updated 17 December 2025.

Wallonia and Brussels

Discover everything you need to know about applying for higher education programmes and studying in Wallonia and Brussels (Belgium).

Higher Education in Wallonia and Brussels

Find information on the education system in Wallonia and Brussels, institutions, degrees and study programmes.

Study opportunities

Get more information about the full degree and short-term study opportunities in Wallonia and Brussels, as well as language and summer courses.

Research opportunities

Read more about pursuing a PhD or a postdoctoral degree in Wallonia and Brussels.

Work opportunities

Would you like to work during your studies in Wallonia and Brussels? Read more about working while studying and working after your studies.

Scholarships & costs

Find information on the tuition fees, the cost of living, as well as the different types of scholarships and funding opportunities at national and European levels.

Preparing your stay

How to prepare for your stay in Wallonia and Brussels? You can find more information about how to apply for a study programme, visas and residence permits, accommodation and health insurance.

Official links

Source: Wallonia and Brussels, last updated 4 April 2022.

Erasmus Mundus master's with a university in Belgium

Joint master's taught by several universities in different countries, open to students from anywhere, with EU-funded scholarships on many of them.

Country guidance adapted from the European Commission’s Study in Europe country profiles, © European Union, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Condensed, restructured and combined with other data by CollegeMatcher.

Student numbers: Eurostat, tables educ_uoe_enrt01 (tertiary enrolment) and educ_uoe_mobs02 (degree-mobile students from abroad).

Programmes: the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); partner institutions from the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. © European Union, CC BY 4.0.

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