Why Belgium.
Belgium sits at the political heart of Europe — home to the EU and NATO — with affordable, top-ranked universities like KU Leuven and Ghent. Trilingual, central, and welcoming, it offers strong English master's, a 12-month job-search permit, and a launchpad into European institutions and industry.
Ask the expertKU Leuven & Ghent
KU Leuven ranks among Europe's oldest and best universities; Ghent and UCLouvain round out a strong research scene.
Heart of the EU
Brussels hosts the EU, NATO, and hundreds of institutions — unmatched for policy, law, and international-relations careers.
Affordable tuition
Public tuition is €900–4,200/year, with strong English master's and generous scholarships (VLIR-UOS, university awards).
Trilingual & central
Dutch, French, and German plus widespread English — and every European capital a short train ride away.
12-month search permit
Graduates get a 'search year' to find work or start a business, with routes into EU institutions and industry.
Search the best
in Belgium.
Choose what matters to you. We'll open the university list pre-filtered to exactly that.
When you can
begin.
The main intake — all programmes; non-EU deadlines fall earlier (Feb–Apr).
A limited second intake at some universities.
What it really
costs.
Belgium pairs affordable tuition with a central European location and strong career routes. Use this as a planning guide.
* EU students pay a low flat fee; PhD candidates are salaried researchers.
Cost of living
Brussels and Leuven sit at the top; Ghent, Antwerp, and Liège are gentler. Student housing ('koten'), cheap rail, and 20 hours/week of work make Belgium manageable, with EU careers a major draw.
Funding that
follows merit.
Where you'll
live & study.
Brussels
The EU and NATO capital — international universities, policy careers, and a famously diverse population.
Leuven
A classic university town built around KU Leuven — one of Europe's best, in a walkable, lively old city.
Ghent
Ghent University in a beautiful canal city — affordable, young, and one of Belgium's liveliest student hubs.
The visa,
step by step.
EHEC manages your visa end-to-end. We assemble your document checklist, open and verify your blocked account, arrange tax-compliant financial proofs, book your embassy appointment, and run mock interviews until you walk in confident.
Ask the expertAdmission letter
Secure your university place — the basis of the student visa (type D).
Proof of funds
Show around €750/month for your stay. We prepare the documentation.
Student visa & residence
Apply at the Belgian embassy, then register with the commune for a residence card after arrival.
Search year
Graduates apply for the 12-month 'search year' permit to find work or start a business.
Public tuition is €900–4,200/year; living runs €850–1,200/month. Brussels and Leuven are pricier than Ghent or Liège. Scholarships reduce costs for strong applicants.
Belgian university cities are safe and international, with student healthcare, excellent transport, and large expat communities.
Yes — up to 20 hours/week during term and full-time in holidays, at solid Belgian wages.
The 12-month search permit plus EU institutions, NATO, and multinational HQs make outcomes strong — language skills help.
Not for English master's — but the local language (Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia) helps daily life and jobs. We plan for it.