You might know Belgium for its chocolates, waffles, fries, and football team, but the country is also renowned for its high educational standards. With universities offering transformative research opportunities, well-curated curricula, and programs for international students, Belgian colleges are highly sought after. While most universities in Belgium are not very competitive, for an international student they might be a bit challenging to get into. A university’s “acceptance rate” can give valuable insight into the institution’s competitiveness. In this article, we list the top universities with the highest acceptance rates to help you begin your search.
Universities in Belgium with High Rates of Acceptance
Generally, it’s best to strike a balance between university ranking and acceptance rate when applying, to ensure that you will land a spot at one of the best possible universities suitable for your qualifications. Here are some universities in Belgium with high acceptance rates that you can apply for:
1. KU Leuven
Founded in 1425, the oldest university in Belgium, KU Leuven is also the largest in the country. This Catholic research university is located in the city of Leuven and also has multiple campuses across the country including in the capital city, Brussels. With many programs taught in English, the university is among the top universities in the world.
KU Leuven offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in academic disciplines like biology, engineering, sciences, and more. While some courses might be easier to get into, other programs at the university might be extremely competitive. International students are encouraged to apply with their SAT, ACT, or other equivalent scores.
2. Hasselt University
Hasselt University is a public research university which was established in 1971. Being less than 50 years old, the university has performed well and marked itself among the fastest-growing universities in the country. Programs offered range from economics and law to engineering and computer science.
The university has a student body of over 7,000 students out of which around 15% are expatriates. With such a sizable international student population, English has unofficially become a predominant language of communication within the institution.
3. University of Antwerp
Distinguished by its entrepreneurial approach to education backed by internationally competitive research facilities, the University of Antwerp was founded in 2003 as a merger between three smaller pre-existing universities. Today, Antwerp hosts over 20,000 students making it one of the largest in the country.
Programs offered at Antwerp are available in all levels of tertiary education out of which 26 courses are entirely taught in English. These programs are offered in the university’s nine faculties which include a law school, a school of medicine, and the department of arts.
4. Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
Located in the city of Ghent, Belgium, the Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is a Catholic University of Applied Sciences offering a diverse range of bachelor’s, bachelor-after-bachelor’s, and postgraduate programs.
The university was established in the year 2000 as a merger of four catholic universities that jointly had around 6,700 students. The university had over 15,000 students as of 2018. This is a testament to the university’s consistent efforts to promote student welfare through conveniently designed curricula and excellent facilities. In 2024 alone, the university accepted more than 400 international students.
5. Ghent University
Ghent University has a massive student and staff community of nearly 50,000 students and 9,000 staff members making it the second largest university in Belgium. The institution frequently ranks among the top 150 universities in the world based on several popular international university ranking bodies.
Even though it’s a Flemish university with most programs taught in Dutch, some of its few graduate programs are offered in English. Despite that, the university has produced industry pioneers and Nobel Prize winners like Walter Fiers, Peter Piot, and Joseph Guislain.
6. University of Mons
The University of Mons is a Belgian French institution offering English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs in engineering, business, and psychology. The university readily welcomes international students offering language courses, short courses, and collaborative student associations.
The institution which was established as a result of a merger between the former University of Mons-Hainaut and the Engineering Faculty of Mons, is now known for its research facilities, libraries, and notable alumni like Elio Di Rupo, the former prime minister of Belgium.
7. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VUB is a research university located in the capital city of Brussels. The primary languages of communication at the university are Dutch and English. Across the four campuses of the university, there are multiple English-taught programs that international students can choose to follow.
While an acceptance rate of 20 – 30% is still very competitive, there are programs offered by the university that are still relatively easy to get enrolled in. The university’s student body of over 20,000 students with a high percentage of international students reflects the supportive environment the university strives to create for its students.
8. Université de Liège
The University of Liège was also established by the French community of Belgium in 1812. This prominent public university’s official language is French. As of 2024, international students constitute nearly 24% of the approximately 25,000 students enrolled across its various departments.
Its global network, comprising partnerships with over 900 institutions worldwide, and its English-taught programs have significantly enhanced its appeal among the international community. Out of the 194 master’s programs offered, 62 are taught entirely in English.
University acceptance rates can reveal much about the competition and exclusivity tied to admissions. While emerging institutions may offer easier access, the key is finding a university that strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and academic excellence. As you begin your pursuit of global education, let this guide be your compass, pointing you toward opportunities that inspire growth and success.
*There is no published estimated acceptance of Belgian universities for international students available. We’ve estimated the acceptance rates of Belgian universities by their rankings, by the number of international students, and through third-party sources like ranking sites.*
We hope that this article on Belgian universities with high acceptance rates was helpful! To know more, check out the Study in Belgium and Available Programs in Europe for International Students pages for more insightful articles.
