Dreaming of studying in Europe? Belgium, with its rich culture, strong education system, and lively student life, is an excellent choice for international students. The country offers a variety of academic options and opportunities to experience different languages and cultures. Before applying, however, you should check the English-language requirements for your chosen program. Many Belgian institutions accept TOEFL scores for admission to English-taught programs.
The TOEFL iBT score scale changed for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026. Some universities now publish requirements on the new 1–6 scale alongside their previous 0–120 requirements, while others still show only the legacy score. The following information reflects the requirements currently published by each institution, but applicants should always confirm the requirement on their chosen program’s official page.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at Belgium Universities
Here is a list of Belgian institutions that accept TOEFL scores for at least some English-taught programs.
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. SCORE (UNDERGRADUATE) | MIN. SCORE (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) | Program-specific; 90 on the legacy scale for the Bachelor of Business Administration, with new-scale section minimums of R 4, L 4.5, S 4, and W 4 | Program-specific; for example, 94 on the legacy scale for the Master of Advanced Studies in Economics, with new-scale section minimums of R 4, L 4.5, S 4, and W 4 |
| Ghent University | n/a for English-taught bachelor’s programs available for direct enrollment at Ghent University | Most English-taught master’s programs require B2 English, corresponding to TOEFL 4–4.5 on the current scale; some programs require a higher level |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel | 4.5 overall, with at least 4 in each section; 79 overall and 18 in each section for tests taken before January 21, 2026 | 4.5 overall, with at least 4 in each section; 79 overall and 18 in each section for tests taken before January 21, 2026 |
| University of Antwerp | 4.5; 80 for tests taken before January 21, 2026 | 4.5; 80 for tests taken before January 21, 2026; some programs require a higher score |
| Hasselt University | No general undergraduate TOEFL score published | 79 or 89 on the legacy scale, depending on the master’s program |
| University of Mons | No general undergraduate TOEFL score published | 72/120 for specified English-taught engineering master’s programs; the current document still uses the legacy scale |
| Thomas More University of Applied Sciences | 79 on the legacy scale for English-taught degree programs | A general baseline of 79 applies, but some postgraduate programs require a higher score, such as 85 |
1. KU Leuven
KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) was founded in 1425 and is one of Europe’s oldest universities. Headquartered in Leuven, Flanders, it offers programs across disciplines such as engineering, humanities and social sciences, and biomedical sciences. A range of bachelor’s and master’s programs is available in English.
KU Leuven does not publish one TOEFL minimum that applies to every English-taught program. The Bachelor of Business Administration, for example, requires a TOEFL iBT score of 90, with a minimum legacy score of 20 in each section. For tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, the published section requirements are 4 for Reading, 4.5 for Listening, 4 for Speaking, and 4 for Writing. The Master of Advanced Studies in Economics requires a legacy TOEFL iBT score of 94 and publishes the same new-scale section minimums. Applicants should consult the admissions page for their chosen program because requirements and exemptions vary.
2. Ghent University
Ghent University was founded in 1817 and is a major Belgian research university. Its faculties cover fields including humanities, sciences, engineering, medicine, economics, law, and social sciences.
Ghent University’s bachelor’s programs available for direct enrollment at the university are taught in Dutch. TOEFL requirements therefore apply primarily to English-taught master’s, postgraduate, predoctoral, and doctoral programs. Most English-taught master’s programs require English at CEFR level B2. Ghent University’s current equivalency table lists a TOEFL score of 4–4.5 for B2, 5–5.5 for C1, and 6 for C2. Certain programs publish separate requirements, so applicants should check both the university’s general language page and the page for their intended program.
3. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a Dutch-speaking university in Brussels. Its historical roots date to the establishment of the Free University of Brussels in 1834, while VUB officially became a separate institution in 1970. The university emphasizes critical thinking, free inquiry, and social engagement and offers English-taught programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency through an eligible previous English-medium diploma or an accepted language examination. For TOEFL iBT tests taken before January 21, 2026, VUB requires an overall score of at least 79 and a minimum score of 18 in each section. For tests taken on or after that date, the requirement is an overall score of 4.5, with at least 4 in each section. VUB also accepts IELTS Academic, ITACE, and Cambridge English qualifications under its general rules. Individual faculties may impose higher requirements for particular programs, including Business Economics.
4. University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is a public university in Antwerp, Belgium. The current university was established in 2003 through the merger of three university institutions whose histories extend further into the past. It offers programs in fields including business, sciences, engineering, design, arts, and health sciences.
The general minimum TOEFL iBT score for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs is 80 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 for tests taken on or after that date. The university accepts test-center TOEFL examinations and does not accept the TOEFL Home Edition under its general admissions rules. Some programs impose higher requirements; for example, the Master of Laws requires a legacy score of 90. Applicants should therefore verify the requirements listed on the individual program page.
5. Hasselt University
Hasselt University is a research university in Belgian Limburg. It offers English-taught master’s programs in fields such as management, biomedical sciences, transportation sciences, statistics and data science, interior architecture, and energy engineering technology.
English-language requirements vary by program. The Master of Management and Master of Statistics and Data Science currently require a TOEFL iBT score of 89 on the legacy scale. The Master of Transportation Sciences and Master of Energy Engineering Technology list a minimum score of 79. Hasselt University’s current admissions pages still publish these requirements on the 0–120 scale, so applicants submitting results from the new TOEFL scale should confirm the applicable equivalency with the university.
6. University of Mons
The University of Mons, also known as UMONS, is a multidisciplinary university rather than an institution specializing only in business and management. It offers around 100 courses through faculties and schools covering architecture, medicine and pharmacy, engineering, psychology and education, translation and interpretation, sciences, business and management, law, teacher education, and human and social sciences.
UMONS accepts TOEFL for specified programs taught in English, but 72 is not a university-wide minimum for every undergraduate and graduate program. Its 2026–2027 Faculty of Engineering admissions document lists a TOEFL iBT score of 72/120 as evidence of B2-level English for relevant civil engineering master’s programs. Because the current document still uses the legacy TOEFL scale, applicants taking the revised examination should ask UMONS to confirm the accepted new-scale equivalent.
7. Thomas More University of Applied Sciences
Thomas More University of Applied Sciences is a professionally oriented higher education institution in Flanders. It has campuses in Antwerp, Geel, Lier, Mechelen, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Turnhout, and Vorselaar and offers programs in fields including business, technology, healthcare, communication, media, design, and tourism.
Applicants to English-taught degree programs must demonstrate at least B2-level English. Thomas More’s current admissions page lists a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 79 on the legacy scale, an IELTS Academic score of 6.0, a Cambridge English score of 169, or a Duolingo English Test score of 110. English certificates may not be more than two years old. Some postgraduate programs set higher requirements; for example, the Advanced Bachelor of Applied Audiovisual Communication lists a TOEFL score of 85.
Thomas More does not charge an application fee. EEA applicants generally do not have an application deadline for bachelor’s programs and may apply until the beginning of the semester. Non-EEA applicants who need a student visa must follow the institution’s published application and payment deadlines. Because the general language page still lists the legacy TOEFL score, applicants with new-scale results should confirm the required equivalent.
Studying in Belgium can provide students with diverse academic options, multilingual experiences, and exposure to different cultures. Before applying to a Belgian university, make sure you understand the TOEFL requirement for your chosen program and the score scale that applies to your test date. Requirements often vary by program and degree level. Prospective students should also consider tuition fees, scholarship opportunities, application deadlines, and living costs when planning their studies.
We hope this article helps you search for a suitable university in Belgium. If you are interested, check out the Study in Belgium Page and Available Programs for International Students!
