Do you want to study in Belgium either as a citizen or as an international student? You will receive our list of the best universities in Belgium below, to help you make a fruitful decision.
Belgium is literally one of the most multicultural places on earth, especially since the country consists of three regions, each corresponding to one of the three official languages (Dutch, French, and German).
Several of the top universities in Belgium include private and government-funded universities. How, then, do you identify them?
This ranking is based on publications, research, and web presence. The objective is to facilitate the web presence, research, and publication of Belgian Universities that are lagging behind.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- A brief history of universities in Belgium
- Why choose universities in Belgium?
- What can I study in Belgium?
- What are the main cities in Belgium?
- What are the best universities in Belgium for 2022?
- 9. University of Mons
- 8. Hasselt University
- 7. University of Liege
- 6. Vrije University of Brussels (VUB)
- 5. Institute of European Studies – Universite Libre de Bruxelles
- 4. University of Antwerp
- 3. Catholic University of Leuven (UCL)
- 2. University of Ghent
- 1. KU Leuven
- FAQs for Best Universities in Belgium 2022
- Are universities in Belgium a better option?
- What are the popular study options in Belgium?
- What are the main cities in Belgium?
- What are the best universities in Belgium for international students?
- Can I study and work in Belgium?
- Conclusion
A brief history of universities in Belgium
Known as the heart of Europe, Belgium is a hub for international cooperation and networking, offering an enriching educational experience.
Belgium is also steeped in history and has a unique mix of cultures. Here you will discover many medieval castles and historical sites, such as the battlefield of Waterloo.
Around half of all students enrolled in Belgian universities and colleges are international, and you will benefit from a high standard of education with a strong research focus.
Why choose universities in Belgium?
Belgium is home to many top-tier universities, so you can get a great academic background. As the center of European politics and global business, Brussels is an ideal place to gain international training or enroll in a business studies program.
Universities and colleges in Brussels offer internationally recognized degree programs focused on European studies on a variety of subjects. International guest speakers, who focus on international cooperation, teach many of these courses.
Furthermore, most universities in Belgium have a strong research culture, with a world-class and diverse research community.
Even if you apply for a degree in teaching English, Belgian universities offer great opportunities to improve additional language skills. Many universities offer foreign language classes, especially in Dutch, French, and German.
What can I study in Belgium?
Due to its many universities, Belgium offers study programs for all degree levels (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate) in all the fields you can apply for. You can study many Art and Design degrees, as well as business and science programs, such as Medicine, Finance, Political Science, Marketing, or Information Technology.
Here are some of the most popular study options in Belgium:
- Master in Economics in Belgium
- Master in Political Science in Belgium
- The Master in International Business in Belgium
- Master in Biology in Belgium
- Master in International Relations in Belgium.
What are the main cities in Belgium?
Belgium has about 10 student cities and each one offers you many social and cultural activities. From museums and beautiful natural surroundings to chic bars and charming shopping malls, you can also have an unforgettable leisure time in Belgium.
Below is the list of the main cities in Belgium:
- Antwerp
- Brussels
- Ghent
- Leuven
- Liege
What are the best universities in Belgium for 2022?
Before proceeding to see the best universities in Belgium, below are the factors that we consider before ranking a school as the best among others:
World University Rankings created by Times Higher Education takes into account the reputation of research conducted by universities and the frequency with which articles produced by universities are cited around the world.
Academic Ranking of World Universities created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University focuses on the number of award-winning scientists, the most cited researchers of the mentioned universities, and their contribution to the scientific community.
QS World University Rankings created by Top Universities survey a large number of academic experts on the reputation of universities and also measure the quality of teaching.
Here is the list of the best universities in Belgium for 2022
- K.U. Leuven
- University of Ghent
- Catholic University of Leuven (UCL)
- University of Antwerp
- Institute of European Studies – Universite Libre de Bruxelles
- Vrije University of Brussels (VUB)
- University of Liege
- Hasselt University
- University of Mons
9 . University of Mons
UMONS was created in 2009 after the merger between the University of Mons-Hainaut and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons, the oldest faculty of the university which was founded in 1837.
UMONS provides its researchers and students with the resources of nine libraries. In addition to the Central Library, whose collections focus on the social sciences (history, philology, fine arts) and which also houses the UMONS heritage collections (manuscripts, old printed papers, graphs, and maps), there are specialized libraries for teachers.
It is also important to note that the University of Mons, abbreviated as “UMONS”, is a Francophone university in the province of Hainaut, Belgium, near the Franco-Belgian border. It is approximately 50 kilometers from Brussels, the capital of Europe.
Research areas
- Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
- engineering faculty
- Faculty of Psychology and Education
- Science Faculty
- Faculty of Translation and Interpretation-EII – School of International Interpreters
- Warocqué School of Economics and Business
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences
- Law School
Accreditation
General Directorate for Non-compulsory Education and Scientific Research, Belgium.
8 . Hasselt University
Hasselt University is a young and dynamic center of expertise for teaching, research, and service delivery. It considers that it is its social responsibility to actively contribute to a sustainable and innovative region. It aspires to be a center in this web of innovation.
Hasselt University is also an independent and innovative university with strong regional roots, but with a clear international orientation. It is synonymous with excellent education and world-class research in key domains and is actively involved in innovation and entrepreneurship. They strive for academic excellence, combined with economic and social relevance.
The university also wants to increase participation in higher education and offers a dynamic environment in which students and staff can fully develop their talents. This is also one of the best universities in Belgium.
Research areas
- Business and Management
- engineering technology
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Computing and IT
- Art, design, and architecture
Accreditation
Flemish Ministry of Education and Training, Belgium.
7. University of Liege
The University of Liège is the comprehensive public university of the Walloon Union of Brussels. It reflects two centuries of renowned academic teaching and research, as well as an intellectual tradition established since the medieval map.
Through her teaching, ULiège does her best to help everyone build their future, now and throughout their lives. At the University of Liège, they offer 38 bachelor’s degrees in various subject areas. And after each of them, there are more than 10 Masters to choose from. Master’s programs are offered in all areas of knowledge, in French or English, during the day or otherwise.
Among the largest employers in the Liège region, ULiège generates from its various sites more than 5,000 direct jobs, made up of 3,300 teachers and researchers, and approximately 1,700 administrative, administrative, technical, and labor staff members.
Research areas
- engineering technology
- Computing and IT
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Business and Management
- Art, design, and architecture
- Environmental studies and earth sciences
- social Sciences
Accreditation
ULiège benefits from the three labels of the European Commission: ECTS, diploma supplement, and human resources strategy for researchers.
6. Vrije University of Brussels (VUB)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, being one of the best universities in Belgium, is also the largest Dutch-speaking employer in the Brussels region. Located in the center of the capital of Europe, our university assumes its role as ambassador of Flanders and Brussels, in a spirit of active pluralism and open-mindedness.
The interesting part of VUB is that its students have access to a variety of services, such as personalized study guidance, social services, housing service, medical services, professional development, integration within the VUB community, foreign language learning, library, etc.
Research areas
- engineering technology
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- social Sciences
- Environmental studies and earth sciences
- Art, design, and architecture
- Business and Management
- Computing and IT
- Humanities
- journalism and media
- Medicine and health
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Professions and Applied Sciences
- Education and Training.
Accreditation
VUB is registered with the Flemish government of Belgium. VUB programs are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO, Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie).
5. Institute of European Studies – Universite Libre de Bruxelles
The IEE-ULB is a center of interdisciplinary excellence in teaching and research. It focuses on European issues. The organization of the IEE-ULB is unique, thanks to its international teams, the interaction with the EU institutions, and the strong connection between teaching and research.
The IEE-ULB is also one of the oldest teaching and research institutes dedicated to European studies. It was created in 1962 by the Board of Directors of the ULB. The 1st academic year begins in October 1963. It has evolved to the rhythm of European construction.
Research areas
- European law
- Political Sciences
- Economic Sciences
- History
Accreditation
European Foundation for Management Development EFMD-EQUIS.
4. University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp, founded in 2003, is a non-profit public educational institution located in the urban environment of the medium-sized city of Antwerp (population between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people).
This organization also has branches in the following places: Middelheim, Groenenborger, Drie Eiken. A university accredited and/or officially recognized by the Vlaams Ministerie van Onderwijs in Vorming, Belgium (Flemish Ministry of Education and Training, Belgium).
The University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen) is a mixed institution of higher education (enrollment rank in uniRank: 10,000 – 14,999 Students). The University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen) also offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized degrees such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in various fields of study. The University of Antwerp is also one of the best universities in Belgium for international students.
Research areas
- Business and Management
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- social Sciences
- Environmental studies and earth sciences
- Computing and IT
- engineering technology
- Humanities
- law firms of
Accreditation
There is a (compulsory) educational review carried out by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR). These external reviews are organized for all programs in Flanders and result in accreditation by the Netherlands and Flanders Accreditation Organization (NVAO). All study programs at the University of Antwerp received NVAO accreditation.
3. Catholic University of Leuven (UCL)
Established in 1425, the Université Catholique de Louvain (Catholic University of Leuven) is a private, non-profit institution of higher education located in the urban setting of the medium-sized city of Louvain-la-Neuve. This institution is one of the best universities in Belgium for international students and also has branch campuses in the following locations: Brussels Woluwe, Mons, Tournai, Brussels Saint-Gilles, and Charleroi.
The institution’s commitment to expanding the boundaries of human knowledge, passing on this knowledge, and thereby increasing the humanity of the human race has kept it at the forefront of civilization in the 21st century. The Université Catholique de Louvain has been proudly involved in this process for 21 years, making it a better choice for applicants.
Research areas
- engineering technology
- social Sciences
- Computing and IT
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Environmental studies and earth sciences
Accreditation
UCL’s Louvain School of Management has received various accreditations around the world:
The European Quality Improvement System is an evaluation, improvement, and accreditation of the quality of higher education institutions in management and business administration. Equis brings together 90 institutions around the world with around 60 of them from Europe.
2. University of Ghent
The University of Ghent is one of the top 100 universities founded in 1817. As one of Belgium’s leading universities, our 11 faculties offer a wide range of courses and conduct in-depth research in both the exact and social sciences.
Compared to other European universities, Ghent Alma Mater is relatively small. The foundation was opened on October 9, 1817, after King William, the first in the previous year, announced the establishment of three universities in the south of Holland.
All bachelor programs and most of the masters are taught in Dutch. The language of instruction for each program is listed in the course catalog. The English version of the course is a translation of the course catalog into the Dutch language and does not mean that the program will be taught in English.
Research areas
- engineering technology
- Environmental studies and earth sciences
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- social Sciences
- Business and Management
- Professions and Applied Sciences
- Computing and IT
- Medicine and health
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Education and Training
- Humanities
Accreditation
The Ghent University Global Campus has been accredited by both the Ministry of Education (Korea) and the Netherlands and Flanders Accreditation Organization (Belgium).
1. KU Leuven
KU Leuven is one of the best universities in Belgium for international students. Today, KU Leuven is the largest and highest-ranked university in Belgium, as well as one of the most famous universities in Europe. As a leading European research university, KU Leuven offers a wide variety of programs in English.
The university is located in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a center of learning for almost six centuries. The university offers on-campus degree programs in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp, which makes it all the more interesting.
The University also offers a stimulating home for all types of research, from basic projects to applied applications, and from individual research projects to large-scale international research consortia.
Research areas
- engineering technology
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- social Sciences
- Humanities
- Business and Management
- Professions and Applied Sciences
- Environmental studies and earth sciences
- Medicine and health
- Computing and IT
- law firms of
- Art, design, and architecture
- Hospitality, leisure, and sports
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Education and Training
Accreditation
Flemish Ministry of Education and Training, Belgium.
FAQs for Best Universities in Belgium 2022
Are universities in Belgium a better option?
Belgium is home to many top-tier universities, so you can get a great academic background. As the center of European politics and global business, Brussels is an ideal place to get international training or enroll in a business study program and many more.
What are the popular study options in Belgium?
Popular study option in Belgium includes:
Master in Economics in Belgium
Master in Political Science in Belgium
Master in International Business in Belgium
Master in Biology in Belgium
Master in International Relations in Belgium.
What are the main cities in Belgium?
Below is the list of the main cities in Belgium:
Antwerp
Brussels
Ghent
Leuven
Feudal.
What are the best universities in Belgium for international students?
Here is the list of the best universities in Belgium for international students in 2022:
KU Leuven
University of Ghent
Catholic University of Leuven (UCL)
University of Antwerp
Institute of European Studies -Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Vrije University of Brussels (VUB)
University of Liege
University Hasselt
University of Mons.
Can I study and work in Belgium?
Yes, you can work and study in Belgium if you apply correctly and get permission. Basically, international students in Belgium with a valid residence permit can work up to 20 hours a week. However, you must ensure that your work time does not interfere with your studies.
