Studying in Belgium is equivalent to studying in Europe. In their effort to bring equality and self-dependency to the world through education, the government as well as non-business entities have a good number of scholarships for students from around the world.
The scholarships are mostly available for all countries but like most highly developed and urbanized countries, their main focus is usually on low and least-developed countries. Notwithstanding, this does not mean applications are not welcomed from developed countries. In the end, the requirements will depend on the sponsors.
You too can apply for any of the Scholarships and fulfill your dreams of studying in one of the top schools in Belgium.
What is it like to Study in Belgium?
Belgium is a beautiful place to be. A country that is one of the most selected study destinations for students. The citizens are very welcoming and are always ready to bond with almost anyone irrespective of where they are from.
The government along with some bodies in the country provides avenues for students to apply for financial aid through scholarships with the main focus of educating the world. Even those who have the financial capacity or support needed to pursue their education will find a country that refuses to put a high price tag on education. This is unlike most European countries. The cost of living also makes the country a good fit for most students coming from another country.
When you take a peep at its culture, vibrant festivals as well as its lovely structures, it is not easy to conclude that the country is not getting the credit it deserves. Everything is just incredible that you may even love to stay back after your studies.
Belgium is also one of the countries in the world that has a vested interest in innovation and this can be attested based on the points accumulated to the country by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The country was able to position itself as Number 5 among the most innovative countries in the world.
Of all the benefits you stand to gain, studying in a country that has three official languages, French, Dutch, and German can be very exciting. Although English is widely spoken there, you stand a better chance of becoming a polyglot there. It is common knowledge that people that speak 2 or more languages are more likely to get lucrative jobs especially back home. This puts you at a good advantage if you can grab this rare opportunity.
Top Scholarships in Belgium for International Students
1. Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €9 600 + tuition fee
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Master Mind Scholarships are made available to intelligent students from all over the world to pursue a master’s degree programme in Flanders and Brussels. Students will only be made to pay for the administrative enrolment fee.
This is fully funded and provides €9 600 plus payment of full tuition to successful applicants. For the grant, the students will get in installments and will cover their living expenses, house rental fees, and others.
If you are in need of this scholarship, you will need to tender your application to one of the host institutions. The direct link to these citadels of learning can be found on the link provided in this section.
2. VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded but undisclosed
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Scholarships for Masters (ICP Connect) are available for citizens or students from 29 eligible countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They must also be living in one of the selected countries at the time they are completing their application.
There are two categories and each applicant must follow the rule before applying. For a master degree, you must not be more than 35 years old on January 1 of the year of intake, and 45 years for an advanced master.
There are 15 ICP Master’s programmes to choose from with the host institution being any of the participating Belgian Flemish university and university colleges. The total duration of the program will be 12 to 34 months. This is a fully funded scholarship that covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and insurance.
3. Erasmus Mundus Programmes in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded but undisclosed
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Erasmus Mundus Programmes in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation Scholarships under the leadership of the European Commission are available for students from all over the world.
Before applying for this scholarship, you must have already obtained a degree from any recognized institution or be known to have demonstrated a similar level of learning in any degree-awarding countries
The total value of the scholarship will depend on the duration of your program, and country. You are more likely to receive more if you are not from a European country. Also, partner countries will get about Three-quarters of the scholarships.
4. Science@Leuven Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Up to €10,000
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) is a research university situated in Leuven. The school in its usual way every year makes scholarships available for students who are very interested in graduating with a master’s degree program.
Although the schools have lots of programs under their belt for students the scholarship is only provided to students pursuing science degrees under The Faculty of Science. The scholarship will cover the full cost of the tuition fee plus health and insurance fees. Qualified and successful students are to note that their living expenses are not included.
5. Global Minds Doctoral Scholarships Programme
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount:
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: Selected African, Asian, and Latin American countries
KU Leuven remains one of the biggest stakeholders in education. Every year, they receive students from developing countries to pursue their Ph.D. in the country. This program is under the Interfaculty Council for Global Development.
The educational support given to these brilliant students is to nurture them to the point that after their graduation, they will be able to replicate their training in the institution of their home country. Half of the training and research will be conducted by KU Leuven and half at the home institution with the certificate awarded by KU Leuven.
One of the requirements to get this scholarship is you must have been assigned by your home institution and also get some financial support from KU Leuven. In other words, both the home institution and foreign institution combine to finance your education.
6. Ghent University Top-up Grants for Developing Countries
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €1000 monthly and an all-in insurance fee
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: Countries on the OESO-DAC list
Ghent University, as part of its responsibilities, students from countries on the OESO-DAC list are encouraged to apply for a master’s degree at the school.
Students should understand that this is no substitute for the school tuition fee. However, the grant could be put to good use considering the high cost of living in Ghent.
10 top students will get the grant every month. The grant will be available for 2 years which is about €24000 in total. To continue getting the top-up grant, you will need at least 50 credits in the first master’s year.
7. University of Ghent Doctoral Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Partial
- Eligible Degree: Doctoral
- Eligible Countries: Developing countries
The University of Ghent is offering partial support to Students from developing countries. The first part, 2 years will be completed at Ghent University in Belgium while the other 2 years will be at a university in a developing country (‘South’). The cost of the first part of your Ph.D. program will be covered by Ghent while the second phase will be taken care of by the students.
The scheme encourages more female researchers to take part in this program. Exchange students should not apply. You can apply by sending a mail to BOFapplication@ugent.be, The mail should be accompanied by two documents, namely a letter by the supervisors professing the capability of the candidate as a future researcher and advice on the ethical and biosafety context of the proposed research project.
8. Liege Heritage Foundation Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Undisclosed but fully funded
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: All countries
Another scholarship international students can apply for is the Liege Heritage Foundation Scholarships made available to those who need them. This is from a non-profit organization in Belgium to ensure that graduate students have no reason not to pursue their further learning at the University of Liege.
To get this support, you must be one of the students who usually come out with very good results. This scholarship will cover both tuition and other important expenses. It is payable annually but not more than 3 years.
9. Belgian American Educational Foundation Fellowships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: $ 29,000 for Master’s or Ph.D. students and a$ 33,000 for Post-doctoral Fellows
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: Citizens & permanent residents of USA
U.S. citizens and permanent residents who wish to pursue research or studies leading to the award of a Master’s, Ph.D., or Post-doctoral certificate in Belgian universities are invited to apply for the Belgian American Educational Foundation Fellowships. Applicants are not mandatory to have knowledge of Dutch, French, or German before applying for the scheme.
The form can be downloaded on the scholarship page. After completing the form, it should be forwarded to the email provided on the page before the expiry date.
10. ARES Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition is not included but covers several other fees
- Eligible Degree: Postgraduate
- Eligible Countries: Citizens of ARES partner countries
As a student with a higher education degree from any of the partner countries, you can tap into an opportunity to take a one-year advanced bachelor’s or master’s degree program or a 2-to-6-month continuing education program on Scholarship in Belgium. This training will take place in higher education institutions located in the country.
This scholarship is awarded to 200 students, 130 from Master’s and Bachelor’s students and the other 70 from Continuing education. It will cover International travel costs, Living allowance, Insurance costs, Indirect mission costs, Indirect mission costs, Registration fees, etc
11. UHasselt – Master Mind Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: a grant of €9 600 and a tuition fee waiver per academic year
- Eligible Degree: Masters
- Eligible Countries: 31 VLIR-UOS scholarship countries including Japan, Palestine, Mexico, and the USA.
About 20 foreign students are selected from eligible countries to study on scholarship at Hasselt University in Belgium. This is usually given to students who have shown to be academically brilliant but in need of support to pursue an International Course program (ICP) – Master of Statistics & Data Science.
This is a 2 years postgraduate program and is available for selected African, Latin, and Asian countries. Only students who have not attained 36 years as of January 1 of the intake year can apply.
