Cost of living for a student in Belgium (monthly)
1. Accommodation
- (Student room or shared accommodation) 350 to 600 Euros
2. Transportation
- (Monthly transportation card) 20 to 50 Euros
3. Food
- (Food and beverage purchases) 200 to 300 Euros
4. Books and school supplies
- Books and school supplies 30 to 50 euros
5. Health insurance
- (Mandatory for international students) 20 to 40 Euros
6. Recreational activities
- 50 up to 100 Euros
7. Personal expenses
- (Clothing, subscription, phone) 50 to 150 Euros
8.Approximate monthly total
- Up to 700 – 1,200 Euros
Notes
- Costs vary from city to city (Brussels is more expensive than smaller cities)
- Tuition fees for international students at public universities in Belgium
- Students from outside the European Union
- Tuition fees range from 2,000 to 4,500 euros per year, depending on the university and course.
important notes
- Fees vary depending on specialization
- Departments such as medicine and engineering are more expensive than arts departments, and some universities charge higher fees for international master’s programs.
There are scholarships available
- Government provides grant support schemes to cover part of fees for international students
additional costs
- Students may pay additional administrative fees of between 50 and 200 euros per year.
1. Academic admission requirements
- High school diploma: Must be equivalent to Belgian diplomas and recognized.
- Language requirements
- If the course is in French, language proficiency must be proven with a document such as DELF or DALF.
- If the course is in Dutch, a document such as NT2 must be presented.
- If the course is in English, documents such as TOEFL IELTS are required.
- Some universities require an entrance exam or individual interview, depending on the department.
2. Required documents
- Copy of passport
- High school diploma translated into one of Belgium’s official languages (Dutch, French or German)
- CV
- (Letter of motivation)
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of language proficiency
- Copy of student visa after admission
3. Tuition fees
- Students from outside the European Union pay higher fees than students from within the European Union. Tuition fees vary between 800 and 4,000 euros per year, depending on the university and department.
4. Cost of living
- The cost of living in Belgium ranges from 800 to 1,200 euros per month and includes housing, food, transportation and health insurance.
5. Visa procedures
- Once you have been accepted to the university, you will need to apply for a student visa.
- Documents required to obtain a visa: Letter of acceptance from the university
- Financial evidence of ability to pay for tuition and living expenses
- Medical certificate
- Criminal record
6. Studying while working
- International students can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies, provided it does not affect their academic performance.
- Students may pay an additional administrative fee of between 50 and 200 euros per year.