Guidance on how to study in Belgium. Top 19 schools and universities in Belgium, study fees, rankings

Belgium is a beautiful, cozy and safe European country. In addition to the greatest opportunities for tourism and gastronomy, it provides an excellent chance to get a high-quality education and a valuable certificate or certificate that gives the opportunity to continue education in Belgium and around the world or to start a successful career. For foreign students, this will also become a chance to learn more about art, culture, and get effective language preparation (for example, to learn business English) - educational opportunities are almost unlimited.

What should foreign students do?

For foreignstudents certain quotas are established: foreign students should represent no more than 2% of the Belgians. You can get over the quota by paying an additional registration fee (from 50% or more of the official tuition fee): for example, you can get a scholarship from an international organization (UNESCO, NATO and others).

The requirements for applicants are generally standard for European countries:

• High language proficiency of English / French / Flemish language (TOEFL or IELTS certificate)
• School certificate (for Entering Bachelor's programme), a Bachelor's degree or a specialist (for applicants to a Master's programme)
• Successful passing of entrance examinations (accepted in all universities)
• Welfare, possibility to pay for studies, accommodation and stay in the country. The Belgians are very attentive to this issue - a high standard of living and high salaries. You can present notarized letters from the sponsor, an extract from your own bank account, confirmation of receipt of a nominal scholarship - the guarantee must be at least 7000-8000 euros per year.

What are the advantages of studying in TOP-10 schools. colleges and universities in Belgium?

The country has an unusually convenient and successful territorial location in the central part of Europe: historically Belgium was the trading partner of Great Britain, Holland, France and Europe. That is why there are many headquarters of international organizations and corporations here. Such orientation towards international business and trade leads to natural multilingualism: official languages ​​here are French, Belgian and Flemish (Dutch), many residents speak fluent English, know Italian or Spanish. Therefore, linguistic preparation in educational institutions here is unusually strong, as well as a bias in commerce, business. 

As a rule, students - including foreign students - can work during studies. Also a great plus is the opportunity to pass an industrial practice or internship: this increases the chances of successful employment after graduation. In addition, graduates are granted a residence permit after graduation for 6 months: as a rule, this is more than enough to find a good job.

• Primary school takes the first 6 years of children's education
• For 6 years students study in college (three levels of 2 years each). In this case, only the first 4 years of study are mandatory - the last two are needed for students who are planning further studies at the university.

Schools in Belgium are traditionally divided into public and private (approximately equally) - the peculiarity is that many private schools belong to the Catholic churches. Private boarding schools in Belgium are more popular among foreign students, as they provide better infrastructure and living conditions, are more focused on further university education.

Higher education institutions are represented by higher schools and universities, as well as private (independent, many of them are also run by the Catholic Church) and state (official) ones. The features of the educational system are closely tied to the location of the university: if it is closer to the Netherlands, then the Dutch system is used, if closer to France - French. Duration of study in Belgium is usually 5 years (undergraduate), but can increase to 6 (for example, obstetrics, law, pharmaceuticals and some other areas). The general structure of higher education in Belgium is as follows:

• Basic level (2-3 years) - obtaining the degree of a “Candidate”
• 2-3 years - Bachelor's degree
• 1-2 years - Master's degree
• 2 years - “Aggregation of Higher Education” (higher educational level).

The country is distinguished by convenient location in the central part of Europe: historically, it was Belgium that as the trading partner of Great Britain, Holland, France and the rest of Europe. That is why many headquarters of international organizations and corporations are located in Belgium. This focus on international business and trade leads to natural multilingualism: the official languages here are French, Belgian and Flemish (Dutch), many residents speak English fluently, speak Italian or Spanish. Therefore, educational institutions provide strong language preparation, as well as a bias in commerce, business, trade.

As a rule, foreign students can work during their studies. Also, a great plus is an opportunity to undergo a practical training or internship: this increases the chances of successful employment after graduation. Additionally, graduates are granted a residence permit after graduation for 6 months: as a rule, this is more than enough to find a good job.

The educational system in Belgium has a number of interesting characteristics. In primary school, a permanent teacher works with children, who is responsible for the general level of education and development of the moral and spiritual qualities of the child, an individual approach is applied. An elementary school always has its own building or a separate part of the building. There are always specially equipped sports classes and halls. Priorities for education are responsibility, accuracy, ability to work in a group, respect for the opinions of others. Psychologists and experts necessarily work with children.

In high school, much attention is paid not only to academic development, but also to the creative abilities of children, and circles and sections operate at a high level. Many students, in addition to the general school course, complete specialized programs of an art or technical direction, and continue their education in specialized colleges. Participants in general courses continue their studies in high school, and enter universities. At all levels of the school, special attention is paid to the history of Belgium and other countries of Europe and the world. Belgian schools have partnerships with educational institutions around the world, and Belgian students have a great opportunity to visit different countries through special exchange programs.

In addition to the actual Belgian programs, there are international courses and programs that meet generally accepted international standards.  Available standards include:

• GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). A British standard curriculum that ends a general secondary school. It consists of a set of general and elective subjects, a total of 8-10 disciplines are studied and in the end students pass exams. 
• IGCSE. The international version of the GCSE, which was developed in 1985, and since then has been actively developed, today it is available in a large number of institutions around the world. It is similar in composition to the GCSE, but has a more intensive nature and more complex final exams.
• A-level. The "British Standard" of the British school, the graduation program, popular around the world, which makes it possible to apply for admission to the best universities. It includes a set of compulsory and additional disciplines at an exceptional level, final tests are held in 3-5 disciplines
• Advanced placement (High School Diploma). AP is the last two years of high school in the USA and Canada. It includes subjects that are studied at a very high level. Students often choose: English and literature, Mathematics, Foreign languages, Psychology, History, Art, Natural sciences, Economics, Geography, Computer science. Final exams are taken for each completed subject; A, B and C are successful grades
• International Baccalaureate. IB, or “International Baccalaureate,” is one of the most prestigious and best standards, which is available worldwide, and the diplomas are recognized by most states. It includes four levels: elementary school, secondary, diploma, and career. The most popular is the IB Diploma Program, the successful completion of which allows you to enter the best universities.

Certain quotas have been set for foreign students, which vary depending on the citizens who have arrived: foreign students must represent no more than 2% of Belgians. In addition to the quota, you can apply by paying an additional registration fee (from 50% or more of the official tuition fee): for example, you can get a scholarship from an international organization (UNESCO, NATO and others).

Requirements for applicants are generally standard for European countries:

• High level of English / French / Flemish ( TOEFL or IELTS certificate)
• School certificate (for applicants for a Bachelor's program), Bachelor or specialist diploma (for applicants for a Master's program)
• Successful passing of entrance exams (accepted in all universities)
• Welfare, the ability to pay for study, accommodation and stay in the country. The Belgians are very attentive to this issue - a high standard of living and high salaries have an influence. You can present notarized letters from the sponsor, an extract from your own bank account, confirmation of receipt of a personal scholarship - the security should be at least 7000-8000 euros per year.