Belgium is a small country located in Europe, and while it may be of this size, it brings quite big opportunities for students who seek an extraordinary educational experience. The country has a high-spirited culture and offers a noteworthy quality of life, making it on the list of places to check out and consider for your international student experience. In this article, we will be looking at the cost of studying and living in Belgium!

Cost of Studying in Belgium for International Students

Belgium also has its share of universities that have a good international reputation, and some of these belong to the list of university rankings globally. Studying in Belgium, tuition fees may vary and it is recommended to look into the websites of the universities, but to have an idea, continue reading below.

The KU Leuven is said to be the highest-ranked of the universities in Belgium, and it is also the largest university in the country. Just like in other countries, the fees that international students are required to pay are usually higher in price. The school’s site allows you to calculate your tuition fee by selecting your academic year of enrollment, your degree type, and your program. Some programs cost 2,000 euros, like for Business Administration, while the tuition may reach 6,600€ if you are in engineering and technology.

Another top school is the University of Ghent which is also known as the first university in Belgium to be taught in the Dutch language. It is also considered a large university given its student population. The tuition fees for their international students also vary depending on the faculty the student belongs. For those in the Arts, Sciences, and Social Sciences, their average tuition fee is around 2000€. Fees for those in Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Economics, and Business Administration are approximately 5900€.

Check Also: Available Programs in Europe for International Students

Cost of Living in Belgium for International Students

1. Cost of Living in Brussels

Being the capital of Belgium and one of the largest cities in the country, it could be expected that the cost of living in Brussels is more expensive compared to other cities. With this, there is also a higher standard of living in this city.

Some accommodations may be offered by the university of choice, but they may be limited when it comes to the region of Brussels. Most students that reside in Brussels usually stay in private apartments. Living in the school’s dormitory will save you living costs though, so it is best to search about it. With this, monthly rent has a range of 200 to 1000 euros since dormitory costs around 200€ and private apartments may cost between 800 to 1200 euros.

For means of transportation, public transport is the best choice in the country for a student. There is a monthly cost of 50 euros if you opt for this, but students usually get a discount for public transportation. When it comes to your food expenses, your best choice will always be buying your own groceries and cooking at your place. There is an average of 300€ for your monthly grocery expenses, and if you choose to eat outside, affordable choices may range from 10 to 24 euros for a meal.

2. Cost of Living in Antwerp

Another great city for students is Antwerp which is also one of the best-known cities in the European region. Antwerp possesses a vibrant culture, which would make your student life here exciting. It is also the home of the University of Antwerp which has a good reputation in education and research standards.

If you are planning to stay in Antwerp, the cost of rent in Antwerp is slightly lower than in Brussels as the private apartments have an average monthly rent of 650 to 900 euros. The option of applying for your university’s dormitory is also always available if there is any. Public transport is about the same as Brussels wherein you may spend a monthly average of 50€. The prices of the groceries in this city may be lower as compared to Brussels, but it is best to allow around 200 to 300 euros for your monthly food expenses.

3. Cost of Living in Leuven

Based on its name, this city is the home of Belgium’s top university, KU Leuven. With this, it is sometimes known as the university city. University accommodations may be available throughout the city, but private apartments with a single bedroom have a monthly average rent of around 700 to 900 euros.

For your transportation, the best way to get around is by using the train or the bus. A bus season ticket in the Leuven region costs 20€. There is also what they call the “Buzzy pass” for those ages 6 to 24 years old and it costs 215 euros for the whole year. A train ride depends on your route, but a ride from Leuven to Brussels costs around 236€. Your monthly budget for your grocery expenses should also be around 300 euros.

4. Cost of Living in Ghent

Ghent is said to be the third-largest city in the country. The city also offers a variety of attractions, but it is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and its Ghent Festival which is done yearly.

If you are planning to live in Ghent, the accommodation has a monthly rent of around 690 to 900 euros for a one-bedroom apartment located in the center of the city. Speaking of this, Ghent’s city center is said to be car-free. Truly, public transportation is your best option to travel around the city. The train and bus ride probably cost around the same as other cities, and it would only vary depending on the route you are taking. A month of groceries will probably cost you around 250 to 300 euros, and meals at a more affordable place outside have a range of around 12 to 20 euros.

5. Cost of Living in Liège

In the list of cities, you are probably least familiar with Liège compared to other Belgian cities. It has a good combination of urban and historical features with its sceneries and attractions. Aside from this, living expenses may be less expensive compared to other cities.

The monthly average rent for a private apartment in Liège has a range from 480 to 700 euros. This is for a one-bedroom apartment located in the city center, and the price for this is probably less when it is just on the outskirts of the city center. The cost of transportation is similar to those in other cities, and you may get student discounts if you present your card. Groceries will probably cost around 200 to 300 euros monthly.

 

We hope that this article on the Cost of Studying and Living in Belgium for International Students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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