A Masters in Belgium offers a unique postgraduate study experience at the political and cultural heart of modern Europe. In fact, with three distinct regions, multiple languages and four international borders, Belgium could be said to offer the ‘classic’ continental study abroad experience.
To narrow down your choices, we’ve listed down the top universities in Belgium for masters programme.
Top Universities in Belgium for Masters Students
1. KU Leuven
- International Student Admissions Page
- Scholarships for International Students Page
- Number of International Students: 9,868
- Percentage of International Students: 17%
KU Leuven is the oldest and the best university in Belgium for international students, consistently ranking among the top 100 universities in the world and number 1 in Belgium. It was founded all the way back in 1425 and is mainly a Dutch-speaking university, but there are also courses in French and English.
The international student population is currently around 10,000, and the university enjoys great reviews from the foreign students, who praise it for the outstanding quality of study material, as well as enjoyable extracurricular activities. The international students gave the institution a 4.2 out of 5 ratings, based on different parameters.
2. Ghent University
- International Student Admissions Page
- Scholarships for International Students Page
- Number of International Students: 4,200
- Percentage of International Students: 10%
Ghent University is easily the second-best university in Belgium for international students, even ranking higher than KU Leuven based on a few metrics. It was founded in 1817. It is most known for being among the world leaders in veterinary sciences. The main language of instruction is also Dutch, but there are postgraduate courses available in English, too.
Ghent university enjoys a large crowd of international students, who love how open the institution is to people of all backgrounds and religions, enabling them to feel right at home.
3. Catholic University of Louvain (UCL)
- International Student Admissions Page
- Scholarships for International Students Page
- Number of International Students: N/A
- Percentage of International Students: N/A
Founded in 1425, Universite Catholique Louvain is one of the oldest universities in Europe, as well as the largest French-speaking university in Belgium. There are currently over 30,000 students enrolled at the university, many of which come from abroad. UCL has a very selective admission policy that is based on the entrance exam, as well as the student’s past academic grades and record. Their degrees are internationally recognized, attracting students from all over the world.
4. University of Antwerp
- International Student Admissions Page
- Scholarships for International Students Page
- Number of International Students: 2.700
- Percentage of International Students: 13%
Next on our list of top Belgian universities for international students is the University of Antwerp. Located in the city of Antwerp, the University of Antwerp is one of the major institutes in Belgium. It was founded in 2003 after a merger of three smaller universities. The University is known for its entrepreneurial approach, and high standards of education.
UA offers a range of courses that are taught in English, but this is mainly for Masters and Advanced Masters degrees, All of the Bachelor programmes are taught in Dutch. For students who still wish to attend the University as bachelors, they offer a one-year language learning programme, before starting with their degree.
5. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- International Student Admissions Page
- Scholarships for International Students Page
- Number of International Students: 4.110
- Percentage of International Students: 23%
Although not as highly ranked as some of the other Belgian universities, Vrije Universiteit Brussel might be the single best university for international students in the country. It offers courses in both English and Dutch for all degrees, including Bachelor’s, unlike most others you will see on this list, making it ideal for foreigners to come and study here.
The city of Brussels is also an amazing place to spend your student years, so it is no surprise that people from all over the world attend this university and make up such a high percentage of the number of enrolled students. Their website is full of useful information so be sure to check it out if you are interested.
Top Universities In Belgium For Masters
1. It can open doors to an international career
Belgium was a founding member of major international entities like the EU, NATO, eurozone, the World Trade Organization, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Furthermore, many international organizations are headquartered in its capital city of Brussels, giving it a pivotal position on the international stage. It’s also home to the world’s second-largest press corps.
Historically, Belgium has been one of the strongest voices for multilateral cooperation, which is “part of [its] diplomatic DNA.” This is at least due in part to its central location and defenseless borders, which spurred its use of mediation, diplomacy, and neutrality as successful defensive strategies.
In short, Belgium is a country which embodies the ethos of internationalization. Whether you are looking to work for an international organization or are simply planning on an international career, immersive studies in Belgium offer an invaluable vantage point.
2. It’s a hotspot of innovation
Belgium is a hub of innovation across many areas. Business design and innovation strategy firm Board of Innovation proposes, “Belgium is a high magnetic forcefield when it comes to attracting innovation talent. Innovation touches almost every sector of this small northern European country, from fashion technology, to the famed comic book movement, to the way we use the Internet of Things to process big data at speed at one of the largest ports of Europe in Antwerp. Inventions seem to (Brussels) sprout from the ground.” Belgium has also been heralded as a leader in sustainable e-commerce.
While cities like Brussels and Antwerp may be more well known, others have also distinguished themselves. Take Leuven, for example, which is not only the country’s most famous university city, but is also a mecca for startups.
Also supporting and strengthening its innovatory spirit is Belgium’s membership of the Benelux Union, a politico-economic union and formal international governmental cooperation consisting of the neighboring states of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, all of which are ranked among the most innovative countries in the world.
3. It’s a great place to study medicine
Many programs, including medical degrees, are offered in English. Belgium’s commitment to internationalization is exemplified in its medical schools from diverse faculty to robust international exchange.
Arianne Zamora, a student from the Philippines studying a Master of Epidemiology at the University of Antwerp, says, “I think that one of main strengths of the program is the diversity in the students. My classmates (and friends) are from all over the world, some of whom are doctors, nurses, university lecturers or mathematicians. I learn a lot from them almost as much as I learn from the actual classes. […] Other strong points of the programme are: the program’s emphasis on work collaboration and the rich academic and professional network that the program is associated with.”
4. You can be a polyglot, and improve your career prospects in the process
One of the most exciting aspects of studying in Belgium is its multilingualism. While English is widely spoken in the country, Belgium’s three official languages are Dutch, French, and German. Whether you hope to work in Belgium or aspire to an international career, Belgium is a wonderful place to learn or master a second, or third language. Wherever your career takes you, bilingualism, trilingualism, and beyond are highly valued by today’s global companies.
5. It’s international student-friendly
As a diverse country known for its spirit of internationalization, Belgium is a uniquely welcoming, tolerant, and open destination for international students. In fact, the Belgian government and many other organizations offer scholarship and funding opportunities to international students. Belgium also boasts relatively low tuition fees compared to many other European countries, as well as a lower cost of living than many of its neighbors in western Europe. This is especially appealing given its high standard of living.
There’s plenty to see and do in Belgium, and it’s easy to get around thanks to a well-organized and efficient public transportation. The country’s central location also makes it an excellent home base for seeing many other parts of Europe. You can get on a train or a bus and be in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, or Germany within just a few hours.
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