Unbeknownst to many, Belgium has several scholarship programs for overseas students, particularly those from developing nations. In the spirit of development cooperation, the Belgian government gives scholarships to international students who aspire to continue their education in Belgium.
Introduction
Belgium is a beautiful country in Europe that is known for its long history, delicious chocolate, and beautiful scenery. It also has a great chance for international students. Through its grant programs, the Belgian government has let students from all over the world come and study there. In this piece, we’ll go into detail about the Belgian Government Scholarships for International Students and tell you everything you need to know to take advantage of them.
Types of Scholarships
There are a lot of different kinds of Belgian Government Scholarships that fit different school goals and needs. Most of the time, these grants fall into three main groups:
- Master’s Scholarships: These grants are for students in Belgium who want to get a Master’s degree. They pay for education, living costs, and sometimes travel costs as well.
- Ph.D. Scholarships: These scholarships are for people who are trying to get their doctorate. They help with study and give money to Ph.D. students.
- Short Training Courses: Belgium also gives scholarships to professionals and researchers who want to take short classes to improve their skills and knowledge.
Read More: Fully Funded Cross-Cultural Exchange Program in Germany 2024
Details About Belgian Government Scholarships for International Students
VLIR-UOS Master’s Degree Training and Scholarships:
VLIR-UOS grants scholarships to students from designated developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America so that they may study a Training or Master’s Programme relevant to development at Belgian universities. The scholarships include tuition, housing, stipend, travel, and other program-related expenses.
Institution Host:
Participating in Flemish universities or colleges in Belgium
Study areas/Programs:
15 ICP Master’s programs from Belgian Universities Participating
The number of Awards:
Each Master’s program provides ten scholarships.
Target Audience:
Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroun, Cuba, DR Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guinee, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Palestina, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe
Scholarship value, benefits, and duration:
VLIR-UOS exclusively awards full scholarships for the entire period (12/24 months) of the Master’s Programme. The awards include tuition, transportation, insurance, and living expenses (board and lodging).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Nationality and residence: Candidates must be nationals of one of the 29 eligible countries and residents of one of these countries (not necessarily the same country) at the time of application.
- Age: On January 1 of the year of admission, candidates must be no older than 35 for an initial master’s degree and 45 for an advanced master’s degree.
- Professional background and experience: Candidates employed in higher education, government, or civil society, or those pursuing a career in one of these sectors, will be given preference. Candidates with no job experience or who are engaged in the private sector may also be considered provided their motivation and profile are compelling.
- Candidates may only submit one ICP Connect scholarship application year.
- Candidates must not have received a scholarship from the Belgian government to undertake a study course and must not have enrolled in a study program at a Belgian higher education institution prior to January 1 of the year of entry.
Benefits of Belgian Government Scholarships for International Students
- Financial Assistance: These scholarships generally provide coverage for living expenses, travel costs, and tuition fees, thereby reducing the financial burden on international students studying in Belgium.
- Quality Education: The prestigious universities and high-quality education system of Belgium are well-known. Scholarships provided by the government grant access to this high-quality education to international students.
- A Wide Spectrum of Programmes: Scholarships offered by the Belgian Government cater to a diverse array of academic disciplines and degree levels, spanning from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. These opportunities empower students to actively pursue their academic passions.
- Research Opportunities: A considerable number of scholarships provide access to postgraduate research degrees, apprenticeships, and research projects, enabling recipients to collaborate with pioneering scholars and make significant contributions to the forefront of their discipline.
- Cultural Exchange: The opportunity to study in Belgium affords international students the chance to develop a global perspective, interact with students from various origins, and fully immerse themselves in Belgian culture.
- Language Proficiency: Belgium, being a multilingual nation, recognizes Dutch, French, and German as official languages. The opportunity to study in Belgium provides foreign students with the means to enhance their linguistic proficiency, thereby potentially expanding their career prospects and cultural knowledge.
- Prospects for Networking: By studying in Belgium, pupils have the opportunity to establish a worldwide network of contacts, comprising academics, peers, and industry experts. This network may prove to be advantageous in terms of prospective employment prospects.
- Global Recognition: Degrees conferred by Belgian universities enjoy widespread international recognition and esteem, bolstering the professional opportunities and credentials of their recipients not only within Belgium but also on an international scale.
- Career Development: Scholarships from the Belgian Government assist international students in acquiring the knowledge and abilities necessary for success in academia, industry, or the public sector, according to their chosen career path.
- Contribution to Development: Scholarships awarded by the Belgian Government are designed to cultivate collaboration and long-lasting partnerships between Belgium and other nations, thereby promoting mutual understanding and global development.
Application Instructions
Master Mind Scholarships from the Government of Flanders for International Students:
Master Mind Scholarships is a new scholarship program launched by the Government of Flanders to encourage the globalization of Flemish Higher Education. Up to 35 scholarships are awarded to outstanding Master’s students from all nations. A grant of up to 7,500 Euros per academic year is awarded to the new student. The Flemish Host Institution may charge the applicant a maximum annual tuition of 100 Euros.
Institution Host:
Universities
KU Leuven / University of Leuven:
University of Antwerp University of Ghent University of Hasselt Free University of Brussels
Colleges of higher education (Arts and Nautical Sciences):
Artesis Plantijn University College Antwerp
Erasmus Brussels HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts The KdG University of Applied Sciences and the Arts LUCA School of Arts PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts LUCA University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Degree/Subject of Study:
Eligible Master’s Degree Programs are offered by participating Flemish institutions, excluding preparatory, bridge, and online learning programs.
The number of honors:
30
Target Audience:
Students from all nations are included in this category. There are a handful of scholarships earmarked for students from Japan (3), Mexico (3), Palestine (2), and the United States (5).
Scholarship value and length:
A Master Mind Scholarship comprises an annual stipend of €8,400 and is free of tuition fees. Master Mind Scholarship recipients pay only a nominal enrollment cost. For 2022/23, the Flemish Host Institution may charge the applicant a maximum tuition price of €115.80 per year.
The duration of mobility is one academic year for a master’s degree program with 60 ECTS and two academic years for a master’s degree program with 120 ECTS.
Eligibility:
- The applicant wishes to enroll in a Master’s degree program at a Flemish higher education institution (henceforth “Flemish host institution”).
- The applicant must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement and/or potential. The student’s Grade Point Average is 3.50 out of a possible 4.
- The student has excellent English language skills (please check the official website for the specific requirements)
- To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must be admitted to the Host institution. This criterion applies even if the Host school decides to accept the student after the Master Mind Scholarships program has been selected.
- The candidate may only be nominated by one Flemish institution of higher education. If the applicant has been preselected by more than one Flemish higher education institution, he/she must choose one to submit his/her application through the Mobility Online tool.
- All nations are welcome to apply. The preceding degree must have been earned at an institution of higher learning outside of Flanders.
- Students enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution are ineligible to apply.
- View the complete eligibility requirements on the official website (link found below).
Application Instructions
Conclusion
Scholarships from the Belgian government for international students can lead to a wide range of academic and cultural possibilities. Belgium is a great place for people who want to study more because they can get financial help and a high-quality education there. So, if you want to learn more about the world and see how beautiful Belgium is, don’t miss the chance to apply for one of these grants.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Who is eligible for Belgian Government Scholarships?
Different things can make you eligible, but in general, you need to do well in school. Language skills and meeting application dates are also very important.
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What does the application process involve?
In order to apply for a scholarship, you have to find out what scholarships are available, get the papers you need, fill out an online application, and go through a selection process.
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Does Belgium need IELTS?
The TOEFL or IELTS certificate is accepted, and the required score depends on the university you have applied to. Some universities may ask for a higher score than others. The only university in Belgium that does not require language proficiency is Ghent University, a public university.
