2study in Belgium
It's not just a year of life, but a whole life in one year.
WHY STUDY IN BELGIUM?
Belgium is a country rich in culture and traditions. If you are thinking about studying abroad, you must bear in mind this country. Its universities appear in the global ranking that defines them as among the bests in the world. The educative system opts for practical classes, where the different possible situations that may happen in a job are analysed and solved. Besides, they have a great number of innovative facilities.
One of the advantages that will make you choose Belgium is that it has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. It is the perfect place to find linguistic diversity. You will be able to practice the different languages at any moment and thus experience a multicultural stay. What about English? Don’t worry, the Belgians have a good English level, which will allow you to communicate unhindered and practise your English fluently.
It is known that one of the main purposes of the people that study abroad is to travel and discover the world in all its forms and colours. For this goal, Belgium is the perfect country. Located in the centre of Europe, visiting the nearby countries will be very easy. Just by crossing the border, you will be in France, The Netherlands, Luxembourg or Germany. This will make you feel connected with the world and eager to discover new cities and cultures.
But what will make you love this country the most is its people. The Belgians are people extremely open-minded who love to share their experiences with others and to learn from other cultures. Furthermore, thanks to the excellent location the environment of the students is international, which will help you to meet people from all around the world. Diversity is extremely important in an experience such as this because it enables you to create a foreign family that will accompany you through this time.
The degrees usually last between 3 and 4 years. Professional schools, depending on the course you choose, will be longer or shorter. Besides, an internship must be taken into account.
“Start your unforgettable journey!
Visit the homeland of French fries, Smurfs and Jean Claude Van Damme, rich in historical and cultural relics, influenced by France, the Netherlands, Austria and even Spain.”
Belgium is waiting for you!
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
Public universities offer studies relatively affordable, with a good quality-price ratio. Many students choose Belgium as a destination for their studies as they have a wide variety of degrees and a good number of spots. The price can vary according to the residence status.
Public universities are much more economical than private ones, despite many of them being of great renown. Thanks to that, many exchange students opt for this country, which creates a multi-ethnic environment that encourages diversity.
Private universities
Private universities, on the other hand, have a higher cost and fewer available spots. However, they don’t make a distinction between resident and non-resident, the price tends to be the same. Normally they are one-sex universities or religious, that have no more than 20 000 students.
They are self-funded due to loans, research prizes, grants, and the help of former students. State subsidies are not granted to them, but they usually have more advanced facilities and more personalised attention.
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS
These schools are based on disciplines that require more practical and advanced studies, which can be law, medicine, agriculture or architecture.
There are two types of programs in these institutions: short-term courses and long-term. The short-term courses last around three years and they tend to be titles such as agriculture, trade and teaching. Those long-term have a minimum duration of four years and they usually are divided into shorter courses, finishing all of them, leads to a final diploma.
FREE TIME
Spend your free time exploring cities such as Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, admiring their architecture and visiting famous museums. Don‘t miss the opportunity to taste craft beer and delicious Belgian chocolate. In addition, enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes, attend festivals and cultural events to immerse yourself in the culture of the country. Belgium offers a wide range of experiences to enjoy during your spare time.
POPULATION
12 million
AREA
30 688 km²
Official languages
Dutch (Flemish), French, and German
Largest city
Brussels
CAPITAL
Brussels
Currency
Euro
accomodation
There are many accommodation options for the students, both residents and foreigners. Residences on the university campus, flats, or shared houses. Usually, you will have at your disposal an individual bedroom and a shared bathroom, kitchen, living room, and dining room. Some flats have a terrace, others are remodelled, all depends on your budget and the area.
All the options have their advantages and disadvantages, so the decision is based on the comfort and habits of each person. Usually, it is advisable, during the first months to have access to a residence, which gives you the right to more personalized services and you will feel at home. Naturally, this has a higher cost than a shared flat, but all will depend on the area where it is located and the type of bedroom.
specific exams
Gaining access to a Belgian university hasn’t many complications, but it is essential to bear in mind certain requirements and apply them in the right way.
Most universities offer the possibility of studying in English, which means that many of them require some level of certification. They usually ask for a B2 and accept all kinds of certificates: IELTS, TOEFL, FCE, CAE, etc. If you don’t have any of these certificates or English is your Achilles heel, don’t worry, we offer courses and can help you!
Some universities carry out aptitude tests to quantify your knowledge levels. This is useful to raise the awareness of both, the university and the student, so they know what topics are going to be discussed and make their final decision.
You will also need your high school diploma and to get your qualifications record translated into English. We must bear in mind that some universities ask for a letter of recommendation, a motivational letter, and sometimes a personal interview. It all depends on the degree you apply to.
HOMOLOGATION OF BELGIAN QUALIFICATIONS
The Spanish Government allows standardising foreign qualifications both, from the standard university and those from professional schools. It will be as easy as requesting standardisation from the Spanish Government. It is a procedure that is permanently open, where you will have to provide the necessary data and you will have your standardisation.
Depending on the degree you study and the type of specialisation, you will need to provide a certain type of information. You don’t have to worry about this procedure, we will advise you every step of the way!
estimated annual cost
The cost can vary, bearing in mind factors such as the chosen degree, the type and location of the accommodation, and scholarships and grants given. However, what influences the most is the chosen university. Depending on whether it is public or private, the price may increase or decrease, although this is not always true. There are some public universities that due to the reputation achieved through their years of history, fix higher prices than other public universities. Besides, we must take into account that prices tend to be higher for non-European students.
Finally, the estimated price for each institution (without possible scholarships/grants) is:
Public universities: 1 000 € for European students, and around 6 000 € for non-European students.
Private universities: 20 000 €.
Professional schools: 1 000 € for European students, and around 6 000 € for non-European students.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
If you want to study in Belgium but you are afraid of the costs, don’t worry! There are many scholarships you can apply for and that will make your stay in this country as calm and pleasant as possible.
First, there is the Master Mind scholarship to which you can apply having an average grade higher than 8 and having passed an English level exam. This scholarship will provide you with the funds for a maximum of two years of study and 8 200 € per academic year to cover the health insurance and living expenses you may have.
The rest of the scholarships are usually aimed at the universities, that is each university awards them to the students. Therefore, you should be well informed of the deadlines of the application and keep up to date on the documents required. You don’t have to worry about that, we will help you at all times.
FUTURE JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The first thing we must highlight is that, nowadays, this country has an unemployment rate below 5%. This, despite being a trademark and something few countries can claim, highlights a static and dynamic labour market at the same time.
There is a great employment demand, from jobs where experience isn’t needed like kitchen helper, waiter, shop assistant, etc. (jobs we can access to request grants and you will be able to combine with your studies) to jobs that provide a sufficient income to live in this beautiful country and indulge in some treats. There is a high demand for technicians, in the logistics sector, industrial and agricultural.
Taxes are subject to modifications depending on the individual income, but the minimum inter-professional salary is 1 593’81 €. However, the average wage is 3 977€. This allows you to pay the rent or the mortgage of a house, supplying the basic needs and saving for unforeseen expenses. But, moreover, enjoying life!
We also need to emphasize that being such an innovative country, encourages the business creation and the economic independence of young people. Its aim is that young people contribute with ideas to expand the market, produce goods and improve the country. All this allows them to work in something they like and inspires them from the beginning.
