For partners 
Starting from the new academic year, several leading universities in Flanders will increase tuition for students from countries not part of the European Union. The reason is changes in the public funding system: the Belgian authorities will now subsidize only 2% of such students, whereas previously universities could receive funding for all foreign students who met the established requirements.
The fee increase has already been announced by KU Leuven, University of Antwerp and VUB Brussels University. Notably, these universities depend more than others on students from outside the EU. According to Study in Flanders, the highest share of such students is enrolled at VUB Brussels University, followed by KU Leuven and University of Antwerp. The changes will be particularly noticeable for students in Antwerp: the cost of a master's degree for citizens of non-EU countries will rise from €5,800 to €7,800 per year, and bachelor's degree programs will increase from €3,100 to €4,300. At KU Leuven, the increase will affect all program categories and will amount to approximately 20%, while at VUB Brussels University tuition fees will rise by between €400 and €1,000 depending on the chosen program.
Experts believe the new rules could affect Belgium's attractiveness to prospective international students. An education economist described the government's decision as shortsighted, noting that the country needs qualified specialists, particularly given the current shortage of skilled workers. In his view, rising tuition costs could deter talented students from outside the EU. At the same time, not all representatives of the education sector view the situation in entirely negative terms: some believe the changes have once again drawn attention to the question of what role international students play in the development of Belgian higher education.
The tuition increase is just one of the measures affecting foreign students.
- Starting from the next academic year, Belgium will tighten the scrutiny of student visa applications, introducing stricter requirements for residence permit renewals.
- Academic performance will have greater weight: compliance with new academic progress requirements will become a mandatory condition for continuing studies.
Another change concerns financial requirements for foreign nationals: the authorities will increase the amount that must be demonstrated in order to obtain a study permit. Education sector specialists suggest that this measure will help prospective students more realistically assess the cost of living and studying in Belgium before relocating, and avoid financial difficulties during their studies.
