You might know Belgium for its chocolates, waffles, fries, and football team, but the country is also recognized for its high educational standards. With universities offering research opportunities, well-designed curricula, and programs for international students, Belgian higher education institutions are strong options for students from abroad.
Because Belgian universities generally do not publish official institution-level acceptance rates for international students, the figures in this article should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed admissions statistics. Still, these estimated rates can help students compare universities by general accessibility, academic fit, and program requirements.
Universities in Belgium with High Acceptance Rates
1. Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
Located in Ghent, Belgium, the Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is a Catholic university of applied sciences offering practice-oriented higher education. Its English-taught full-degree options are currently concentrated at the bachelor’s level, with five internationally oriented bachelor’s programs taught entirely in English.
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences has an estimated acceptance rate of around 80%, making it one of the more accessible institutions in Belgium for international students who meet the basic academic and language requirements. As a university of applied sciences, it focuses strongly on practical education, career preparation, and professionally oriented programs.
The institution was formed in 2000 through a merger of four Ghent university colleges. Artevelde University of Applied Sciences now reports a total student population of about 15,000 across twelve campuses in Ghent. In September 2024, it welcomed more than 400 international students starting their study experience in the city.
2. University of Mons
The University of Mons, or UMONS, is a French-speaking university in Belgium’s Hainaut province, near the French-Belgian border and approximately 50 kilometers from Brussels. It was created in 2009 through a merger between the University of Mons-Hainaut and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons, whose origins go back to 1837.
The University of Mons has an estimated acceptance rate of around 75%. This relatively high estimated rate reflects the university’s broad academic offerings, regional mission, and accessibility for students who satisfy the required academic, language, and documentation criteria.
UMONS reports more than 11,500 students, seven faculties and three schools, and more than 150 course programs from bachelor’s to doctorate level. Its fields include law, psychology, social sciences, biomedical science, economics, engineering, management, material sciences, computer science, architecture, translation, education, and many others. While the university is primarily French-speaking, some English-taught opportunities are available, especially at the master’s level, so international applicants should check the current program page and admission criteria for their intended course.
3. Université de Liège
The University of Liège was officially installed in 1817, before Belgium became an independent country. This major public university is located in French-speaking Belgium and uses French as its main language of instruction.
Université de Liège has an estimated acceptance rate of around 70%. Since it offers a large number of programs and serves a broad student population, it may be a reasonable option for students who meet the academic requirements and can satisfy the language conditions of their chosen degree.
ULiège operates across three cities and four campuses, including Liège Sart Tilman, Liège city center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, and Arlon Campus Environment. Its latest key figures list 29,438 students in 2024–2025, including 24% students of foreign nationality. Current official information lists 39 transitional bachelor’s programs, 193 master’s programs, and 61 advanced specialized master’s programs, with 73 master’s programs available fully in English.
4. Hasselt University
Hasselt University is a public research university in Limburg with campuses in Hasselt and Diepenbeek. The university has grown into a well-regarded institution with practice-oriented teaching, international partnerships, and programs in fields such as business economics, law, engineering technology, sciences, architecture and arts, medicine and life sciences, social sciences, and transportation sciences.
Hasselt University has an estimated acceptance rate of around 68%. Although admission requirements differ by program, the university’s smaller size, practical academic approach, and international orientation may make it an accessible choice for qualified applicants.
The university enrolled 8,195 students in 2025–2026 and reports that about 16% of its student body is international. Hasselt University offers 18 bachelor’s programs and 35 master’s programs, including six English-taught master’s programs. Students benefit from a multilingual environment where English is widely spoken, but applicants should still check the language and admission requirements for their chosen program.
5. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VUB is a Dutch-speaking research university in Brussels with a strong international profile and a growing range of English-taught programs. VUB reports more than 24,000 students from 151 countries, more than 170 programs, and more than 4,000 staff members.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel has an estimated acceptance rate of around 65%. Its location in Brussels, international student body, and range of English-taught programs make it attractive to students from abroad. However, applicants should remember that acceptance can vary significantly depending on the level of study, faculty, and specific program requirements.
Its 2024–2025 facts and figures show 24,199 students, of whom 24.38% come from abroad and represent 151 nationalities. Students can choose from 31 academic bachelor’s programs and 78 master’s programs, but admission, language requirements, and deadlines vary by program. Applicants with a foreign diploma need to submit an online application and may receive a conditional acceptance letter after screening.
6. University of Antwerp
Distinguished by its entrepreneurial approach to education and research, the University of Antwerp took its current form in 2003, when three Antwerp institutions were brought together. Today, it enrolls 25,390 students, making it one of Belgium’s major universities.
The University of Antwerp has an estimated acceptance rate of around 60%. It can be moderately accessible for students who meet the required academic standards, but some programs may be more selective than others, especially in fields with limited places or stricter academic prerequisites.
The University of Antwerp offers programs across bachelor’s, master’s, advanced master’s, postgraduate, micro-credential, and doctoral levels. Its academic offerings include 154 programs, of which 35 are English-language programs, and they are organized across nine faculties, including law, medicine and health sciences, arts, business and economics, science, applied engineering, design sciences, political and social sciences, and pharmaceutical, biomedical, and veterinary sciences. International applicants should check each program’s diploma, legalization, language, and additional admission criteria.
7. Ghent University
Ghent University is an internationally renowned, open, pluralistic, and socially engaged university founded in 1817. It is one of Belgium’s major universities, with more than 7,400 foreign students in 2023–2024, representing 15% of the total student population, and around 9,500 employees. It also ranks highly internationally, appearing at QS 150, THE 115, and ARWU 91 in the 2026/2027 ranking overview.
Ghent University has an estimated acceptance rate of around 55%. Because it is one of Belgium’s leading research universities, admission may be more competitive than at some smaller or more practice-oriented institutions. Applicants should pay close attention to the academic background, language proficiency, and program-specific requirements for their intended degree.
Although most bachelor’s programs are taught in Dutch, Ghent University offers more than 200 programs, including English-taught master’s programs. Its 2026–2027 study guide lists 80 English-taught master’s programs. Over its history, the university has counted Nobel laureates and notable scientists among its staff and alumni, including figures such as Corneille Heymans, Maurice Maeterlinck, Walter Fiers, Peter Piot, and Joseph Guislain.
8. KU Leuven
Founded in 1425, KU Leuven is one of Europe’s oldest universities and describes itself as the oldest university in the Low Countries and the oldest extant Catholic university in the world. The university is based in Leuven and has campuses across Belgium, including Brussels. It enrolled 64,476 students in 2025–2026, including 16,791 international students, and offers English-taught bachelor’s, master’s, and advanced master’s programs.
KU Leuven has an estimated acceptance rate of around 50%. Although this is still not an official figure, KU Leuven is generally considered more selective than many Belgian institutions because of its strong international reputation, large applicant pool, and high academic expectations. Admission difficulty can differ widely by program, so students should check the exact requirements for their chosen degree.
KU Leuven offers bachelor’s, master’s, advanced master’s, and doctoral study in many fields, including science, engineering, business, health, and the humanities. Admission requirements vary by program. For non-Flemish degree holders, a formal application is usually required, and some English-taught bachelor’s programs require proof of mathematics and English proficiency through approved tests such as SAT, ACT, AP Calculus, SOWISO, IELTS, or TOEFL.
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!
