Low Tuition Universities in Belguim, Admission Requirements and Essential Information for International Students

If you want to study in Belgium, luckily for you, we are here to help. This article presents the higher education system in Belgium, living costs, admission requirements, tuition fees, and also list of low tuition universities in Belgium

About Belgium

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest. It covers an area of 30,528 km² (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of more than 11.5 million, making it the 22nd most densely populated country in the world and the 6th most densely populated country in Europe, with a density of 376 per square kilometre (970/sq mi). The capital and largest city is Brussels; currency is the Euro.

Official languages are French, Dutch and German

Higher Education System

The Higher Education System of Belgium is part of the European Higher Education framework set up by the Bologna Process, which introduced a uniform European framework for higher education. It consist of 3 cycles:

First Cycle includes the Bachelor programmes: This degree lasts for 3 years
Second Cycle includes the Master programmes: This degree lasts for 1-2 years
Third Cycle includes PhDs studies:This degree lasts for 3 years

Living Costs

For a student, the living cost in Belgium is fairly affordable, depending on the region and your lifestyle

Accommodation Costs

In Belgium you can either live in a student dormitory within a university campus or rent a private accommodation. The cost of living in Belgium is student-friendly and affordable, but it all depends on the region you are living and your lifestyle.

Along with your monthly housing cost, you need to plan an additional expense of €90-€180 (for a one-bedroom accommodation) to pay for your monthly utility. This cost includes water, electricity and facilities maintenance. Moreover, internet connection, TV and other related services will cost between €40 and €100 per month.

On-Campus accommodation is the ideal and most affordable option, especially for first-year students.
Renting or sharing an apartment: to rent a one-bedroom apartment, you’ll pay on average €400 a month (bills not included).
Homestay: in some cities, staying with a Belgian family is very expensive. That being said, the general cost per person including one meal will range from €400 to €600 a month per person.

Transportation Costs

Normally, you’ll get a student discount for transportation in Belgium. Nevertheless, the cost of transportation is reasonably low in-country. It should be noted that the least expensive means of transport are trains and buses.

If you can ride a bicycle, you’ll experience less traffic than you would when taking public transport. It should be noted, private taxis are the most expensive option when it comes to public transportation.

Moreover, students who want to travel around Belgium can benefit from lower prices if they’re under 26 years old. In fact, the National Belgian Railway Company (SNCB) offers students 3 types of railway passes: Go Pass 1, Go Pass 10 and the Go unlimited. Moreover, Interrail offers a single pass with which you can visit up to 30 countries.

Food costs

When it comes to food cost, the cheapest option is buying from the supermarket, then cooking your own meal as often as possible. Food expenses and groceries will cost about €300 per month. Moreover, eating in an inexpensive restaurant in Belgium will cost between €10 and €20. Furthermore, the cheapest supermarkets in Belgium include Aldi, Lidl and Colruyt.

Tuition Fees

For Belgian and other EU students, higher education is financed mostly by the state. Nonetheless, students must pay an annual registration fee for every year of their studies. The amount varies depending on the higher education institution, the type of program and students’ eligibility for financial aid.

Tuition fees in Belgium also differ depending on whether the program is offered by an institution in the Flemish, German-speaking, or French community. Students from the EU will pay around €961.90 (~£820) per year, while international students from outside the EU will pay around €3,100 (~£2,650) and may need to pay additional registration fees.

However, the specific tuition fees you’ll pay depends on the institution and program. You can obtain specific information about the total fees amount by contacting your chosen institution.

Admission Requirements

Passport picture
Proof of language proficiency
Proof of identification either with a personal ID or passport.
Upper secondary certificate if you apply for a Bachelor’s degree.
A copy of your Bachelor’s if you apply for a Master’s degree.
A copy of your Master’s degree if you apply for a Doctorate degree.
A filled-in application form downloaded from each university’s official website.
TOEFL or IELTS examination results if you intend to study in an English-taught program.
French (DELF or DALF) and Dutch (Dutch NT2-II) language competency test results if you plan to study in French or Dutch-taught programs respectively.
Proof of application fee, if applicable.
Motivation letter explaining why you want to study in Belgium.
Letters of recommendation, if applicable.

University application deadlines

In Belgium, some deadlines are dependent on your visa status. Some of the rough deadlines you will need to take into account and mark on your calendar are:

start of March: Application deadline for students who need a visa
start of June: Application deadline for students who DO NOT need a visa
October: Autumn semester starts
Mid-January – late-January: 1st semester exams
Mid-February: Spring semester starts
Mid-June – late-June: 2nd semester exams
July – September: Summer holiday