Study In Belgium From France – All You Need To Know;
international students who wish to study In Belgium will be pleased to know that Belgium, or the kingdom of Belgium which is often referred to as the capital of the European Union and the sixth richest country in the world
Famous for its landscape, architecture and medieval historical towns, Belgium is a beautiful and somewhat undiscovered country that has managed to preserve its beauty and remain underpopulated
Today, we are going to answer the majority of the student based questions about Belgium.
Is Belgium a Good Study Location
From the general student reviews on the quality of education and general student satisfaction, a substantial number of those reviews emit student satisfaction at the diverse international study programs offered at Belgian universities, and the quality of courses is rated around the European average.
The quality of education in Belgium is standard and Seven universities in Belgium received an award for international student satisfaction. Five were considered “excellent”, receiving a rating of 9 out of 10.
The professors and tutors, according to students’ reviews, maintain an open and candid attitude as well as excellent facilities and standard courses.
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Must You Speak French To Study In Belgium?
This may be a worry of course. However, Belgium is divided into three segments, language-wise; that’s because Belgium has 3 official languages — Dutch (or Flemish), French (or Walloon) and German — and English isn’t one of them.
However, there are considerations for international students and English is taught as a foreign language in schools, however in day to day interaction with locals, fluency levels will vary from one person to another.
So a bit of French, Dutch or German could help you, nothing too complex, just the basics.
Regardless, the language barrier would be limited as general English phrases are understood by the locals.
Is Belgium Friendly Towards Foreigners;
There have been no reports of outright hate on foreigners as Belgian people are reported to be friendly and tolerant towards foreigners while Belgium is also easily accessible to ex-pat English speakers.
Is Belgium safe?
It is among the safest countries in the world, which means it must be relatively safe.
There is a very low crime rate and fewer things lurking in the dark in Belgium. The likelihood of anything happening to you on the streets of Belgium is doubtful. The only issue to keep an eye on, apart from being vigilant for terrorist attacks, is petty theft and pickpocketing.
Can I Study in Belgium For Free?
Belgium is a multilingual country that offers a quality education at a cheap price.
It offers standard education where its certificates are recognisable around the world and is one of the very few countries that preach and practice free education – only requiring very affordable registration fees along the way.
However, this does not mean that it is completely free to study in Belgium, Jr only means that compared to other countries and universities, studying in Belgium would be a relief to your weary pocket.
Do Universities in Belgium Offer Scholarships:
In some cases where free education cannot be roughly given, the Belgian Government, in their efforts towards offering scholarships to foreign students wishing to pursue further studies in Belgium.
Many Belgian Universities were included in the top 100 World Universities and have scholarship programs for international students as well.
Do I Need A Visa To Study In Belgium;
This is also a major concern. There are two sides to this coin.
Due to the international relationships, European nationals don’t need a visa or residence permit to stay and study in Belgium.
You will just need to have your identification or passport with you during your stay and also register at the city hall after your arrival if you intend to stay more than three months.
These are students who are citizens from a country which is either under the EU/EEA/EFTA.
However, for Non-EU/EEA/EFTA, non-European citizens, you will need to apply for a student visa in Belgium before your arrival, if your stay exceeds 90 days (Type D long-stay visa). If you stay in Belgium for less than three months, then you will need a Type C short-stay visa.
This is how the visa and entry access are managed in Belgium.
What Do I Need To Get A Student Visa?
If you are a nonEuropean student, these are the necessary documents for your Belgian student visa application.
- Admission letter from the Belgian university.
- A completed and signed visa application form.
- Previous educational certificates.
- Passport with at least 12 months validity remaining at the moment of your visa application.
- Proof of solvency, meaning that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies. The minimum amount required for Belgium is around 660 EUR per month and you can prove it by providing bank statements.
- Certificate of good conduct with no prior criminal record.
- Medical certificate and insurance. If you are a European national, then you need to provide the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee.
- Chinese students who want to study at Belgian universities or colleges need an APS certificate issued by DAAD Beijing.
Are All Courses Taught At Belgium Universities In French?
No, there are English taught courses for international students.
Is It Expensive To Live In Belgium As A Student;
There is a high standard of living in Belgium due to the growth of its exports and other industries. Although the cost of living in Belgium is high, it is nowhere near as expensive as some other western European countries.
Tourist Attractions In Belgium:
If you choose to study in Belgium, you would discover how beautiful and historic the country is, filled with different tourist attractions to suit you. Wonders such as;
- The Plantin Moretus Museum,
- The Rubenshuis,
- The Mayer van den Bergh Museum,
- Fashion Museum,
- The MAS Photo Museum, and so on. I
And in summer, you have the summer of Antwerp with open-air cinemas, concerts, readings, summer bars and festivals! You would gain standard education while viewing one of the most historically rich countries in the world.
Documents Needed To Apply To A Belgian University:
After you decide what programs you want to apply for and also the region of studies, it is time to start gathering the necessary documents for your application. And the documents to be prepared include;
- Proof of identification either with a personal ID or passport.
- Upper secondary certificate if you apply for a Bachelor’s degree.
- A copy of your Bachelor’s if you apply for a Master’s degree.
- A copy of your Master’s degree if you apply for a Doctorate.
- A filled-in application form is downloaded from each university’s official website.
- TOEFL or IELTS examination results if you intend to study in an English-taught program.
- French (DELF or DALF) and Dutch (Dutch NT2-II) language competency test results if you plan to study in French or Dutch-taught programs respectively.
- Proof of application fee, if applicable.
- Motivation letter (in form of a personal statement) explaining why you want to study in Belgium.
- Letters of recommendation, if applicable.
Conclusion:
Bordered by Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, if you study in Belgium you will get the chance to explore most of Europe’s capital cities. Known for its medieval and fairytale landscapes along with the stunning renaissance architecture, Belgium is a must-see travel destination. It is considered one of the safest and most peaceful countries globally, with an advanced economy and quality of life. Plus, the country offers a plethora of affordable study programs at any academic level.