Belgium, renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant culture, beckons international students to fulfill their educational aspirations.
The country boasts a robust economy and is home to prestigious universities offering diverse academic programs, ranging from social sciences to engineering.
To support international scholars, Belgium extends a plethora of fully-funded scholarships covering tuition fees, travel expenses, and living costs.
Here’s an in-depth exploration of 10+ top scholarships in Belgium for international students.
ARES Scholarships
The Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES) scholarships targets international students from developing nations, offering support for master’s or PhD programs in Belgium. The scholarship includes monthly stipends of $1,000 for master’s and $1,500 for doctoral programs, alongside covering tuition and travel expenses.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
Funded by the European Union, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships cater to international students pursuing master’s degrees across Europe. Belgian universities such as Ghent University and KU Leuven participate in this program, providing full financial support for tuition, travel, and living expenses.
VLIR-UOS Scholarships
The Flemish Interuniversity Council University Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS) scholarships are aimed at students from developing countries pursuing master’s or PhD programs in Flanders. These scholarships offer comprehensive funding of up to $51,000 for master’s and $58,000 for doctoral studies.
Science@Leuven Scholarships
International students aspiring to pursue master’s programs at KU Leuven’s Faculty of Science can benefit from the Science@Leuven Scholarships, offering financial aid of $10,000 covering tuition and living expenses.
Belgian American Educational Foundation Fellowships
Available for master’s and PhD programs across all fields in Belgium, these fellowships provide substantial funding of up to $25,000 for master’s and $31,000 for doctoral studies, covering tuition fees and living expenses.
International Training Programmes Scholarships
Targeting fields related to development cooperation, these scholarships offer extensive support of up to $75,000 for master’s and $85,000 for PhD programs, encompassing tuition, travel, and living costs.
KU Leuven Global Minds Scholarships
Designed for master’s programs at KU Leuven, Global Minds Scholarships provide financial aid of $10,000 covering tuition and living expenses.
Université Catholique de Louvain Scholarships
International students pursuing master’s degrees at Université Catholique de Louvain can avail scholarships worth $9,500 covering tuition fees and living costs.
University of Ghent Scholarships
Similar to other institutions, the University of Ghent offers scholarships worth $11,000 for master’s programs, covering tuition fees and living expenses.
KU Leuven Science Scholarships
Focused on the Faculty of Science at KU Leuven, these scholarships provide financial support of $10,000 covering tuition and living expenses.
Ghent University Master Grants
Ghent University’s Master Grants offer financial aid of up to $13,000 for international students pursuing master’s degrees, covering tuition fees and living expenses.
Vlerick Business School Scholarships
Catering to business master’s programs, Vlerick Business School Scholarships provide funding of up to $26,000 covering tuition and living expenses.
Master Mind Scholarships
For master’s programs in Flanders, Master Mind Scholarships offer financial assistance of up to $11,000 covering tuition and living expenses.
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships
These scholarships support master’s degrees across all fields with funding of up to $60,000 covering tuition fees and living expenses.
Belgian Government Scholarships for Developing Countries
Targeted at master’s and PhD programs, these scholarships offer substantial funding of up to $19,000 for master’s and $27,000 for doctoral studies, covering tuition and living costs.
Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships
For international students pursuing PhD programs at Ghent University, these scholarships provide financial support of up to $27,000 covering tuition and living expenses.
Flanders-China Scholarship
Exclusively for Chinese students, these scholarships offer funding of up to $56,000 for master’s and $60,000 for PhD programs, covering tuition and living expenses.
ASEM-DUO Fellowship Program
Open to students from Asia and Europe, this program provides financial aid of up to $9,000 covering tuition and living expenses for master’s and PhD programs.
The Rotary Foundation Scholarships
Offering financial support of up to $30,000 for master’s and $50,000 for PhD programs, these scholarships cover tuition and living expenses across all fields of study.
University of Antwerp Master Mind Scholarships
For master’s programs at the University of Antwerp, Master Mind Scholarships provide funding of up to $11,000 covering tuition and living expenses.
FAQ: Applying for Scholarships in Belgium
1. How can I apply for these scholarships?
Each scholarship has specific application procedures outlined on their respective websites. Generally, applicants need to fulfill eligibility criteria, submit required documents, and complete an online application form.
2. Where can I find more information about these scholarships?
Detailed information about each scholarship, including eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and required documents, can be found on the official websites of the respective scholarship providers.
3. Are there any additional requirements for international students?
Some scholarships may require proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL scores), academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
4. When is the application deadline for these scholarships?
Application deadlines vary for each scholarship. It is recommended to check the official websites for specific deadlines and application timelines.
5. Can I apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously?
Yes, international students can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each scholarship.
How to Apply: Useful Links
- ARES Scholarships: Official Website
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: Official Website
- VLIR-UOS Scholarships: Official Website
- Science@Leuven Scholarships: Official Website
- Belgian American Educational Foundation Fellowships: Official Website
- International Training Programmes Scholarships: Official Website
- KU Leuven Global Minds Scholarships: Official Website
- Université Catholique de Louvain Scholarships: Official Website
- University of Ghent Scholarships: Official Website
- KU Leuven Science Scholarships
Final Thoughts
Belgium stands as an attractive destination for international students seeking top-notch education and ample scholarship opportunities.
The array of fully funded scholarships, covering tuition fees, travel expenses, and living costs, opens doors to a diverse range of academic pursuits across renowned Belgian universities.