Belgium (Flanders): tuition, application fees and scholarships

What non-EU students pay

Flemish universities publish their own fees for students from outside the EU/EEA. For 2026–27, KU Leuven's standard non-EEA fee was €9,493.90 for a full-time year of 60 credits; other Flemish universities charge from a few thousand euros upwards, and fees have been rising. Always check your specific programme.

Application fees

Ghent University charges no application fee. KU Leuven charges €120 for each application and VUB €90 for each application with a foreign diploma. Neither fee is refunded, and VUB no longer deducts it from your tuition if you are admitted.

Compare other countries in our guide to universities with no application fee.

The cheapest option: Ghent University

Ghent is also cheap. For 2026–27 its master's programmes charge non-EEA students €2,297.40 or €7,079.40 for 60 credits, depending on the programme; a few interuniversity programmes charge more. KU Leuven's standard non-EEA fee is €9,493.90. VUB charges non-EEA students a fixed €2,200 plus €52 a credit: €5,320 for a 60-credit year of its Social Sciences bachelor's.

Full scholarships: VLIR-UOS

The VLIR-UOS ICP Connect scholarships pay tuition, travel, insurance and living costs for a full English-taught bachelor's or master's at a Flemish university or college, in subjects such as aquaculture, food technology, sustainable land management and development studies. They are open to nationals of 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon and South Africa, who also live in one of those countries. The 2027–28 call is expected to open by the end of October 2026, and each programme sets its own deadline.

Master Mind Scholarships

The Flemish government's Master Mind Scholarships paid €10,225 a year plus a near-total tuition waiver in 2026–27. The scheme is under review for 2027–28, and recent places focused on priority countries (Japan, Mexico, Palestine and the United States), so check the current call before planning around it.

Doctoral scholarships at Ghent

Ghent University's BOF scholarships fund 24 months of a PhD in Ghent for candidates from Global South countries, with the rest of the PhD funded by a partner institution at home. You need a Ghent professor as supervisor; the 2027 call closes on 9 February 2027.

Language

Flanders is Dutch-speaking, but its universities offer many master's and doctoral programmes in English. Brussels is officially bilingual (French and Dutch).

Proof of funds for your visa

Non-EU students must show €1,062 a month for 2026–27, the minimum set by the Belgian government. There are four ways to prove it: a blocked university account holding twelve times that amount (€12,744), a bank guarantee deposit of the same amount, a scholarship, or a sponsor who signs the formal undertaking known as Annex 32 and shows enough income of their own.

Working while you study

During the academic year you may work up to 20 hours a week. In the official winter, spring and summer holidays you may work more.

After you graduate: the search year

Graduates from outside the EEA can apply for a 12-month residence permit for a 'search year' to look for work or start a business. Apply before your student permit expires. During the search year you can work for any employer, even full time.

Common questions

Which Belgian universities have no application fee?

Ghent University charges no application fee. KU Leuven charges €120 for each application, and VUB €90 for each application with a foreign diploma.

How much does a master's at Ghent University cost for non-EU students?

For 2026–27, €2,297.40 or €7,079.40 for 60 credits, depending on the programme; some interuniversity programmes charge more. Ghent charges no application fee.

How much money do I need for a Belgian student visa?

€1,062 a month for 2026–27, usually proven with €12,744 in a blocked university account, a bank guarantee, a scholarship or a sponsor's Annex 32 undertaking.

Can I work while studying in Belgium?

Yes, up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and more during official holidays.

Can I stay in Belgium after graduating?

Yes. You can apply for a 12-month search year, during which you can work without restrictions.

Belgium (Flanders): tuition, application fees and two government-backed routes

Funded routes in Belgium