BELGIUM

Why Study in Belgium:
Belgium is located in one of the most densely populated and most commercial regions of the world. It is an integral part of the ‘Blue Banana’ megalopolis (also known as the‘Grande Région’), a multinational European metropolis of more than 85 million inhabitants constituting the centre of Europe in terms of economy, innovation and power. The region spans from Liverpool via London and Belgium across to the German Ruhr region and down to the north of Italy. The megalopolis represents two thirds of Europe’s GDP. The region contains four of the world’s ten largest airports (London Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle Paris, Frankfurt am Main and Amsterdam-(Schiphol).
Belgium has exemplified diversity throughout Europe’s history, and will undoubtedly continue along this path into its future. Through this, Belgium, in turn, manages to provide students with a uniquely diverse range of opportunities that would easily rival those of its neighbors. But perhaps “rival” is not the best word to use, as Belgium is also noted for its exceptional ability to welcome and host a myriad of cultures all at once.
Belgium serves as the center for both NATO and the EU. One of the founding members of the EU, Belgium has been at the very forefront of European integration and unification (it became one of the first countries to adopt the Euro). The capital city of Brussels, which is recognized as one of the safest capital cities in the world, is also the seat of the European Commission. In addition, it is the residence of the Council of Ministers, which hosts meetings of the European Parliament, and holds all summits of the European Council. In many ways, Brussels acts as the unofficial capital of the EU. As a result, the city stands only behind Washington DC in its number of accredited journalists. Also, many major corporations choose to base their European headquarters in Belgium. Belgium would be an excellent opportunity for students majoring in international relations, politics, economics, peace studies, art history, journalism, or business.
Although Belgium takes a friendly approach to outside influences, it also maintains its own identity. Many characterize Belgium as “one of Europe’s best kept secrets.” Europeans themselves flock to the country for its beautiful art, gorgeous medieval castles, and decadent chocolate (it is the home of Godiva). Artists will find inspiration in the works of prominent Belgian artists such as the baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, surrealist Rene Magritte, and painters Jan van Eyck, Pieter Brueghel, and Paul Delvaux. The famous Art Nouveaux architect, Victor Hugo also hails from Belgium. In addition, Belgium happens to be the home of popular comic strips such as Tintin and The Smurfs.
Those who wish to expand their travel options will find a strategic home in Belgium to base their study. The country has an excellent transportation system (it developed Europe’s first train line) and is also linked to the European railway system. Paris, Cologne, London, and Amsterdam are all less that a 3 hour train ride away!

Education & Research:
Since September 2004, higher education in Belgium has been greatly changed by the introduction of the "Bologna process". This is a European reform aiming to harmonize qualifications between different member states and to encourage the mobility of students across the European Union.
Higher education: what has changed
Higher and university studies in the states which have approved the reform are organised in three cycles, and each year of study leads to the award of "credits". The "credit" is a unit corresponding to the time spent by the student on a learning activity within a programme of studies in a given discipline. The study year remains the reference point and corresponds to 60 credits.
First cycle: the bachelors
The first cycle corresponds to a minimum of three years of study (180 credits) and leads to a bachelor’s degree. Higher educational studies of the short type previously leading to a ‘graduat’ qualification and the first study cycle known as the “candidature” at university have thus been replaced by the bachelors degree.
Second cycle: the masters
After obtaining a bachelors degree, the student can continue his education with a second cycle of studies. These lead to the degree of master over one year (60 credits) or two years (120 credits), or in medicine over a minimum of four years (240 credits) or in veterinary medicine after a minimum of three years (180 credits). Finally in some branches, the masters can be completed by supplementary masters of a minimum one year (60 credits).
Third cycle: the doctorate
This cycle only applies to university education and is accessible to students who have completed at least 300 credits. Third cycle studies consist of doctoral training (60 credits) leading to a qualification in research and in the preparation of a doctoral thesis (at least 180 credits), leading to a doctorate degree after the thesis has been defended.
Universities:
• Brussels University
• Catholic University of Louvain
• Faculté Polytechnique de Mons
• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
• Limburgs Universitair Centrum
• Royal Military Academy
• Université Libre de Bruxelles
• University of Antwerp
• University of Ghent
• University of Li?ge
• University of Namur
• Vesalius College (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Study Programs:
Belgian universities offer basic academic courses, advanced academic training courses, doctoral programmes, post-academic training and various international study programmes (Masters) in the fields of

Theology,
philosophy,
law,
economics and applied economics,
political and social sciences,
medico-social health sciences,
dentistry,
pharmaceutical sciences,
physical education and physiotherapy,
sciences,
language and literature / history,
archeology and art science,
psychology and educational sciences,
medical sciences,
Engineering and applied biological sciences.
Scholarships
Faced with the costs of the study program of your choice, you will want to find ways to pay for it. There is virtually always a possibility for you to receive financial support, be it a grant or a loan. In this section, you can find out where to look and what to do, depending on where you are from and how long you are staying.
Postgraduate scholarships
Within the bilateral cultural cooperation between 25 countries and Flanders, the Flemish Community (Education Department) offers a limited number of postgraduate scholarships. To be eligible for such a scholarship the candidate has to be selected by the responsible home authority. Therefore, please contact the country's competent ministry in order to fulfil the necessary formalities.
The 25 countries are Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Quebec, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, P.R. of China and Switzerland.
Application Requirements:
In order to get accepted to a university or college, a few requirements must be met. Most of all your high school diploma is important. However, your grades, language skills and work experience can also be taken into account.
Qualification
To study in Belgium, you need a general qualification for university entrance. Whether you start or continue your studies in Belgium, The application goes directly to the universities.
If you want to study engineering you have to pass a special admission test. If you pass the test successfully, you are allowed to apply at any university and Haute École of the French community.
If you want to study medicine, you do not have to pass any test in Wallonia. Within the first year of study there is an evaluation and afterward there will be a selection of the best students. Only the best students are allowed to enter the second year.
The general admission requirement is the Flemish secondary school-leaving diploma. If a foreign qualification is recognized on the basis of a Flemish decree, Belgian Law, a European Directive or an international convention, the holder will have direct access to Bachelor programmes. Admission may also be granted, after individual assessment of your foreign qualification(s), if it gives access to higher education in your country.
Special admission requirements
Higher education institutions may adopt special admission requirements allowing to admit persons who cannot meet the general admission requirement.
These individual admission decisions must be based on:
• humanitarian grounds;
• medical, psychological or social grounds;
• the individual education level of the student, assessed by the higher education institution.
Admission requirements for students holding a bachelor's degree
Students holding a bachelor's degree may be admitted to another bachelor's programme without having to take up the whole programme. These students will however still have to follow a programme of at least 60 ECTS credits.
The qualifying examinations take place at the higher education institution where you want to study. Contact the institution for the examinations dates.
Language
The language requirements vary from university to university. Therefore it is important to contact your university or institution as soon as possible to gain more information about that.
In Wallonia the knowledge of French has to be proofed through a test organised by the universities. This Examen de maîtrise de la langue française takes place two times per year. In addition the universities offer preparation courses for the language tests.

Living in Belgium:
Housing
A very important aspect of studying in a new city is finding a place to stay. Some people like busy areas, some like it nice and quiet. Some like to live with others, some do not. Take your time to find the place you want, or, if you do not care for the hassle, just ask the university for a place to stay. You will usually end up living with a bunch of international students from around the globe.
Dorm
All universities and schools have there own student-houses (at social prices in relation to your (parents) income). This includes apartments for families.
Flat Share
Many schools and universities provide rooms for their students or have lists with rooms for rent, which are close to the university. The best thing is inform you directly at the university.
In Belgium too the amount of rents is depending on the city you life in. In bigger cities, of course, the rents are slightly higher. But there are rooms available for €150-€350, reasonable prices compared with housing costs in other western European countries.
Home-stays are also popular in Belgium, and give students a chance to learn, first-hand, about Belgian culture, while possibly taking on a new language. Contact your university´s international student support services or international student department for further information on securing housing in Belgium.
Visa Procedure:
Visa
One of the first things you should consider when planning a trip to another country is getting a proper visa. Different rules apply to different types of travelers and visitors. There are tourist visas and there are those required for longer stays. Find out all about that and then chose the visa that suits you best.
Visa and permits
Non-EEA students should apply for a Student Visa (officially called an Authorisation for Provisional Stay).
When visiting the Embassy or Consulate you will need the following documents:
• Valid passport (with at least one year's validity remaining)
• Permission to enroll at the higher education institution
• Proof of solvency
• Certificate of good conduct
• Medical certificate
• Declaration signed by yourself, certifying that you will leave Flanders (Belgium) upon the completion of your studies
• Recent passport pictures, signed on the back
• Financial support declaration