Belgian Education System and Requirements for Studyi... | 2026

Belgian Education System and Requirements for Studying in Belgium

The education system in Belgium consists of 3 different communities speaking French, German and Dutch, which are the official languages of Belgium. The 3 different communities speaking the 3 different official languages in Belgium have different education systems. Although the Belgian government does not interfere with the education systems of these communities to a large extent, it is responsible for providing financial resources to these communities and determining and implementing general rules such as the age of compulsory education and the duration of compulsory education.

Education in Belgium is compulsory from age 6 to age 18. The languages of education in Belgium are French, German and Dutch. According to the PISA tests conducted by the OECD, the Belgian education system ranked 15th among 65 countries and economies in the ranking of education systems in 2012, 20th among 72 countries and economies in 2015 and 22nd among 78 countries and economies in 2018.

What Types of Schools Are There in Belgium?

There are three different types of schools in Belgium.

The types of schools found in Belgium are listed below.

State and municipal public schools
State-supported schools
Community schools

What are the Education Stages in Belgium?

The education system in Belgium consists of 4 general stages. The first 3 stages of education in Belgium are compulsory, and the last stage, undergraduate and postgraduate education, is not compulsory.

The stages of education in Belgium are listed below in order.

Pre-school education in Belgium (lasts until age 6)
Primary school education in Belgium (lasts between the ages of 6 and 12)
Secondary education in Belgium (lasts between the ages of 12 and 18)
Associate, undergraduate and postgraduate education in Belgium

What is the pre-school education system like in Belgium?

In Belgium, preschool education generally lasts from the ages of 2-2.5 to 6. In Belgium, children between the ages of 2 and 3 are educated together and children between the ages of 4 and 5-5 are educated together. Preschool education in Belgium is not compulsory by the Belgian government, but the rate of parents who prefer preschool education in Belgium is 98%.

The aim of pre-school education in Belgium is to prepare children for school education, which will begin at the age of 6. The aim of pre-school education in Belgium is to instill in children the ability to express themselves, creativity, independence from their families and learning skills, mostly through games.

In Belgium, pre-school education is free for every child between the ages of 2 and 6.

What is the Primary School Education System Like in Belgium?

In the Belgian education system, the primary and secondary school systems are planned as two complementary parts, primary and secondary education. In Belgium, children who complete preschool education continue their primary school education for 6 years. In Belgian primary school education, education such as social sciences, mathematics and foreign language education is provided. In Belgian primary school education, annual holidays are applied at certain intervals.

What is the Secondary School Education System Like in Belgium?

In Belgium, students who complete primary school education, which is 6 years of primary education, proceed to secondary education, which is 6 years of secondary education. Although attendance at secondary school is compulsory in Belgium, students who successfully complete the first two years of secondary school education can continue their secondary school education in Belgium part-time after the age of 16. Students who successfully complete secondary school education in Belgium can continue their university education.

What are the Types of Secondary Education in Belgium?

In Belgium, there are different types of secondary education for students who will receive secondary education after completing primary school education. In Belgium, students can choose secondary education types according to the professions they want to do in the future or the fields they are interested in.

The types of secondary school education in Belgium are listed below.

General Secondary Education in Belgium : In general secondary education in Belgium, students are prepared for undergraduate and postgraduate education after secondary education with theoretical and general knowledge. Students are expected to continue higher education after completing their six-year secondary education.
Technical Secondary Education in Belgium : In technical secondary education in Belgium, students take mostly practical courses and are prepared for the professions they want to do in the future or for undergraduate education that provides training related to these professions.
Vocational Secondary Education in Belgium : In vocational secondary education in Belgium, mainly applied vocational courses are taught. In vocational secondary education in Belgium, students can directly practice their professions after completing their secondary school education.
Secondary Art Education in Belgium : Secondary art education in Belgium consists of mostly applied courses, similar to technical secondary education. In secondary art education in Belgium, students can choose the art branch they are interested in and can easily continue their undergraduate education in the same field after their secondary school education in this art branch.

What is the Higher Education System Like in Belgium?

In Belgium, each university determines its own conditions. Some universities also organize student selection exams for departments such as medicine, dentistry, mechanical engineering. There are no general selection and placement exams in Belgium. Students who have successfully completed primary and secondary education and who meet the requirements required by universities for student admission have the right to apply to universities in person.

Although the official languages in Belgium are French, German and Dutch, courses at Belgian universities are mostly given in English. Undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas received from Belgian universities are valid in many European and non-European countries.

What are the Best Schools in Belgium?

Belgium is home to universities that are ranked among the best in the world. Belgian universities have international recognition and provide their students with diplomas that are valid in many countries.

The best schools in Belgium with international recognition are listed below.

Catholic University of Leuven : It is ranked 1st among the best Belgian universities and 48th among the best universities in the world.
Ghent University : It is ranked 2nd among the best Belgian universities and 85th among the best universities in the world.
University Catholique of Louvain : It is ranked 3rd among the best Belgian universities and 148th among the best universities in the world.
Institute for European Studies - Université Libre de Bruxelles : It is ranked 4th among the best Belgian universities and 202nd among the best universities in the world.
University of Antwerp : It is ranked 5th among the best Belgian universities and 212th among the best universities in the world.
Free University of Brussels : It is ranked 6th among the best Belgian universities and 271st among the best universities in the world.
University of Liège : It is ranked 7th among the best Belgian universities and 370th among the best universities in the world.
University of Mons : It is ranked 8th among the best Belgian universities and 618th among the best universities in the world.
Hasselt University : It is ranked 9th among the best Belgian universities and 826th among the best universities in the world.

What Education Can Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye Receive in Belgium?

In Belgium, foreign nationals can participate in undergraduate education, postgraduate education, language education and courses that require full-time attendance. In order to receive undergraduate and postgraduate education in Belgium, an invitation letter must be sent on behalf of the student from the Belgian educational institution where the education is desired. Students with an invitation letter can receive undergraduate and postgraduate education with the necessary visa applications.

Individuals who do not know French, Dutch and German, which are the official languages in Belgium, can study in universities in Belgium that offer education in English .

The trainings that citizens of the Republic of Türkiye can receive in Belgium are listed below.

Undergraduate education in Belgium
Postgraduate education in Belgium
Doctoral education in Belgium
Study internship in Belgium
Language education in Belgium

Can I Get Vocational Training in Belgium?

In Belgium, individuals who receive an invitation letter from one of the Belgian educational institutions can receive short-term and long-term vocational training after completing their visa procedures.

Can I Get English Language Education in Belgium?

Citizens of the Republic of Turkey can receive English language education in Belgium. The average prices of language courses in Belgium are more affordable for citizens of European Union countries. The average annual language course fee in Belgium for individuals who are not citizens of European Union countries is between €4000-€4500.

In Belgium, the average monthly tuition fee for a student varies between 700-1000€. Belgium ceran language schools provide education in English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. Belgium ceran language school prices start from 3000€ per week for the beginner level.

Can I Work While Studying in Belgium?

In order to work while studying in Belgium, it is necessary to be accepted to a full-time education program that lasts longer than 3 months.

Individuals who will study full-time in Belgium for more than 3 months can obtain a Belgian D type visa, which provides long-term residence in Belgium. For foreign nationals who are not Belgian citizens, the working hours in Belgium are limited to 20 hours per week. Students who work more than 20 hours per week in Belgium may experience problems with their visas if they are detected by the Belgian Immigration Office.

What are the requirements to study in Belgium?

In order to study in Belgium, an invitation letter must be received from a Belgian educational institution. If the period of study in Belgium covers more than 3 months, individuals who will study must apply for a Belgian D type visa . A visa application can be made by submitting the required documents completely and correctly.

What is the Cost of Education Consultancy in Belgium?

Belgian education consultancy fees vary between €160 and €700 depending on the type of education to be registered.

2026 Application Checklist

Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond stay.
Proof of Funds: Bank statements or Blocked Account confirmation (2026 rates).
Biometrics: Appointment confirmation and receipt.
Health Insurance: Travel or private insurance covering €30,000+.
Form IMM 5645: Fully completed Family Information form.

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