Vrije Universiteit Brussel

University of Amsterdam as well as the Vrije University Brussels are two well-known universities and great study abroad options for students. When it comes to rankings, Amsterdam University beats Vrije University with the rank #53 in QS World University Rankings for the year 2024. The latter has been ranked #259 in the same category. In US News & World Report University Rankings 2024, Amsterdam again has an upper hand with rank #39 in Best Global Universities. Whereas, Vrije is has been ranked at the spot #292 in this category.

Mentioned below is the comparison between both the universities on the basis of some other parameters that can help you choose the better university for you:

Vrije University Brussels is a top public university in Brussels, Belgium and students across the globe desire to study here. A usual day at VUB depends on the candidates choice of programme and their personal preference. However, studying in Vrije University is nonetheless very exciting and full of enjoyable moments.

• A day at VUB usually begins with classes. Students get to attend insightful lectures delivered by their professors. Else, they can also focus on their individual research during their free slot;
• Next, students get to enjoy their lunch at the cafeteria or they also opt to eat out;
• During evening hours, some students focus on their self studies, while the other indulge in some sort of extra co-curricular activity; and
• Students also enjoy their social life: hanging out with friends, healthy discussions, participating in fun activities together, and more.

Situated in the heart of Europe, Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Vrije University Brussels four campuses are located around the centre of Brussels, enabling students to enjoy the energy of a capital city on the one hand and to appreciate the quietness of the green and compact campuses on the other hand. The city is the political epicentre of the European Union and home to EU headquarters. The historical city is the crossroad of art and cultures. VUB's campus includes student accommodation, sports facilities, restaurants, modern computer rooms, a student bookshop, medical facilities, a university library, study guidance centre, located in a vibrant area full of shops and cafés. Also, VUB boasts state-of-the-art facilities on all its campuses. There are modern classrooms, high-tech laboratories, audio-visual labs, computer labs, seminar halls on the campuses. Besides academics, VUB is a centre for sports and cultural activities. The university boasts of sports facilities and auditoriums where athletic meets, music fests, dance, drama and other events are organized frequently. The university promotes cross-disciplinary participation in these extra-curricular activities.

Vrije Universiteit Brussels provides several scholarship oppotunities to their students which offer grants at different levels of study, from Bachelor to Academic staff, and in various regions, for long and short stays. The eligibility crieteria for a few scholarships at VUB are:

1) Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 4CITIES:

• EMJMD student scholarships can be offered to students from any region of the world, taking geographical balance into account. No more than 3 candidates from the same country (with the same nationality) should be awarded an EMJMD scholarship during the same intake.
• Student scholarship candidates who have already benefited from a JMD (joint master degree) scholarship or from an EMMC scholarship are not eligible for another scholarship in the framework of a JMD program.
• Furthermore, EMJMD scholarship holders cannot at the same time be beneficiaries of a grant for student or staff mobility in the framework of higher education credit mobility projects, and vice versa.
• Scholarship candidates must have already obtained a first higher education degree or demonstrate a recognised equivalent level of learning according to national legislation and practices.
• EMJMD students scholarships are awarded exclusively for full-time enrollment.
• Students holding an EMJMD scholarship must commit themselves to participate in the master’s programme in accordance with the terms defined by the consortium in the Student Agreement. Failure to do so could lead to the cancellation of the scholarship.

2) Erasmus + Key Action 1:

• Student type: Students regularly enrolled at VUB at Bachelor, Master and PhD students*

• Citizenship: All students regularly enrolled at VUB: Belgian nationals, EEA and non-EEA nationals

• Destinations: The Erasmus+ programme supports exchanges to EU and non-EU destinations. Available destinations depend on the inter institutional Erasmus+ agreement the VUB has in place with partner universities.

• Required degree: This differs per academic program, hence students are advised to have a look on the exchange specific pages on VUB's official website to find out which degree is required for an exchange adventure.

*PhD students can benefit from an Erasmus+ scholarship for non-EU destinations only.  PhD students going abroad for studies will be required to take a few courses at the host institution.

Yes, Vrije Universiteit Brussels provides several scholarship oppotunities to their students which offer grants at different levels of study, from Bachelor to Academic staff, and in various regions, for long and short stays. Some of the scholarships available for international students at VUB are:

1) Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 4Cities:

At VUB, approximately 20 Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) scholarships are offered each year. All students who apply for 4CITIES are automatically considered for a scholarship. EMJMD scholarships are good for two years (maximum 24 months) and provide the following:

• Full coverage of all participation fees:
  • 4500 EUR per year for Programme Country nationals
  • 9000 EUR per year for Partner Country nationals
• Subsistence costs:
  • 1000 EUR per month for both Programme and Partner Country nationals
• Travel & installation costs:
  • 2000 EUR per year plus one-time 1000 EUR for installation costs for Partner Country nationals whose main residence is less than 4000 km from the EMMC coordinating HEI (Brussels)
  • 3000 EUR per year plus one-time 1000 EUR for installation costs for Partner Country nationals whose main residence is located more than 4000 km from the EMMC coordinating HEI (Brussels)

2) Master Mind:

• Fixed amount: €9.600 per academic year

• Tuition fee waiver: Tuition fee is limited to amount paid by Flemish scholarship student.

• Duration (in months or weeks): Duration of the Master programme (if 2-year Master: second year conditional).

3) Scholarship for Masters of Science in Photonics Engineering:

Each year Vrije University Brussels grants several? full scholarships of 10,000 EUR per academic year? for the Master of Science in Photonics Engineering programme based on? excellence, technical knowledge and motivation. Every international student applying at VUB is eligible for these scholarships? no separate procedure must? be followed. Each scholarship amounts to 10,000 EUR per academic year covering the cost of living and studying in Brussels.

4) REI Scholarships:

REI Scholarships are granted for stays of at least one month in one of the 37 partner countries in Africa, Latin America or Asia. Candidates can always submit an application during the current academic year.

5) Erasmus + Key Action 1:

The EU programme 'Erasmus+ Key Action 1' offers individual students the opportunity to study abroad for a period of 3-12 months for studies or 2-12 months for a traineeship. Students can undertake this mobility at Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level for a max. total of 12 months per study cycle.