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Posted Sept. 2, 2018
5 Reasons To Study Your PG Program In Belgium
Belgium is in the political centre of Europe and the diverse native population with three official languages makes it an interesting place to be a student.
There are five Flemish-speaking universities, six French-speaking universities and they're all large institutions with many associated university colleges. Because of the international feel of Brussels many international students find it easy to settle in to life in Belgium.
Here are five reasons why Belgium is a great place for your postgrad studies.
Funding
The Belgian Government and other organisations in Belgium offer scholarships and funding to international students as well as domestic students. Different local governments in Belgium offer scholarships for international students as well, especially those who share a common language with that part of Belgium. For example, the Government of Flanders offers 45 scholarships to international student from around the world.
Language Skills
Belgium has three official languages – Dutch, French and German – and so learning a new language is easy as you can gain access to native speakers throughout the country. Many universities in Belgium offer courses in English, often at masters level and a great deal of the population speaks English as well. The University of Ghent offers a large number of postgraduate courses in English, as does KU Leuven. No matter what your native language is you will be able to learn a new one while you study in Belgium.
Home to Large International Organisations
Brussels is home to both the EU and NATO. This means that there is a large student population working as interns in Brussels and there are many opportunities for work experience at these or other organisations related to the EU and NATO who use Brussels as their base. If you think that you want your career to have a base in one of these organisations, then Belgium is a great place to take some time to study a postgraduate course and should provide you with plenty of opportunity for networking.
Low Tuition Fees & Cost of Living
The cost of living in Belgium is around the European average of about €850 per month, but this will vary with your lifestyle and where you choose to live. Tuition fees are low compared with other countries, for example at KU Leuven EU students pay €906 per academic year and international students pay €3,500. There are often extra costs associated with registering for a course and these can be at least €350 per academic year.
Proximity To Rest Of Europe
Because Brussels is home to the European Parliament and other EU institutions Belgium has excellent travel connections to the rest of Europe. If you plan to study in Belgium, then you will find it easy to travel to most of the rest of Europe from Belgium. This will make your time in Europe all the more interesting as you explore and learn about the many different cultures that surround Belgium.
Top Universities in Belgium
PLEASE NOTE: As a result of Brexit, from Autumn 2021 postgraduate students from the European Union studying at a UK university will be charged the same tuition fees as international students. UK students studying their postgraduate course at a European university are also likely to incur higher tuition fees than their EU counterparts. It is advisable to check with the individual universities in the UK and Europe for up-to-date information on tuition fees for all postgraduate programs.
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5 Reasons To Study Your PG Program In The Netherlands
8 comments
Rosemary mathenge Sept. 13, 2018, 1:37 p.m.
Can l get a bursary to complete my PhD in Kenya. I have already enrolled in a university in Kenya an engaged in research already.
Charlotte King Sept. 17, 2018, 1:35 p.m.
Hello Ryan - If you approach the universities directly you will be able to get information about any full scholarships that they offer. Once you have been offered a place on a postgrad program in Belgium you will be eligible to apply for one of our £500 bursaries >https://www.postgrad.com/fees_and_funding/postgrad_solutions_study_bursaries/information/
Good luck!
Charlotte King Sept. 17, 2018, 1:36 p.m.
Hi Rosemary,
As you are enrolled on a postgraduate program you are eligible to apply for one of our bursaries worth £500 towards your tuition fees. Please check this URL for more information > https://www.postgrad.com/fees_and_funding/postgrad_solutions_study_bursaries/information/
Good luck!
katherine Sept. 5, 2019, 3:27 p.m.
Thank you for the article. Belgium as a country impresses me very much, I want to go there to study, just in the process of collecting documents.
Charlotte King Sept. 9, 2019, 1:35 p.m.
Good luck with that Katherine - I hope you achieve your goal!
Tori Dec. 4, 2019, 7:19 a.m.
We select a European country for the further education of our daughter. Thanks for the helpful and informative article.
Charlotte Dec. 9, 2019, 1:24 p.m.
Glad we could be of help and we hope she enjoys her studies.
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Ryan gitonga mathenge Sept. 13, 2018, 1:34 p.m.
Is it possible to get a full scholarship in software engineering in belgium