Belgium is one of the most developed countries in Europe. With one of the highest living standards and quality education, it’s no surprise that Belgium has a strong presence in the European Union.
Belgium has some of the best universities across Europe. They are located all over Belgium, but there are certain universities that stand out from the rest as well-known educational institutions. This article will take a look at some of these prestigious schools and give you an idea on what to expect from studying at them. It’s important to pick your university wisely because you will be spending four years of your life there!
Most people assume that Belgium is a small country in Europe. However, the country is actually very diverse. It has both rich and poor communities and it’s home to over 11 million people. Belgium has a rich history, which includes the first European settlements and being part of the Roman Empire. It’s also one of the most technologically advanced countries in Western Europe, making it a great place for students to study. Here are some universities in Belgium that will give you some idea of what schools are like there if you decide you want to study abroad.
Brief History of The Universities In Belgium
When you think of the word university, what comes to mind? Perhaps a strict building with ivy-covered walls and a library filled with old books. However, that is not the case with some universities in Belgium. In fact, these universities are like nothing you have ever seen before. You might be surprised by the rat race of life at these international schools in Belgium. With their modern architecture and trendy settings, this is a university unlike any other that exists today. Here’s a brief history of the 3 Belgian universities to show how they’ve been shaped over time.
Known as the heart of Europe, Belgium is a hub of 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 – like the battlefield of Waterloo.
Around half of all students enrolled in Belgium universities and colleges are international, and you’ll benefit from a high standard of education with a great research focus.
Why Choose Universities In Belgium?
Belgium hosts many top-ranking universities, so you can get excellent academic training. As the center of European politics and global business, Brussels is an ideal place to obtain international training or enroll in a business study program.
Universities and colleges in Brussels offer internationally recognized degree programs focused on European studies on a variety of subjects. International guest speakers, which focus on international cooperation, teach many of these courses.
In addition, most universities in Belgium have a strong research culture, with a diverse and world-class research community.
Even if you apply for a degree in teaching English, Belgium universities offer great opportunities to improve additional language skills. Many universities offer foreign language lessons, especially for Dutch, French, and German.
What Can I study in Belgium?
Due to its numerous universities, Belgium offers study programs for all degree levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D.) in every field you could ask for. You can study plenty of Art and Design degrees, as well as Business and sciences programs, such as Medicine, Finance, Political Science, Marketing, or Information Technology.
Here are some of the most popular study options in Belgium:
What are the major cities in Belgium?
Belgium has about 10 student cities and each one offers you plenty of social and cultural activities. From museums and beautiful natural surroundings to fancy bars and charming shopping centers, you can also have some great and memorable leisure time in Belgium.
Below is the list of the major cities in Belgium:
What Are The Best Universities in Belgium for 2022?
Before proceeding to check out the best universities in Belgium, below are factors 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 done by universities and how often papers produced by universities were quoted around the world.
Academic Ranking of World Universities created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University focuses on the number of award-winning scientists, most cited researchers from the listed universities, and their contribution to the scientific community.
QS World University Rankings created by TopUniversities surveys a large number of academic experts about the reputation of universities and also measures the quality of teaching.
Best Global Universities Rankings created by U.S. News & World Report analyses university graduation rates and how many students remain enrolled in their second year of studies. It also surveys university representatives on the performance of universities.
Here is the list of the best Universities in Belgium
9. Université de Mons
UMONS was created in 2009 following the merger between the University of Mons-Hainaut and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons, the university’s oldest faculty which was founded in 1837.
UMONS provides its researchers and students the resources of nine libraries. In addition to the Central Library whose collections are focused on the social sciences (history, philology, fine art) and that also shelters the UMONS heritage collections (handwritten, old printed papers, charts, and maps), there are specialized faculty libraries.
It is also important to note that the University of Mons, abbreviated to “UMONS”, is a French-speaking university in the province of Hainaut, Belgium, near the French-Belgian border. It is approximately 50 kilometers from Brussels, the capital of Europe.
8. Hasselt University
Hasselt University is a young, dynamic center of expertise for teaching, research, and service provision. It regards it as its social responsibility to contribute actively to a sustainable and innovative region. It aspires to be a hub in this innovation web.
Hasselt University is also an independent, innovative university with strong regional roots, yet with a distinctly international orientation. It stands for excellent education, and top-notch 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.
7. University of Liège
The University of Liege is the comprehensive public university of the Brussels Walloon Union. It reflects two centuries of recognized teaching and academic research, as well as an intellectual tradition set from the medieval map.
Through its teaching, ULiège makes every effort to help everyone build their future, now and throughout their lives. At the University of Liège, They offer 38 Bachelor degrees in various subject areas. And after each of them, there are more than 10 Masters to choose from. The master programs are offered in all knowledge areas, in French or English, during the day or otherwise.
Among the most important employers in the Liège region, ULiège generates from its several sites more than 5,000 direct jobs, comprised of 3,300 teachers and researchers, and approximately 1,700 management, administrative, technical and labor staff members.
6. Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, being one of the best universities in Belgium is also the largest Dutch-speaking employer in the Brussels Region. Centrally situated in the capital of Europe, our university takes up its role as an ambassador for Flanders and Brussels, in a spirit of active pluralism and open-mindedness.
The interesting part of the VUB is that its students have access to a variety of services, such as personalized study guidance, social services, housing service, medical services, career development, integration within the VUB community, foreign language learning, library services, etc.
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. An accredited university, and/or officially recognized by 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 range in uniRank: 10,000 – 14,999) Students). The University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen) also offers courses and programs that lead to officially recognized degrees, such as undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees in various fields of study. The University of Antwerp is also one of the best universities in Belgium for international students.
3. Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Established in 1425, Université Catholique de Louvain (Catholic University of Louvain) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium-sized town 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 location(s): Brussels Woluwe, Mons, Tournai, Brussels Saint-Gilles, Charleroi.
The institution’s commitment to extending the boundaries of human knowledge, transmitting 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 played a part in this process with pride since 1425, making it a better choice for applicants.
2. Ghent University
Ghent University is a top 100 university founded in 1817. As one of the major universities in Belgium, our 11 faculties offer a wide range of courses and conduct in-depth research in both 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 southern Holland.
All bachelor programs and most masters are instructed in Dutch. The language of instruction for each program is mentioned in the course catalog. The English version of the course is a translation of the course catalog in the Dutch language and does not mean that the program will be taught in English.
1. KU Leuven
KU Leuven is one of the best universities in Belgium for international students. Today, KU Leuven is Belgium’s largest and highest-ranked university as well as one of the most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university, KU Leuven offers a wide variety of programs in English.
The university is situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a center of learning for nearly six centuries. The university offers degree programs at campuses in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp making it more interesting.
The University also offers a stimulating headquarters for all types of research, from basic projects to applied applications, and from individual research projects to large-scale international research consortia.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to study in Belgium: world-renowned universities, excellent opportunities for international networking, famously multicultural and multilingual cities, a host of regional cuisines and specialties, beautiful countryside, overall high quality of life, and, of course, those fantastic Belgian waffles.
Take your time to explore the best universities in Belgium as listed above to get the best out of it.