A master's in Belgium takes one or two years (60 or 120 ECTS), and this is the level where international students find the most English-taught programmes: KU Leuven alone offers 75. Admission is based on a bachelor's in a related field and a B2 language certificate; entrance exams are rare. For 2026/27, French-speaking universities charge non-EU students $6,100 (€5,369) a year, $2,610 or $8,040 (€2,297.40 or €7,079.40) at Ghent University depending on the faculty, and $1,340–10,780 (€1,181.40–9,493.92) at KU Leuven, depending on the programme. Applicants who need a visa usually apply between late March and early May at the latest.
Below: how Belgian master's programmes are structured, what universities look for in your degree, documents and deadlines, costs, and the scholarships open to applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries. Institutions are compared in universities in Belgium, and general steps are in applying to Belgian universities.
Types of master's programmes
| Type | Credits | For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's degree | 60 or 120 ECTS | bachelor's graduates in a related field | the standard option; most French-speaking master's programmes are 120 ECTS |
| Advanced master's (master de spécialisation) | 60–120 ECTS | holders of a master's degree | specialised, often linked to the university's strongest research areas; fees may differ |
| Erasmus Mundus joint master's | usually 60–120 ECTS | bachelor's graduates | study in several EU countries, competitive scholarships |
| MBA and business school programmes | varies | experienced professionals | fees may differ from the standard rate and are stated in the enrolment authorisation or contract |
In the French-speaking system most master's programmes last two years (120 ECTS), though one-year 60-ECTS programmes exist. Flanders offers both formats. The length is on each programme page and drives your budget directly.
Where to study in English
Flanders offers more English-taught master's programmes than French-speaking Belgium; Study in Flanders states that most English-taught programmes at Flemish institutions are master's. At French-speaking universities some master's are taught in English or bilingually, but most are in French.
A few examples show how fees and deadlines vary:
| Programme | Institution | Credits and language | Non-EEA fee, 2026/27 | Non-EEA deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation Sciences | UHasselt | 120 ECTS, English | $4,430 (€3,899.40) a year | 1 May |
| UGent master's programmes | UGent | mostly English | $2,610 (€2,297.40) in Arts and Philosophy, Law and Criminology, Psychology and Educational Sciences; $8,040 (€7,079.40) in other faculties; some inter-university programmes have their own fee | 1 April |
| KU Leuven English-taught programmes | KU Leuven | 60–120 ECTS | $3,510, $6,370 or $10,780 a year per the fee calculator; a few programmes charge everyone the EEA rate of $1,340 | set per programme |
| Master's at a French-speaking university | ULB, UCLouvain, ULiège, UMONS, UNamur | mostly French | $6,100 (€5,369) a year | usually 31 March |
What universities check in your bachelor's degree
A separate recognition procedure is usually not needed: the university assesses your background itself, looking at three things.
- Field. Your bachelor's must be in the same or a related field. French-speaking institutions explicitly require a 180-ECTS first-cycle degree in a similar area.
- Course content. The admissions board compares your transcript with the programme's required foundations; for an economics programme, for example, this may be mathematics. If something is missing, you may be offered a preparatory or bridging programme instead of direct admission.
- Grades. Minimum grades are not always published, but they matter for competitive programmes and scholarships: UHasselt's Transportation Sciences looks for an average of 75% (CGPA 3.0 out of 4), and Master Mind requires a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.
A Russian bachelor's lasts four years and a Belgian one three, so the length of your degree is not an obstacle; field match and grades are what usually decide. At Ghent University your degree is authenticated through Qualification Check before assessment. French-speaking institutions sometimes want an ENIC-NARIC statement on your degree level, which costs $79 (€70).
Language
- English. Usually B2: the Study in Flanders guideline is IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 72–94; at French-speaking institutions the minimum score is set on the programme page. Programmes may ask for more: UHasselt's Transportation Sciences wants IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79, and Master Mind requires IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 94.
- French. B2 via DELF, DALF, TCF or TEF for a French-taught master's; C1 for teaching master's.
- Dutch. B2 for Dutch-taught programmes, C1 for some.
Some programmes waive the test for graduates of English-taught bachelor's programmes, but this is at the university's discretion and a certificate is often still preferred. UHasselt, for example, allows such waivers but gives preference to candidates with CAE, IELTS or TOEFL results.
Documents and the motivation letter
A typical master's application includes:
- bachelor's degree with transcript, or a current enrolment certificate if the degree is not yet issued;
- translations into English, French or Dutch where needed;
- a language certificate;
- a CV;
- a motivation letter;
- reference letters if the programme requires them;
- GMAT or GRE results for some business and economics programmes.
The motivation letter is not a formality. UHasselt, for instance, states that it is compulsory and that the exam board weighs motivation alongside your degree, grades and language level.
Deadlines for 2027/28
Universities publish 2027/28 dates in autumn 2026; the 2026/27 cycle gives these reference points:
- from November–December, online applications open at Flemish institutions;
- by 31 March, French-speaking universities for non-EU applicants (Study in Belgium recommends applying between February and 31 March);
- by 31 March, WBI MASTER IN grant applications through the institution;
- by 1 April, UGent for everyone who needs a visa;
- by 1 May, some programmes such as UHasselt's Transportation Sciences;
- per programme at KU Leuven, where English-taught programmes set their own deadlines and Dutch-taught ones close for non-EEA applicants on 1 February.
After admission comes the D visa; allow from two weeks to several months. See our Belgium student visa guide.
What a master's costs
| Programme | Whole programme, tuition only |
|---|---|
| French-speaking university, 120 ECTS | $12,190 (€10,738) |
| UGent, 60 ECTS, rate A or B | $2,610 or $8,040 (€2,297.40 or €7,079.40) |
| UGent, 120 ECTS, rate A or B | $5,220 or $16,080 (€4,594.80 or €14,158.80) |
| UHasselt, Transportation Sciences, 120 ECTS | $8,860 (€7,798.80) |
| KU Leuven, 120 ECTS at the top rate | $21,560 (€18,987.84) |
Add living costs: the official portals suggest $910–1,140 (€800–1,000) a month in Flanders and Brussels and $1,140–1,480 (€1,000–1,300) in French-speaking Belgium. For the visa you must show $14,470 (€12,744) for the year. A full budget with one-off fees is in our cost of studying in Belgium guide.
Scholarships for master's students
| Scholarship | Amount | Open to CIS nationals? |
|---|---|---|
| Master Mind (Flemish government) | $11,610 (€10,225) a year plus a tuition waiver | not to Russian nationals; other nationalities yes, but the 2026/27 call is closed and the scheme is under review for 2027/28 |
| MASTER IN (WBI, French-speaking institutions) | $11,380 (€10,020) for the year in 12 instalments; Immigration Office fee exemption, insurance | no nationality restriction; degree no older than five years and admission required |
| Erasmus Mundus | full scholarship for a joint programme | open to candidates worldwide |
| University scholarships | varies | each university sets its own terms |
Even a large grant rarely covers everything: WBI warns that its payments do not cover a full academic year and holders must add their own funds.
Work and career after the master's
Part-time work is allowed during your master's: up to 20 hours a week in semesters and without an hours cap in the holidays. For life in the country, see studying in Belgium. After graduation you can obtain a 12-month orientation year permit to look for work or start a business. After that, the next step is a single permit for work and residence, arranged with an employer, or a PhD under the rules of a specific university.
Common mistakes
- Judging by the programme title rather than the curriculum. Two "Business Economics" master's at different universities can require different foundations.
- Confusing master's and advanced master's. An advanced master's requires a completed master's degree.
- Applying after 1 April. Many programmes have closed visa applicants' admissions by then.
- Counting on Master Mind with a Russian passport. The rules explicitly exclude Russian nationals.
- Underestimating the motivation letter. Boards read it and may turn down a strong candidate whose motivation is unclear.
FAQ
Yes. The university assesses your degree, transcript and field match itself; a separate recognition procedure is usually unnecessary. If your background is incomplete, it may offer a bridging or preparatory programme before the master's.
Not for most programmes. Some business and economics programmes, especially competitive ones, require them, and the programme page says so. If you need one, allow two to three months to prepare and sit the test before the deadline.
Yes. There is no central system, so each university assesses your application separately. Budget for fees — UCLouvain and ULiège charge non-EU applicants $230 (€200) per file and KU Leuven $100 (€90) per application — and track different deadlines, from 1 February to 1 May. For the visa you only need the admission letter from the university you choose.
Not as a Russian or Kazakh citizen. Scholarships can reduce the cost: WBI's MASTER IN, worth $11,380 (€10,020) for the year, has no nationality restriction, while Master Mind excludes Russian nationals but is open to other CIS citizens.
One or two years: 60 or 120 ECTS. Most French-speaking master's programmes are two years; Flanders offers both formats. An advanced master's after a first master's degree is 60–120 ECTS.
Yes, graduates can get a 12-month residence permit to look for work or start a business. After that you need a work-based or other residence permit; the single permit for work and residence is arranged with an employer.
Sources
- Study in Flanders: Flemish higher education and master's types, admission requirements, scholarships, orientation year — checked 29.09.2026
- Study in Flanders: Master Mind and eligibility — checked 29.09.2026
- Study in Belgium: master's admission, ECTS and ENIC-NARIC, French-speaking universities, registration fees — checked 29.09.2026
- Study in Belgium: MASTER IN — WBI, financial terms, scholarship list — checked 29.09.2026
- KU Leuven: choose your programme, 2026/27 rates, how to apply — checked 29.09.2026
- UGent: master's fees 2026/27, deadlines and Qualification Check — checked 29.09.2026
- UHasselt: Master of Transportation Sciences — checked 29.09.2026
- UCLouvain: application fee, ULiège: non-EU admission — checked 29.09.2026
- Converted at the ECB reference rate of 29.09.2026 (€1 = $1.1355); small sums under $100 to the dollar, the rest to the nearest $10.
Master's programme shortlisting, degree requirement checks and preparation of applications and motivation letters are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is decided by the university, scholarships by the funder or university, and visas by the Belgian consulate and the Immigration Office.
Next steps
- Applying to Belgian Universities: Steps, Documents and Deadlines for International Students
- Cost of Studying in Belgium in 2026/27: Tuition, Living Costs and a First-Year Budget
- Belgium Student Visa: Documents, Fees and Application Steps
- Universities in Belgium for International Students: Full List, Languages and 2026/27 Fees
- Studying in Belgium for international applicants
- Bachelor's Degree in Belgium for International Students: Admission After School, Language and Cost
