Moving to Belgium
With an expert international team on your side
Is there anywhere better to study than Belgium? When you choose Vlerick, you get to live and study in the heart of Europe. You join our diverse, international community of students, professionals and alumni from all over the world. You live and learn on our campuses in the beautiful cities of Brussels, Ghent and Leuven – and you take the leap into expat life. Full-time students with the complete support of our International Office, Masters and Full-time MBA teams.
Studying from the heart of Europe
Based in Brussels, Vlerick is the perfect place for international students. People from across the world live and work here – creating a diverse, multicultural population. Brussels is also the capital of the EU and home to major financial and multinational organisations. It’s the ideal location to develop an international mindset – and to build a network to support you throughout your career, wherever in the world it takes you.
Our International Office is here for you
We support our international students at every step of their move to Belgium. And we’re here for you throughout your time with us. Once registered, join our Moving to Belgium webinars and International Welcome Days. And celebrate with us at our annual International Festival.
Your guide to moving to Belgium
All the steps you need to take to join us are covered in our International Student Guide. Download it to discover how to do everything from applying for a visa and finding accommodation, through to accessing healthcare and setting up a bank account. It also sets out information on the average cost of living, how you can learn French and Dutch if you are interested, and much more.
Gateway to the rest of Europe
When you study at Vlerick, the rest of Europe is on your doorstep. Major hubs including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg and Paris are all an easy train journey away. And if you want to explore everything Belgium has to offer, expect to encounter history, heritage, art, gastronomy – and a friendly, welcoming environment everywhere you go.
Success stories
Benedict Ow (Singapore)
Masters in Marketing & Digital Transformation 2023
Ghent is a beautiful, lively and safe student city, and the Vlerick campus is located minutes away from the city centre. My favourite spot, especially in spring, is near Bijloke! Belgium is also compact and easy to get around, with Ghent being well connected to many major cities. Antwerp is a personal favourite of mine for the great museums, restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. Ghent is definitely very liveable and you always feel the support from Vlerick staff whenever you need help settling in.
Shruti Smita (India)
Full-time MBA Programme 2023
With an incredible start-up culture, an international vibe, and amazing cities to explore close by, Brussels made my learning experience fun and enriching. And let's be honest, the fries, waffles, and beer are out of this world! As an international student and a travel enthusiast, studying in Belgium allowed me to experience a unique blend of culture, innovation, and travel. I could visit beautiful cities like Bruges and Amsterdam over the weekend and learn at the same time.
Rui Daniel Simões Ribeiro Pereira (Portugal)
Masters in Financial Management 2023
One of the biggest perks of studying in Brussels was definitely its central location which made it easy to go on weekend getaways with my friends anywhere in central Europe. The city's vibrant and diverse community provided endless opportunities to experience the unique Belgian lifestyle, while the programme's focus on practical, real-world skills made for a truly immersive learning experience. The staff and faculty were incredibly friendly and supportive, providing mentorship and guidance every step of our journey.
Allison Farnan (USA)
Masters in General Management: Business Analytics & AI 2023
Coming to Vlerick meant I had the opportunity to study at one of the top business schools in Europe. It’s also given me the chance to explore the beautiful city of Leuven. Leuven is a cosy student city - the markets, the architecture, and the canals are wonderful. But what really makes this experience special is the people. The Vlerick community is so friendly and welcoming, and you can make incredible friends from all over the world.
Belgium, Uniquely Phenomenal
Discover the Kingdom of Belgium beyond its delicious fries, chocolate, waffles and beer. Watch the video to find out plenty more reasons to come to the heart of Europe! Convinced? Apply for a programme at Vlerick Business School to enjoy them all first-hand
Contact us
Giovanni Delaere-MacLean
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Belgian student visa?
If your nationality requires a visa to enter Belgium, you’ll need to apply latest by mid-May for a student visa (type D, multiple entries, valid for the entire programme). Initiate the process through your local Belgian embassy or consulate, or the intermediate agency managing visa applications.
Start gathering the documents necessary for the visa application as soon as you received our Proof of Enrolment certificate. Some may need to be legalised first and take time to process, so it’s important to do so as soon as possible.
You’ll need to pay the embassy’s contribution fee (€237) and a long-stay visa fee (about €180 or the equivalent in your local currency). Scholarship holders are exempt from paying the contribution fee.
The embassy will request proof of your sufficient means of subsistence. We can support you with the first option, while we also want to make you aware of alternatives:
- Blocked account (also called frozen account): The fastest and most reliable proof. The process involves transferring €12,000 to Vlerick, which we pay back in monthly instalments of €1,000 starting in September 2025 into your (future) IBAN bank account. The total amount is higher than the legal minimum as it is closer to the real cost of living.
- Bank guarantee (new): Similar to the blocked account procedure, but not managed by the school. Currently the Immigration Office accepts bank guarantees via Studely. Consider this option if you only want to transfer the legal minimum amount.
- Formal obligation (also called Annex 32 or Pledge of Financial Support): A more complex and longer process. This involves someone acting as a guarantor for your expenses. This person’s net monthly salary should be at least €2,892.55, and there are further strict conditions to consider. Review the full procedure here.
Extra step for Chinese degrees holders
If you hold a Chinese degree, you’ll need an APS certificate before applying for your visa. Contact the APS administration in Beijing at info@aps.org.cn. Their screening involves an authenticity check and an interview. Aim to secure this by early May. Find out more on www.aps.org.cn/zh/.
For more information, please contact your local Belgian embassy or consulate – or visit www.diplomatie.be.
How do I find accommodation in Belgium?
The best time to find accommodation is between March and June. We recommend these trusted platforms: MyKot, Housing Anywhere, Spotahome, Upkot, Upliving, Diggit Studentlife or Xior. We advise you to arrive around mid-August to give yourself sufficient time to settle in. When signing a student room contract, take note of the starting date. This could be mid-August, September 1st or mid-September. If your accommodation is not yet available upon arrival, then consider staying in an Airbnb or hostel first. As for location, we recommend that the travel time between your accommodation and your campus is maximum 30 minutes by public transport. Download our International Student Guide for more tips on moving to Belgium!
How can I use my Vlerick degree in other countries?
Request the legalisation of your Vlerick degree via e-mail to NARIC Flanders at naric.legalisaties@vlaanderen.be. Add all documents you wish to legalise in separate pdf files, and a front and back copy of your residence card. This service is free. In case the country you wish to use your degree in requires an apostille, then mention this and the name of the specific country in your e-mail to NARIC. This service costs 20 euro per document.
For apostilles, you can also take your original documents to the FPS Foreign Affairs. You can check what the country you are traveling to requires on the following website: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/legalisation-documents.
What is the average living cost in Belgium?
This largely depends on your lifestyle and type of housing, but Belgium and Brussels are cheaper than many European capitals like London, Paris and Stockholm. An average monthly cost is €950-€1,350 including housing, utility bills, food, healthcare and miscellaneous spending.