Has it ever occurred to you that there are thousands of students on a search for the perfect country with an exceptional higher educational system, but still feel clueless merely due to lack of information? Belgium is one such country, which possesses incredible opportunities for students along with worldwide recognition of their high-quality education system.
Flemish and French-speaking Belgium offer the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) for the flexibility and mobility of students, along with their focal areas being teaching, research, and community service. This article has been curated specifically to provide you with all the necessary information regarding the higher education system in the Kingdom of Belgium!
Types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Belgium
1. Universities
The universities in Belgium usually tend to have a research-intensive and scientific approach, focusing on both basic and applied knowledge. Academic principles include science and technology, human sciences, and health sciences, offered in distinct degree levels such as bachelor’s, advanced bachelor’s, master’s, advanced master’s degrees, Ph.D., and postgraduate certificates. Among the leading universities in Belgium are KU Leuven, Ghent University, and the University of Antwerp, all renowned for their quality education and modern facilities.
2. University Colleges
Belgium’s University Colleges focus on theoretical and conceptual understanding while providing associate and professional bachelor’s degrees. Practical work and internships are integral to their curriculum, ensuring students gain valuable hands-on experience in their fields. Charlemagne University College exemplifies this approach, offering programs that emphasize practical skills and small class sizes, which foster focused and consistent learning, ultimately preparing students for successful careers.
3. School of Arts
As the name suggests, Schools of Arts offer professional bachelor’s, advanced bachelor’s, postgraduate certificates, and associate degrees in a variety of arts and design disciplines. The programs span fields such as visual arts, theater, entertainment, and music. At the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, Belgium’s top-ranked School of Arts, the focus is primarily on traditional and contemporary music. Meanwhile, the Royal Conservatory of Liège offers a broader range, including theater programs alongside its music courses.
Types of Degree Levels in Belgium
1. Associate Degree
It is a program designed to bridge the gap between secondary and higher education of a professional bachelor’s degree. Students can typically earn 90-120 ECTS during this two-year tenure. Furthermore, via an action-oriented approach, the program enables students to be eligible to enter the workforce and pursue further professional bachelor’s degrees. However, Flemish universities offer associate degrees in Flemish Dutch language only.
2. Professional Bachelor’s Degree
While offering 180 ECTS within three years, a professional bachelor’s degree integrates theoretical, generic knowledge with practical work. It opens up the pathway to the labor market with internship experience during the academic years. The rule applies to all the fields except for nursing where it takes about four years to complete this degree level with 240 ECTS and in case of opting for a master’s degree at a Flemish University, one needs to complete a bridging program.
3. Academic Bachelor’s Degree
A program perfectly designed for preparing students for a master’s degree where the emphasis lies on theoretical learning. Students can earn 180 ECTS within three years at university. For instance, KU Leuven offers academic bachelor’s degrees across various fields, including business, communication, and education, providing students with a solid foundation to pursue advanced studies.
4. Advanced Bachelor’s Degree
Consisting of 60 ECTS credits, which equates to one academic year, an advanced bachelor’s degree provides students with extensive knowledge across a broader spectrum in their chosen field. This degree is often offered at universities of applied sciences, such as Howest UAS, which provides an advanced bachelor’s degree in Bioinformatics.
5. Master’s Degree
Similar to the main objective of a master’s degree throughout the world, Belgian universities have lots of focus on technical and complex studies of respective fields with research as a main component. This master’s degree from universities and university colleges lasts for 1-2 years with 60-120 ECTS in various principles and 180 ECTS credits in the areas of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.
6. Advanced Master’s Degree
Targeting students with a basic master’s degree earned previously, this degree level consists of 60-120 ECTs and in some cases 240 ECTs ranging from 2-4 years of education. Distinct from other higher education levels, this degree trains students in multiple areas, specifically research which is linked to the home university itself. An advanced master’s degree seems to be one of the most valid options to opt for to set grounds in the field of research and innovation.
7. Ph.D./Doctoral Degree
Ph.D., also referred to as a doctoral degree program, caters to students who wish to pursue their career in education or elsewhere. With two subgroups: doctoral training of 60 ECTS and a Doctorate of 180 ECTS, students have to partake in a mandatory research thesis that showcases their unique contribution to the subject. One may consider this as an opportunity to give back to our society in terms of new or updated scientific knowledge.
FAQs: Higher Education in Belgium
What Grading System Does Higher Education Belgium Use?
Institutions in Belgium award students ECTS as per the years spent on a degree. This is similar to the system followed in European Union countries, making transferring easy not just in Europe, but to other countries as well. Typically, one year indicates completion of up to 60 ECTS credits, which is calculated by accumulating lectures, internships, and practical work. Additionally, one credit symbolizes the completion of 25 to 30 hours spent on coursework activities. Following the globally recognized European Credits Transfer System provides an added advantage of having access to the European employment market, increasing chances of success for graduates.
Are There Scholarship Opportunities for International Students in Belgium?
Fortunately, Belgian universities offer multiple scholarships and grants to international students, which include research funds, fellowship grants, and funding for joint master’s degrees. These grants are widely available for doctoral programs and thesis research assistance, eliminating the financial burden for foreign students. The Flemish higher education system also provides monetary support with some common performance-based scholarship programs for master’s degrees to international students along with scholarships limited to U.S. citizens. Lastly, The VLIR-UOS Scholarship is awarded to applicants specifically to 29 developing countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
We can observe that be it the grading methodologies or diversity in terms of programs and degree levels, higher education institutions in Belgium are one of a kind. Now that you have all the relevant information, you can easily weigh the costs and benefits of studying in Belgium and make a rational decision for the sake of your future!
We hope this article has helped you understand the higher education in Belgium. Our Study in Belgium and Available European Courses have some of the best resources when planning your studies abroad!
