Belgium

Belgium’s educational institutions have an outstanding academic reputation – with 7 Belgian universities making the global Top 400 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016. Brussels, its multicultural, international capital is home to several EU institutions, and is the headquarters of many multi-national companies and international organisations.

Basic information

Belgium is located in Western Europe, at the heart of the European Union. It is bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Brussels, the country’s capital, is seen as the de facto capital of the European Union and it is the formal seat of the European Commission and the Council of Ministers and an administrative centre for many international organisations. Belgium has a population of 11 million and is a federal state with three language based parts: the Dutch speaking Flemish Community, the French Community and a small German speaking Community. Brussels is officially bilingual and in fact multilingual with English being widely spoken. The country prides itself on its medieval art cities such as Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Liège, Mons and Tournai. Due to its central location and its excellent transport system the other megalopolises of Western Europe such as London, Paris, or Amsterdam, are only a one or two hours train journey away. The capital Brussels is one of the world’s great multicultural cities, home to the main institutions of the European Union, with a very high number of Embassies, international organisations and multinational companies, and a large and diverse expat community.

Belgian

EMBASSY OF BELGIUM

Embassy of Belgium, 50-N Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021, India

(+91) (11) 4242 8000

http://countries.diplomatie.belgium.be/
en/india

The Higher Education System

Belgium’s educational institutions, of which some date back to the Middle Ages, are known worldwide for their outstanding academic reputation. They offer the broad range of study subjects from bioengineering to fine arts, from aeronautics to nuclear medicine. There are three types of higher education institutions in Belgium: universities, university colleges and postgraduate training institutions. An ever growing number of institutions of higher learning provides programmes in English. The higher education system in Belgium is part of the so-called European Higher Education Area and comprises three ‘cycles’: the first encompasses Bachelor programmes, the second, Master programmes, and the third, PhDs. A student who has obtained a Bachelor degree can immediately supplement it with a second ‘cycle’ of studies, i.e. a master degree, consisting of at least 60 and in many cases 120 ECTS credits. Master programmes entail interaction between teaching and research and aim to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in a specific field. The Master programme concludes with a dissertation. An Advanced master degree involves acquiring a specialised professional qualification. Advanced Master programmes are worth at least 60 ECTS credits and are rounded off with a Master’s dissertation, which forms an important part of their assessment. Meanwhile, a Postgraduate programmes aim, within the framework of further vocational training, to broaden and/or consolidate the skills acquired following a Bachelor or master programme. A certificate is issued after a programme comprising at least 20 ECTS credits. Lastly, a PhD is the highest qualification awarded by universities in Belgium. As well as preparing for their thesis, PhD students take a PhD training programme in order to acquire additional skills that could be useful in their subsequent career in academia or elsewhere. Post Graduate tuition fees for non-EU students vary according to the programme but typically this can range between 230,000-600,000 INR per year, with some under 77,000 INR per year. The estimated cost of living (accommodation, food, transport, utilities) is between 60,000 and 80,000 INR per month. Belgium is a popular destination for International students, including a growing number of Indian tertiary level students who according to UNESCOs latest figures numbered 553 in 2012. Educational standards in Belgium are high, and 7 Belgian universities recently featured in the Global Top 400 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016, of which 4 are in the Top 200 – the highest of which are KU Leuven ranked 35 and Ghent University ranked 118.

Scholarships

There are several scholarships for International students, including Indian students, from both state educational authorities and private institutions. These include VLIR-UOS Training and Masters Scholarships in Belgium and CUD (University Commission for Development) Scholarships in Belgium for Developing Countries. Several regional websites – Study in Flanders, Study in Wallonia, and Study in the German Speaking Community - provide information about courses and funding for study in those specific regions. The web portal Belgium.be also provides official information and services on studying in Belgium.

For Further Information

  • Leuven University College:
    http://www.leuvenuniversitycollege.be/
  • Ghent University:
    https://www.ugent.be/en
  • Study in Flanders:
    http://www.studyinflanders.be/
  • India Platform:
    http://www.india-platform.org/events/search
  • Study in Belgium:
    http://www.belgium.be/en/education/coming_to_study_in_belgium/
  • Studying in the German-speaking Community:
    http://www.dglive.be/en
  • CUD (University Commission for Development) Scholarships in Belgium for Developing Countries, which is open to Indian nationals:
    http://www.cud.be/content/view/339/208/lang,/
  • Ghent University Master Grants for students from Developing countries (including Indian Students):
    https://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/devcoop/master-grants
  • Studying in Flanders (Dutch):
    http://www.belgium.be/en/education/
  • Studying in Wallonia – Brussels (French and English):
    http://www.studyinBelgium.be

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