This article on the top 10 tuition free universities in Belgium is a well researched and written guide for every student who wishes to study in Belgium for free.
Most students are keen on studying in Belgium but can’t afford the tuition fee cost required by some of the best schools in the country. This is why some schools in Belgium has waived tuition fees for international students who want to get their qualification there.
Due to this, we did a good research and compiled a list of tuition free schools in the European country. This list of the tuition free universities in Belgium serves as a guide to help you make a great choice of free and high quality schools to study in Belgium.
Belgium is one of Europe’s most vibrant countries and an amazing place to study. It provides students affordable tuition and even free tuition.
Students from several countries can benefit from this. Belgian universities have distinct application methods, documentation and requirements.
Nevertheless, workers and students from across the world find it easy to live and work here; This makes it a favourable place to build your network and career.
Table of Contents
Why Should I Study in Belgium?
Every student or person would like to benefit from most decisions they take in life. This does not exclude the decision of a study location.
A student would definitely want to benefit from their place of study, school of study, and its environment; hence, a careful and well thought decision must be made in this regards.
There are lots of benefits that comes with studying in Belgium, here are a few of these benefits, starting with;
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in Belgium is admirably low, especially for students, who are also permitted to work to defray costs.
- Quality Education: Belgium is known as one of the countries which have the best universities and quality educational system. Moreover, It has an estimated amount of 6 universities among the top universities in the world.
- Multilingual Society: Meanwhile, amongst the numerous beauty and benefits of Belgium, multilingualism and multiculturalism top the chart. It has several communicative languages which include English, French, Dutch and more.
Nevertheless, Belgium is a home of beauty and safety, it has a vibrant culture and more. This country offers its residents lots of activities and entertaining programs to be part of.
However, it has various job opportunities and engagements one can be a part of.
Conditions for Studying in Belgium
It is necessary to know the conditions or requirements needed to study in Belgium.
Although for students from European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, much isn’t needed.
Nevertheless, before applying make sure to check the language requirements of the course of study or school, most courses in Belgium are either in French or in English language.
This is so you will know and write the proper test needed to apply, e.g; IELTS. However for French, a language proficiency test will be required upon arrival or you submit a certificate, showing your language proficiency.
However, some basic documents required include; a passport, bachelor’s degree certificate or high school certificate and result, proof of language proficiency. E.t.c.
Anyway, specific entry requirements may include a motivation letter or a reference letter. E.t.c.
Furthermore, note that you will have to reach the application deadline and apply accurately following the rules and regulations, not excluding the language preference.
However, for more information and application guidelines, do well to visit studyinbelgium.be.
List of Tuition-Free Universities in Belgium
Below is a carefully selected list of the 10 tuition free universities in Belgium. These universities are for both national and international students:
- University of Namur
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
- Ghent University
- UC Leuven-Limburg
- Hasselt University
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- University of Liege
- University of Antwerp
- Vesalius College
- Boston University.
10 Tuition Free Universities in Belgium
These universities are known for good and standard education.
1. University of Namur
The University of Namur also known as Université de Namur (UNamur), located in Namur, Belgium is a Jesuit, Catholic private university in the French Community of Belgium.
It has six faculties where teaching and research are carried out. This University is known for excellence in the fields of Philosophy and Lettres, Law, Economic, Social, and Management Sciences, Computer Sciences, Sciences and Medicine.
This University was established in 1831, it is a free university, state-funded with about 6,623 students and numerous staff.
However, it has 10 faculties and an enormous research and documentation library. Not excluding its notable alumni and several rankings.
It is indeed a tuition free university for international students, as it is supported and run by the state.
2. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
KU Leuven university also known as the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Catholic research university in the city of Leuven, Belgium.
However, It mostly conducts various teaching, research, and services in computer science, engineering, natural sciences, theology, humanities, medicine, law, canon law, business, and social sciences.
Nevertheless, it was founded in the year 1425 and established in the year 1834. It has a student number of 58,045 and an administrative staff number of 11,534.
However, it has several faculties and departments that teach various courses ranging in arts, business, social and science.
This Institute is one of the tuition free universities for international students and it has several notable alumni and rankings.
3. Ghent University
It was founded and established before the state of Belgium itself, by the Dutch King William I in 1817.
Ghent University comprises of 11 faculties and over 130 individual departments.
The University is one of the largest Belgian universities, consisting of 44,000 students and 9,000 staff members.
Ghent University has several rankings, it is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and one of the best tuition free universities in Belgium for international students.
However, In the year 2017, it was ranked 69th by the Academic Ranking of World Universities and 125th by QS World University Rankings.
4. UC Leuven-Limburg
The university of Leuven-Limburg also abbreviated as UCLL is a Flemish Catholic university and a member of the KU Leuven Association.
Moreover, it was established in 2014 through the merger of the former Katholieke Hogeschool Limburg (KHLim), the Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven (KHLeuven) and even Groep T.
This institution organizes higher education on 10 campuses, spread over five cities, the UCLL has approximately 14,500 students and several staff.
However, the UC Leuven-Limburg offers 18 professional bachelor’s programs/courses and 16 graduate programs/courses in the five main areas of interest: Teacher Education, Welfare, Health, Management and Technology.
Nevertheless, In addition to these, there are 14 banaba courses, even so, in association with other educational institutions, the university of applied sciences also offers the HBO5 nursing course.
5. Hasselt University
Hasselt University is a public research university with campuses in Hasselt and Diepenbeek, Belgium. It was established in the year 1971.
However, it has more than 6,700 students and over 1,500 academic and administrative staff.
This university was officially established in 1971 as the Limburg Universitair Centrum (LUC) but eventually changed its name to Hasselt University in the year 2005.
UHasselt has several rankings and notable alumni’s. It has seven Faculties and three Schools, delivering 18Bachelor’sr and 30 Master’s programmes, not excluding 5 English-taught programmes.
However, it also has 4 research institutes and 3 research centres. Indeed, this university is one of the best universities in Belgium and a tuition-free university for international students.
6. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel, also known as the VUB is a Dutch and English-speaking research university located in Brussels, Belgium.
It was established in 1834 and is one of the tuition free universities for international students. However, it has an estimated number of 19,300 students and over 3000 academic and administrative staff.
Moreover, it has four campuses namely: Brussels Humanities, Science and Engineering Campus in Elsene, Brussels Health Campus in Jette, Brussels Technology Campus in Anderlecht and Brussels Photonics Campus in Gooik.
Furthermore, it had 8 faculties, several notable alumni and numerous rankings. It is a profitable choice for any student.
7. University of Liege
The University of Liège known as ULiège is the major public university of the French Community of Belgium established in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium.
However, Its official language is French. In the year 2020, ULiège had several rankings according to Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.
However, the university has over 24,000 students and 4,000 employees. Nevertheless, it has 11 faculties, notable alumni, honorary doctorates and numerous rankings.
It is among the tuition free universities in Belgium for international students.
8. University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is a major Belgian university located in the city of Antwerp. It is abbreviated as UA.
However, this university has over 20,000 students, which makes it the third-largest university in Flanders.
This university is known for its high standards in education, internationally competitive research and entrepreneurial approach.
Nevertheless, It was founded and established in 2003 after the merger of three smaller universities.
The University of Antwerp has 30 academic bachelor programmes, 69 master programmes, 20 master-after-master programmes and 22 postgraduates.
Moreover, amongst these 26 programmes are completely taught in English:1 bachelor’s, 16 masters, 6 master-after-master and 3 postgraduate programmes. However, all of these programmes are divided into 9 faculties.
9. Vesalius College
Vesalius College, also known as VeCo, is a college situated in the heart of Brussels, Belgium.
This college is regulated in association with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The university is named after Andreas Vesalius, which is one of the first and foremost pioneers in the study of Anatomy.
Nevertheless, the college was founded and established in 1987 and offers a three-year Bachelor’s degree programs in accordance with the Bologna process.
However, Vesalius College is one of the few educational institutions in Belgium which teaches exclusively in English.
As it is a young university, it has an estimate of 300 students and several staffs. It is one of the tuition free universities in Belgium for international students.
10. Boston University
Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, Belgium.
However, the university is nonsectarian, although the university has a historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church.
Nevertheless, this university was founded in 1839 by the Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont, before its move to Boston in 1867.
The university is a home of over 30,000 students and numerous staffs, it is one of the tuition free universities in Belgium for international students.
Furthermore, the university presently has more than 4,000 faculty members and is one of Boston’s largest employers.
It offers Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, Doctorates, and Medical, Dental, Business, and Law degrees through its 17 schools/departments and colleges on three urban campuses.
Fees in Belgium
Note that it is necessary to have an overview of what tuition fee look like in Belgium. There are two regions where most universities are found, these regions has different tuition fees and requirements. To answer your question; is studying abroad expensive? Click here.
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Fees in Flemish Region
The Flemish region is a Dutch-speaking region and the tuition fees for full-time degree programs are usually around 940 EUR per year only for European students.
While for non-European students, it fluctuates from 940-6,000 EUR depending on the program. However, study programs in Medicine, Dentistry or MBA cost more.
Furthermore, students are required to register for a credit or exam contract, this cost around 245 EUR and while the exam contract cost 111 EUR.
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Fees in Wallonia region
Meanwhile, the Wallonia region is the French-speaking region of Belgium, which requires European students to pay a maximum annual tuition fee of 835 EUR.
However, the non-European students, has an annual fee of 4,175 EUR. Although the cost might increase if enrolled in a medical or MBA degree.
Meanwhile, If you want to know about the exemption of paying full tuition fee as an international student, click here.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, if you’re in need of more information about any of the above universities, varying from their history, payment, application, deadline, courses and more, please visit the universities website via the link attached to its name.
Note that most of these universities are public, state and even private. However, some are young universities, while others have been for years.
Each University has its own distinct feature and commendable history, they’re the best from more of the tuition free universities in Belgium for international students.
See also: Cheapest universities in the world for international students.
Remember that your questions are welcomed and we’ll appreciate it if you engage us in the comment section below.