Belgium might be one of the best places to pursue higher education for many reasons. Starting with the most important one, education in this country is high-quality as Belgium is a state of progress and new ideas. This means that students will be able to work with new technologies, be part of research programs and participate in making the future better.
Belgium is unique in the language department also since there are three official languages Dutch, German, and French. Besides those three languages, English is widely spread and spoken and often used in lectures and higher education programs. In this article, we will be looking at the best medical schools in Belgium.
Can international students enroll in medical schools in Belgium?
According to the official site of KU Leuven, international students can enroll in medical schools in Belgium. They are also able to receive grants and scholarships, like national students. This is one of the reasons why Belgium is becoming one of the most popular destinations for higher education.
Students are also a part of a multicultural society that is very open-minded and accepting of strangers. This can be a big benefit when you are trying to fit in the new lifestyle. Apart from classes in the English language, three more languages are spoken in Belgium, making it a wonderful country to learn more than medicine.
Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students
What is the medical curriculum like in medical schools in Belgium?
Belgium has a specific medical curriculum in medical schools, and according to the official site of Ghent University education lasts for 6 years. After the initial 3 years, students are honored with the Bachelor’s degree, after which they should pursue further education and study for 3 more years to get the Master’s degree.
Most programs for the Masters are taught in English, on the other hand, most programs for the initial Bachelor’s degree are in Dutch or French, so it is advised that students learn the language before enrolling. All students who want to study medicine in Belgium have to pass the Wallonia-Brussels federation exam, where biology, chemistry, mathematics, and other subjects are tested. Some universities also offer a year of preparatory courses for this exam.
See Also: How to Become a Doctor in Belgium
Best Medical Schools in Belgium
1. KU Leuven
The university’s full name is Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and it was founded in 1425. KU Leaven is the best medical school in Belgium, and interestingly enough, they are also one of the topmost innovative universities in Europe.
The location of the university in the lively town of Leuven, filled with architectural wonders and sights, offers the students a unique view of the Belgium way of life. This city is also very close to most European capitals making it a perfect opportunity for wanderlust students.
The faculty of medicine is just one of 15 faculties in the university. Some of the Bachelor’s programs are in the English language, and this university offers further education. University Hospitals Leuven is a crucial part of this university, where students get to participate in research and clinical studies.
2. Ghent University
The Ghent University was established in 1817 and represents one of the best medical universities in Belgium and worldwide, and it is also the first Dutch-language university. Unlike most schools in Belgium, this university has no political or religious background, making it a true place of science.
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is just one of 11 faculties, with over 130 departments. Ghent University has a collaboration with the Ghent University Hospital where students are acquiring their clinical knowledge. They also have Clinical Research Center Bimetra and Biostatistics Unit, both serving the purpose of research and result delivery.
3. University of Louvain
The University of Louvain is the official name in English and Université Catholique de Louvain is the actual name of this university, founded in 1425. This university is the French version of the Catholic University of Leuven, and they were established in the same year.
Over 30,000 students and over 5,500 international students chose this medical university in Belgium because of the high-quality education provided by trained and compassionate lecturers. They own 19 libraries, 2 university hospitals, and 2 science parks, which combined provide the ultimate education system and learning possibilities. You can select one of the multiple Bachelor’s programs, and continue the education there to pursue the Master’s or even Ph.D.
4. University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp was established over 169 years ago in 1852, and over many years, the University of Antwerp is one of the best medical universities in Belgium. With over 20,000 students, it is also one of the biggest in Belgium.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is focused on research and applying the knowledge acquired there in the real world. This way, they are promoting independent thinking and enabling students to be part of the future where science and evidence-based healing are primal. Antwerp is considered to be very multicultural, and the university is no different. The 11 departments in Medical Faculty each comprise one or more research groups.
5. Free University of Brussels
The official name of this university is Université libre de Bruxelles, and it was founded in 1834 as the Free University of Brussels, which later split in 1970, into two different universities. One is the French speaking Université libre de Bruxelles and the other Dutch speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
The medical studies at this top medical school in Belgium are divided into Bachelor’s and Master’s, wherein the first three years, students learn the basic academic part of medicine. They are getting familiar with the terms used, the initial anatomy classes, and biology. Later, that knowledge is applied to clinical education where students are now oriented to problem-solving and learning through experience. Internships are an important part of medical education, thus students here are sent to one of thirty affiliate hospitals in Brussels, and sometimes even abroad.
6. Free University of Brussels-VUB
As mentioned above, in 1834, the Free University of Brussels was founded, and in 1970, it split into two universities. The Free University of Brussels-VUB or Vrije Universiteit Brussel as the official name is the Dutch-speaking version of the university.
Bachelor’s programs are taught in Dutch, and international students have to pass the language proficiency test if they wish to enroll. This university also offers multiple Master’s programs taught in English.
Check Also: Free Medical Schools
7. University of Liège
The University of Liege was established over 200 years ago in 1817, and today, the University of Liege is a leading medical university in Belgium. They are offering a new approach to medical education, focusing on critical thinking and experience acquired in the University Hospital Center.
8. Hasselt University – Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences
Hasselt University is one of the top 10 medical research universities in Belgium. They have two campuses, one in Hasselt and the other in Diepenbeek. It was established in 1971 and is therefore one of the longest-running and standing universities in Belgium. The best thing about the university, other than its top-notch faculty and education, is that it is in association with more than 500 partners from various fields of the corporate world. Therefore, the university receives many offers and placement opportunities for its students.
There are currently two major research centers at Hasselt that are related to medicine. They are Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED) and Limburg Clinical Research Centre (LCRC). Both these centers are credited for producing notable research each year which is not only useful to the people of Belgium but also to the people of the world. They also offer internship opportunities to their students and any and all interested minds.
9. Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) – Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences
Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) is officially known as Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium. This institute is one of the most famous medical research institutes when it comes to tropical medicine and its problems. Tropical medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases of the tropic regions. These diseases can be communicable and non-communicable. This institute manages these types of diseases and also researches their possible effect on the climate and people of Europe.
This is, therefore, a little non-conventional medical research school in Belgium but nonetheless, it is one of the good ones. Other than tropical diseases, the ITM has also recently started working on sexually transmitted diseases. This has attracted more global media as their work centers on creating devices for timely diagnosis and prognosis. This is surely some interesting work and if you want to get into research and development later in your career, the Institute of Tropical Medicine might be the way for you to go.
10. University of Namur – Faculty of Medicine
The University of Namur or UNamur is a private, Catholic university of the French people living in Belgium. This university offers many different disciplines like law, computer sciences, economics, and of course, medicine. In medicine, the university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. You can choose majors from medicine, biomedical sciences, or pharmacy. Other than a great research profile, this university also has a very good public standing. It is in association with many of the businesses in the community so its student has easy access to great industrial placements and opportunities.
11. University of Mons – Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
The University of Mons was founded in 2009 and is located in Mons, Belgium. Even though it is a very newly founded university, it still has managed to make its mark on the medical research community. The University of Mons was founded as a medical institute for the French people living in Belgium. This university offers a great medical program. One of the most notable alumni from the university is the infamous Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg, the environmental activist.
The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in various medical-related subjects. The degrees are taught in French to cater to the needs of the French people but the students can opt for a different medium of instruction according to their needs. The university will thus create a separate cohort for students who want to learn the English language. This is only possible when the number of students for the other language is considerable.
12. Transnational University of Limburg – Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences
The Transnational University of Limburg or tUL was founded by two separate universities, Universiteit Maastricht and Hasselt University, as a way of giving more students the chance to study under their administration and reforms. With time, the two universities resumed their own workings while the tUL became its own university with full administrative powers. tUL has many different programs to offer but is still very well known for its medical program. Students from all around Belgium apply for a chance to study at this great institute.
The university has also started a dedicated research and development wing where they are working on emerging diseases and also diseases from third-world countries. This is great for students as they can participate in real and engaging research right at their university during or after their studies. The research center also has internship opportunities and frequent job postings for interested individuals so make sure to keep an eye out for them if you are at all interested.
13. Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) – Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
The university was founded in the 1970s and is one of the many universities that offer degrees in the English language as well. It is very well-known for its medicine-related research and is therefore known as a predominantly research-oriented center. It has four campuses. Its faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy offers bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D., MBBS, and BDS degrees to national and international students. The university offers degrees in many courses other than just medicine like pharmacy, biomedical sciences, gerontology, and healthcare management and policy.
If you are looking to study in a historically important and built institute, VUB might be the place for you. Like all other medical universities, this university also requires you to produce sound, medical entrance results, and a good academic background. So if you are thinking of applying here, make sure you start your preparation early on.
Find Out: How to Study in Belgium for Free
By studying in Belgium, students have the opportunity to learn multiple languages, which can be a great asset in future job openings. Diplomas acquired in Belgium are also considered to be very beneficial since they are recognized worldwide. We can’t forget to mention that this country is a paradise for international students who love to travel as Belgium is positioned in a very convenient place in Europe. And lastly, Belgium is considered to be fair when it comes to living expenses. Although not the cheapest option, the government is offering scholarships for international students, and the overall cost of living is pretty fair for a European country.
We hope that this article on the best medical schools in Belgium was helpful. To know more information like this, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
