Studying in Belgium is a good chance for international students who want high-quality education in English. The best thing is that you don’t always need IELTS to apply. Many top universities in Belgium also accept other English tests like TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo.

Belgium is a great place for students who want to get a degree in Europe. It is the home of the EU and very famous for its history. Many students want to study in Belgium without IELTS because these tests are sometimes too hard or expensive. Yes, you can actually get admission in Belgium universities by using other ways to show you know English.
A lot of top universities in Belgium like Ghent University or the University of Antwerp let you apply if you have an English Proficiency Certificate. This is basically a letter from your old school saying you studied in English before. This is called a Medium of Instruction (MOI). Some schools might also ask for a quick Skype interview or a Duolingo English Test instead of the IELTS.
When you study in Europe, Belgium is a smart choice because the tuition fees are lower than the UK or USA. Also, the Belgium student visa process is clear if you have all your papers ready. You get to live in a place with great food and travel to other countries easily. It's a big chance to grow your career without stressing about a single English test.
- Education System in Belgium
- Top University in Belgium without IELTS 2026
- Eligibility to Study in Belgium
- Documents Required for Admission to Belgium Universities
- Scholarships in Belgium without IELTS
Education System in Belgium
Belgium is primarily made up of three communities and three regions. The education in the country is the responsibility of the Flemish, French and German-speaking communities. So even though the country has three national languages, Dutch, French and German, universities in Belgium use and accept English as their method of communication. Be it undergraduate studies, post-graduate degrees or a PhD – English is an accepted form of communication outside and inside of classrooms. However, candidates would need to establish their English language proficiency.
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Top University in Belgium without IELTS 2026
Mentioned below are the top universities in Belgium, along with their IELTS score and their TOEFL score requirements.
| Universities in Belgium |
QS World University Rankings 2026 |
|---|---|
| Leuven, Belgium Shiksha Grade: A++ |
60 |
| Ghent University Ghent, Belgium Shiksha Grade: A |
162 |
| Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium Shiksha Grade: B+ |
191 |
| Universite libre de Bruxelles Brussels, Belgium |
227 |
| Antwerp, Belgium Shiksha Grade: C |
280 |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Brussels, Belgium Shiksha Grade: C++ |
294 |
| Liège, Belgium Shiksha Grade: C+ |
379 |
| Diepenbeek, Belgium Shiksha Grade: C+ |
597 |
| University of Mons Mons, Belgium |
781-790 |
Eligibility to Study in Belgium
International students looking to study in Belgium must take the admission process seriously. The admission process across Belgium universities is time-consuming. Students must be careful with timelines, documents, test scores, etc. Given below is a step-by-step guide to the admission process of applying for and getting admission to Belgian universities:
- Candidates should start by selecting the course that they want to pursue
- Shortlist a few universities. Candidates can get in touch with our in-house counsellors for assistance on the same
- Know the eligibility criteria for your targeted course
- Make a list of exams that you need to appear for
- Prepare a study plan and be ready with your test scores well in advance
- SOP, essays, LOR, and other related documents
- Start your university application process
- Appear for the interview
- Track the application
- Accept the university offer letter or letter of admission
- Begin your Belgium Study Visa application process
- Make sure that you arrange for your accommodation beforehand. Contact your university if required
Documents Required for Admission to Belgium Universities
International students looking to study in Belgium must take their documentation process very seriously. Any laxity might lead to rejection of your application. Different universities have different eligibility criteria and documentation processes. However, we have provided a list of documents that are required for admission to Belgium universities:
- Filled application form
- Academic documents
- Degree certificates/ officially certified copies
- Academic Transcripts awarded by the main university
- Test scores of SAT/ GRE/ GMAT (as per the requirement)
- English language test reports
- Academic Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Admission Essays or Motivation Letters (as per the university requirements)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Financial documents
- Other relevant documents such as research proposals, work experience letters, etc. (as per the requirement of the university)
- Medical tests
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Scholarships in Belgium without IELTS
In this section, we are going to be talking about scholarships in Belgium without IELTS. One of the few drawbacks of studying abroad is the cost of studying in a foreign country. However, with scholarships and financial aid from various organizations, studying abroad has become an increasingly achievable dream for Indian students. Candidates can check out a comprehensive list of scholarships applicable across Belgium universities on our website.
Government of Belgium Scholarships
Every year, the Government of Belgium offers scholarships to students from developing countries to pursue a one-year specialized master’s degree programme or a 4 to 6-month advanced training course in any Belgian higher institution. International students can apply for the Government of Belgium Scholarship without IELTS and be offered a fully funded study place in a Belgian university.
Master Mind Scholarship
Funded by the Government of Flanders, a regional government of Belgium, the Master Mind Scholarship is offered to about 30 international students from all countries every year to study master’s programs in Flanders and Brussels. The scholarship covers the cost of accommodation, medical insurance, and tuition fee waiver, and includes a grant of €8200.
Erasmus Mundus Master's Scholarship
One of the most prestigious scholarships in Europe, the Erasmus Mundus Master's Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship administered by the European Union for various master’s and doctoral study programs in Europe. You can apply for the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship without IELTS to study in Belgium. The scholarship covers the living costs (€1100-€1200 per month), tuition fees, visa fees, travelling, and insurance costs of the students.
VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program
One of the most sought-after scholarship programs by international students, the VLIR-UOS scholarship is a fully funded scholarship offered to take care of the entire tuition charge, living expenses, airline tickets, and monthly grants of 31 international students every year to study at a Flemish university or college.
Global Minds Doctoral Scholarships
An initiative of KU Leuven, the Global Minds Doctoral Scholarships is to encourage collaborative research with experts from developing countries. PhD candidates from developing countries are offered the opportunity to do research at KU Leuven with all expenses paid. The scholarship generally covers a full tuition fee, a monthly stipend (€ 2,199 per month), medical insurance, airfare tickets, and a research allowance (€310 per month).
Note: The scholarship details may vary. It's better to cross-verify the information from the official website at the time of application.
Candidates can get in touch with us in the comments below. Students looking to study abroad can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with university admissions on our website.
Yes, definitely. Many Master's degrees are taught 100% in English. People in big cities like Brussels speak English well. But, finding a part-time job is easier if you learn a bit of French or Dutch later.
Yes, many Belgian universities now take the Duolingo English Test. It is much more easy and cheap than IELTS. Schools like University of Antwerp or VUB often accept it, but always check their website first.
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Mostly no, you still pay tuition fees. But, public schools are way cheaper than USA. To get free education, you need a fully funded scholarship like Master Mind. These cover your fees and living money too.