List of Belgium universities; Top Universities in Belgium

Universities, colleges, and educational in Belgium is maintained by the Flemish government in the Higher Education in Flanders Register. Universities in Belgium are popular worldwide for its first rate education. There are several universities in Belgium which a wide-range of professional courses and bachelor’s and masters degree. Out of various renowned universities in Belgium; Universiteit Antwerpen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universiteit Gent and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven are considered among the top-150 universities in Europe and top-300 universities worldwide.

List of Universities in Belgium

Universities of Finland	Courses in Finland Universities	Contact Details
Haute Ecole de la Province de Liège	Bachelor in Agronomy Bachelor in Accounting Bachelor in Chemistry : Biochemistry Bachelor in Marketing Bachelor in Chemistry : Biotechnology Bachelor in Computer Graphics Design Master Industrial Engineer – Biochemistry Bachelor in Computing and Systems - Industrial Computing Master Industrial Engineer – Chemistry Master Industrial Engineer – Computer Science Bachelor in Communication Bachelor of Nursing Bachelor in Civil Engineering - Building Master in Physiotherapy Master Industrial Engineer – Civil Engineering Bachelor in Human Resources Management Bachelor in Law (LLB) Master in Social Engineering and Actions	Haute Ecole de la Province de Liège Avenue Montesquieu, 6 - 4101 Jemeppe-sur-Meuse Tel. : +32 4 237 96 05 Fax : +32 4 237 96 51
Haute Ecole EPHEC	Bachelor of Foreign Trade Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) Bachelor in Marketing Bachelor of Computer Technology Bachelor in Accounting Management option Bachelor of Electrical Engineering	Haute Ecole EPHEC Enseignement supérieur de Promotion sociale Avenue Konrad Adenauer 3 1200 Bruxelles Tel. : 02/775 97 01 Fax : 02/775 97 03
Boston University Brussels	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (B.A) Biomedical Engineering (B.Sc) Bioinformatics (M.Sc) Biomedical Engineering (MEng) Biology (B.A) Biomedical Engineering (Ph.D) Biology (M.A) Computer Engineering (B.Sc) Biology (Ph.D) Computer Engineering (M.Sc) Chemistry (B.A) Electrical Engineering (B.Sc) Chemistry (M.A) Electrical Engineering (M.Sc) Chemistry (Ph.D) Manufacturing Engineering (M.Sc) Computer Science (B.A) Materials Science & Engineering (M.Sc) Computer Science (M.A) Materials Science & Engineering (Ph.D) Computer Science (Ph.D) Mechanical Engineering (B.Sc) Environmental Science (B.A) Mechanical Engineering (M.Sc) Marine Science (B.A) Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D) Marine Science (M.A) Systems Engineering (MEng) Marine Science (Ph.D) Bachelor of Fine Arts- Graphic Design Mathematics & Statistics (B.A) Master of Fine Arts- Graphic Design Mathematics & Statistics (M.A) Applied Anatomy & Physiology (M.Sc) Mathematics & Statistics (Ph.D) Occupational Therapy (M.Sc) Physics (B.A) Hospitality Administration (B.A) Physics (M.A) Intellectual Property Law (LLM) Physics (Ph.D) Taxation- LLM Advertising (B.Sc) Master of Business Administration (MBA) Broadcast Journalism (B.Sc) Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Broadcast Journalism (M.Sc) Executive MBA Journalism (B.Sc) Global Health Management- MBA Journalism (M.Sc) International Management - MBA Mass Communication (M.Sc) Medical Sciences & Management- MBA Doctor of Dental Medicine Public & Nonprofit Management- MBA Master of Science in Dentistry- Oral Biology Pathology (MA) Elementary Education (B.Sc) Radiology (MD) Special Education (B.Sc)	Boston University in Brussels Metropolitan College Boulevard du Triomphe, 174, Triomflaan B-1160 Brussels, Belgium Telephone: +32(2) 640 74 74 Fax: +32(2) 640 65 15
Facultés Universitaires Catholiques de Mons (FUCAM)	Bachelor in Management Master in Engineering Management Master in Management Sciences Bachelors in Information and Communication Master in Management Master in Information and Communication Bachelor of Engineering Management International Executive MBA	Facultés Universitaires Catholiques de Mons (FUCAM) Chaussée de Binche, 151 – 7000 Mons Tél. : +32 65 32 32 11 – Fax: +32 65 31 56 91
Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix (FUNDP)	Master of Science in Mathematics Master of Science in Computer Science Master of Science in Physics Master of Arts in Economics Master of Science in Chemistry Master of Arts in Management and Business Engineering Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology Advanced Master in International and Development Economics Master of Science in Biology of Organisms and Ecology Medical Sciences (Ph.D) Master of Science in Biology of Organisms and Ecology	Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix (FUNDP) 61, rue de Bruxelles – B – 5000 Namur, Belgium Tél. : 00 32 81 72 40 17, 00 32 81 72 50 30
Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis (FUSL)	Bachelor of Economics and Management Master in Management of Financial Risks Bachelor of Engineering Management Master in Transportation Management Bachelor of Information and Communication Theory PhD in Information and Communication Master in in Human Rights	Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis (FUSL) 43 Boulevard du Jardin Botanique 1000 Bruxelles Tél. : 02/211 79 13 Fax : 02/211 78 54
Hasselt University	Master of Management- Coroporate Finance Master of Statistics Master of Management- Management Information Systems Master of Transportation Sciences Master of Applied Economic Sciences: Business Engineering in Management Information Systems - Major Management.	Hasselt University Campus Diepenbeek Agoralaan – Gebouw D BE - 3590 Diepenbeek BELGIUM Tel.: 011 26 81 11 Fax: 011 26 81 99
Isles Internationale Université	Bachelor of Accounting, Finance Nanotechnology (B.Sc) Bachelor of Business Management Nanotechnology (Ph.D) Human Resources (B.A) Software Engineering (B.Sc) Aerospace Engineering (B.Sc) Software Engineering (M.Sc) Agricultural Engineering (B.Sc) Biochemistry (B.Sc) Agricultural Engineering (M.Sc) Biochemistry (M.Sc) Civil Engineering (B.Sc) Cell Biology (B.Sc) Chemical Engineering (B.Sc) Cell Biology (M.Sc) Chemical Engineering (M.Sc) Geology (B.Sc) Computer Engineering (B.Sc) Geology (M.Sc) Computer Engineering (M.Sc) Geology (Ph.D) Electrical Engineering (B.Sc) Microbiology (B.Sc) Electrical Engineering (M.Sc) Microbiology (M.Sc) Electronics Engineering (B.Sc) Microbiology (Ph.D) Electronics Engineering (M.Sc) Neurobiology (B.Sc) Industrial Design (B.Sc) Neurobiology (M.Sc) Industrial Design (M.Sc) Architecture (B.Sc) Mechanical Engineering (B.Sc) Architecture (M.Sc) Mechanical Engineering (M.Sc) Tourism, Catering, Food, Leisure Services (B.A) Nanotechnology (M.Sc) Tourism, Catering, Food, Leisure Services (M.A)	International Office, Brussels Branch For internship students’ affairs attendance in Europe Brussels Central Station Rue de Colonies 11 1000 Brussels Belgium
Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen University College (KHK)	Agriculture (M.Sc) Electromechanics (B.Sc) Electromechanics (M.Sc) Electronics - ICT (B.Sc) Electronics - ICT (M.Sc) Electronics - ICT (B.Sc) Electrotechnology (M.Sc) Bachelor of Nursing Food Technology (M.Sc) Bachelor of Office Management Agro- and Biotechnology (B.Sc) Orthopaedics (B.Sc) Applied Computer Science (B.Sc) Bachelor of Primary Education Bachelor of Business Management Bachelor of Social Work Chemistry (B.Sc.)	Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen Kleinhoefstraat 4 B-2440 GEEL BELGIË Tel:- +32 14 56 23 10, +32 14 58 48 59
Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)	Masters in Management Science Master of Science in Biomedicals Masters in Business Engineering Master of Science in Pharmaceutiques Masters in Management Science Master of Medicine Masters in Management Bachelor of Medicine Masters in Management (Part Time) Bachelor of science in Biomedicales	Université catholique de Louvain 1, Place de l'Université B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) Telephone: +32 (0)10/47.21.11 Fax: +32 (0)10/47.29.99
Université de Liège	Bachelor in Biological Sciences Bachelor in Engineering Sciences, Civil Engineer Orientation Bachelor in Chemical Sciences Master in Computer Science Bachelor in Mathematical Sciences Master in Geology and Mining Engineering Bachelor in Physical Sciences Master in Civil Engineering Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology Master in Chemical and Materials Engineering Master in Biology of Organisms and Ecology Master in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Master in Biological Sciences Master in Aerospace Engineering Master in Chemistry Master in Electrical Engineering Master in Geological Sciences Master in Computer Engineering Master in Mathematics Master in Mechanical Engineering Master in Physics Master in Biomedical Engineering Bachelor in Medicine Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine Bachelor in Dental sciences Master in Veterinary Medicine Bachelor in Pharmaceutical Sciences Bachelor in Psychology and Education Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences Master in Psychology Master in Medicine Master in Education Master in Dentistry, Professional research Bachelor in Law (LLB) Master in Pharmacy Bachelor in Political Sciences Master in Biomedicine Master in Law (LL.M) Bachelor in Computer Sciences	University of Liège place du 20-Août, 7 B- 4000 Liège (Belgium) General number:+32 4 366 21 11
Université de Mons-Hainaut (UMH)	Bachelor of Medicine Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, specialized in Telecommunications and Multimedia Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceuticals Master of Science in Chemical and Materials Engineering, specialized in Processing and Properties of Materials Bachelor of Science in Biomedicals Master of Science in Architectural Engineering Master of Science in Biomedicals Master of Science in Chemical Engineer - Engineer in Materials Science Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Master of Science in Mathematics Master of Science in Engineer in Computer and Management Sciences Bachelor of Science in Engineering Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Bachelor in Architectural Engineering Master of Science in Mining Engineering	Université de Mons-Hainaut (UMH) 20, Place du Parc B-7000 Mons Belgium Tel 1:+ 32 (0)65 37 37 25 Tel 2:+ 32 (0)65 37 37 26 Fax: + 32 (0)65 37 37 77
Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)	Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Bachelor in Medicine Master of Laws (LL.M) Bachelor of Dental Science Bachelor in Economics Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine Bachelor in Engineering Management Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Bachelor in Humanities and Social Sciences Master in Medicine Masters in Human Resources Management Master of Dental Science Master in Business Engineering Master in Biomedical Sciences Master in Economics Master in General Dentistry Master in Labor Master in Periodontics Bachelor in Psychology and Education Master in Public Health Master of Science in Education Bachelor in Pharmaceutical Sciences Bachelor in Mathematical Sciences Master in Pharmacy Bachelor in Computer Science Master of Architecture Engineering Bachelor in Physical Sciences Master in Electrical Engineering Bachelor in Chemistry Master in Mechanical Engineering Bachelor in Biological Sciences Master in Computer Engineering Master in Mathematics Master in Civil Engineering Masters in Actuarial Science Master in Biomedical Engineering Master in Computer Science Bachelor in Engineering, Architecture Engineering Guidance Master in Physics Bachelor in Engineering, Civil Engineering Guidance Master in Chemistry Bachelor in Engineering, Bioengineering Orientation Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology	Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Avenue F.D Roosevelt, 50 – 1050 Bruxelles Tél.: +32 2 650 21 11 Fax: +32 2 650 35 9

Popular Universities
Ghent University	University of Brussels	Catholic University of Brussels
kent university	Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven	Catholic University of Leuven
University of Namur	University of Liège

Given below is the complete list of Universities in Belgium. You can click on the University of your choice and get all the information regarding the colleges, courses, prices, session timings, etc.

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

University of Brussels

Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen

University of Antwerp

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix

Catholic University of Brussels

kent university

Katholieke Hogeschool Sint-Lieven

Limburgs Universitair Centrum

Universiteit Hasselt

Isles Internationale Université

Boston University Brussels

Faculté Polytechnique de Mons

Facultés universitaires catholiques de Mons

Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven

Haute École Namuroise Catholique

Catholic University of Leuven

Gembloux Faculté Universitaire des Sciences Agronomiques

Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis

Université Libre de Bruxelles

University of Namur

Study in Belgium: Admission Requirements, Belgium Universities Eligibility Criteria, Application Process

Following is the eligibility criteria for study in belgium for mba, engineering bachelors, masters and phd programs for getting admission into belgium universities:
Eligibility:

To be admitted to the European Master in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Policy Analysis candidates need to have a Bachelor degree or an equivalent academic degree of minimum three years of undergraduate study corresponding to 180 ECTS. Students in their final year of their Bachelor degree may be admitted in the Master programme on the condition that their Bachelor degree is awarded before they enrol the programme. All candidates also need to have followed courses in mathematics, statistics and economics as well as agricultural, food and environmental sciences at least at a basic level.  Candidates must agree to complete the academic curriculum in two consecutive academic years and to the terms in the study contract as specified by the AFEPA consortium.

Candidates from English speaking countries must provide an official letter from their university from which they graduated attesting that English is the medium of instruction. All other candidates need to provide evidence that they master English at a level corresponding to a minimum TOEFL score of  550 (paper version), 213 (computer version) or 79 (internet version) or a minimum overall band IELTS score of 6 or with a signal deemed equivalent by the AFEPA consortium.  Candidates who choose to study at UCL and UPC also need to prove that their command of French and Spanish, respectively, is sufficient for them to participate in courses at these two institutions.  If French and Spanish are neither their mother tongue nor the language of their past study, it is advised that these candidates obtain the B1 threshold level of the Common European Framework of Reference, i.e., they can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. For French, it corresponds to the DELF B level.

Admission Process:

The following are required to start the procedure for admission and should be sent to the Student administration office .Applicants whose application is judged favorably will receive a letter of acceptance in duplicate by registered mail. This letter of acceptance is required to complete the registration process.

1.A completed application form.
2.A copy of passport or identity card
3.A typewritten CV containing among others details of previous studies and/or professional activities (this CV must be written in Dutch, French, English or German).
4.A legalized copy of the diploma, certificate or other official statement that gives access to the chosen program.

If this diploma or certificate has been issued in another language than Dutch, French, English or German, it must be accompanied by a translation in one of these four languages.

5.To obtain exemptions for courses in your study program or to obtain permission to register for a master/advanced master program with a foreign bachelor/master diploma, the following documents are necessary:

• Academic certificates or transcripts of the diploma's concerned, showing information about all courses, the study load for each course,
• The examination results for each course
• The title of the dissertation (if applicable)
• The final evaluation

1. A description of all courses in Dutch, French, English or German The description of the courses is not the same as academic transcript. The description should be a small summary of each course listed on the candidate’s academic transcript. The application will not be processed without this required document.
2. A copy of the dissertation (if applicable). If the dissertation is not written in Dutch, French, English or German you can add a summary of the dissertation in one of these four languages (must not be translated by a sworn translator)
3. Applicants that are enrolled in the final year of their academic bachelor or master’s program should submit an official letter in English from their university confirming that the student is expected to finalize his/her course at the end of the current academic year, and submit up-to-date authenticated transcripts with the results of the previous years
4. Only for medical studies:  a copy of the certificate of passing the  entrance examination medical doctor/dentist  

For obtaining a shortening of duration of study based upon a diploma of medical doctor obtained outside Belgium you need to add the certificate of passing the ‘Interuniversity entrance examination for medicine -  partial equivalence’.

Study in Belgium: Scholarships for Studying in Belgium

Belgium offers a wide number of scholarship programs to international students. They are:
Flemish Inter University Council (VLIR)
The Belgian Development Cooperation
Royal Museum of Central Africa
Institute for Tropical Medicine
European Union
Erasmus Mundus grants system
Scholarships only for students belonging to the selected universities

Study in Belgium: Living Cost in Belgium

Living costs depend a lot on your lifestyle and on the city you live in. As goes for most places: big cities will be more expensive than rural areas. Here you will find out what life as a student will cost you.

Student living costs are dependent on a number of factors linked to the type of programme followed by students, type of accommodation chosen, way of life, etc. It may be considered that students will need a minimum of €700 per month, without however taking into account the various registration fees.
Cost of Living (per month)
Accommodation:
200 - 300 €

Food:
200 €

Books, public transport, outings etc.:
150 €

Total:
550 - 650 €/month


Plus yearly Tuition Fees
At universities and university colleges: +/- 533 € (if you have a nationality which does not belong to the European higher education area: +/- 5.400€)
For people from developing countries: 80€
For some postgraduate courses the fees can be considerable higher!
And do not forget to take into account
Tuition fee for a language course
travel expenses from and to your country
Insurance



Always contact the chosen university or University College directly for more details as amounts can vary according to your situation!

Studying in Belgium: Visa fees and Tuition cost

You should apply for your visa in person at the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
If there is no Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence, you should apply to the Belgian embassy responsible for that country (usually located in a neighbouring country). This embassy will also tell you if you can submit your visa application in your country of residence via the embassy of another Schengen country.

If you are travelling, you can apply for a short-stay (up to 90 days) visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate of the country you are in at the time. In this case, your application must be submitted to the Immigration Service at FPS Home Affairs for its decision, which may take some time. This option does not exist for long-stay (over 90 days) visa applications.

Tuition cost:-

Study fees at Belgian higher education institutions amount to €500 per year for most of the study programs. In some cases it can cost slightly more, like for postgraduate courses.

Admission in Belgium Universities

Higher education in Belgium is largely shaped by the European developments in the framework of the Bologna Process. This is the process to create the European Higher Education Area and should facilitate students and graduates' mobility across Europe.
The Bachelor-Master structure is one of the most visible results of the Bologna Process. The higher education degree system actually consists of three cycles. The first cycle are the Bachelor's programmes, the second cycle are the Master's programmes and the third cycle are the Doctorate or PhD programmes.
In general, there are two types of institutions: universities and university colleges. There are of course also other types of higher education institutions.
Universities and university colleges have specific profiles. Only universities can award the degree of doctor while only university colleges can offer Bachelor's programmes with a professional orientation.
Universities and university colleges cooperate intensively, especially in the field of research, in so-called Associations. These are formed by one university and at least one university college.

Degrees & Qualifications 
The university institutions have as their specific purpose fundamental and applied scientific research. University education is founded on a close link between scientific research and teaching.

University studies are organised in three cycles

1st cycle studies offer students core teaching in the chosen discipline, as well as a broad general education. They lead to the academic qualification of bachelor, with a duration of three years (180 credits).

2nd cycle studies provide specialised content whilst allowing for further development of the scientific research process. These studies lead to the academic qualification of:

• master after one year (60 credits), or in the majority of cases after two years (120 credits);
• veterinary doctor after three years (180 credits);
• doctor in medicine after four years (240 credits).

The academic qualification of advanced master enables the acquisition of a specialist professional qualification. This programme, with at least 60 credits, may be acquired following an initial programme of at least 300 credits.

Third cycle studies include on the one hand the doctoral programme (60 credits), which leads to a research training certificate, and on the other hand work linked to the preparation of a doctorate thesis, which leads to the academic qualification of doctor following thesis examination. In the French Community of Belgium, the Fonds national de la Recherche scientifique (FNRS) manages the twenty doctoral schools that group together the thematic doctoral schools. In principle, they are inter-university, interdisciplinary and international.

Higher education organised outside of university institutions

Higher education organised outside of university institutions aims at obtaining professional or artistic higher qualifications.
The Institutes of Higher Education and Colleges of the Arts organize higher education programs of the long or short type. The Higher Institutes of Architecture only offer long-term higher education programmes.

Short-term courses are organised in a single vocational cycle and carry the academic qualification of bachelor. They carry between 180 and 240 credits, which may respectively be acquired over three or, exceptionally, four years of study. This programme is at once practical and theoretical. Some institutes of Higher Education offer short-term programmes of study.

Long-term non-university higher education is organised in two cycles and is of university level:

• The 1st cycle carries 180 credits which may be acquired in three years of study; it leads to the academic qualification of bachelor.
• The 2nd cycle carries 60 or 120 credits, which may respectively be acquired over one or two years of study at the least, and leads to the academic qualification of master

Study in Belgium: Student Visa requirements for Study in Belgium

Student Visa requirements for Belgium differ from nationality to nationality.

Foreign students from outside of the European Union who wish to study in Belgium must file a student visa application with the Belgian diplomatic or consular representation in the country of origin.
Students from a European Union Member State must carry a national identity card in order to come to Belgium.
Within eight days following their arrival in Belgium, all students irrespective of nationality must register with the local administration of their place of residence in Belgium.
In order to receive authorization for temporary residence, an individual planning to come to Belgium to study will be required to provide the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in his/her country with the following documents:

A certificate of good conduct, a medical certificate and the following documents :

• A duly completed application form
• An admission or enrolment certificate for one of the recognised higher education establishments
• Grant-maintained or organised by the authority, or an application for an equivalence certificate for a   diploma or certificate conferred abroad (only required for French Community education). The entry certificate or enrolment certificate must cover a full-time course of study (fewer hours are acceptable if the interested party can prove that this course of study will represent his/her main activity and will be used to prepare or complement another full-time course of study); or
• An enrolment certificate concerning examinations for entering university when these examinations represent the condition for admission to the course in question: particularly the examination testing knowledge of the French language which is required to be entitled to study in French-speaking universities; the examination of qualification for civil engineering studies; the entry examination for medical or dentistry studies at a Dutch-speaking university; or
• An entry or enrolment certificate for a teaching establishment appearing on the list of approved establishments updated each academic year by the Aliens' Office;
• Evidence that the person applying to study in Belgium has sufficient means of support. This evidence may be established by the following documents:
• A certificate issued by either an international organisation or a national authority, or by a Belgian or foreign legal person with a sufficient level of income. The certificate must state that the aspiring foreign student has received or will soon receive a grant or loan that is sufficient to cover his/her health care, subsistence, studies and repatriation expenses;
• A declaration in respect of the Belgian State and in respect of the student, signed by a Belgian or alien with a sufficient level of income, in which the said person undertakes to accept responsibility for the subsistence, study and repatriation expenses of the foreign student for not less than one academic year;
• A medical certificate issued by a doctor approved by the embassy, stating that the foreign student is not suffering from certain illnesses and does not have certain disabilities;
• If the interested party is over 21, a certificate of good conduct and a document certifying that he/she has not been convicted of any criminal act under common law.
• Visa applicants must be aware that the documents referred to only constitute the basic documents that have to be submitted in every case. Other additional documents may be required by the Belgian diplomatic or consular representation, taking into account the circumstances relating to the file or to the specific context of the applicant's country of origin.
• The interested party must obviously have a travel document (passport) valid for at least one year

Why study in Belgium

Belgium's national motto is “Unity provides strength,” and a student can expect the country to embody this in almost every way. Lying between France, Germany, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the North Sea, Belgium may be a small country, but it also happens to be one of the most densely populated in the world. Dutch, French, and German are all considered official languages of the country. In fact, many of Belgium’s major cities tend to have multiple names to accommodate each- Brussels is also known as Brussel and Bruxelles. One might easily hear any number of accents as they are walking through the country’s historic streets. This might appear to be overwhelming at first, however the Belgians manage the range of cultures particularly well. Often referred to as the “Crossroads of Western Europe,” Belgium has exemplified diversity throughout Europe’s history, and will undoubtedly continue along this path into its future. Through this, Belgium, in turn, manages to provide students with a uniquely diverse range of opportunities that would easily rival those of its neighbors. But perhaps “rival” is not the best word to use, as Belgium is also noted for its exceptional ability to welcome and host a myriad of cultures all at once.

Not surprisingly, Belgium serves as the center for both NATO and the EU. One of the founding members of the EU, Belgium has been at the very forefront of European integration and unification (it became one of the first countries to adopt the Euro). The capital city of Brussels, which is recognized as one of the safest capital cities in the world, is also the seat of the European Commission. In addition, it is the residence of the Council of Ministers, which hosts meetings of the European Parliament, and holds all summits of the European Council. In many ways, Brussels acts as the unofficial capital of the EU. As a result, the city stands only behind Washington DC in its number of accredited journalists. Also, many major corporations choose to base their European headquarters in Belgium. Students taking an EU study abroad focus, or perhaps applying for Fulbright grants for EU studies will rank Belgium as a top choice. Overall, Belgium would be an excellent opportunity for students majoring in international relations, politics, economics, peace studies, art history, journalism, or business.

Although Belgium takes a friendly approach to outside influences, it also maintains its own identity. Many characterize Belgium as “one of Europe’s best kept secrets.” Europeans themselves flock to the country for its beautiful art, gorgeous medieval castles, and decadent chocolate (it is the home of Godiva). Artists will find inspiration in the works of prominent Belgian artists such as the baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, surrealist Rene Magritte, and painters Jan van Eyck, Pieter Brueghel, and Paul Delvaux. The famous Art Nouveaux architect, Victor Hugo also hails from Belgium. In addition, Belgium happens to be the home of popular comic strips such as Tintin and The Smurfs.

Historically, Belgium, which traces Celtic, Roman, Germanic, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Austrian influences, has held a central role in Europe. In the 12th and 17th centuries, Ghent, Bruges, Brussels, and Antwerp each became European capitals for commerce, textiles, and art. Flemish paintings and tapestries were coveted throughout Europe. When Napoleonic France invaded Belgium after the French Revolution, Belgium defeated Napoleon’s army at the Battle of Waterloo in 1795. Later, it briefly became a part of the Netherlands, but won its independence in 1830 after an uprising. In the 20th century, Belgium was twice invaded by Germany, in 1914 and 1940. In 1944, Belgium was liberated by the Allied Forces and has been secure since.

Today, the politics of the country tend to lean more towards the left. Belgium, which is governed by a constitutional monarchy and a federal state made up of communities and regions, is very politically active. So much, in fact, that voting is compulsory. Notably, in 2003, Belgium became the second country to recognize gay marriage.

Those who wish to expand their travel options will find a strategic home in Belgium to base their study. The country has an excellent transportation system (it developed Europe’s first train line) and is also linked to the European railway system. Paris, Cologne, London, and Amsterdam are all less that a 3 hour train ride away!

Study in Belgium: About Belgium; Belgium Education System

Useful info

Dialing code: 32Currency: Euro (€)
Time zone: GMT/UTC +1

Country overview

Home of the European Union (EU) and NATO, Belgium, home to about 10.5million people, is an international country within a small geographical space. Bordering both France and the Netherlands, the country's official languages are Dutch, French and German although English is widely spoken. Many areas of Belgium also have their distinct regional dialects. The capital city is Brussels.
If you intend to study Political Science or International Relations, Brussels is probably your place. With 20,000 people working in the EU offices on any given day, you will have a better chance of meeting influential people who may be able to help you find related jobs after graduation, whether you intend to remain in Brussels, or relocate abroad.
Culinary Belgium isn't just made up of famous waffles, chocolates, and chips. In no other country in the world is beer such a celebrated commodity. Producing more than 450 types of beer in breweries dating back to the 14th century, the country is worshiped by beer connoisseurs out to sample everything from the country's prized Lambic beer to raspberry and chocolate beer. Accordingly, if you love beer, everything from brewery tours to beer festivals and museums await you in Belgium.
If fashion is your thing, look no further than Antwerp ' Europe's best-kept secret and diamond capital of the world. This creative outlet in the Flemish centre of Belgium has bred such famous designers as Ann De Meulemeester, Dirk Bikkemberg and Dries Van Noten, and is home of the impressive MoMu (Mode Museum) fashion museum. Subsequently, Antwerp is a great place if you want to study fashion. The prestigious Antwerp Fashion Academy is probably THE fashion institute to attend ' some of the school's graduates have gone on to lead the international fashion scene.

Education overview

Belgium is a small country that places a big emphasis on higher education. Five universities rank in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings™,  While French and Dutch are the standard languages of teaching, Belgium does cater to international students by offering many international study abroad programs in English. Leading universities in Belgium: 
- Katholieké Universiteit LEUVEN  
- Université catholique de LOUVAIN (UCL)  
- University of Ghent  
- Université Libre de BRUXELLES (ULB)  
- University of ANTWERP