Exchange Brochure 2025

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL (VUB)

• An urban engaged university in the heart of Europe

• Some 23,000 students, 146 different nationalities

• Four campuses, a university hospital

• In top 13% of universities globally

• High-quality research & education: you are not a number

• We have a rich history going back to 1834

ACADEMIC YEAR:

Autumn Semester: mid September-early February

Spring Semester: early February-early July

8 FACULTIES

• Medicine and Pharmacy

• Engineering

• Languages and Humanities

• Physical Education and Physiotherapy

• Psychology and Educational Sciences

• Law and Criminology

• Social Sciences and Solvay Business School

• Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences

Check out our study programmes

“During my exchange at VUB in the beautiful, multicultural & diverse city of Brussels I practised theoretical notions we got in class in some highly equipped labs, and I had the chance to put my name on some very interesting engineering projects. I did an internship in Brussels, and graduated as an Aerospace Engineer. Everything I experienced during my exchange will stay with me forever: an exchange is not a semester of your life; it’s a life in one semester!”

Zahir Amine from Morocco

* Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Check if your home university/faculty has an agreement with VUB

2. Your home university officially nominates you towards VUB

3. VUB sends nominated students a link to the online application form, which includes academic and personal details, the Learning Agreement and the following documents:

• transcript of records

• proof of language competency

• proof of health insurance (if relevant)

• copy ID-card/passport

• passport photo

4. VUB evaluates the file and approves if complete.

DEADLINES:

Autumn Semester or full year:

- nomination: 1 May

- application: 1 June

Spring Semester:

- nomination: 1 October

- application: 1 November

Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered

VISA/HEALTH INSURANCE:

• Will your stay in Belgium be over or under 90 days?

• Are you an EEA* or non-EEA student?

• What is the purpose of your stay?

Check what you need to prepare

ACCOMMODATION:

VUB does not offer accommodation to exchange students. A number of options for accommodation are available in the private sector with VUB housing partners.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT VUB:

You will need to complete some administrative steps upon your arrival in Brussels. More information is available online.

FACILITIES AT VUB:

Student organisations, sports, swimming pool, gym, restaurant with student-friendly prices, campus with green open spaces, and much more!

ORIENTATION DAYS:

The days leading up to the start of the academic year, we organise Orientation Days. We encourage you to attend events during these days, so you get acquainted with Brussels, the university, and various procedures to help you settle in and feel at home.

YOUR LIFE IN BELGIUM & BRUSSELS

• Home to chocolate, waffles, mussels & chips, beers, etc

• A cultural heritage going back to Roman times

• Famous for its summer music festivals

• Centrally located within easy reach by train or plane

• Brussels is home to a large number of international and European organisations

• Brussels has one of the world’s largest diplomatic and press communities

• 35% of the Brussels population is foreign

• 104 different languages spoken in Brussels

• Brussels is dubbed the 2nd most cosmopolitan city in the world (after Dubai)

ESTIMATED LIVING COSTS

Living costs in Brussels are consistently more affordable than in other major capital cities in Western Europe. Foresee about €1,000 per month, excluding any administration costs and course materials. The table below gives and estimated overview.

Accommodation 5,400-7,200 Food 3,000

Public transport 12 (until 24y/o) - 550

Health insurance 150-1,200

Phone/internet 360-600

Other (study materials, trips, etc.) 2,000-3,000

TOTAL 10,922-15,550