Admission and Financing
Admission requirements
In the sections below you will find our general academic and language requirements. Each programme has specific entry requirements based on which your application will be screened. Please consult the respective programme pages on our website for the programme-specific requirements.
Academic Requirements
Bachelor programmes
When you apply for a bachelor programme you need to have a secondary school credential that grants you access to a bachelor’s degree in your home country. Some credentials are deemed equivalent to a Flemish degree of secondary education and grant direct access to our programmes.
Master programmes
When you apply for a master programme you need to have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). Each programme has its own specific requirements. After you submit your application, we will verify your degree and transcripts to determine whether you are eligible for the programme of your choice.
Language Requirements
It is mandatory that the language requirements are met before you are accepted at the VUB. We do not issue letters of acceptance without it. You should provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English by meeting one of our criteria.
We accept one of the following documents:
- A diploma of secondary or higher education with English as the language of instruction. Please provide proof that all your courses were fully taught in English.
- TOEFL IBT (or TOEFL IBT Home Edition) with min. level: 79
- IELTS (or IELTS Indicator) with min. overall score: 6.5
- ITACE with min. level: B2
- Cambridge English Qualification Scale with min. level: 170
Please note that language test results cannot be older than 5 years at the moment of application.
Applying to VUB
Applications need to be submitted through our official website. For certain programmes the application must be submitted through the website of one of the co-organizing universities. Make sure you check the programme website for these details before applying.
Application Deadlines
There are separate deadlines to submit a complete application if you are applying with a foreign degree. The deadline depends on your nationality, and on study level of your programme of interest.
- Non-EEA citizens (in need of a visa for Belgium)
o Bachelor’s programme: apply before 31st of March 2025
o Master’s programme: apply before 31st of March 2025 - EEA citizens
o Bachelor’s programme: apply before 31st of August 2025
o Master’s programme: apply before 31st of June 2025
Application Fee
Students with a non-Flemish diploma should pay an application fee of 50 EUR. After you submit your application, you will receive the payment instructions (via email). Please read them carefully and use the correct payment reference. The application fee is non-refundable. However if you are accepted and enrol, the application fee you paid for that specific programme will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Financing
Tuition Fee
All bachelor and master programmes at the VUB are accredited and therefore subsidized by the Flemish Government of Belgium, meaning that students only have to pay a small fraction of the actual cost of the education they get. This holds for students from all over the world.
- EEA nationals pay min. 835 EUR and max. 1,116 EUR per year, depending on their study programme.
- Non-EEA nationals pay min. 1,116 EUR and max. 4,600 EUR per year, depending on their study programme.
Scholarships
The VUB participates in several scholarship programmes which offer grants at master and PhD level. They are available to prospective students based on criteria such as nationality, academic performance, and study programme.
Housing and Living Costs
International students have various accommodation options to choose from in Brussels. Depending on the type of international student you are, you can either arrange your own accommodation off-campus, or apply for a VUB room on-campus.
University accommodation, which is always cheaper, is readily available for international students at a cost of ~410 EUR/month. The application deadline for a VUB room is 01 May. For those who prefer living off-campus, rent can range between 450 EUR up to 750 EUR per month depending on the type of room and location.
An average month in Brussels costs between 850 and 1,200 EUR for a student. This includes:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Study materials
- Phone and internet
- Medical expenses
- Local transportation
- Personal activities
Career opportunities
The VUB helps you to make your first step in the job market with workshops, networking events, job fairs, tips ‘n tricks for job interviews. All an ambitious student needs!
Student Jobs
Non-EEA students can work up to 20 hours a week to top up your budget, but financing your education only through a student job is not advisable as it could harm your study progress. You may not work during the time when you are supposed to be attending classes. During official holiday periods (i.e. winter, spring or summer holidays), this limitation does not apply, so you can work more than 20 hours per week.
EEA students and students from Switzerland are allowed to work without these formalities.
Job Search Year
Working as a highly qualified person is now also more flexible for non-EU nationals via the professional orientation year. It is a stay of 12 months to search for a job in Belgium or to carry out an independent activity.
You have to meet the following eligibility criteria in order to receive a residence permit for an orientation year.
- You are a non-EU/EEA student in possession of a residence permit
- You are a non-EU/EEA student who obtained a graduate degree (bachelor, master or postgraduate) or doctorate at a Belgian Higher Education Institution
- Or you are a non-EU/EEA student who obtained a diploma in another EU member state but studied in Belgium as part of a mobility programme (e.g. Erasmus Mundus).
Online Info Sessions
Online Info sessions for international students
Programme specific info sessions
- Our programme specific info sessions tackle questions on the programme content (courses, professors, assignments, internships, etc.) and the application requirements (relevant background, language criteria…).
Info sessions hosted by the International Relations Office (IRMO)
- General info session for international students.
- Monthly sessions are organised as of December 2023, and will run until June 2024.
- This info session provides general information on the university’s offer, student life and general application information. Please book one of the programme specific info sessions to ask your academic related questions.
- Blocked account procedure for visa-required students.
- One session will be organised in April, May and June 2024.
- This info session provides a complete overview of the necessary steps to set up a blocked account. Topics include: how to complete the online application, administration before departure, administration upon arrival, etc.
- Visa formalities for visa-required students.
- One session will be organised in April, May and June 2024.
- This info session provides a complete overview of the necessary steps to apply for a visa. Topics include: types of visa, application procedure, duration of the procedure, necessary documents to declare, etc.
- Health insurance for international students.
- One session will be organised in April, May and June 2024.
- This info session provides a complete overview on how to set up the mandatory basic health insurance in Belgium. Topics include: which documents to declare, how to start the procedure, registration as a (non-)resident, different health insurance (providers), etc.
Info sessions hosted by the Housing department
- Info session on student housing
- Info session on all practical information regarding VUB housing (incl. application and allocation process).
- In February and April the sessions will focus on VUB accommodation and the private housing in Brussels. The session in May will mainly focus on the private housing in Brussels.