More than chocolates and waffles, Belgium offers a lot of opportunities to foreign students wanting to study in this country. Located in Western Europe and bordered by the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France, Belgium is known for its medieval towns, classic history, and music festivals. But more than these things, this country has a well-developed economy.
If you want to study in Belgium, you’ll get to receive a world-class education that can open a lot of opportunities in your chosen career. The programs they offer in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees are high quality and affordable. International students taking up programs in Belgium are satisfied with their experience.
Additionally, support systems for international students in Belgium are available. Universities and colleges provide support, including financial aid like scholarships are given to them. Belgian institutions recognize their efforts in studying in this country, as they offer these scholarships in Belgium for international students.
Top Scholarships in Belgium for International Students
1. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: participation fees, insurance, return ticket, and allowance
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
One of the best scholarships in Europe is the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. This scholarship is intended for graduate students who want to continue their graduate studies in Europe, including Belgium.
There are several universities in Belgium that offer this scholarship. The University of Antwerp for instance, is an active participant in the program. Students can apply for this scholarship if they choose to study in the following areas: Master of Leading International Vaccinology Education and Master of Applied Ecohydrology.
This scholarship aims to provide mobility to international students taking up programs in European universities. Together with the University of Antwerp, they provide financial help to support these students.
2. Top-up Grants (Ghent University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: €1,000/month and insurance (health, civil liability, and others), waiver on increased tuition fee rate
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
Ghent University is a public research university established in 1817. For many years, this university has continuously provided quality education to its learners. Internationally speaking, it has an excellent international ranking with the other universities. They also offer various scholarships for international students to support them.
The Top-up Grants of the university are open to incoming international students taking up an English-taught master’s program. Kindly check first if your country is included in the OECD Development Assistance Committee (OESO-DAC) country list. Since this is for new students, there are no separate applications for this scholarship in Belgium. In your admission application, you can mention this scholarship under the financial section.
Usually, they give out ten scholarships per academic year. The department of your chosen program will be the one responsible for deciding their top 3 applicants for the scholarship. The scholarship committee will select the recipients, and successful awardees should do their thesis at the university.
3. Master Mind Scholarships (Flemish Ministry of Education and Training)
The Master Mind Scholarship, funded by the Flemish Ministry of Education, and Training awards foreign students planning on taking a master’s program at any host institution in Belgium.
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants should have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 out of 4.0 and a good score or level on the English language proficiency tests. Overall, applicants should show excellent academic performance. To start your application, kindly fill up the application form along with the documents. Aside from the academic and language records, kindly submit two recommendation letters from your previous professors.
The host institution will be the one to screen the applicants. Please take note that they only select 20 candidates for the scholarship. After screening, the Flemish Government will be one to decide the successful applicants. While the scholarship is open to all international students, students from Japan, Mexico, Palestine, and the USA will be prioritized.
4. Science@Leuven Scholarship (KU Leuven)
KU Leuven or Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a research university located in Leuven, Belgium. This institution is a leading research university in the country and the world. The KU Leuven Faculty of Science offers scholarships to international students taking up a master’s program in science.
The scholarship is open to incoming international graduate students. To qualify for this scholarship, you need to have a bachelor’s degree from a foreign university, a strong knowledge of the English language, and excellent academic records from your previous studies.
For the scholarship requirements, applicants must prepare their academic records, specifically, the course titles they have obtained with their descriptions, two reference letters from their professors, and a letter of motivation for the program. After completing the requirements and your admission, applicants should submit a separate online application for the scholarship. The selection committee will interview the qualified candidates, and they will be notified if their application is successful. Lastly, the continuity of this scholarship will depend on your academic performance.
5. Global Minds Doctoral Scholarships Programme (KU Leuven)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: 50% of research (KU Leuven), 50% of researched (home institution)
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
Every academic year, the largest university in Belgium, KU Leuven, chooses outstanding scholars from different universities as scholarship applicants to pursue their PhDs as part of its contribution to global development. This scholarship’s primary goal is to give students from developing countries access to quality education and various opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge. Additionally, this fellowship intends to assist international refugees in obtaining a formal education at some of the best colleges in the country.
The goal of this scholarship is to provide students with the chance to complete a 4-year Ph.D. degree in a dual format, in which at least 50% of the study is at the student’s home university, and KU Leuven funds at least 50% of the study, with assistance from a local co-promoter. The Global Minds Doctoral Scholarship program is transparent and fair toward the applicants, and only the best and brightest students can benefit from this scholarship.
Belgium has one of the best education systems in the world. However, studying and living here can be a burden for most international students. Fortunately, the Flemish government and Belgian institutions provide numerous financial aid to help reduce the academic costs of foreign learners.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships in Belgium for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Belgium Study Guide and Available Programs in Europe for more valuable tips and scholarship opportunities!
