Study in Belgium
Why Study in Belgium?
Belgium has emerged as a compelling European study destination for International students seeking high-quality education at affordable costs in the heart of Europe.
- Belgium’s position between France, Germany, and the Netherlands provides students with easy access to major European capitals through affordable train and bus connections.
- Belgian universities rank among the best globally in engineering, life sciences, and social studies, with many programs taught in English.
- Over 20% of students are international, creating a diverse community where Indian students can meet peers from across the globe.
- Students can strengthen language skills in French, Dutch, or English depending on the university, enhancing resumes with multilingual proficiency.
- Belgium offers relatively lower tuition fees (€2,500-€7,500 annually for non-EU students) compared to the UK, the Netherlands, or Switzerland.
Top-Ranked Universities and Global Recognition
Belgium demonstrates exceptional performance in global university rankings with multiple institutions in international top positions.
Leading Belgian Universities (2026 Rankings)
| University | QS 2026 | THE 2026 |
| KU Leuven | 60 | 46 |
| Ghent University | 162 | 115 |
| UCLouvain | 191 | 184 |
| ULB | 227 | 201 |
| University of Antwerp | 280 | 170 |
Famous Programs and Fields (Especially Opted by Indian Students)
Indian students gravitate toward specific programs where Belgium demonstrates particular strength.
- Engineering and Technology: Programs in mechanical, electrical, civil, and computer engineering attract significant Indian enrollment.
- Information Technology and Computer Science: Specializations include software engineering, data science, AI, and cybersecurity.
- Business and Management: Programs focus on international business, finance, business analytics, and digital transformation.
- Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering: Belgium’s strength in biomedical engineering and industrial biotechnology provides state-of-the-art training.
- Business Engineering: Unique programs combining business, economics, and IT expertise.
Affordable Education and Scholarship Options
Belgium offers remarkably affordable public education with extensive scholarship opportunities.
Major Scholarships for Indian Students:
- VLIR-UOS Scholarships: Covers full tuition fees, accommodation, travel costs, insurance, and a monthly allowance of €1,400.
- ARES Scholarships: Offers 70 continuing education scholarships and 130 master’s/bachelor’s scholarships annually.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees: Funds full master’s programs covering tuition, travel, and monthly stipends.
- University-Specific Scholarships: KU Leuven and Ghent offer institutional scholarships for outstanding students.
Total Funds Required
If you are planning to study in Belgium, you must budget your expenses accordingly. So here are what you might expect-
Total Funds Required
If you are planning to study in Belgium, you must budget your expenses accordingly. So here are what you might expect-
Tuition Fees:
Public Universities (Indian Students):
- Bachelor’s: €2,500 – €7,500 per year.
- Master’s: €1,100 – €5,800 per year.
- KU Leuven: €4,446 – €7,518 per year.
- Ghent University: €2,118 – €6,540 per year.
Living Expenses:
Monthly Costs: €850 – €1,200 per student.
| Expense | Monthly (EUR) | Annual (INR) |
| Accommodation | 340-600 | 3.06-5.4 Lakhs |
| Food | 250-350 | 2.25-3.15 Lakhs |
| Transportation | 20 | 18,000 |
| Insurance | 8-10 | 7,200-9,000 |
Total Annual Budget: €12,000-18,000 (₹10.8-16.2 lakhs) including tuition and living.
Public Universities (Indian Students):
- Bachelor’s: €2,500 – €7,500 per year.
- Master’s: €1,100 – €5,800 per year.
- KU Leuven: €4,446 – €7,518 per year.
- Ghent University: €2,118 – €6,540 per year.
Living Expenses:
Monthly Costs: €850 – €1,200 per student.
| Expense | Monthly (EUR) | Annual (INR) |
| Accommodation | 340-600 | 3.06-5.4 Lakhs |
| Food | 250-350 | 2.25-3.15 Lakhs |
| Transportation | 20 | 18,000 |
| Insurance | 8-10 | 7,200-9,000 |
Total Annual Budget: €12,000-18,000 (₹10.8-16.2 lakhs) including tuition and living.
Stay Back Options (Part-time Work and PSW)
Belgium provides structured post-study opportunities for international graduates.
During Studies:
- Students can work up to 20 hours per week during semesters.
- Full-time work permitted during semester breaks and holidays.
Post-Graduation:
One-Year Job Search Visa: Graduates can obtain a 12-month residence permit extension specifically for job searching or starting a business.
Requirements:
- Must have held a student resident permit during studies.
- Obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a Belgian university in the previous year.
- Demonstrate sufficient funds of €789 per month (€9,468 annually).
- Must have health insurance for the entire search year.
Benefits:
- Unlimited access to the labour market while seeking employment.
- Can work legally full-time during this period.
- Opportunity to set up a business or become self-employed.
Bachelor’s in Belgium – Entry Requirements/Tuition Fees
Entry Requirements:
- Higher Secondary Certificate (12th grade) from a recognized Indian board with a minimum 65% or 6.5 CGPA.
- English proficiency: Level B2 required (TOEFL or IELTS).
- Medicine and Dentistry: Must take the entrance examination organized by the Belgian government.
Required Documents:
- Valid passport and passport-sized photographs.
- Secondary school diploma (officially translated).
- Academic transcripts from all previous studies.
- Language proficiency certificates.
- Motivation letter explaining study plans.
Tuition Fees:
- Public Universities: €2,500 – €7,500 per year for Indian students.
- KU Leuven: Approximately €4,446 per year.
- University of Antwerp: €5,000 per year.
Master’s in Belgium – Entry Requirements/Tuition Fees
Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years ‘ duration from a recognized institution.
- Official academic transcripts from undergraduate studies.
- English proficiency: Level B2 minimum (IELTS, TOEFL).
- CV/Resume highlighting relevant experience.
- Statement of Purpose explaining academic and career goals.
- 2 Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional references.
Visa Requirements:
- Long Stay Visa (D Visa) required for studies over 90 days.
- Proof of financial means: Minimum €730 per month (€8,760 annually).
- Application fee: ₹14,835 approximately.
Tuition Fees:
- Public Universities: €1,100 – €5,800 per year for Indian students.
- KU Leuven: €4,446 – €7,518 per year.
- Ghent University: €2,118 – €6,540 per year.
- UCLouvain: €835 – €4,000 per year.
