Higher Education in Belgium

Study Abroad Belgium. Higher education is provided in both universities and non-university institutions, mainly the Hautes Ecoles, which include long cycle and short cycle studies. The Instituts supérieurs d'Architecture provide long cycles only. University studies and long cycle studies are of the same level.  Article 24 of the Belgian Constitution lays down the principle of the freedom of teaching and provides for the existence of state-organized teaching. Within this constitutional framework, two networks of institutions of higher education have developed extensively: public institutions set up by the state and administered by the (linguistic) communities, or by the provincial or municipal authorities, and private institutions of which the majority are denominational (Roman Catholic). Private higher education is of considerable importance: it takes place either in religious institutions or in civic institutions. The community is responsible for official education. Private institutions of higher education receive financial aid from the state, subject to certain conditions.

Languages of instruction: French

Belgium (Flemish Community)

School education:

Higher education comprises university and non-university institutions (Hogescholen); transfer from one type to another is possible. Entrance examinations exist only for Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering -Architecture, Dental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Nautical Sciences and Fine Arts. Higher non-university education offers both short-term (one cycle), three-year study courses and long-term (two-cycle) four-to five-year study courses of academic level. There are 24 hogescholen and 6 universities. University education takes four, five, six or seven years, depending on the discipline. In addition, hogescholen and universities offer postgraduate (advanced, supplementary or specialized) training programmes. Courses at postgraduate level are also organized at postgraduate training institutions, three of which are recognized by the Flemish government: Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde and Instituut voor ontwikkelingsbeleid en-beheer.

Languages of instruction: Dutch, English