Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Introduction
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Student Testimonials
Campus Features
Gallery
Visa Requirements
Awards & Accreditations
Why study at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Locations
Programs

Introduction

Ranked as one of Europe's top universities, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)combines award-winning research and a range of study programs with a supportive open-door policy Brussels, one of the most interesting cities in Europe. Almost 200 years of experience and history await you at its green, urban campuses.

A young university with a well-established tradition

The single word ‘vrije’ in ‘Vrije Universiteit Brussel’ means ‘free’ and really tells you everything you need to know about the ambition of our university: the promotion of research and thought without dogmas and prejudices. Because studying at VUB, in an open atmosphere of tolerance and diversity, means growing into an independent and critically- thinking individual who can cope with our fast-changing world.

A university in the heart of Europe

VUB offers students more than just a great educational experience. Brussels the heart of Europe and the capital of Belgium, is an open invitation to exploring a truly international city. Brussels is the centre of international politics and business. Major political EU institutions are based in Brussels, offering a wide range of career opportunities.

Flexibility - Choice - Guidance

In VUB's eight faculties, students can choose to study and explore beyond their own discipline. VUB offers a full range of Bachelor and Master courses, many of which are taught in English. The key concept in this range of courses is flexibility. The system of majors and minors enables students to plan their studies to meet their interests best. Some of the courses are designed as evening classes, therefore catering to students and professionals alike.

Being a middle-sized university has its advantages. First of all, it allows frequent personal contact between students, teachers, and teaching assistants. Students are given the opportunity to ask their questions directly to their professors both in- and outside class. This is part of a real direct-contact culture that is well embedded within the university. Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to interact with each other through group assignments within the curriculum and various extracurricular activities. VUB alumni are, therefore, excellent critical thinkers and articulate persons able to network and function remarkably well in society.

All degree programs offered by the VUB are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO), ensuring that they meet predefined quality standards.

Internationalization strategy

Internationalization is one of the top priorities in the strategic plan of VUB. VUB attracts well-prepared, motivated international students and professors by offering an attractive international and English-taught education portfolio.

VUB makes every effort to create strong partnerships with academic institutes, both regional and worldwide organizations, industry, policymakers, and governments.

Admissions

General application deadlines

There are separate deadlines to submit a complete application if you are applying with a foreign degree. The deadline depends on your nationality, and on study level of your programme of interest.

Non-EEA citizens (in need of a visa for Belgium)
- Bachelor’s programme: apply before 1 April 2024
- Master’s programme: apply before 1 April 2024
EEA citizens (or Non-EEA citizens with a valid residence permit)
- Bachelor’s programme: apply before 1 September 2024
- Master’s programme: apply before 1 July 2024

Certain master programmes may have different application deadlines. Make sure you check the application deadlines applicable to your programme of interest.

Language requirements

Prospective students can provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English as the language of instruction by meeting one of the following criteria:

having a diploma of secondary or higher education where English was the language of instruction;
having successfully completed one of the following language proficiency tests corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference with minimum level B2:

TOEFL iBT (or special home edition) with min. level: 79;
IELTS (or IELTS indicator/Academic online test) with min. overall level: 6.5;
ITACE with min. level: B2;
Cambridge English Qualification Scale with min. level: 170;

Certificates and other proof of language tests may not pre-date the first enrolment by more than five years.

Academic requirements

Bachelor programmes

When you apply for a bachelor programme you need to have a secondary school credential that grants you access to a bachelor’s degree in your home country. Some credentials are deemed equivalent to a Flemish degree of secondary education and grant direct access to our programmes.

Master programmes

When you apply for a master programme you need to have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). Each programme has its own specific requirements. After you submit your application, we will verify your degree and transcripts to determine whether you are eligible for the programme of your choice.

Application Fee

Please note you should pay a €50 application fee if you have a non-Belgian diploma. We will send you an email with payment instructions for a bank transfer after applying if you should pay this fee. The application fee is non-refundable but will be deducted from your tuition fees if you are accepted and enroll.

When asked to pay an application fee, please note we cannot process your application until the payment has been deposited into our account.

How to Apply

Scholarships and Funding

We are a public university and thus subsidised by the government. This results in relatively low tuition fees for the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes.

Programme specific scholarships:
- TROPIMUNDO MSc Biology (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master)
- MSc Photonics Engineering (B-Phot scholarships)
- MSc Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (VLIR ICP master)
- BA Linguistics and Literary Studies (Lonnoy & Lorand scholarships)
General scholarships:
- Master Mind (only for Master programmes)
Other external scholarships (by country):
- We recommend to check study abroad scholarships available from your home country, other scholarship institutions, etc. Here are some examples:
  - Jean Monnet Scholarships (Turkish students
  - China Scholarships Council (Chinese students)
  - Pronabec (Peruvian students)

Usually, application deadlines for scholarship programmes are different (earlier) than the application deadlines for the study programmes! Often, in order to be eligible for a scholarship you must first already be admitted into your programme of choice.

View Scholarships

Student Testimonials

Campus Features

Everything you need is at your fingertips and available on-site, near Brussels' bustling city center: extensive libraries, modern computer labs, state-of-the-art sports facilities, exciting restaurants, interesting cultural activities, language courses.

Brussels Main Campus

This green campus is home to the faculties of Languages and Humanities, Social Sciences & Solvay Business School, Law & Criminology, Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Psychology & Educational Sciences, Science and Bio-engineering Sciences, and Engineering.

In addition, the rectorate, social services, restaurant, student housing, socio-cultural and sports infrastructure are located here.

Brussels Health Campus

Our medical campus is located in Jette, next to the University Hospital and surrounded by natural reserves. The campus houses the faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and parts of the faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy. There are several facilities for living and studying on campus: students dorms, sporting infrastructure, restaurant, library, study guidance...

Brussels Photonics Campus

The Photonics Campus houses high-tech platforms for micro-optical design in clean room conditions up, next to a fully equipped technology hall for advanced polymer prototyping.

Brussels City Campus

Brussels is a dream lab for (future) scientists and the ideal place to learn for students. Via the weKONEKT.brussels initiative that we have developed in recent years, we connect you with the capital. Conversely, we’re strengthening the Brussels community through organising teaching with, in and for Brussels with our diverse partners. Connection, collaboration and co-creation are central to this. VUB is also positioning itself as an urban university that takes its commitment to and responsibility for Brussels seriously.

Discover our campuses in 360 degrees: https://virtualtour.vub.be/en

Student housing

There are 1,540 fully-furnished VUB student rooms available for (full-time) bachelor and master students. They are located on and around VUB’s main campuses. Prospective students can apply for a VUB room through the central application system. Specific deadlines apply. In order to be eligible for a room you first need to get (conditional) admission into the study programme of your choice. You could also opt to live in the city center since our campuses are easily accessible via public transport. Need help finding a student room in Brussels? Take a look at what’s on offer from our partners in housing.

Learn about campus life

Gallery

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements are mainly determined by 3 factors:

How long the person will be staying in Belgium (more or less than 90 days)
The applicant’s nationality, EEA or non-EEA
The purpose of the stay (studying, working, family reunion, etc.)

Depending on the applicant’s profile, some formalities may have to be performed in the country of origin (visa) and a number of administrative steps will have to be taken once in Belgium (ID card).

Brussels consists of 19 different communes which all have their own Mayor, city council, and local administration offices. Depending on where people will be living, procedures and required documents will vary. Bringing along copies of all documents submitted for the visa procedure is recommended.

Awards & Accreditations

All degree programs offered by VUB are accredited bythe Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO),ensuring that they meet the highest predefined qualitystandards. Alongside this official quality control system,VUB has an internal Quality Control Commission in chargeof permanently monitoring the quality of education.

Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO)

Accredited

Why study at Vrije Universiteit Brussel

When moving about in Brussels, you hear a lot of different languages. That’s no coincidence, because the city is a melting pot of cultures. With 35% of the population of foreign origin, you can expect a rich cultural environment. Brussels is home to the EU Institutions and several affiliates, NATO HQ, diplomatic representation offices, headquarters for many international companies, NGOs, trade associations, one of the world’s largest press corps, as well as a whole host of international and European schools.

It goes without saying that Brussels offers unique career opportunities. As the home to more than 2,000 international organisations and companies, it offers a wide range of internship possibilities and future career options. Flagship areas include ICT and communication, life tech, finance and law consulting, communications and media agencies, and creative industries.

VUB Education Delivers Strong Individuals, Critical Minds & World Citizens

Interactive and personal

Being a medium-sized university has its advantages. First of all, it allows frequent personal contact between students, professors and teaching assistants. This is part of a real direct contact culture that is well embedded within the university. Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to interact with each other through group assignments within the curriculum and through the various extracurricular activities.

Choice and flexibility

VUB offers a full range of programmes taught in English where the key concept is flexibility. A system of majors and minors enables students to plan and personalise their curriculum in a way that best meets their interests.

Guidance and service

It is important to VUB to help students familiarise themselves with university life and to provide good guidance. Educational counsellors and study advisers provide students with personalised study guidance on a range of topics. The International Relations office provides students with information on university life and facilitates their integration by organising cultural, social and sports activities with student associations. They also provide information on administrative aspects regarding living in Belgium.