Brussels is a wonderful city to live and work in. Consequently, it has a lot to offer students, whether it is an Erasmus experience or a long-term study program. There are many different universities with a variety of different courses to choose from. Courses are offered in French, Dutch, and English, and you can always take a language course alongside your study program. This guide will tell you almost everything you need to know about studying in Brussels.
Given the highly cosmopolitan nature of Brussels, it should come as no surprise to find that the universities in Brussels are equally diverse. Young people from all over Europe and beyond come to pursue their studies at these higher education institutions.
While most bachelor's courses are taught in French or Dutch, an increasing number of master's programs are offered in English. As Brussels is the capital of the European Union, many courses focus on business, economics, and politics in Europe.
Universities in Brussels
There is a wide range of universities for students to choose from. Here are the main institutions:
Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
The Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is one of the most popular universities among international students, making up more than a third of the student body. Founded in 1834, it offers a very comprehensive list of courses to choose from. Over the years, ULB has produced four Nobel Prize laureates who have either studied or conducted research there.
The university offers around 40 undergraduate programs and 250 graduate programs. Most of these courses are in French, although some master's programs are in English. There are 12 faculties where you can study most sciences, including medicine and engineering.
If you are looking to join a forward-thinking university, ULB is an excellent choice. Additionally, the university, known for its interest in debates, is one of Belgium's leading advocates for women's rights and reproductive rights, placing you at the heart of the action.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) split from ULB in 1970, and most students attending it study in Dutch. However, there are now many master's courses in English that attract international students. It is a very innovative university, and many young people come here to conduct research in various fields. Whether it's nuclear engineering, football, or European policy-making, VUB should have a course perfectly suited to your learning needs.
VUB has four main campuses focusing on health, technology, humanities, engineering sciences, and photonics. These four campuses are located in Jette, Anderlecht, Elsene, and Gooik respectively. There are eight faculties, all striving to educate, research, and serve the community.
If you wish to attend a university with a strong focus on research, VUB is the ideal university.
Université Saint-Louis Bruxelles
The Université Saint-Louis de Bruxelles offers several programs, including a bachelor's in law, economics, social sciences, translation, and interpretation. It provides only interesting master's degrees and specialized doctoral programs. However, the emphasis is on social and human sciences. If these subjects interest you, this university could be ideal for you.
Université Saint-Louis de Bruxelles is also renowned for its research facilities. It has 17 research centers frequented by regional, federal, and even international organizations.
Every year, 4,000 students from over 70 different nationalities attend the university, located in the center of Brussels. Some courses are taught in all three languages: English, French, and Dutch!
Note that before 2012, this university was known as Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis. But by the end of 2018, they adopted the name Université Saint-Louis, or UCLouvain.
Brussels School of International Studies
The Brussels School of International Studies is actually an extension of the University of Kent in the UK, based in Brussels. Its courses are accredited in Belgium. It has an international perspective, so all its programs focus on topics such as conflict analysis, human rights, migration, and international development.
You can earn a bachelor's, master's, and doctorate there. All courses are in English, and they often host conferences with guest speakers from the European Commission and NATO. Students from over 45 nationalities across five continents attend the Brussels School of International Studies, so you'll find a very diverse environment.
One unique feature of the Brussels School of International Studies is that its library is entirely digital. You won't have to worry about going to a physical library to borrow books. You can access all resources directly online.
Vlerick Business School
The Vlerick Business School is one of the top business schools in Europe. In fact, it is the best university in the Benelux for executive education. It ranks in the top 20 for all of Europe. It is a triple-accredited university, meaning the education provided is of the highest quality.
The school offers numerous management programs aimed at attracting international students. These range from digital transformation and entrepreneurship to marketing and sales, as well as human resource management and leadership.
Only 650 students take courses there each year, and these MBA and master's students come from more than 40 different countries. The courses are organized with the goal of maintaining small, dynamic classes.
Vlerick Business School has three physical campuses located in Brussels, Leuven, and Ghent. They also organize many online courses so that you don't always need to attend in person.
Royal Conservatory of Brussels
The Royal Conservatory of Brussels (Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel in Dutch and Royal Conservatory of Brussels in English) offers quality education in music and dramatic arts. Many famous and talented musicians, artists, and actors have attended this university in the past. It is actually a higher art school managed by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Today, more than 650 students come from five continents to study there.
Interestingly, since 1967, this university has existed in two distinct parts: one where courses are taught in Dutch and the other in French. Consequently, if you don't speak either of these two languages, it might be a bit complicated, as courses will be conducted in a language you don't understand.
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is a university specializing in European affairs. If you are interested in a career in this field, seriously consider applying to this university, especially since it emphasizes lobbying. It also offers master's programs in legal studies.
In fact, EIPA is not only located in Brussels. You will also find it in Maastricht (Netherlands), Barcelona (Spain), and Luxembourg.
United Business Institutes
Are you interested in a career in business? Then know that at its Brussels campus, the United Business Institutes offer BA, DBA, and MBA programs.
The advantage of attending this university is that it can grant you a European validation from Middlesex University London. This makes it very easy to transfer your academic credits in business from one university to another if necessary.
United International Business Schools
This is another business school you might consider joining. It has campuses in Brussels and Antwerp.
As with the United Business Institutes, you will be able to transfer your academic credits in business to and from different universities. In fact, you can do this on a quarterly basis, making it a very flexible university.
This private and accredited institution offers both bachelor's and master's programs not only in business management but also in linguistic and cultural studies, which will certainly be useful when it comes to business matters.
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Living in Brussels and studying elsewhere
Since Belgium is quite small, it is entirely possible to live in Brussels and study at a university in one of the neighboring cities. Ghent and Leuven, for example, are just a few minutes away by train, and both cities have a very dynamic student life.
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) is one of the best universities in the country and is also the oldest university in Europe, founded in 1425. It is also the largest Catholic university in existence in the world. It has 15 faculties that teach a wide range of courses to about 50,000 students who follow its programs on its campuses in Leuven and Flanders. Thus, you can take courses for your degree in 11 different cities. Although it is international, KU Leuven offers many scholarship opportunities for students from developing countries. If you are interested in research, consider this university, as it is one of the best in the world.
The University of Ghent is another major Belgian university with over 49,000 students. It is one of the top 100 universities in the world and one of the best in Belgium. It has 11 faculties and offers more than 200 courses; you will be spoiled for choice. Although many of its courses in its 11 faculties are taught in Dutch, the university also offers a growing number of courses in English.
How to study in Brussels
Once you have chosen a university and a course, it will be time to apply. Each study program has its own admission requirements, so be attentive and see if you meet the criteria first, or contact the university administration by email if you are unsure.
While most bachelor's programs simply require a Belgian or foreign high school diploma, for some, you may need to take an entrance exam. You may also be tested on your language skills, depending on your country of origin.
To study in Belgium, once accepted into a university, you will need to apply for a visa if you come from a non-EU/EEA country. In this visa application process, you will need your university acceptance letter, proof of your qualifications, and a statement regarding the viability of your finances to support yourself during your course. You will most likely need to produce the Belgian equivalents of your diplomas in advance.
For more information on the procedure to follow to apply for your student visa, the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs has everything you need.
Tuition fees in Brussels
While university fees can vary significantly depending on the program you decide to pursue, be it a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate, know that, in general, these fees in Brussels are very affordable.
However, keep in mind that prices vary considerably depending on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or not. If you are, you should expect to pay an average of €900 per year. Otherwise, you should consider paying €3,900 per year.
Compared to universities in other countries, this remains very affordable, even in the highest bracket.
Please note that the tuition fees mentioned above are only for the studies themselves. They do not cover other expenses such as moving, food, transportation, and study materials, among others. So, when calculating your costs for attending university in Brussels, don't forget to also account for these expenses, as they will make a huge difference in your monthly budget.
Student life in Brussels
Finding student accommodation
The good news is that most Brussels universities have on-campus housing. However, it is always wise to apply well in advance, as they are always in high demand. If you don't act quickly enough, you might be placed on the waiting list, which means you will really need to be lucky to get accommodation in the campus dormitories.
And if you are unlucky, or if you simply don't like living on campus, you will have the option to rent off-campus. A popular option among students is renting a room in an apartment. It's nice and generally not expensive. However, you will lose in terms of privacy, but it remains an excellent compromise.
Another option is to rent a studio. It's obviously more expensive, but you will have your personal space. You can even rent a one-bedroom apartment with a fellow student, a friend, or your partner. The downside of living off-campus is that you will have to commute to your classes. Depending on how far you are, this can represent a lot of time spent traveling when you could be studying instead.
The cost of living
While groceries are generally quite expensive in Brussels, there are supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and Colruyt where shopping is cheaper. Knowing this will be very useful, especially if you want to save money to spend elsewhere. There are also several markets scattered throughout the city if you wish to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at prices lower than those in supermarkets. However, expect to spend between €200 and €300 per month on your groceries in Brussels.
Going out in Brussels is much cheaper than in other European capitals. Drink prices are generally quite reasonable, although they are slowly starting to increase in the city center. The Ixelles Cemetery is a favorite spot for students. There are many cheap bars that are bustling almost every day of the week.
Beyond eating and drinking, you will find that there will also be books and materials you will need to buy for your university studies. Then you will also need to sign up for at least one health plan.
Fortunately, student health care plans are very affordable, and Belgium is highly rated worldwide for the medical care it provides.
One area where you can save money is transportation. Know that an annual subscription for all Brussels buses, metros, and trams costs only €12 for students. This rate has been in effect since July 1, 2021. Before this date, the subscription cost €50.
Student discounts
Regarding student discounts, those in Brussels are likely to be disappointed. Unlike other major cities, there are very few offers, especially in terms of restaurants or bars. But otherwise, tuition fees are not expensive, and transport as well as health care are cheap, which helps keep a relatively low cost of living. It is precisely in these key spending areas that students in Belgium benefit.
Nevertheless, museums and tourist attractions will offer concessions to students. And to get more discount offers and reductions for students, it might be wise to buy a European Youth Card, which costs €15. However, you should still check on the appropriate website to see if the offers interest you or not.
Information sessions and orientation weeks
Most universities will start the first semester of the year with an orientation week to help newcomers settle in, make friends, and discover the opportunities offered by the university and Brussels. Information sessions will also be organized throughout the year to allow Erasmus program students, for example, to familiarize themselves with student life in Belgium.
The information sessions and orientation week will guide you to the associations and sports clubs you can join. All universities have staff responsible for student welfare, and you can always email them or visit their office if you need help starting your new student life in the beautiful city of Brussels.
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