Belgium is a fantastic study destination. Belgium is known for its diverse range of universities among all the European countries. However, getting admission into a Belgian university can be challenging.
To make it easier and more affordable, this article will be a guide for international students who have dreamt of studying in Belgium.
Below is a list of tuition-free universities ranked amongst the top for 2023-2024.
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What are tuition-free universities?
Many students worldwide find it challenging to afford excellent education in countries like Belgium, yet they are highly ambitious and hard-working. Developed countries like Belgium support these talented students by offering either scholarships or free of cost tuition. Instead, government bodies or other private funding organizations take up this responsibility for prospective overseas students. These tuition-free universities in Belgium are usually public universities that come under the government’s capitalization. However, international students must arrange and pay for miscellaneous expenses, including living, traveling, and textbook costs.
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Tuition-free universities in Belgium
Suppose you are searching for universities in Belgium that offer tuition-free education to international students; look no more. The list of universities below allows international students to opt for various science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities programs. The first six in the catalog of tuition-free universities in Belgium will facilitate both domestic and international students:
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1. University of Namur: Known by another name, UNamur, the university is a French-speaking institution located in Namur, the capital of the Wallonia region of Belgium. It was established in 1831 as the École Moyenne (High School) de Namur. In 1960, the University of Namur was officially granted a university ranking. UNamur allows students to choose from various subjects, including philosophy, law, economics, social sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, biology, and medicine.
2. Ghent University: It is a top-ranked university in Belgium that was founded before the state of Belgium itself. The Ghent University has 11 faculties and over 130 individual departments. International and local students are offered various programs in the fields of engineering, social sciences, and humanities. The eligibility criteria for admission require the students to have a recognized secondary school diploma or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
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3. University of Liège: The University of Liège is a major public university in the French community of Belgium. Also known as ULiège, it offers tuition-free education to EU and non-EU students. The university strongly focuses on research and innovation. Science, engineering, and social sciences are a few faculties that offer a wide range of programs to choose from. It is advised to have a recognized secondary school diploma or a relevant bachelor’s degree to improve the chances of admission.
4. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven: Recognized by the name of KU Leuven, it is a Catholic research university located in Leuven, a city in the Flemish Region of Belgium. Founded in 1425, it is the oldest Dutch-speaking university in the world and one of the earliest universities still in operation. KU Leuven mainly conducts research and teaching services on various principles, including engineering, computer science, natural sciences, social sciences, theology, law, canon law, humanities, business, and medicine.
5. Vrije Universiteit Brussel: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, also known as VUB, offers tuition-free education to local and international students. The research-focused university is a Dutch and English-speaking institution offering an extensive range of programs. VUB is a profitable choice for any student who wants to pursue a career in either field, science, engineering, social sciences, or humanities. Admission eligibility primarily depends on a recognized secondary school diploma or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
6. Université libre de Bruxelles: Université libre de Bruxelles is a French-speaking university offering free-of-cost tuition to EU and non-EU students. The university focuses on research and innovation in science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. To be eligible, students must have a recognized secondary school diploma or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
7. University of Antwerp: The University of Antwerp is a Belgian public university allowing tuition-free education to EU and non-EU students. It is a Dutch-speaking university in Antwerp, a city in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The university offers thirty academic bachelor programs, sixty-nine master programs, and twenty-two postgraduate programs. Nine high-standard faculties make this university famous for its excellent education, international-level research, and entrepreneurial approach.
8. Hasselt University: Also known as UHasselt, this Belgian university is a Dutch-speaking academy in Hasselt, Belgium. Established in 1971 as the Limburgs Universitair Centrum (LUC), Hasselt University gained its status in 2005. UHasselt offers life sciences, engineering, computer science, economics, law, and social sciences programs. One of the critical features of UHasselt is its emphasis on research, particularly in environmental sustainability, materials science, biomedicine, and transportation.
9. Vesalius College: It is a private English-speaking college located in the heart of Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. Also known as VeCo, the college was founded in 1987 and regulates in association with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Exclusively English-speaking Vesalius College offers undergraduate degrees in international affairs, business, communication, and law. It follows a liberal arts curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
10. Boston University: Abbreviated as BU, the university has a satellite campus in Brussels, Belgium. The campus primarily focuses on graduate courses in international business and global relations. Boston University is a well-known American university with an influential reputation for academic excellence and research.
Why is studying in Belgium beneficial?
There are several compelling reasons why you should consider studying in Belgium:
High-quality education: Several universities in Belgium rank among the top institutions in the world. They are known for their solid focus on academic excellence and innovation. Moreover, these free universities offer high-quality education, so many prefer them to other institutions. Since these Belgian universities don’t charge tuition fees, the state funds are spent on improving educational facilities and hiring qualified instructors.
Affordable tuition: Tuition-free universities in Belgium make them affordable for international students who want to pursue foreign higher education. Additionally, ree universities are often perceived as more affordable. This is precisely accurate for international students who might otherwise be paying high fees. In contrast, Belgian students who are often required to pay high tuition fees at public universities also benefit.
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Global reach: Belgium is a popular educational destination for international students, with a thriving community of students from around the globe. Tuition-free universities allow students from every corner of the world, regardless of their financial situation, to access quality education without apprehensions. Belgian universities attract international students because they offer them opportunities to improve their education while living abroad without financial restraint.
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