Engineering, Medicine, Business
Bioengineering, Vet Sciences
Law, Sciences, Politics
Mathematics, Physics, Medicine
Business, Maritime Studies
| Expense | Annual (EUR) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (Public Universities) | EUR 2,500–8,000/year | INR 4.4–13 lakhs |
| Business & Specialised Programmes | EUR 4,800–7,200 | INR 4.2–6.4 lakhs |
| Food, Transport, Misc. | EUR 3,600–5,400 | INR 3.2–4.8 lakhs |
| Health Insurance | EUR 600–900 | INR 53,000–80,000 |
| TOTAL | EUR 14,000–28,500 | ~INR 12–25 lakhs/yr |
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| University Admission | Official acceptance letter from a Belgian university |
| Proof of Funds | EUR 623/month minimum (or full amount for study period) |
| Health Insurance | Valid medical insurance for entire stay |
| Criminal Record Certificate | From Indian police — apostilled |
| Visa Fee | EUR 180 |
| Language Proof | IELTS 6.0+ for English programmes; French/Dutch for language-taught |
| Institution | Scholarship | Eligibility | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgian Federal Government (ARES) | ARES Scholarships for Development | International | Visit |
| Flanders Government (VLIR-UOS) | VLIR-UOS Scholarship for Developing Countries | International | Visit |
| KU Leuven | KU Leuven Master Mind Scholarship | Both | Visit |
| KU Leuven | KU Leuven International Doctoral Scholarship | International | Visit |
| Ghent University | Ghent University BOF Doctoral Scholarship | Both | Visit |
| Ghent University | Ghent University Special Research Fund (International) | International | Visit |
| Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) | ULB Excellence Scholarship | Both | Visit |
| UCLouvain (Université catholique de Louvain) | UCLouvain International Scholarship | International | Visit |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) | VUB Excellence Master Scholarship | Both | Visit |
| University of Antwerp | University of Antwerp Masters Scholarship | International | Visit |
| Hasselt University | UHasselt Research Excellence Scholarship | Both | Visit |
| Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) | FWO PhD Fellowship Strategic Basic Research | Domestic | Visit |
| F.R.S-FNRS (Wallonia-Brussels) | FNRS Research Fellowship (FRIA) | Domestic | Visit |
| Université de Namur | UNamur International Excellence Grant | International | Visit |
| Liège University (ULiège) | ULiège Excellence Scholarship | Both | Visit |
| Brussels School of Governance (VUB) | BSoG International Scholarship | International | Visit |
| University Foundation of Belgium | Belgian University Foundation Scholarship | Domestic | Visit |
| Mons University (UMONS) | UMONS International Research Grant | International | Visit |
| Solvay Brussels School (ULB) | Solvay Excellence Scholarship | Both | Visit |
| College of Europe (Bruges) | College of Europe Scholarship | International | Visit |
| Course | Top Institution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical / Life Sciences | KU Leuven, Ghent | World-class research programmes |
| Engineering | KU Leuven, VUB | Strong EU industry connections |
| International Business / MBA | Solvay (ULB), Antwerp | Brussels location ideal |
| Computer Science / AI | KU Leuven, VUB | Growing tech ecosystem |
| European Law / Politics | ULB, VUB | EU capital proximity = career advantage |
Yes, particularly for students seeking high-quality EU education at lower costs than the Netherlands or UK. KU Leuven is consistently ranked among Europe's most innovative universities. Brussels — the EU capital — offers unmatched access to international organisations, multinationals, and NGOs. Belgium is an underrated destination that rewards well-researched students.
No, but tuition is relatively affordable. Non-EU students at Belgian universities pay EUR 5,000–15,000/year, significantly less than UK or Australian institutions. Some Belgian universities charge differentiated fees for non-EU students. Living costs are also 20–30% lower than the Netherlands, making Belgium one of Europe's more affordable quality destinations.
Not for English-taught programmes. Belgian universities offer 500+ English-medium Master's programmes. However, Belgium is a trilingual country (French, Dutch, German) and basic knowledge of one regional language is helpful for daily life. French is useful in Brussels and Wallonia; Dutch in Flanders (Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp).
Total annual costs range from EUR 14,000–28,500 (INR 12–25 lakhs) including tuition and living. Tuition for non-EU students runs EUR 5,000–15,000/year depending on programme and university. Living costs in Brussels are moderate — cheaper than Amsterdam, Paris, or London.
The Belgian Type D Long Stay visa typically takes 3–8 weeks to process. You must apply in person at the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi or Mumbai. Register with your local municipality within 8 days of arriving in Belgium to maintain legal status.
Yes. International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term without a separate work permit. Full-time work is allowed during academic holidays. The Belgian minimum wage is EUR 1,955/month gross (2025). Student jobs are available in Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Leuven.
Yes. After completing your studies and finding employment, you can apply for a combined single work and residence permit. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for Permanent Residence. EU Blue Card holders can access an accelerated pathway if earning above EUR 48,000/year.
KU Leuven consistently ranks among the top 100 universities globally and is Europe's most innovative university according to the Reuters Innovation Index. It offers 200+ English-taught Master's programmes across engineering, sciences, business, and medicine. The university has a well-established Indian student community and strong research partnerships with global corporations.
