Top Public Universities in Belgium

Public universities in Belgium are not fully free for most international students. Tuition fees are lower than many European countries, but students still pay yearly fees. Belgian and EU students pay less, while non-EU students pay more. Scholarships and financial aid can help reduce the cost of studying in Belgium.

Belgium is a good study option for international students who want quality education at low cost. The country has many top public universities in Belgium that are supported by the government. Because of this, tuition fees in Belgium are much lower when compared to countries like the UK or USA. Public universities focus more on learning, research, and skills, not only rankings.

Some well-known public universities in Belgium are KU Leuven, Ghent University, and UCLouvain. These universities are known for strong teaching and good research work. Many English-taught programs in Belgium are available, mainly for master courses and research degrees. This makes it easier for students who do not speak French or Dutch.

Public universities in Belgium follow the European education system. Bachelor degrees usually take three years. Master degrees take one or two years. Tuition fees for EU students are usually around €900 to €1,000 per year. Non-EU international students pay higher fees, mostly between €3,000 and €6,000 per year.

List of Top 10 Public Universities in Belgium

Belgium has many public universities that offer good education at low cost. These universities are known for research, English-taught programs, and global rankings. Many international students choose Belgium because tuition fees are affordable and degrees are accepted worldwide.

These public universities in Belgium are highly prefferred by Indian students for their STEM courses. They offer good ROI after completing the studies.

Details of Best Public Universities in Belgium

Public universities in Belgium are a good choice for international students who want quality education at low cost. These universities are funded by the government. Because of this, tuition fees are affordable compared to many other European countries. Most public universities offer English-taught programs, mainly at master level, and degrees are well accepted worldwide.

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven)

KU Leuven is the highest ranked public university in Belgium. It is ranked among the top universities in the world. The university was first founded in 1425. KU Leuven offers many English-taught programs for master and PhD level. It has a large number of international students from different countries.

• Top public university in Belgium

• Strong in engineering, science, business

• Many English-taught master programs

• Tuition fees: around €950 (EU), €3,000–€6,000 (non-EU)

• Large international student population

Ghent University

Ghent University is a well-known public university in Belgium. It was founded in 1817 and was the first Dutch-speaking university in the country. The university is strong in engineering, life sciences, and technology.

• Well-known public research university

• Strong in life sciences and engineering

• Offers many English programs

• Tuition fees similar to KU Leuven

• One of the largest universities in Belgium

UCLouvain

It is the largest French-speaking public university in Belgium. Louvain-la-Neuve is the main campus. Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics are the popular courses offerred by universities for Indian students.

• Largest French-speaking public university

• Popular for social sciences and business

• Campuses in multiple cities

• English-taught master courses available

• Affordable tuition fees for international students

Vrije Universiteit Brusse (VUB)

VUB is one of the top ranked public universities in Brussels, Belgium. Business & Management Studies, Science, Engineering, Humanities and Social Science, Medicine and Health Science, IT and Software, Law, Education, Mass Communication and Architecture are some of the popular courses offered by the university. These programs cost between INR 4 L - 7 L.

• 23% are international students
• Ranked #294 in the QS 2026 ranking
• Students from 140 different nationalities

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

ULB is the top university which offers courses in the IT & Software stream for a duration of 2 years. A key factor to consider at the time of shortlisting is the Free University of Brussels fees. The first-year tuition fee for MS is EUR 835 - 835. 

• Major French-speaking public university

• Known for science, medicine, humanities

• Located in Brussels

• Offers research-based degrees

• Low tuition fees compared to UK universities

University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is among the top universities in Belgium and globally category. The university is also one of the top-ranked universities in the world and it ranks #260 in the World University Ranking by QS in 2026. One can opt for any specialisation of Engineering, IT & Software, Medicine & Health Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences and Law.

• Modern public university

• Strong in business, economics, health

• Several English programs

• Student-friendly city

• Reasonable living cost

University of Liege

University of Liege is a public university in Belgium founded in 1817. The first-year tuition fee at University of Liege for MS is EUR 4,175 - 4,175. 

• Ranked 379 in the QS World University Rankings 2026
• Valid IELTS and TOEFL score is required
• The type of deadlines is regular
• Focus on engineering and applied science
• Good option for research students

Hasselt University

Hasselt University is a smaller public university in Belgium. The first-year tuition fee for graduate course is EUR 906 - 2,006. Hasselt University is ranked #597 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Hasselt has a strong international research network.

• Valid score in entrance or language exams Duolingo, IELTS and TOEFL is required
• Data science and IT are popular courses
• English-taught master degrees

• Small but growing public university

University of Mons

UMONS started in 2009 after two institutions joined together, the University of Mons-Hainaut and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons. The Faculty of Engineering is the oldest part of the university and was founded in 1837.

• Offers nearly 600 courses in 21 fields of education
• Almost 30,000 students study at University of Mons
• Computer science and engineering are the popular course
• Limited but useful English programs
• Good for technical studies

University of Namur

The University of Namur is a public French-speaking university in Belgium. It is strong in information technology, mathematics, and social sciences.

• Smaller public university

• Strong in IT, maths, social sciences

• More personal academic support

• Affordable tuition fees

• Suitable for focused study

Best Business & Management Universities in Belgium

Best Business & Management Universities in Belgium are known for strong teaching, practical courses, and good job value. Many public universities in Belgium offer business and management programs in English.

Top public universities for Business & Management in Belgium:

• KU Leuven

• Ghent University

• UCLouvain

• University of Antwerp

• Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Best Engineering Universities in Belgium

The top engineering universities in Belgium are popular choice of Indian students planning to study in Belgium. The fees to study engineering in Belgium are approximately €800 to €15,000 per year for international students

Top public universities for Engineering in Belgium:

• KU Leuven

• Ghent University

• Université de Liège

• University of Antwerp

• Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Best Law Universities in Belgium

Belgium is well known for law studies because of strong legal systems. Many courses are available in English at master level, with affordable fees.

Top public universities for Law in Belgium:

• KU Leuven

• UCLouvain

• Université libre de Bruxelles

• Ghent University

• University of Namur

Best Medicine Universities in Belgium

Belgium is a good option for medicine studies because of strong hospitals, research focus, and affordable fees. Most public universities in Belgium offer MBBS in French. So, Indian students who are planning to practice medicine in India need to check with the university. Apply only if the courses is offerred in English.

Top public universities for Medicine in Belgium:

• KU Leuven

• Ghent University

• UCLouvain

• Université libre de Bruxelles

• University of Antwerp

Best Computer Science Universities in Belgium

To study computer science in Belgium, international students have to pay around €1,100 to €9,000+ per year.

Top public universities for Computer Science in Belgium:

• KU Leuven

• Ghent University

• Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• University of Antwerp

• University of Mons

Public universities in Belgium offer high-quality education in English, Dutch and even French. This makes them top choices for international students. The fees are less and quality of education is very good. So, candidates should analyse the best university which fits their goal and apply for admission.