Studying in Belgium for Saudis is a distinguished academic choice that combines the quality of European education, a strategic location at the heart of the continent, and reasonable tuition fees. Belgium stands out as an attractive study destination thanks to its advanced educational system, which comprises globally ranked universities in Belgium famous for their research and academic excellence.
Belgium is located in a strategic position connecting it to France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg, and its capital Brussels hosts the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, which makes it an international center for politics and business.
Studying in Belgium offers a culturally and linguistically diverse academic environment, as the country is divided into Dutch-speaking regions (Flanders), French-speaking (Wallonia), and German-speaking. The best universities in Belgium offer hundreds of study programs in English, especially at the master’s level, which facilitates study for Saudi students.
The tuition fees range between very reasonable and medium depending on the region and the program, while the living costs are lower than Britain or Scandinavia. The Future Way website provides comprehensive support for students wishing to explore the academic opportunities in this small European country that enjoys great international influence and a rich cultural heritage.
Why Belgium?
Studying in Belgium offers unique advantages that make it an attractive study destination for Saudi students seeking a high-quality European education at a reasonable cost.
The heart-of-Europe location
Belgium enjoys an exceptional strategic location at the heart of Western Europe, bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. This location makes studying in Belgium for Saudis an ideal gateway to explore Europe, where Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Cologne can be reached easily.
The excellent European train network makes traveling to the major European capitals easy, fast, and reasonably priced. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, hosts the headquarters of the European Union, the European Parliament, and the European Commission, in addition to the headquarters of NATO.
This makes Brussels a de facto capital of Europe and an international center for politics, diplomacy, and business. Students in the universities in Belgium benefit from this international status through training opportunities in the European institutions and international organizations, lectures from diplomats and politicians, and a wide network of professional contacts.
Reasonable tuition fees
The tuition fees in Belgium are among the most reasonable in Western Europe, especially compared with Britain or the Netherlands. In the Flemish region, the annual fees for international students at the best universities in Belgium range between 900 and 6,000 euros depending on the program. In the Francophone region, the fees for students from outside the European Union range between 835 and 4,175 euros per year.
Studying in Belgium remains an attractive economical choice compared with other European countries, where the fees may reach 10,000-20,000 euros per year or more. The most important universities in Belgium offer diverse scholarships for outstanding international students, which lowers the actual cost.
The combination of reasonable fees, high academic quality, and a strategic location makes Belgium an excellent choice for European education.
The best universities
Belgium comprises a number of prestigious universities that enjoy advanced global rankings and a strong academic reputation.
Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven is the best and most venerable university in Belgium; it was founded in 1425 and is consistently classified among the world’s best 50-100 universities. It is located in the university city of Leuven, 25 kilometers from Brussels, and it comprises about 60,000 students. The university is famous for its excellence in engineering, science, medicine, law, and economics.
Studying in Belgium for Saudis at KU Leuven offers an advanced research environment with a huge research budget and modern laboratories. The university offers more than 50 master’s programs in English in diverse specializations. It is distinguished by wide international partnerships and an excellent reputation with employers globally. Leuven is a beautiful university city with a vibrant student life and reasonable living costs.
Ghent University
Ghent University represents one of the best universities in Belgium, as it is classified among the world’s best 150 universities. It was founded in 1817 and is located in the beautiful historic city of Ghent, and it comprises about 45,000 students. The university is famous for its excellence in the natural sciences, engineering, veterinary medicine, and the social sciences.
Studying in Belgium at Ghent University offers advanced academic programs with a strong focus on scientific research and innovation. The university offers dozens of master’s programs in English in various specializations, with reasonable tuition fees ranging between 900-6,000 euros per year.
Ghent is a vibrant student city with a rich history and stunning Gothic architecture, and living costs lower than Brussels by about 20%.
Free University of Brussels
The Free University of Brussels (Université Libre de Bruxelles – ULB) is among the most important French-speaking universities in Belgium, and it is classified among the world’s best 200 universities.
It was founded in 1834 and is located in the capital Brussels, and it comprises about 33,000 students, among them 30% international students. The university is famous for its excellence in the social sciences, law, medicine, and engineering.
Studying in Belgium for Saudis at ULB offers the opportunity to study at the heart of the European capital, with easy access to the European institutions. The university offers diverse master’s programs in English, especially in international relations, business, and engineering.
The university’s location in Brussels allows wide opportunities for training in international organizations and European companies.
Five of ULB’s graduates have won the Nobel Prize, which reflects the academic excellence of the institution.
The education system
The Belgian education system is distinguished by linguistic and cultural pluralism, as it is divided into different communities, each with its own educational system.
Flemish education
The Flemish educational system covers the Dutch-speaking region in northern Belgium (Flanders), and it includes cities such as Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, and Leuven. The Flemish universities are administered mainly in the Dutch language, but they offer dozens of programs in English at the master’s level.
The prestigious Flemish universities in Belgium include KU Leuven, Ghent University, the University of Antwerp, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Studying in Belgium in the Flemish region is distinguished by high academic quality, excellent organization, and reasonable fees. The annual fees for international students range between 900-6,000 euros depending on the program.
The Flemish region is economically rich and technologically advanced, with good job opportunities for graduates. The Flemish cities are historically beautiful with a high quality of life and great safety.
Francophone education
The Francophone educational system covers the French-speaking region in southern Belgium (Wallonia) and part of Brussels. The Francophone universities are administered in the French language, with increasing programs in English at the master’s level.
The best Francophone universities in Belgium include Université Libre de Bruxelles, Université Catholique de Louvain, and the University of Liège.
The tuition fees in the Francophone region were traditionally very low (about 835 euros), but they were raised for students from outside the European Union to about 4,175 euros per year in most programs.
Despite that, studying in Francophone Belgium remains cheaper than most countries of Western Europe.
The Francophone region is distinguished by a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural scenery, and Brussels as a capital provides a unique international environment.
The international programs
The universities in Belgium offer a wide range of international programs designed specifically for international students and taught in English.
The English master’s programs
The most important universities in Belgium offer more than 300 master’s programs in English in various specializations, which facilitates studying in Belgium for Saudis without the need to learn Dutch or French.
Most of these programs have a duration of one year (60 ECTS) or two years (120 ECTS), with a strong focus on research and practical application.
The master’s programs at the best universities in Belgium are distinguished by high academic quality and an interactive methodology. The programs focus on developing analytical, critical, and research skills, with individual and group projects.
Saudi students benefit from a diverse international environment in the universities of Belgium, where they study with students from various parts of the world.
The master’s programs also provide opportunities for training in Belgian and European companies and institutions, which enhances the practical experience and professional opportunities.
The available specializations
The English programs in studying in Belgium cover wide specializations including engineering in its various branches, the natural and biological sciences, computer science and artificial intelligence, business, economics and finance, international relations and European studies, international law, the social and psychological sciences, the health sciences and biomedicine, and architecture and urban planning.
Studying in Belgium is distinguished by some unique specializations linked to Brussels’ location as a European capital, such as European policy, international governance, and diplomatic studies.
The universities in Belgium are also famous for their excellence in data science, biotechnology, and sustainable energy.
Saudi students can find programs that suit their academic and professional interests in various fields.
Admission requirements
The admission requirements for studying in Belgium are characterized by clarity and directness, with specific requirements that ensure the academic readiness of students.
The required GPAs
The universities in Belgium require good academic GPAs for admission to their programs.
In general, applicants for studying in Belgium for Saudis are required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related specialization with a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent.
The competitive programs in specializations such as medicine and engineering may require higher GPAs.
The best universities in Belgium also assess the suitability of the academic background for the desired program, as the previous study subjects must match the program’s requirements.
In addition to the GPA, studying in Belgium gives weight to other factors such as the motivation letter, the recommendation letters, and the practical or research experience.
Some programs may require personal interviews or additional admission tests.
The English language
English language proficiency is a basic condition for admission to the English programs at the universities in Belgium.
Most universities require for the master’s an IELTS score of no less than 6.5 or TOEFL iBT with a score of 90-100 as a minimum. Some advanced programs may require higher scores.
The most important universities in Belgium also accept other certificates such as Cambridge English or Pearson PTE Academic. Some universities exempt Saudi students holding certificates from English-speaking institutions from the language tests.
In addition to the language tests, studying in Belgium requires submitting translated and attested academic certificates, a motivation letter, and recommendation letters.
The tuition fees
The study costs in Belgium for Saudis differ according to the region, the university, and the program, but they remain reasonable compared with other European countries.
The comparison between regions
In the Flemish region, the annual fees at the best universities in Belgium for international students range between 900 and 6,000 euros, depending on the program and the specialization. The programs in the humanities and social sciences are usually less costly (900-2,000 euros), while engineering and science are higher (3,000-6,000 euros).
In the Francophone region, the fees for students from outside the European Union range between 835 euros (for some specific programs) and 4,175 euros per year for most programs. These fees are higher than before but are still competitive.
By comparison, the fees in Britain may reach 15,000-25,000 pounds, and in the Netherlands 8,000-18,000 euros, which makes studying in Belgium an attractive economical choice.
Living costs
The living costs in Belgium are considered reasonable compared with the other countries of Western Europe, but they differ between cities.
Brussels and Antwerp
In Brussels, the Belgian capital, the Saudi student needs a monthly budget ranging between 900 and 1,200 euros, including housing (400-600 euros for a shared room), food (250-350 euros), transport (50 euros with a student card), health insurance, and personal expenses.
In Antwerp, the second largest Belgian city, the costs are similar to Brussels. Both cities offer a vibrant urban life with wide cultural opportunities and the presence of the best universities in Belgium. Students benefit from student discounts on transport and cultural events. Student housing is limited in Brussels, so it is advised to apply early.
Leuven and Ghent
In the university cities such as Leuven and Ghent, the study costs in Belgium decrease by 15-20%, where the monthly budget ranges between 750 and 1,000 euros. Housing is cheaper and easier to obtain (300-500 euros), and life in general is quieter and less crowded than the capitals.
These cities offer an authentic university experience with an active student life and proximity to the prestigious universities in Belgium. Leuven and Ghent are beautiful historic cities with stunning Gothic architecture, a high quality of life, and great safety. The cost of food and transport is lower than Brussels, and the student community is strong and cohesive.
The Belgian visa
Traveling to study in Belgium for Saudi students requires obtaining a student visa through clear procedures.
Saudi students must apply for a study visa from the Belgian embassy in Riyadh. The procedures require first obtaining admission from one of the recognized universities in Belgium, then submitting the visa application.
The documents include a valid passport, the admission letter, financial proof showing the ability to bear the study and living costs (about 670 euros per month), proof of housing, health insurance, and a good-conduct certificate.
The processing takes 4-8 weeks, so it is advised to apply early.
After arrival, one must register at the local municipality within 8 days to obtain a residence card. Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week, which helps in covering the living costs.
Student life
Studying in Belgium offers a rich life experience that combines academic achievement, cultural integration, and personal development.
Student life at the best universities in Belgium is distinguished by diversity and activity, with diverse student clubs and associations. The universities organize regular events, student festivals, and group trips.
Belgium is known for chocolate, beer, and Belgian waffles, with a rich and diverse cuisine.
Belgium is a generally safe country, with low crime rates especially in the university cities.
The infrastructure is excellent, and the public transport is reliable. There are Muslim communities, mosques, and halal shops in the major cities. The Belgian people are tolerant and multicultural, and welcome international students.
Frequently asked questions about studying in Belgium for Saudis
How much does studying in Belgium cost?
The tuition fees range between 900 and 6,000 euros per year in the Flemish region, and between 835 and 4,175 euros in the Francophone region. The living costs range between 750 and 1,200 euros per month depending on the city. The total annual cost is between 10,000 and 20,000 euros.
What is the best university in Belgium?
The Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven is the best and most venerable, classified among the world’s best 50-100. Ghent University and the Free University of Brussels are also prestigious. The choice depends on the specialization and the preferred location.
Must one learn French or Dutch?
It is not mandatory, as most master’s programs are taught in English. However, learning the local language is useful for daily life and job opportunities.
How much does living in Brussels cost?
It ranges between 900 and 1,200 euros per month, including housing, food, transport, and personal expenses.
Is Belgium safe?
Yes, Belgium is a generally safe country with low crime rates, especially in the university cities.
Conclusion
Studying in Belgium for Saudis represents a distinguished opportunity to obtain a high-quality European education in a strategic location at reasonable costs. The Future Way website provides comprehensive support for Saudi students in their academic journey to Belgium.
