study
inbelgium
Frenchspeaking

Masters
and PhDin the heartof Europestudyinbelgium.beManaging editor Pascale Delcomminette - Place Sainctelette 2, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Created by Aline Franchimont Graphic design polygraph.beJune 2023

1

contents

Choose French-speaking Belgium

3

Facts and figures

4

Belgium: an ideal position, right in the heart of Europe

10

Excellent higher education

11

Higher education in French-speaking Belgium

13

Belgian qualifications recognised worldwide

14

Higher education institutions

15

Academic calendar

19

Organising your stay

21

Admission and enrolment procedures

22

Visa and administrative procedures

24

Cost of studying and living

26

Grants and loans

27

Working while studying

27

Finding accomodation

28

Learning French

29

The reference website

30

studyinbelgium.be2Study in French-speaking Belgium

Land of tradition
New life experiences

EMBLEMATIC

3

Choose	 Belgium

Frenchspeaking

studyinbelgium.be4Study in French-speaking Belgium

Facts andfiguresFrench-Speaking Belgium =The Wallonia-Brussels Federation
FLEMISH COMMUNITY

brusselslouvainla-neuve

mons

WALLONIA-BRUSSELSFEDERATION

liège

namur

ARLON

GERMANCOMMUNITY

Choose French-speaking Belgium

5

capital of Europe

The Kingdomof Belgium

AREA:

POPULATION:

30,528 km2

Nearly 11,700,000
inhabitants

FORM OF STATE:CAPITAL:

Federal parliamentary
constitutional

Brussels

KING:

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES:

including more than

4,700,000

in the Wallonia-Brussels
Federation

CURRENCY:

Euro (€)

monarchy

Philippe

French,Dutch,
Germanstudyinbelgium.be6Study in French-speaking Belgium

Study, research, innovation
In the student population

21%

+20%

international
students

47%

international
professors+36%of students in higher
education in the last
20 years

international
doctoralstudents

68%

scientific publications
are co-published withforeign researchers+50%of phd students inthe last 10 years+20%of the academic andscientific staff are offoreign origin±20%of students have ascholarship

Thousands of joint programmes,
including “Erasmus Mundus”
doctorates and masters, have beendevelopedof students areinternationallymobileA large number of course programmes
are available in English, Spanish,
German and Dutch

16%

Choose French-speaking Belgium7+ €380,000,000
A LLOCATE D E AC H YE A R TO

research

1,000

phd graduates
WI T H TH E SIS ( D OCTOR S)

Percentage of doctoral students by nationality

56%

24%

belgiannationality

non-eunationals

20%

eu
nationals

Belgian scientific researchrecognised worldwide:

Nobel prizes for4

Nobel prizes for5

Nobel prize for1

MEdecine

PEACE

LitErature

Nobel prize for1

Nobel prize for1chemistry

Physics
studyinbelgium.be8Study in French-speaking Belgium

Did you know?
DJs Lost Frequencies, Dimitri
Vegas & Like Mike et Henri
PFR, Stromae, Jacques Brel,
Angèle, les Schtoumpfs, Tintin,
Marsupilami, René Magritte…

Our stars areworld-famous!

We invented
the saxophone.

But we left the inventionof jazz to others.*

No surprise thatthe best is foundin Belgium!*

Just Frank Sinatra,
David Bowie,
Nina Simone,
Céline Dion,
Nirvana…*

Not all artists
have covered
Jacques Brel songs.

They’ve takena vow ofsilence.

Chocolate is bestwhen it’s kept outof the sun.

Our national
symbolDOESN’T
have quite
the same
cachet as
Lady Liberty.

You’ll never hear ourmonks say they brew
the world’s best beer.*But he does
fully enjoy
his freedom.*That is, if it wasin our nature
to name-drop .*9,010 miles of cycle paths
in a country that is
only 174 miles long.

Not bad at all*We’d drop names
like Van Noten and
Demeulemeester.

Choose French-speaking Belgium

9Every year, 150,000
people gather here
in a farmer’s field.

Belgium is at
the forefrontof theaerospaceindustry.
It makes up for ourlack of altitude.*Belgians are
nanotechnology
pioneers,
which is hardly
surprising.

So we thouth it would be niceto put on some music for them.*

So we throw a fab party
each year.*

Belgium was the
2nd country in
the world tolegalise same-sex
marriage.

Given the country’s diminutive size.*

Belgium isthe European
Union’shappiest
country

According to Eurostat,more than 80% of
Belgians have declaredthat they feel “happy all
the time” or “most of thetime”, making Belgium themost appealing countryin Europe in terms of
quality of life!

Belgian people are very
supportive, open andwarm. I have always
felt very welcome
during my various
stays here.

Tomas
Chile

*Source: Texts taken from the 2017 promotional campaign “Belgium. Uniquely phenomenal” FPS Chancellery of the Prime Ministerstudyinbelgium.be10Study in French-speaking Belgium

Belgium: an ideal position,right in the heart of Europe
An open welcome to international students
Founded on tolerance, Belgium is truly welcoming to the numerous travellers andvisitors that settle there constantly. Its central position in Europe, its meeting of Latin
and Germanic worlds, its multilingualism and its cutting-edge political, social andreligious approach to freedoms have helped form its cosmopolitan character, making
it a multicultural society.

A properly European multicultural country
Belgium is one of the six founding members of the European Union, whose capital,
Brussels, hosts many European and international institutions: the European
parliament, the European Commission, the NATO… Due to its international status,
Brussels is today Europe’s most multicultural region and 2nd worldwide only to
Dubai. In its hundred or so districts, almost 200 different nationalities live side-byside, speaking more than 180 foreign languages.

Plenty of employment
opportunities once
you have completed
your studies
The presence of European
and international
institutions in Brussels
generates more than
100,000 jobs andcontributes towards
the regional economy’s
GDP by around 15 %. It isan ecosystem that also
draws world innovators
and allows start-ups to
succeed in various areas,such as fintech, insurtech
and even lawtech. Intothe mix add the parallel
activities brought about
by this international
ecosystem: lobbyists,
journalists and diplomats,as well as regional
representatives andinternational law firms.

French-speaking Belgium is also the ideal point of
departure to visit the rest of Europe!

1h10
amsterdam

1h20
berlin2h10
londON
londO

1h30
paris

2h20
madrid2h40
lisbon2hbarcelonA

1h50
rome

Choose French-speaking Belgium

11

Excellent higher education
Come study in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and make the most of
its excellent higher education
In French-speaking Belgium, the education system is varied, diversified andaccessible. Universities, university colleges and schools of arts; from bachelor level
through to PhD, each and every student is sure to find the right education for theirplans.
And by choosing French-speaking Belgium to study, you can count on excellent
education hinged on a long tradition of scientific and technological innovation andresearch.

Belgian scientific research recognised worldwide
The influence of scientific research in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation beyond its
borders is confirmed by its many Nobel prize winners:• 4 Nobel prizes for medicine;• 5 Nobel prizes for peace;• 1 Nobel prize for literature;• 1 Nobel prize for chemistry;• 1 Nobel prize for physics.

Fun fact !
Have you seen “The Big Bang Theory”? Of course you have, and justlike us, we bet you’re a big fan of Sheldon Cooper! But did you knowthat the actual Big Bang theory was formulated by Belgian scientist,
Georges Lemaître, at the start of the last century?

Open-minded
and multicultural
There can be no doubt, a standout feature of the WalloniaBrussels Federation is its diversity
and openness to the world. The
Federation’s ability to secureinternational partnerships andexport its talent bears witness tothis openness. Although English is
spoken widely, in addition to thethree official languages (French,
Dutch and German), a great manyof other nationalities are also
represented in the higher education
institutions of Wallonia-Brussels,
institutions that welcome more andmore international students witheach year that passes.

I loved my time studying in Brussels
and would recommend it to anyone.
Not only for the quality of higher
education but also because it is acosmopolitan city that never sleeps!

Wiktoria
Polandstudyinbelgium.be12Study in French-speaking Belgium© BBrolet - USL-B

Excellenthigher education

A brainy choice13Higher	 educationinBelgium
French-speaking

TAKE A LOOK AT STUDY PROGRAMMES USING OUR SEARCH ENGINE AT www.studyinbelgium.beStudy in French-speaking Belgium

14

Belgian qualifications
recognised worldwide
In French-speaking Belgium, higher education is based on a system of three cycles ofstudies: the bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree and the PhD. Each qualification
obtained gives you ECTS credits, which are recognised in numerous countries inboth the European Union and worldwide. As an adhering member of this system,
the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is committed to guaranteeing the quality of higher
education, promoting student mobility and strengthening the globalisation of its
higher education.

How higher education works

1

2

st
cycle

MASTER

60 ECTS credits

Universities

3

nd
cycle

MASTER

120 ECTS credits

Academic bachelor degree
180 ECTS credits

Medicine

180 ECTS credits

Veterinary
Medicine

180 ECTS credits

rd
cycle

Advanced
Masterdegree60 ECTS credits

Advanced
MasterdegreeDoctoral Training

Advanced
MasterdegreeDoctorate

60 ECTS credits

180 ECTS credits

180 ECTS credits

240 ECTS credits

Advancedbachelor
degree60 ECTS credits

University colleges –Schools of Arts

60 ECTS credits

Academic bachelor degree
180 ECTS credits

MASTER
Professional
bachelor
degree180 ECTS credits

Professional
bachelor
degree240 ECTS credits© mesétudes.be

MASTER

Advancedbachelor
degree60 ECTS credits

120 ECTS credits

Advanced
Bachelor
degree60 ECTS credits

60 ECTS credits = 1 academic year
1 credit = 30 hours of learning activities(lectures, practical courses,
personal work, work experience...).

The award of the qualifications (bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PhD) is
linked to the number of years of studies completed since entering higher education.
Each year can award up to 60 ECTS credits (European Credits Transfer System), which
can be used and transferred from one country to another.
→	A 1st cycle qualification (bachelor’s degree) represents 180 or 240 ECTS credits,
namely 3 or 4 years of study.
→	A 2nd cycle qualification (master’s degree) represents 60, 120 or 180 ECTS credits,
namely 1, 2 or 3 years of study.
→	A 3rd cycle qualification (PhD) represents a variable number of ECTS credits.

Higher education in French-speaking Belgium

Higher education institutions
In French-speaking Belgium, study programmes are delivered in three different types ofhigher education institutions: universities, university colleges and schools of arts.

List of higher education institutions
5 UNIVERSITIES

Université catholique de Louvain, https://uclouvain.be
Université libre de Bruxelles, https://www.ulb.be
Université de Liège, https://www.uliege.be
Université de Mons, https://web.umons.ac.be
Université de Namur, https://www.unamur.be

19 UNIVERSITY COLLEGES
Haute Ecole Albert Jacquard, https://www.heaj.be
Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant, https://www.he2b.be
Haute Ecole Charlemagne, https://www.hech.be
Haute Ecole Ephec, https://www.ephec.beHaute Ecole Francisco Ferrer, https://www.he-ferrer.eu
Haute Ecole Galilée – IHECS, https://www.ihecs.beHaute Ecole ICHEC – ECAM – ISFSC, http://he-ichec-ecam-isfsc.be
Haute Ecole en Hainaut, https://www.heh.beHaute Ecole Léonard de Vinci, http://www.vinci.be
Haute Ecole libre de Bruxelles - Ilya Prigogine, https://www.helb-prigogine.be
Haute Ecole libre Mosane, https://www.helmo.be
Haute Ecole Louvain en Hainaut, https://www.helha.be
Haute Ecole Lucia de Brouckère, https://www.heldb.be
Haute Ecole de Namur-Liège-Luxembourg, https://www.henallux.beHaute Ecole provinciale de Hainaut – Condorcet, https://www.condorcet.be
Haute Ecole de la Province de Liège, https://www.provincedeliege.be/hauteecole
Haute Ecole de la Province de Namur, https://hepn.be
Haute Ecole Robert Schuman, https://www.hers.be
Haute Ecole de la Ville de Liège, https://www.hel.be
16 SCHOOLS OF ARTS
Académie des Beaux-Arts de Tournai, http://www.actournai.be
Académie royale des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Bruxelles, https://www.arba-esa.be
Arts², https://www.artsaucarre.beBeaux-Arts de Liège - École Supérieure des Arts, https://beauxartsdeliege.be
Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles, http://www.conservatoire.beConservatoire royal de Liège, https://www.crlg.be
Ecole nationale supérieure des Arts visuels de La Cambre, https://www.lacambre.be
Ecole supérieure des Arts de l’Image “Le 75”, https://leseptantecinq.be
Ecole supérieure des Arts - Ecole de Recherche graphique, http://www.erg.be
Ecole supérieure des Arts du Cirque, http://esac.be
Ecole supérieure des Arts Institut Saint-Luc Tournai, http://stluc-sup-tournai.be
Ecole supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc de Bruxelles, http://www.stluc-bruxelles-esa.be
Ecole supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc de Liège, https://www.saint-luc.be
Institut des Arts de Diffusion, http://www.iad-arts.beInstitut national supérieur des Arts du Spectacle et des Techniques de Diffusion, https://insas.beInstitut supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie, https://www.imep.be

TAKE A LOOK AT STUDY PROGRAMMES USING OUR SEARCH ENGINE AT www.studyinbelgium.be15

Study in French-speaking Belgium

The universities
Theoretical and scientific education
Spread throughout the Wallonia-Brussels Federation territory, the French-speaking
universities of Belgium offer their students quality education. The options are divided
up into four fields of study: science and technology, human sciences, health sciences
and art.
Research at the heart of the French-speaking Belgian university course
In addition to in-depth knowledge of the chosen subject, the Wallonian and Brusselsbased universities offer a solid general education, encouraging their students totake a scientific approach. This is why the focus is firmly on research, both basic andapplied. And it is this philosophy that makes the universities of French-speaking
Belgium institutions that are famous for the excellence of their research programmes
and have earned them a remarkable reputation both in our country and beyond.
How are university studies organised?
The universities offer long-term education programmes made up of two cycles:→	a 1st cycle (180 ECTS credits) that takes the students up to Academic bachelor
degree level, i.e. its main aim is to prepare for the master degree that follows;→	a 2nd cycle, leading to a master degree (60, 120 or 180 ECTS credits).
These two cycles can be followed by a 3rd, a PhD.

Percentage of international
students registered on a masters
programme by field of study

20%

Humanities and social sciences

35%
Health25%

Science and technology

20%
art

© ULB / D. Pirnay/www.woush.be16

Higher education in French-speaking Belgium

17

The university colleges
Practical, professional education
All the French-speaking university colleges of Belgium offer a quality education,
liaising closely with applied research, universities, and socio-professional
environments. Differently to the universities, the teaching employed in the university
colleges is hinged on learning and the world of work. The theoretical and conceptual
aspects are all part of the programme with a heavy focus on internships, which
are mandatory. If you are looking for a course delivered in small halls with regular,
practical work, then a university college is what you need!
What university colleges can offer you:→	Studies organised as a single cycle, leading to a professional bachelor’s degree(between 180 and 240 ECTS credits).
→	Studies organised into two cycles, leading to a Academic bachelor degree(1st cycle - 180 credits) and master (2nd cycle - 60 to 120 credits).
→	Studies organised into one or two cycles, leading to an advanced bachelor’s
degree. This can be obtained after having successfully completed an initialbachelor’s or master’s degree. The specialised bachelor’s degree contains at least
60 credits.

Percentage of international
students registered on a masters
programme by fields of study

42 %
38 %
Health20 %Science and technology

TAKE A LOOK AT STUDY PROGRAMMES USING OUR SEARCH ENGINE AT www.studyinbelgium.be© IHECS / D. Pirnay/www.woush.beSocial and human sciences

18

Study in French-speaking Belgium

The schools of arts
Internationally recognised education in artistic techniques
Enjoying world renown, the schools of arts of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
educate all Belgian and foreign students looking to pursue performing arts andcommunication and broadcasting technology ; plastic, visual and spatial arts ; music ;theatre and dramatic arts.
What the schools of arts can offer you
After passing an admission test, schools of arts offer:→ One cycle leading to a professional bachelor’s degree (180 to 240 ECTS credits).
→ In two or three cycles:•	a 1st cycle leading to the award of a Academic bachelor degree (180 ECTS
credits),•	a 2nd cycle leading to the award of a master’s degree (60 to 120 ECTS credits),•	in collaboration with universities, a 3rd cycle in art and art sciences lead to theaward of a PhD.

Percentage of international
students registered inschools of arts

45%

International
students

Higher education in French-speaking Belgium

19

academic calendar
As a rule, the calendar of an academic year in French-speaking Belgium is divided
up into three terms. Learning is split over the first two terms, except for certain
assessments or professional integration activities.

SEPTEMBER

Exams

OCTOBER
Teaching activities

1st

NOVEMBER

quarter
DECEMBER
2 weeks interruption of courses

JANUARY

Exams
1 week interruption of courses

FEBRUARY
Teaching activities

MARCH

2

nd

APRIL

quarter

2 weeks interruption of courses

Teaching activities

MAY

JUNE

JULY

3

Exams

Interruption of coursesrdquarter

AUGUST
Exams

SEPTEMBER

teaching activities

Teaching activities

interruption of courses

exams

TAKE A LOOK AT STUDY PROGRAMMES USING OUR SEARCH ENGINE AT www.studyinbelgium.be20Study in French-speaking Belgium

A life-changing
experience

Dare to move

21

Organising	yourstayinfrenchspeaking
belgium

studyinbelgium.be22Study in French-speaking Belgium

Admission andenrolment procedures
The procedures to be followed to enrol with a higher education
institution in French-speaking Belgium may vary. Your nationality,
country of residence, qualifications, chosen education or level ofstudies to be achieved are all aspects that are taken into account.

Access to master’s studies for nationals from non-EU
countries
You must hold a bachelor’s degree (1st cycle of 180 ECTS) in a field ofstudy similar or identical to the one you wish to undertake.
Enrolment is in 4 steps:* NB: You will need to have
paid a €200 administrative
fee to complete your online
application. This amountwill be deducted fromyour registration fee if yourapplication is accepted. The
deposit will not be refunded in
all other cases. It is therefore
very important to checkbeforehand that you meet theaccess requirements.

1

Fill out an admission request on-line, on the website ofyour chosen higher education institution. Even if thecalendar is specific to each institution, we recommend
you make your application in February as the deadline
for applications is usually 31 March*.

2

Complete your file, usually online,with all the documents required (copy of passport,
qualification, letter explaining your reasons, etc.).

3Your file is analysed (this step can take several weeks).

4Your file manager will tell you what decision has been
made by your chosen higher education institution. If
your application is accepted, you will be sent a letterof authorisation specifying the terms of your final
registration (before 30 September) and the amount of
your registration fee.

Please note: There are specific admissions criteria for each master’s degree and each higher education institution.

Generally, these are listed on the presentation form for the
masters published on the institution’s website.

Organising your stay23

Conditions for access to the doctorate for non-EU nationals
You will need to meet the following conditions:
You must have obtained sufficiently good result in your prior studies:- You must have a Master’s degree from university higher education teaching of at least
300 ECTS credits;- You must have an average of at least 70% during your graduate studies.
You must provide a funding plan (official proof required) that demonstrates sufficient
resources to complete your studies: €10,000 + registration fee (currently €835).
The doctorate corresponds to long-term studies lasting at least three years.
That’s why it is important to find out about funding options.
The PhD may be funded by:- your own capital or a guarantor in Belgium;- a grant from your government;- a grant from Belgian cooperation (ARES);- a term as assistant to the university executive;- a doctoral scholarship from the chosen university;- income related to a research contract.

You must have a thesis proposal and the written agreement from a supervisor.

Consult the sites:→ https://reseaulieu.be/en/→ https://www.synhera.be/en_GB/→ https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu

Note: to find a supervisor, you can consult: − the General PhD Regulation adopted by each higher education
institution;− the websites of the higher education institutions;− the F.R.S.-FNRS website;− the research directory on the federal scientific policy website.

Enrolment procedures
The first step is to check that you meet the requirements for accessing the doctorate. If theserequirements are met, you can then complete the online application form for your chosen university.
Documents to include in your file:→	
certificate of Nationality dated within the calendar year of registration (or a copy of yourpassport);→	cover letter;→	
thesis project;→	
authorisation from your sponsor;→	undergraduate and graduate diplomas and transcripts (translated into French or English ifnecessary);→	
proof of your activities over the last five years;→	a funding plan.
When? To register for the 2023-2024 academic year, for example, you must submit your application
until April at the latest.
What’s next? As soon as we receive your application, it will be examined by the competent jury assoon as possible. You will receive an official response by email as well as the admission documents
necessary for your visa application once your file has been processed.
Always check the admission and registration conditions on the website of the university of your choice.
studyinbelgium.be24Study in French-speaking Belgium

Visa and administrative procedures
How to get a visa to study in French-speaking Belgium?
Whether you are an international student or researcher, the visa
you need will depend on both the duration of your stay and yournationality. Although some of the formalities need to be completed
in your home country, don’t forget that you will still need to complete
some of the administrative processes once you arrive in Belgium.

Applying for a Belgian visa as an international student(master’s or doctorate’s degree)
The citizen of a third country who wishes to undertake full-time higher
studies at a higher education institution in Belgium, or a preparatory
year for this education, must submit an application for authorisation tostay in Belgium for more than 90 days.
The general rule is that this request will be submitted to the Belgian
diplomatic or consular post competent for the place where theyusually reside abroad, in the form of an application for a visa D(national visa for a long stay).

Visit the website of the Immigration Office to find out:→	the conditions to meet to obtain a Belgian international
student visa;→
the documents to provide to obtain a Belgian visa;→
what to do once you are in Belgium.

Organising your stay25

Applying for a Belgian authorisation of researcher as an international
researcher
From 1st of March 2023:
Third-country nationals, who are linked with a hosting agreement to a researchorganization recognized in Belgium, can benefit from new legislation regarding the
researchers.
In order to carry out a research activity in Belgium, the third country national willneed an authorisation for researcher.
This authorisation of researcher should be applied for by the recognized researchorganization at the competent regional government through the single permit
application.
When the recognized research organization submits this application, the researcher
has to be, in general, in the country outside the EU. Only if the third country nationalalready has been authorised for a short stay (i.e. maximum of 90 days) long stay (i.e.
more than 90 days) in Belgium, an exception is made and third country national
may already be on Belgian territory at the time the recognized research organization
applies for the authorisation.
Visit the website of the Immigration Office to find out:→	Application for authorisation for researcher (procedure, documents andexamination period)→	Visa→	Renewal application

studyinbelgium.be26Study in French-speaking Belgium

Cost of studying and living
How much does a study stay cost in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation?
In French-speaking Belgium, access to higher education is a priority. This is why the
Wallonia-Brussels Federation public institutions choose to subsidise much of the costof studying. This means that registration fees are fairly low yet the quality of study is
excellent.

Tuition fees and increased tuition fees for universities for a master’s
degreeAs a rule, tuition fees for studying at universities of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
will depend on the student’s status:
Students who are nationals of the European Union
or European Economic Area

Max. €835 per year.

Students who are non-European Union nationals€2,505 per year.
This amount is applicable for
4 consecutive academic years.

In some cases, non-European students may be exempted from paying full fees.
At that point, they will merely need to pay the maximum annual tuition fees of €835,
as for European Union students. However, certain conditions must be met.
More info: www.studyinbelgium.bePlease note: for certain specialised master’s degrees and MBAs (issue of a certificate), the amount of tuition fees may differ. Contact the institution of yourchoice for more information.

Registration fees for a PhD
For all PhD students wishing to complete their PhD students in French-speaking
Belgium, registration fees are €835 the first year and approximately €50/year
thereafter.

How much does it cost to live in French-speaking Belgium?
Although the cost of living is relatively low in Belgium, it can vary from one town toanother. Don’t forget to consider everything (food, transport, free time, health, etc.)
when preparing your budget, to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
This means that for a student, the cost of living may vary between €1000 and €1,200
per month and includes:
Accommodation

between €300 and €500/monthFood€400/month

Study materials€50/month

Healthcare and insurance€30/month

Public transport€50/month

Other (phone bill, going out, etc.)€170/monthOrganising your stay27

Grants and loans€

Grants, listed at www.
studyinbelgium.be, are available
depending on your nationality andthe level of studies you wish to
pursue.
Contact the Social Services
Department of the chosen higher
education institution to find out
about any financial aid available.

Wallonia-Brussels International
Excellence Grants Programme enabled me
to complete my Master’s degree in Belgium.
The scholarship covered my two years ofstudy. It is a fairly large amount of moneythat allowed me to live decently and it
really changed the course of my studies.

Eve-Line
CanadaWorking while studying
In Belgium, all foreign students can work while studying. The only conditions are:they must be enrolled with a higher education institution in the Wallonia-Brussels
Federation and must have a valid residence permit.
Work time:→	During school holidays(Christmas, spring, summer – July,
August, September): the student
can work with no limit to thenumber of hours.
→	During the school year: thestudent can work no more than
20 hours per week and the work
must be compatible with study.
After completing his studies in
Belgium, the third-country national
may ask to be authorised to extend
his stay for a maximum of 12 months,
in order to look for work or set up acompany, with the aim of obtaining
a residence permit for employment
purposes.
To find out more, visit the website of the Immigration Office.

studyinbelgium.be28Study in French-speaking Belgium

Finding accommodation
Depending on your status, the length of your study stay and budget, you can choose
from two types of accommodation in French-speaking Belgium: university residenceor private accommodation.

Living in a university residence

Living in private accommodation

By opting for this type of accommodation,
you have your own room but you
will need to share the kitchen, livingroom, bathroom and toilets with otherstudents. Also called “kot”, this type ofaccommodation allows students from all
countries and of all levels of study to meetand share their experiences.

In the private sector, different types of accommodation are available: a room, a studio flator a flat. You can choose to live alone or in acommunity.

The cost: On average, the price is €350
per month, including utilities (water, heating, electricity).

The cost: The average price ranges between€350 and €500 per month. Utilities are notalways included.

Tips: As the number of places is limited,
we recommend you get organised as
quickly as possible and by the specificdeadlines. Once you have been authorised to come study in French-speaking
Belgium, contact the accommodation
service of the higher education institution
you have chosen.

Tips: There are two ways you can search:→ Personal research: on the internet, referringto the notice boards posted in the higher
education institutions and large areas, or
simply walking along the roads and looking
for the posters – accommodation is easy tofind.
→ Research via a specialised agency: as arule, this type of market is mainly for higher-priced accommodation.

Organising your stay29

Learning French
Although many of the master’s degree courses are delivered partially or entirely inEnglish, the higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are
French-speaking! The language used for teaching and the everyday environment istherefore mainly French. By choosing to study in French-speaking Belgium, you canthus enjoy a unique opportunity to improve your French, making progress every day
in the cosmopolitan world of Belgium!
If you are enrolled as a student on a French master’s degree course, your French willneed to be at B2 (upper intermediate) level, as defined by the Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You will need to pass a standardised
test: DALF (B2), DELF (B2), TEF (level 4) or TCF (B2).

Head to www.studyinbelgium.be to find out more!

vorbescfranceză

ich
sprechefranzösisch.

I speakFrenchHablo
francés
ik spreek
Frans

Io parlo
francesestudyinbelgium.be30Study in French-speaking Belgium

31

website	thereference

studyinbelgium.be32Study in French-speaking Belgium

Want to find out more about Frenchspeaking Belgium and its higher
education in particular?
www.studyinbelgium.be is your go-to website!
It will guide you in the choice of your education, tell you everything you need to know
about the practical aspects of your stay and also offers a great many testimonials!
A specific question? The team of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Campus, the agency which
promotes the French-speaking Belgian higher education sector internationally, is on
hand to help you any way they can: wbcampus@wbi.be
Follow us on the social networks:

study in belgium
Wallonie-Bruxelles Campus
WB Campus

Lost in the crowds at a comic bookfestival or a theatre, browsing the
shelves of specialist bookshops
or spending hours contemplating
the works of Pieter Brueghel andFernand Khnopff at the Royal
Museums of Fine Arts, the months
went by at a breakneck speed.
Despite this hectic pace, Jordanne
also remembers the quieter days
when she took the time to walkaround her neighbourhood, which
could be transformed into a hugestreet market or host a worldpolo-cycling competition.

Two things caught my attention
during my stay. Firstly, the student
culture. I went clubbing for the
first time in Brussels, so I guess
I’m one of the cool kids at homenow! The second thing, and also
something I missed the most, is theway people express themselves.
People dress the way they want
to with bright colours and crazyhaircuts.

Georgia
TaiwanJordanne
CanadaRead more
testimonials

Living and studying in Frenchspeaking Belgium was aremarkable opportunity to enrich
my career and my network. During
my PhD project, I had the chance
to work with internationallyrenowned researchers.

Ellen
BrazilWALLONIE-BRUXELLESCAMPUSAGENCY PROMOTINGHIGHER EDUCATIONIN FRENCH-SPEAKINGBELGIUM ON THE
INTERNATIONAL SCENE

studyinbelgium.be
study in belgium
WB Campus