When searching for a European country to pursue higher education, Belgium is a strong option. This Western European country is known for academic quality and a vibrant cultural heritage. Belgian universities combine research-led teaching with practical and theoretical learning. Moreover, each Belgian city has a rich social and cultural scene, which may be attractive to future students.
For a better understanding of what this country has to offer academically, here are strong universities offering biology programs in Belgium.
Top Schools Offering Biology in Belgium
1. Catholic University of Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) is an excellent school for biology in Belgium and is internationally recognized as a major research university. Although the university’s name reflects its Catholic heritage, KU Leuven emphasizes openness to all worldviews. The university is also highly ranked internationally, including 46th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and 60th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
One of the most notable departments at the university is the Department of Biology. Its current education offerings include a Dutch-taught Bachelor in Biology, Dutch- and English-taught master’s options, and a Ph.D. in Science: Biology through KU Leuven’s doctoral program. The English-taught Master of Biology is a 120-ECTS program that covers molecular and cellular biology, functional and evolutionary biology, and ecology while emphasizing problem-solving, independent thinking, and communication. The department also encourages research collaboration and international perspectives.
What Current Students / Alumni of KU Leuven Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Dindi Guzon
Master’s in Bio&Pharmaceutical Materials Science — thesis placement
Subsequent PhD research in tissue engineering | Her master’s thesis involved bioprinting skeletal muscle tissue using induced pluripotent stem cells. She later returned for doctoral research on vascularized skeletal muscle using responsive multiphase bioinks. | She conducted her thesis in KU Leuven’s Tissue Engineering Lab and subsequently joined the same laboratory for her PhD. |
Lucas Argandoña
PhD in Engineering Technology
Industrial research at PureBlue Water, Netherlands; academic supervision by KU Leuven | His doctoral research combines nanotechnology, water treatment, and the biodegradation of micropollutants. | KU Leuven provides doctoral supervision while his research is hosted in an industrial setting in the Netherlands. He reports that doctoral research and training activities are mainly conducted in English, with flexibility in selecting training credits. |
Jiwei Lu
PhD research in nanomaterials for wastewater treatment | His doctoral project investigates nanomaterials that enhance micropollutant degradation in anaerobic digesters. He describes the position as requiring an interdisciplinary combination of nanomaterials, machine learning, and biological processes involving anaerobes. | — |
2. Ghent University
Ghent University is a major public research institution in the Flemish region of Belgium. Founded in 1817, it became Belgium’s first university with Dutch as the official language of instruction in 1930. Today, it is one of Belgium’s major universities, with more than 50,000 students, 15,700 employees, 11 faculties, and more than 200 programs. Its library and university hospital remain important parts of the university community.
The Ghent Department of Biology is one reason the university is widely recognized for science education and research. The department offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. pathways, and its teaching and research are centered on ecology, evolution, functional biology, and biodiversity. During their bachelor’s studies, students become acquainted with these areas as part of an interdisciplinary education. Later, they can select a subfield of interest through master’s-level study and research.
What Current Students / Alumni of Ghent University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Anagha Anilkumar
Master’s in Health Management in Aquaculture (AQUAH)
First-semester study at Ghent | She completed the program’s first semester at Ghent, where the curriculum focused on genetics, fish pathology, and immunology before students continued to their chosen partner-university track. | She reports no academic language difficulties across the partner universities she attended, including Ghent. |
3. University of Liège
The University of Liège, also known as ULiège, is located in Liège, Belgium. Its Faculty of Sciences provides biology programs covering organisms, ecology, biochemistry, and molecular and cellular processes. These pathways allow students to move from broad biological foundations toward specialized scientific investigation.
The Bachelor in Biology comprises 180 credits. Its curriculum includes animal and plant biology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, embryology, and plant cellular physiology. Supporting study includes chemistry, computing applications for biology, and English. The program is designed as a foundation for further academic study, with practical teaching integrated into several scientific subjects. The official program directory identifies French as the teaching language.
Master’s options include Biology of Organisms and Ecology and Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, with 120-credit pathways. Students can pursue research-oriented specialization or relevant professional focuses. Doctoral study is available separately through the Faculty of Sciences; its biological doctoral structure includes biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and bioinformatics. Completion requires doctoral training and an original dissertation defended publicly.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Liège Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Ahmed Salah Abdelmawla Elsayed Mohamed
Master’s in Marine Environment and Resources (MER2030)
Third-semester study at Liège; joint program, 2022–2024 | At Liège, he studied marine animal physiology and biochemistry, aquariology, marine plant ecology, and functional and molecular marine microbiology. His semester focused on marine physiology and ecology. | — |
4. Université catholique de Louvain
A highly acclaimed center for higher education, the Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), also known in English as the University of Louvain, is Belgium’s leading and largest French-speaking university and one of the best-known schools for biology in Belgium. UCLouvain traces its university tradition to the 15th century and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Today, it has seven campuses in Louvain-la-Neuve, Brussels Woluwe, Saint-Louis Brussels, Brussels Saint-Gilles, Mons, Tournai, and Charleroi.
The university has 20 faculties across seven campuses and organizes its courses in three main areas: health sciences, science and technology, and social sciences and the humanities. The Faculty of Science offers a Bachelor in Biology, and master’s options include the Master [120] in Biology of Organisms and Ecology. UCLouvain also offers Ph.D. opportunities across its doctoral fields, with most Ph.D.s available in French or English. During undergraduate study, biology students build a foundation in the field and its links with other sciences. During master’s study, they can develop specialized knowledge through advanced coursework, research, and, depending on the program, internships or laboratory work that can support further Ph.D. research.
5. University of Antwerp
Situated in the city of Antwerp, the University of Antwerp is internationally recognized for research and its entrepreneurial approach. It is a relatively young university with roots in three predecessor institutions. Today, it enrolls 25,390 students, including bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D., postgraduate, micro-credential, and exchange students. Many students are also drawn to Antwerp’s historic character and vibrant social and cultural scene.
The University of Antwerp’s Department of Biology delivers an outstanding biology curriculum in Belgium. The department covers research at all levels of biological organization, from processes within living cells to organisms, populations, communities, and entire ecosystems. From the beginning of their studies, biology students encounter research performed by the Department of Biology. At the master’s level, the university offers specializations in Dutch and English, including Global Change Biology; Biodiversity: Conservation and Restoration; Evolution and Behavior Biology; and the interuniversity Master in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Antwerp Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Biology Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Dr. Tuhina Khan
Postdoctoral research in medicinal chemistry
Research focus: targeted therapy for glioblastoma | Her postdoctoral work at Antwerp focuses on targeted therapy for glioblastoma, connecting medicinal chemistry with cancer-related research. | She works with Prof. Pieter Van Der Veken in the Medicinal Chemistry laboratory. She credits his critical feedback and the university’s EU Grant Office with helping develop her research proposal. |
6. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Situated in Belgium’s capital, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a Dutch- and English-speaking research university. Its predecessor, the Université Libre de Bruxelles, was founded in 1834 by Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen as an institution independent of church and state. VUB and ULB went their separate ways in 1969, and VUB continues to emphasize free inquiry and humanism. Its motto is Scientia vincere tenebras (“overcoming darkness through science”).
Biology is part of VUB’s Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, which provides education and research in biology and related sciences. The faculty lists a Dutch-taught Bachelor of Science in Biology and both Dutch- and English-taught master’s programs in biology. The English-taught Master of Science in Biology focuses on challenges such as global change and biodiversity crises and offers three graduation options, along with a broad range of electives.
In addition to acquiring a foundation in biological science, students can specialize through master’s options and may also explore study-abroad opportunities, including Erasmus+ exchanges.
Whether you are an aspiring biologist or simply want to study in Belgium, the above universities are strong options for building your future in biology. Review each program’s language of instruction, admission requirements, and current tuition before applying.
We hope this article on the Best Universities to Study Biology in Belgium was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
