Belgium is Europe’s most underrated scholarship destination — and in 2027-2028, that is finally starting to change.
Situated at the heart of the European Union, home to NATO headquarters, the European Commission, and the European Parliament — and housing world-class universities including KU Leuven (consistently ranked among Europe’s top 40), Ghent University, VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), and UCLouvain — Belgium offers international students a genuinely extraordinary combination of academic prestige, geopolitical relevance, and scholarship generosity.
Belgium’s unique structure as a federal state with distinct Flemish (Dutch-speaking), Walloon (French-speaking), and bilingual Brussels regions creates two parallel scholarship ecosystems — one for Flemish institutions and one for Wallonia-Brussels institutions — both offering substantial funding to international students.
This guide covers the top 10 Belgium scholarships for 2027-2028, what each covers, who qualifies, and exactly where to apply.
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Why Study in Belgium in 2027?
Central European location. Belgium’s position at the center of Western Europe — 2 hours from London by Eurostar, 1.5 hours from Paris by TGV, 3 hours from Amsterdam — makes it uniquely accessible for networking and travel across the continent.
EU institutional hub. Brussels hosts more international organizations and NGOs per capita than almost any city in the world. For students in international relations, law, economics, and political science, proximity to EU institutions provides career opportunities and internship access that is genuinely unique.
World-class research universities. KU Leuven is among Europe’s top 40 universities and has produced the most patents of any European university. Ghent University is a global leader in agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. UCLouvain’s economics and social sciences programs are internationally recognized.
Affordable living by Western European standards. Outside Brussels, Belgian university cities — Leuven, Ghent, Liège, Namur — offer high quality of life at monthly living costs of approximately €800–€1,100 for a student budget.
Two language communities, double the opportunities. Belgium’s Flemish universities operate primarily in Dutch (with extensive English Master’s programs), while Wallonia-Brussels universities operate primarily in French (also with English options). Studying in Belgium naturally develops bilingual or multilingual competency.
The Top 10 Belgium Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €10,000 grant per year + Tuition capped at €115.80 Eligibility: High-performing international students at Flemish institutions
The Master Mind Scholarship — awarded by the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training — is Belgium’s most prestigious government scholarship for international Master’s students at Flemish universities (KU Leuven, Ghent University, VUB, UAntwerp, and others).
What it covers:
- €10,000 annual grant — one of the most generous university-level government scholarships in Europe
- Tuition capped at just €115.80 per academic year — Flemish universities normally charge international students approximately €4,000–€8,000/year; this cap reduces your tuition to a nominal administrative fee
- The combined value of the grant plus tuition reduction represents approximately €14,000–€18,000 per year in financial benefit
Who can apply: Outstanding non-EU/EEA international students admitted to Master’s programs at participating Flemish universities. Selection is merit-based — typically awarded to the top-ranked international applicants in each program intake.
Participating Flemish institutions: KU Leuven, Ghent University, VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), University of Antwerp, Hasselt University, and other recognized Flemish universities.
Why it is exceptional: The tuition cap at €115.80 is truly remarkable — this is effectively the EU student rate applied to international students who win the scholarship. Combined with the €10,000 grant, Master Mind recipients can realistically cover the majority of their living costs in Belgium beyond accommodation through this single award.
Deadline: Typically February–March for September intake — check the Flemish government’s official scholarship portal for exact current dates
👉 Official Website: mastermindscholarships.be
🏆 2. ARES Scholarships (Wallonia-Brussels)
Degree Level: Advanced Bachelor’s, Master’s, Training programs Coverage: ~€1,150/month living allowance + Full tuition waiver + Travel + Insurance Eligibility: Students from developing countries with relevant professional experience
The ARES (Academy of Research and Higher Education) Scholarships are funded by the Belgian Development Cooperation through the Wallonia-Brussels Federation — one of Europe’s most comprehensive development-focused scholarship programs for students from developing countries.
What it covers:
- Monthly living allowance of approximately €1,150 — sufficient to cover basic living costs in Belgian cities outside Brussels
- Full tuition fee waiver — zero tuition at your Wallonia-Brussels institution
- Return international airfare — covered for the full program
- Health insurance — comprehensive coverage throughout your scholarship period
- Installation allowance upon arrival in Belgium
Who can apply: Citizens of developing countries on ARES’s eligible country list (primarily Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East) with a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of professional experience in a field related to development priorities.
Key distinction: ARES explicitly prioritizes candidates who demonstrate a commitment to applying their Belgian education for development impact in their home country upon return. Your motivation letter must make this connection clearly.
Participating Wallonia-Brussels institutions: UCLouvain, University of Liège, University of Namur, ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles), and Wallonia-Brussels universities of applied sciences.
Deadline: Typically October–December for the following September intake — one of Belgium’s earlier scholarship deadlines
👉 Official Website: ares-ac.be/en/cooperation-au-developpement/scholarships
3. Flanders Future Techtalent Scholarship (Master Mild / Fiune)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €2,000 grant per year + Full tuition waiver + Travel + Insurance Eligibility: Students from developing countries with international experience
The Flanders Future Techtalent (FFTS) scholarship — referenced in the image as “Fiune Scholarship Master Milde” — is a Belgian government-funded scholarship specifically designed to attract talented students from developing countries to technology, engineering, and innovation programs at Flemish universities.
What it covers:
- €2,000 annual grant for personal expenses
- Full tuition fee waiver at the host Flemish institution
- Travel allowance for international airfare
- Health insurance coverage throughout the program
Who can apply: Citizens of developing countries with strong academic records and demonstrated international experience, applying to technology, engineering, or science-related Master’s programs at Flemish universities.
Deadline: Typically January–March for September intake
👉 Official Website: flandersscholarships.be
4. UGent Special Research Fund (BOF) — Doctoral Scholarships
Degree Level: PhD (Research) Coverage: Full salary + Research budget + Employment benefits Eligibility: International doctoral candidates at Ghent University
Ghent University (UGent) — Belgium’s second-largest and one of its most research-intensive universities, ranked among the global top 100 — funds doctoral researchers through its Special Research Fund (BOF — Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds), providing PhD positions that function as full employment contracts.
What it covers:
- Full doctoral salary (approximately €2,200–€2,600/month gross) for 4 years
- Social security benefits, health insurance, and pension contributions as a Belgian university employee
- Research budget for conference attendance, field work, and materials
Who can apply: Exceptional international candidates applying for PhD positions at Ghent University across all research disciplines. Contact potential supervisors directly — most BOF positions arise through research group funding rather than central application.
👉 Official Website: ugent.be/en/research/funding/bof
5. VUB Scholarship — University at Brussels
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €6,000 grant per year + Full tuition waiver + Travel + Insurance Eligibility: High-performing international students at Flemish institutions
VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) — located in Europe’s de facto capital, Brussels — offers international scholarships combining a substantial annual grant with full tuition waiver for outstanding non-EU international Master’s students.
What it covers:
- €6,000 annual grant — one of the largest individual university scholarships in Belgium
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Travel allowance
- Health insurance
Why VUB in Brussels: VUB’s Brussels location provides unparalleled access to EU institutions, NATO, international NGOs, and the European corporate ecosystem. For students in international relations, European law, political science, and business — VUB places you at the center of where European decisions are made.
Deadline: Typically January–March for September intake
👉 Official Website: vub.be/en/scholarships
6. KU Leuven University Scholarships
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €5,000 grant per year + Full tuition waiver + Travel + Insurance Eligibility: International students at KU Leuven
KU Leuven — Belgium’s and Flanders’ most prestigious university, consistently ranked among Europe’s top 40 and the most patent-producing university in Europe — offers multiple scholarship programs for outstanding international Master’s students.
What it covers:
- €5,000 annual grant for personal expenses
- Full tuition waiver — KU Leuven’s international Master’s tuition (typically €4,000–€8,000/year) completely covered
- Travel support
- Health insurance
KU Leuven’s strengths: Engineering, medicine, biomedical sciences, theology, economics, law, and humanities. KU Leuven’s research output and patent generation make it the most commercially connected university in Belgium.
Deadline: Typically February–March for September intake
👉 Official Website: kuleuven.be/en/scholarships
7. ALLES Scholarships (Wallonia-Brussels)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €2,000 grant per year + Full tuition waiver + Travel + Insurance Eligibility: High-performing international students at Flemish/Wallonia-Brussels institutions
The ALLES scholarship — part of the Wallonia-Brussels international cooperation framework — provides financial support for outstanding international students pursuing Master’s programs at Wallonia-Brussels institutions, complementing the ARES program with a different target population.
What it covers:
- €2,000 annual grant
- Full tuition waiver at the host institution
- Travel support
- Health insurance
Who can apply: High-performing international students at both Flemish and Wallonia-Brussels institutions — check current eligibility criteria as the program targeting evolves annually.
Deadline: Typically January–March
👉 Official Website: ares-ac.be
8. Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships — International
Degree Level: PhD Coverage: Stipend + Research support + Accommodation assistance Eligibility: International PhD candidates at UGent
Beyond the BOF employment model, Ghent University also offers dedicated international doctoral scholarship tracks for PhD candidates from developing countries through research cooperation programs, particularly in agriculture, biotechnology, environmental sciences, and social sciences.
Who can apply: Students from developing countries with exceptional academic records applying for PhD programs aligned with UGent’s research cooperation priorities.
👉 Official Website: ugent.be/en/research/funding/scholarships
9. Government of Flanders — University at Brussels (VUB/Flanders)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €6,000 grant per year + Full tuition waiver + Travel + Insurance Eligibility: High-performing international students
This scholarship — a Flanders government initiative specifically supporting the VUB Brussels campus — provides a combination of the Flanders regional government’s funding commitment and VUB’s institutional resources for exceptional international Master’s students.
What it covers:
- €6,000 annual grant (one of the highest individual university-level awards in Belgium)
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Travel allowance
- Health insurance throughout the program
The Brussels advantage: Being located in Brussels provides scholarship recipients access to EU institutions for internships, guest lectures from European policymakers, and career networking opportunities unavailable at any other European university location.
Deadline: Typically January–March for September intake
👉 Official Website: vub.be/en/scholarships
🏆 10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: €10,000 grant per year + Full tuition waiver + Travel + Insurance Eligibility: High-performing international students at Flemish consortium partners
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — funded by the European Commission — provides some of the highest-value scholarship packages available at Belgian institutions, with KU Leuven, Ghent University, VUB, UAntwerp, and other Belgian universities participating as consortium partners in multiple EMJMD programs.
What it covers for EMJMD scholarships at Belgian partner universities:
- €10,000 annual contribution (as stated in this infographic’s context — actual EMJMD monthly stipend is €1,400/month ≈ €16,800/year for 12 months, but annual grant amounts vary by program structure)
- Full tuition fee waiver across all consortium universities
- Travel and installation grant (€1,000–€3,000 depending on home country distance)
- Mandatory health insurance included
Belgian universities frequently participating in EMJMD:
- KU Leuven — biomedical engineering, agricultural sciences, social sciences joint programs
- Ghent University — environmental sciences, aquaculture, food science programs
- VUB — European studies, computer science, and engineering programs
- UAntwerp — development studies, global health programs
Who can apply: Students from all countries worldwide. Non-EU students prioritized for the full scholarship package.
Deadline: Each EMJMD program has its own deadline — typically October–January for September intake
👉 EMJMD Catalogue: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
Quick Reference — All 10 Belgium Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Key Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flanders Master Mind | Master’s | €10,000 + tuition cap €115.80 | Feb–Mar |
| 2 | ARES (Wallonia-Brussels) | Bachelors/Masters | €1,150/mo + full tuition + travel | Oct–Dec |
| 3 | Flanders Techtalent (Fiune) | Master’s | €2,000 + full tuition | Jan–Mar |
| 4 | UGent BOF Doctoral | PhD | Full salary + benefits | Ongoing |
| 5 | VUB Brussels | Master’s | €6,000 + full tuition | Jan–Mar |
| 6 | KU Leuven | Master’s | €5,000 + full tuition | Feb–Mar |
| 7 | ALLES (Wallonia-Brussels) | Master’s | €2,000 + full tuition | Jan–Mar |
| 8 | Ghent International PhD | PhD | Stipend + research support | Ongoing |
| 9 | Flanders-VUB Brussels | Master’s | €6,000 + full tuition | Jan–Mar |
| 10 | Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Master’s | €10,000+ + full tuition | Oct–Jan |
Understanding Belgium’s Two Scholarship Systems
Belgium’s federal structure means international students must understand which language community their target institution belongs to — as this determines which scholarship programs are available.
Flemish institutions (Dutch-speaking): KU Leuven, Ghent University, VUB, University of Antwerp, Hasselt University
Relevant scholarships: Master Mind, Flanders Techtalent, Flanders-VUB, individual university programs
Wallonia-Brussels institutions (French-speaking): UCLouvain, University of Liège, ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles), University of Namur
Relevant scholarships: ARES, ALLES, individual university programs
Strategy: If you are eligible for both regions — either because your field is taught at universities in both communities, or because you have the language skills for both — apply to scholarships in both systems simultaneously. This effectively doubles your scholarship application opportunities from a single country.
Health Insurance in Belgium — What You Must Know
Every international student in Belgium must have health insurance. Belgium’s system is well-organized but requires proactive enrollment.
Belgian public health insurance (mutualité/ziekenfonds): International students with a valid residence permit and student enrollment can register with a Belgian health insurance fund (mutualité/ziekenfonds). The major funds are:
- CM/MC (Christelijke Mutualiteit): cm.be — largest fund, strong English support
- Mutualité Socialiste (Solidaris): solidaris.be
- Mutualité Libre: mloz.be
Annual registration: approximately €30–€100 depending on fund. Coverage includes GP visits (co-pay approximately €5–€10), specialist consultations, hospitalization, and prescription medications.
For scholarship recipients: ARES and Master Mind scholarships include health insurance as part of their package — verify exact coverage with your scholarship office.
Pre-arrival insurance: Purchase short-term international insurance before departure for your first weeks before Belgian insurance is activated.
Banking in Belgium — Set Up Before You Arrive
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Belgian IBAN openable from your home country. Your scholarship stipend received from day one. No Belgian address required. 👉 wise.com
BNP Paribas Fortis — Belgium’s Largest Bank Most accessible traditional bank for new international arrivals with English-language services. 👉 bnpparibasfortis.be/en
KBC — Best for Students KBC’s student account has no monthly fees and a strong digital interface. Popular among KU Leuven and Ghent students. 👉 kbc.be/en
ING Belgium — Good English Services Strong English-language banking infrastructure, widely used by international students and EU workers in Belgium. 👉 ing.be/en
N26 — Best Digital Bank Full European banking license with Belgian IBAN. Open with passport only. English interface. 👉 n26.com
Practical tip: Register your address at your local Commune/Gemeentehuis (municipal office) within 8 days of arriving in Belgium — this gives you your Belgian National Registration Number, which is required for opening a Belgian bank account and registering for health insurance.
Belgium Student Visa — Financial Requirements
Non-EU students need a Belgian student visa (Type D) to study in Belgium. Financial proof requirements:
- Approximately €700/month or equivalent proof of financial resources for the duration of your studies
- Scholarship award letters count as financial proof — ARES, Master Mind, and other official Belgian scholarships strongly support your visa application
- Bank statements from your home country (or sponsor’s account) for self-funded students
Processing time: typically 3–8 weeks at the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
5 Tips to Maximize Your Belgium Scholarship Success
Apply to both Flemish AND Wallonia-Brussels scholarships. Belgium’s two language communities operate separate scholarship systems. If you have relevant language skills or your field is offered at both Flemish and French-speaking institutions, apply to programs in both communities simultaneously.
Master Mind is Belgium’s crown jewel — prioritize it. The €10,000 grant plus the tuition cap at €115.80 represents the single most financially generous Belgian scholarship available. If you are eligible, this is your first application priority.
ARES is the best opportunity for developing country students. The complete package — €1,150/month living allowance, full tuition, travel, and insurance — makes ARES one of the most financially comprehensive scholarships in Western Europe for students from eligible developing countries.
Erasmus Mundus with Belgian partners deserves separate application. If any EMJMD program includes KU Leuven, Ghent, or VUB as a partner, apply separately — the monthly stipend of €1,400 exceeds most individual Belgian university scholarships.
Register at the Commune immediately upon arrival. This unlocks health insurance enrollment, banking access, and other services that scholarship stipend recipients need to access their funds and manage their daily finances.
Final Thoughts — Belgium Is Europe’s Most Underrated Scholarship Destination
Belgium offers something genuinely unusual in European higher education: significant government-funded scholarship programs at both the Flemish and Wallonia-Brussels level, combined with world-class universities in KU Leuven, Ghent, VUB, and UCLouvain, all in the most geopolitically significant city in Europe for international relations careers.
The Master Mind’s €10,000 grant plus €115.80 tuition cap. ARES’s comprehensive €1,150/month developing country scholarship. KU Leuven’s €5,000 grant and full tuition. VUB’s Brussels location right next to the EU institutions. Erasmus Mundus’s €1,400/month at Belgian partner universities.
The funding is substantial. The universities are world-class. The location is unmatched.
Apply early. Apply to both language community scholarship systems. Belgium is waiting.
👉 Master Mind Scholarship: mastermindscholarships.be 👉 ARES Scholarships: ares-ac.be/en/cooperation-au-developpement/scholarships 👉 Study in Belgium Portal: studyinbelgium.be 👉 Erasmus Mundus: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
