Language
EnglishFull degrees taught in English
01 — Overview
Why Sri Lankan students choose Belgium
Small, central, and closer to the institutions that run Europe than anywhere else.
Belgium sits at the administrative centre of the European Union, which shapes what its universities are good at: international law, European policy, and the biopharmaceutical sector clustered around Leuven and Ghent.
The two institutions we represent are Flemish universities of applied sciences — teaching built around industry projects, placements and studio work rather than lecture halls. Both are in the compact, walkable cities of West Flanders.
Graduates can apply for a search year, twelve months to find work or start a business, and postgraduate students can bring dependents with full work rights.
- 01A twelve-month search year after graduation to find work or start a business.
- 02Postgraduate dependents with full work rights.
- 03Applied, project-led teaching with placements built into the degree.
- 04At the centre of European institutions, for law, policy and international affairs.
- 05A strong biopharmaceutical and life sciences cluster.
- 06EU-recognised qualifications under the Bologna framework and the ECTS credit system.
- 07Schengen mobility across twenty-nine countries on your residence permit.
- 08Small, safe university cities where students cycle rather than commute.
02 — Institutions
The two universities we represent
Bruges & Kortrijk · Featured
Howest University of Applied Sciences
Internationally known for digital arts and entertainment — game development, 3D and visual effects — alongside applied computer science and cyber security.
Kortrijk & BrugesVIVES University of Applied Sciences
A large applied university across several West Flanders campuses, with English-taught programmes in business, technology and health care, and placements built into the degree.
03 — At a glance
The facts, in one place
Capital
Brussels
Language of instruction
English
Currency
Euro
Bachelor’s
3–4 years
Master’s
1–2 years
Credit system
ECTS · Bologna
Visa route
VFS Colombo
Dependents
Postgraduate — full work rights
Intakes
On enquiry
Work rights
What you are allowed to work
20
Hours a week during undergraduate study.
20
Hours a week for postgraduate students.
12
Months to look for work after you graduate.
Yes
Postgraduate dependents may join with full work rights.
04 — Entry
What Belgium asks you for
Requirements vary by institution and by programme. These are the documents every file needs.
- Completed secondary education, or equivalent, for bachelor’s entry
- A recognised bachelor’s degree for master’s entry
- Academic transcripts, translated and attested
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
- Statement of purpose or motivation letter
- Financial documentation for the residence permit
- Health insurance valid in Belgium
Send us your transcripts
We will tell you what is missing and which programmes you qualify for.
05 — Costs
What a year in Belgium actually costs
Belgian costs sit in the middle of this list — higher than the Baltics, below the Netherlands.
Tuition varies widely by field, and each university sets its own fees. Living costs depend on the city, on whether you take university accommodation or a private flat, and on how much you cook. The residence permit carries its own financial requirement, set by the migration authority and reviewed periodically.
We prepare a written cost estimate for every student we work with. Tuition for your specific programme, realistic monthly costs for the city you will actually live in, the current requirement for the permit, and the scholarships you may be eligible for. Built around your circumstances rather than a generic table — and there is no charge for it.
06 — Living
Living in Belgium
Bruges and Kortrijk, where our partner institutions are, are small Flemish cities: everything within cycling distance, student housing close to campus, and none of the housing scramble you get in Amsterdam or Brussels.
Belgium is small enough that the whole country is inside two hours by train, and Brussels puts you an hour from Paris, two from Amsterdam and Cologne. For students who want to see Europe rather than read about it, the location does most of the work.
Flanders is Dutch-speaking, Wallonia is French-speaking, and Brussels is both. English is widely spoken in the universities and in the cities, and neither institution will expect you to study in Dutch.
07 — Our work
What we handle for Belgium
- 01University and programme selection
- 02Application filing and follow-up
- 03Statement of purpose guidance
- 04Document preparation and attestation
- 05Financial documentation review
- 06Scholarship search
- 07Residence permit filing at VFS
- 08Accommodation support in Brussels
- 09Pre-departure briefing
- 10On-arrival registration support
08 — Questions
What students ask us
Can I study in Belgium in English?
Yes. Both institutions we represent teach degree programmes in English. Dutch is the local language in Flanders, but it is not required for your degree.
Where is the Belgian student visa processed for Sri Lankans?
Belgian student visas for Sri Lankan applicants are handled through VFS. We confirm at the outset whether your file goes through Colombo or New Delhi, so the appointment does not surprise you late in the process.
Can I work while studying in Belgium?
Yes. Undergraduates may work up to 20 hours a week during term, and postgraduates up to 20 hours. Hours are counted across the academic year, and we will explain how that works for your programme.
Can I stay in Belgium after I graduate?
Yes. Graduates can apply for a search year — a twelve-month permit to look for work or set up a business in Belgium.
What is a university of applied sciences?
It is a degree-awarding institution built around professional practice: smaller groups, industry projects, and placements written into the curriculum. The qualification carries the same ECTS credits as a research university; the teaching is simply oriented towards doing the job rather than researching it.
Can my spouse or family join me?
Postgraduate students can bring dependents, and those dependents receive full work rights.
Are Belgian degrees recognised internationally?
Yes. Belgium is part of the Bologna Process and uses the ECTS credit system, so qualifications are recognised across the European Higher Education Area and transfer readily for further study or professional registration.
Can I travel elsewhere in Europe on my permit?
Yes. Belgium is a full member of the Schengen area, so your residence permit allows short-stay travel across the zone without a separate visa.
How much will it cost me in total?
That depends on the programme, the university and the city, and a generic figure would mislead you. We prepare a written estimate for each student — tuition, living costs, permit requirements and any scholarships you qualify for — at no charge. Request yours here.
