Study in Belgium
Table of Contents
Belgium is a small, highly developed and densely populated country (10 million of inhabitants) at the cross-roads of Western Europe. Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Community, and its capital, Brussels, is also the capital of the European Union.
It is a federal state, with 3 relatively autonomous regions: Flanders in the north, where the language is Dutch (“Flemish”), Wallonia in the south, where the language is French, and the centrally located Brussels, which is officially bilingual, German also is an official language in Belgium. Belgium’s rich history has left impressive churches, town halls, castles and works of art, dating back to the early Middle Ages, spread around the cities and country-side.
Belgium has possibly the highest “quality of life” in the world, as testified by its excellent food, housing, health care, education and infrastructure, its world records for high productivity and low poverty.
Study in Belgium
There are both public and private institutions in Belgium, and your tuition fee will depend on which of these you choose. If you are from an EU/EEA country and choose to go to a public institution, you can expect to pay around €850 per year. If you are from any other country, you can expect to pay between €1,000 and €4,000 per year. For a master’s or doctorate degree, most students will have to pay an application fee. A private institution will most likely charge more than this. There are scholarships available, but they are competitive. there are courses taught in all of these languages, but the majority are offered in French. You will no doubt be able to study programmes in the English language. If you are applying for a course taught in any of the official languages of Belgium, you will need to have advanced language skills, and be able to pass language proficiency tests. If you are applying for a course taught in English, you will also need to pass an English language test. These tests will make sure that your language skills will meet the required standards for learning. It is common for institutions to offer courses to improve your language skills if you are not able to pass proficiency tests.
Reasons to study in Belgium
1- LANGUAGE SKILLS
Belgium has three official languages – Dutch, French and German – and so learning a new language is easy as you can gain access to native speakers throughout the country. Many universities in Belgium offer courses in English, often at masters level and a great deal of the population speaks English as well. The University of Ghent offers a large number of postgraduate courses in English, as does KU Leuven.
2- HOME TO LARGE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Brussels is home to both the EU and NATO. This means that there is a large student population working as interns in Brussels and there are many opportunities for work experience at these or other organisations related to the EU and NATO who use Brussels as their base. If you think that you want your career to have a base in one of these organisations, then Belgium is a great place to take some time to study a postgraduate course and should provide you with plenty of opportunity for networking.
General Requirments To Study In Belguim
1- proof of academic achievment
2- Two references at least one of which must be academic.
3- Proof of English Language proficiency,
4- A ‘Statement of Purpose’ outlining your reasons for applying to the programme
General Requirements to Apply For The Belgium Student Visa
1- A Completed and signed visa application form (you may need to bring more than one)
2- A passport
3- Proof that you have sufficient financial income or support for the duration of your stay
4- Acceptance letter from the university
Accommodation
Depending on your status, the length of your studies or your budget, you can choose between renting a room in a university residence and private accommodation (rental from private individuals)
The university residences
The university residence offer rooms whose prices vary in line with the facilities offered and level of comfort. The student usually sleeps in an individual room but shares the kitchen, lounge area, shower and toilets with other students. This type of accommodation (known as a “kot”) allows you to get to know students from all over the world and of all levels of studies.
An accommodation in the private sector
Two options are open to you: a personal search and search via a specialised agency
1-A personal search can be conducted on the web and by consulting the notice boards in stores and in certain bookshops or supermarkets. Trailing the streets on the lookout for vacant accommodation carrying “à louer/to rent” signs is also a popular way of finding accommodation
2-An estate agency is mainly used to find more expensive styles of accommodation
Transportation
Belgium transportation: Trains, metro, buses and taxis in Belgium getting around Belgium is easy if you know how – with an integrated Belgian public transport system, you can also travel cheap around Belgium.
Belgium’s location at the centre of western Europe means international transport links and Belgian public transport are typically good. This guide explains the main national and international public transportation systems so you can get around in Belgium.Getting around Belgium on public transport.
Belgium has an excellent public transport network, which is accessible and efficient. One of its strengths is an integrated train, tram, metro and bus system, which makes connections easier between different transport types.
Three regional operators manage the network: De Lijn (Flanders), TEC (Wallonia) and STIB (Brussels). For beach vacations, along the Belgian coast runs the world’s longest tram route, De Kusttram providing easy access to the entire coastline from the French and Dutch borders.
Working during studying in Belgium
If you’re a foreign student enrolled at a Belgian educational institution and have a valid residence permit you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time, as long as it does not interfere with your studies. You will need to get a written fixed term contract from your employer, which is known as a ‘student employment contract’, and a type C work permit. Otherwise, you can work during official university holidays without the need for a Belgian work permit. In many cases, the right to a Belgian work permit will also be granted to family members (such as a spouse or child) of successful applicants who are granted Belgian residency.
Life after graduation
When you are a non-EEA national with a right of residence in Belgium based on your studies, you have a temporary residence card A for study reasons. The expiry date of your residency is mentioned on your residence card.
Once you are graduated and your legal stay as a non-EEA student expires, you can no longer stay in Belgium, unless you obtain a different residence permit, based on another legal purpose of stay in Belgium, prior to the expiry of your residency as a student You may apply for a change of status from student to employee, intern or self-employed person on the basis of respectively a single permit/work permit or a professional card. Within the period of your legal stay as a student in Belgium, you may submit your application for a change of status directly at the municipality of your place of residence in Belgium.
In which cases can you get a residence permit to work in Belgium?
1. Working as a highly skilled employee
As you are graduated, you have a highly skilled profile. You may qualify for a residence permit as a highly qualified employee if you have found a job with a gross annual salary of a certain amount. This amount is indexed every year and depends on the region where you will work.
2.Working as a trainee/intern
In the following cases, you may qualify for a residence permit in order to do an internship
3.Working as a self-employed person
Self-employment calls for thorough preparation. In order to start a self-employed activity or become a freelancer in Belgium after your graduation, you must follow various steps. As a non-EEA citizen without a permanent residency in Belgium, you must also hold a professional card.