Globally known for its cultural attractions, vibrant nightlife, waffles, chocolate, and love for football, Belgium is also home to several internationally recognized higher education institutions. Its three official languages are Dutch, French, and German, and higher education is organized by Belgium’s language communities, so the main language of instruction depends on the region, university, and program.
Studying in Belgium can also make it easy to explore other European cities by train, including Paris, Amsterdam, and London, with connections from Brussels. Pursuing a degree here has several advantages because of the country’s central location in Europe, its research environment, and its range of academic programs. Listed below are some of the best subjects to consider studying in Belgium.
Top Courses to Study in Belgium
1. Medicine
Medicine is a strong subject to study in Belgium because the country has established medical faculties and university hospitals. Medical studies are generally structured as a three-year bachelor’s degree followed by a three-year master’s degree, making the basic medical training six years. However, it is not accurate to describe this as shorter than a European seven-year standard, since medical education structures differ across Europe. Students who want to practice medicine usually need further specialist or general medicine training after the basic medical degree.
Admission is also highly regulated. Medicine is mainly taught in Dutch in Flanders and in French in the French-speaking community, and applicants should expect language requirements and entrance examinations. International students should check the rules of the community and university where they plan to apply, especially because non-resident admission rules and quotas may apply.
Scholarships may be available in Belgium, especially for master’s-level or advanced programs, but eligibility varies by university, study level, nationality, and program. Students interested in medical studies should confirm directly whether a scholarship applies to their chosen medicine-related program.
Students can also gain practical experience through clinical training, university hospitals, and program-specific mobility opportunities. Some of the notable medical schools in Belgium are Ghent University, the University of Liège, UCLouvain, and the University of Antwerp.
2. Political Science
Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy with a complex political system. It is also a particularly relevant place to study politics because Brussels is one of the official seats of the European institutions and is home to NATO headquarters. Belgium is widely described as a stable electoral democracy, although students should also study the country’s ongoing debates about federalism, language communities, migration, and governance.
A political science degree from a Belgian university can support careers in public service, international organizations, research, academia, law, policy analysis, and related fields. Students can also compare Belgium’s political institutions with those in their home countries and apply what they learn to local, national, or international contexts.
Political science programs in Belgium use a variety of learning approaches to develop students’ critical thinking, analytical, communication, and leadership skills. Depending on the program, students may study political theory, public policy, democracy, international relations, research methods, European politics, and governance, while also completing debates, presentations, simulations, or research projects.
The University of Namur, KU Leuven, and Ghent University are among the Belgian universities offering political science or closely related programs. Hasselt University is also relevant for students interested in social sciences, democracy, diversity, and digitalization, but its current offering is better described as social sciences rather than a stand-alone political science degree.
3. Metallurgical Engineering
Belgium has a long industrial tradition in metals and steel. Belgian crude steel production rose to about 7.13 million tonnes in 2024, showing that the sector remains an important part of the country’s industrial landscape.
Rather than being offered only under the exact title “metallurgical engineering,” this field is often available in Belgium through materials engineering, chemical and materials engineering, materials science, and related research areas. These programs can cover metal processing, materials properties, manufacturing routes, sustainability, recycling, and the development of new materials for industry.
Because of its specialized nature, metallurgy and materials engineering can be a strong option for students interested in production engineering, research, manufacturing, recycling, and industrial innovation. Students should review each university’s official program page carefully because not every institution listed in older articles offers a dedicated metallurgical engineering degree.
Some leading Belgian options in this field include the University of Mons, the Free University of Brussels, and KU Leuven.
4. Visual Arts
Belgium is an excellent destination for art students and enthusiasts because of its museums, galleries, and artistic heritage. Important cultural institutions include the Magritte Museum and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. The Rubenshuis in Antwerp is also connected to Peter Paul Rubens, although the historical artist’s residence is temporarily closed for restoration and is expected to reopen in 2030 at the earliest; visitors can currently access the Rubens Experience, garden, and library.
Belgium is known for artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, René Magritte, and Anthony van Dyck, and it continues to have an active contemporary arts scene. Its visual arts programs often combine studio practice with art history, art theory, research, portfolio development, and collaborative projects.
LUCA School of Arts offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in arts and design fields, while the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp offers bachelor’s and master’s programs in visual arts. La Cambre in Brussels is another major visual arts school, offering programs in several fields of plastic and visual arts. KU Leuven is connected to LUCA through artistic research and doctorates, but LUCA is the institution responsible for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the arts.
5. Geography
Geography, the study of physical, environmental, and social phenomena across space, is another strong field to consider in Belgium. The country has a long history of geographical scholarship, including the creation of geographical societies in Brussels and Antwerp in 1876.
Belgian universities offer multidisciplinary geography programs that cover both physical and human geography. Depending on the institution, students may study topics such as climate, territorial development, urban studies, spatial analysis, geo-information sciences, and the relationship between society and the environment.
Several collaborations with research groups and public and private organizations also allow students to gain relevant experience in dealing with real-world problems. Some Belgian universities offering geography programs include the University of Liège, UCLouvain, and the Free University of Brussels. Students may also find joint or related geography options through Vrije Universiteit Brussel and KU Leuven.
It’s essential to learn which subjects are best to take in Belgium so that you can choose the program that will benefit you most. The country offers strong study options in medicine, political science, materials and metallurgical engineering, visual arts, and geography. Before applying, always check the language of instruction, entrance exams, admission requirements, and whether the program is open to international students.
We hope you found this article on the best subjects to study in Belgium informative and helpful. Also, make sure to check out the Belgium Page and some of the Available Programs in Europe for International Students for more information about studying in this country and in Europe!
