Are you looking for the best universities in Belgium for international students? Located at the heart of Western Europe, Belgium is home to respected research universities, a multilingual higher education system, and a growing selection of degree programs taught in English. Its central location near France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands also gives students convenient access to other major European destinations.
International students who choose to study in Belgium can pursue degrees in fields such as engineering, business, medicine, political science, biotechnology, and the humanities. This guide ranks the top universities in Belgium primarily according to their overall academic standing in major international university rankings while also considering their strengths in individual subject areas. You can also compare their programs, admissions information, tuition fees, and scholarship opportunities before applying.
Top Universities in Belgium for International Students
| University | Selected Academic Areas |
|---|
| KU Leuven | Business Administration and Engineering Technology |
| Ghent University | Bioscience Engineering, Animal Sciences, and Cell and Gene Biotechnology |
| UCLouvain | Human Resources Management, Law, and Actuarial Science |
| University of Antwerp | Applied Economics, Business Engineering, and Biochemistry and Biotechnology |
| Université libre de Bruxelles | Political Science, European Studies, and Human Rights |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel | Social Sciences, Applied Computer Science, and Engineering |
| Hasselt University | Biomedical Sciences, Management, and Energy Engineering Technology |
| University of Liège | Medicine, Engineering, and Environmental Sciences |
| University of Mons | Engineering, Materials Science, and Translation and Interpretation |
1. KU Leuven
KU Leuven, locally known as Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, has long been one of the best institutions in Belgium for international students. It offers study programs in various disciplines, including natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, medicine, business, law, and humanities. Most programs are taught in Dutch, but KU Leuven offers many programs in English, especially at the graduate level. It also has an extensive library network, university hospitals, residence halls, and learning facilities.
As one of Europe’s oldest universities, KU Leuven focuses on progressive and interdisciplinary research. Reuters named KU Leuven Europe’s most innovative university for four consecutive years through the latest Reuters European innovation ranking in 2019. Its long history of research, innovation, and academic facilities provides a strong academic experience for international students.
One student’s journey: Jovan Samardžić applied for KU Leuven’s Statistics and Data Science master’s and Peter Rousseeuw Scholarship in early 2023, submitting in mid-February because the scholarship deadline came 15 days before the program deadline. His May interview covered his academic background, specific courses from his motivation letter, his interest in sports analytics and even his below-threshold GRE verbal result; he had prepared by speaking with a previous scholarship recipient, and learned he had won the award on May 9. He went on to complete the degree at KU Leuven, including an NBA-player-injury master’s thesis, supported by a scholarship worth €20,000 plus the reduced EU tuition rate. View More KU Leuven recipients →
2. Ghent University
Ghent University is a major research institution and one of the major universities in Belgium. This top Belgian school has many international students pursuing degrees in a variety of subject areas, including bioscience engineering, psychology and educational sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and arts and philosophy. On UGent’s campuses, students can access learning facilities, libraries, incubation centers for start-ups, and research centers with strong activity in sustainability and other scientific fields.
The university engages in many partnerships with institutions in Europe and worldwide. It is also involved in Erasmus Mundus programs, including the International Master of Science in Soils and Global Change, coordinated by Ghent University with partner universities in Europe. With a global outlook and a broad academic portfolio, international students at UGent are sure to receive a high-quality education.
A recipient’s path: Gizelle Jamero first gained admission to the International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering without funding in 2020, then rebuilt her application for the following intake by seeking feedback from alumni and past recipients, tracking every requirement and deadline, and submitting about a month early. She subsequently completed the Erasmus Mundus joint master’s through Ghent University, Lund University, and the University of Edinburgh, graduating magna cum laude in 2023; she credited the clarity of her career goals and detailed references from senior colleagues as particular strengths in her successful scholarship application. The fully funded Erasmus Mundus award supported her studies, and she later became a Fire Engineer at Arup in Ireland. View More Ghent University recipients →
3. Catholic University of Louvain
The Catholic University of Louvain, or UCLouvain, is the leading and largest French-speaking university in Belgium and one of the oldest universities in Europe. From its historical roots in the University of Louvain, it has remained a major contributor to teaching and research in fields such as philosophy, theology, and religious studies. In addition to these disciplines, it offers quality programs in the arts and humanities, social and political sciences, educational sciences, architecture, and more.
UCLouvain’s main campus is located in the planned city of Louvain-la-Neuve, and the university has several more campuses throughout Belgium. Within these premises, student associations called Régionales and Cercles host cultural activities and trips to make international students feel at home.
Abdullah Toqeer’s path to UCLouvain: Abdullah Toqeer, who had previously studied Geological Engineering, won an Erasmus Mundus scholarship worth approximately €42,000 for a double master’s in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation conducted at the University of Tartu and UCLouvain. His preparation centered on building an academic and research profile aligned with geospatial science, refining his CV and research-focused application materials, and matching his interests in remote sensing and environmental monitoring to the program. After graduating magna cum laude, he progressed to a fully funded PhD at Charles Sturt University in Australia, researching remote sensing, machine learning and environmental monitoring. View More UCLouvain recipients →
4. University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp, one of the best universities in Belgium for international students, was founded in 2003 after the merger of three Antwerp university institutions, with roots going back to 1852. This history helped shape the school’s entrepreneurial approach and high standard of education. Its buildings are spread across several campuses in and around the city of Antwerp.
In addition to business and economics, UAntwerp offers degree programs in medicine, arts, design sciences, social sciences, law, engineering, science, pharmaceutical, veterinary, and biomedical sciences. It has a sizable international community and thousands of researchers working across fields such as ecology, sustainable development, infectious diseases, and socio-economic policy.
A recipient’s path: Dr. Yuying (Sherry) Tan completed a PhD in Communication Studies at the University of Antwerp after tailoring her application around the fit between her earlier digital-project experience and the research project. Her application included degree certificates, transcripts, a scientific publication, motivation letter and CV, while the interview required a research-proposal presentation; she prepared by studying the professors’ publications, current research and research groups so she could show how her proposal would contribute. Her PhD was supported through a fully funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network contract, and she reported having obtained the degree after completing the program. View More University of Antwerp recipients →
5. Université Libre de Bruxelles
The Université Libre de Bruxelles is one of two universities that trace their roots to the Free University of Brussels. It became a separate French-speaking institution in 1970 while remaining close to its Dutch-speaking counterpart, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Both schools embody the founding philosophy of free inquiry and knowledge. ULB is also highly regarded for its faculty and alumni, who have won Nobel Prizes, the Fields Medal, Wolf Prizes, and other prestigious awards.
Moreover, it is known as a multicultural and international university, with about one-third of its students and researchers coming from abroad. Students can choose from a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and Erasmus Mundus programs in various subjects, including philosophy, history, musicology, legal sciences, criminology, architecture, engineering, and more.
6. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel traces its origins to the Free University of Brussels, similar to its close affiliate, the Université Libre de Bruxelles. VUB has campuses in Brussels and nine faculties responsible for education and research across fields such as social sciences, humanities, law, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, psychology, education, sciences, and bioengineering.
While many programs are taught in Dutch, this Belgian university also offers a growing range of English-taught programs at bachelor’s and master’s levels. VUB is strongly research-oriented and has an international presence, with more than 24,000 students from 145 countries across over 150 programs.
VUB stands by the principles of academic freedom and free inquiry. It is open to students regardless of political, ideological, or cultural background, helping international students feel more than welcome.
A recipient’s path: Barbara Lazarotto entered a PhD in Law at Vrije Universiteit Brussel after a mentor she met through the W@ professional mentorship program—who later became her co-supervisor—sent her the Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral vacancy. Her application required an overall research project demonstrating command of the topic plus academic work demonstrating her research capacity, and she believes two publications from her master’s period and her mentorship experience helped her stand out. The fully funded MSCA phase later ended, but she remained a PhD researcher at VUB under different funding while completing the degree. View More Vrije Universiteit Brussel recipients →
7. Hasselt University
Hasselt University, the last on our list of the best universities in Belgium for international students, traces its origins to the Limburg University Centre, which began its first academic year in 1973. After many years of successful academic performance, it has grown to include several faculties and schools, including architecture and arts, business economics, engineering technology, law, medicine and life sciences, rehabilitation sciences, sciences, and transportation sciences.
Moreover, the institution spearheads innovative research. Its research institutes and centers include the Biomedical Research Institute, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Institute for Materials Research, Transportation Research Institute, Data Science Institute, Limburg Clinical Research Center, and Digital Future Lab. Hasselt University is also internationally ranked, appearing at 301–350 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and =597 in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
8. University of Liège
The University of Liège is a public university founded in 1817 and based primarily in Liège, with additional campuses in Gembloux and Arlon. It has 11 faculties spanning the humanities, social sciences, medicine, veterinary medicine, science, engineering, architecture, management, and agricultural and environmental sciences. The university reported 29,438 students and PhD candidates for the 2025–2026 academic year.
ULiège has a broad research profile covering biotechnology, life sciences, medicine, engineering, agronomy, environmental research, and space sciences. Its research structure includes faculty and interdisciplinary units such as GIGA for biomedical research, STAR for space sciences and astrophysics, the Montefiore Institute in electrical engineering and computer science, and the TERRA Research Centre at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech.
One student’s journey: Heloise Gilbert studied at the University of Liège as part of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Marine Environment and Resources, shaping her application around a coherent progression from marine-focused undergraduate study to a long-term goal in marine science and conservation. She applied to roughly four related Erasmus Mundus programs: two rejected her, one admitted her without funding, and MER2030 awarded her the fully funded scholarship; she attributes the successful application to explaining why each academic choice built toward marine ecology rather than submitting a generic motivation letter. The joint degree took her through four universities, including Liège, before she graduated in September 2025. View More University of Liège recipients →
- Outcomes of students who studied at University of Liège: Tutul Kumar Saha: after completing the Erasmus Mundus MER2030 degree, started a PhD in Ecology and Environmental Science at Klaipėda University in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research.
9. University of Mons
The University of Mons, commonly known as UMONS, is a public university in Belgium’s French-speaking community with campuses in Mons and Charleroi. The present institution was established in 2009 through the merger of the University of Mons-Hainaut and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons, whose origins date to 1837. UMONS now has seven faculties and three schools and enrolls more than 11,500 students.
UMONS provides programs from bachelor’s through doctoral level in fields including engineering, science, medicine and pharmacy, psychology and education, architecture, business and economics, and translation and interpretation. International opportunities include Erasmus mobility, agreements with overseas partner universities, selected courses and programs available in English, and participation in international master’s initiatives such as the Erasmus Mundus SMACCS program in smart cities and communities.
Nadim Ahmed’s path to University of Mons: Nadim Ahmed, a civil-engineering graduate, reached the University of Mons through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Smart Cities and Communities after several earlier attempts at funded graduate study. Before his 2024 SMACCs selection, he had received and withdrawn from a fully funded UNIST PhD offer, obtained a full-tuition offer from Sapienza and received other partial Erasmus funding, but continued applying until securing the fully funded program that matched his interest in sustainable cities.View More University of Mons recipients →
FAQs: Studying in Belgian Universities
Is Belgium Good for International Students to Study In?
Belgium’s pivotal position makes it a strong point for internationalization. It fosters a multicultural environment that is welcoming to international students. The country has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German, but English is widely spoken as well. You can easily learn a second or third language in Belgium, which is valuable in today’s society.
Moreover, many high-ranking universities in Belgium are in student cities like Brussels, Leuven, and Ghent. Programs are taught with an emphasis on collaboration, networking, and innovation. Tuition fees vary by institution, region, and program. For example, in Flanders and Brussels in the 2025–2026 academic year, EU/EEA students pay €1,157, while non-EU/EEA students generally pay about €1,200 to €8,000 depending on the program. In French-speaking Belgium, fees depend on student status and may include additional contributions.
Furthermore, students in Belgium should budget around €800 to €1,200 per month for living costs, depending on the city, housing, and lifestyle. Belgian cities offer many cultural attractions and welcoming communities. These are relatively affordable rates for a high-quality education while living in a central European country.
Can International Students Work in Belgium While Studying?
International students can work in Belgium if they are enrolled in a recognized higher education institution and meet residence requirements. Non-EU/EEA students with a valid student residence permit can generally work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, provided the work does not interfere with their studies. During school holidays, this 20-hour weekly limit does not apply.
Can International Students Stay in Belgium After Graduation?
International graduates may be able to stay in Belgium after graduation, but the conditions depend on nationality, purpose, and length of stay. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals generally have simpler residence rules. Non-EU citizens may need a visa, work authorization, and valid residence status, depending on their situation and job offer.
Belgium also offers a “search year” after higher studies. Eligible third-country graduates can apply for authorization to stay in Belgium for up to 12 months to seek employment or set up a business, provided they meet the conditions set by the Belgian Immigration Office.
Belgium’s central location in Europe and many English-taught programs make it ideal for international students interested in pursuing a degree abroad. It is home to internationally recognized institutions that offer high-quality education and research prospects, increasing students’ career opportunities in the future. So, if you want to study a degree program in this country, consider the universities listed above and start your educational journey as soon as possible!
We hope this article on the top universities in Belgium for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
