Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we offer the Brussels College Global Access Scholarship, which provides a tuition fee reduction determined through case-by-case evaluation for eligible students from low and lower-middle income countries as classified by the World Bank.

Scholarship Details:

• Reduction amount evaluated individually for each application, not a fixed rate
• Available for both Undergraduate and PostLevel 7 programs
• Continues after the first year if you maintain an average of at least 14 out of 20
• Open to applicants with citizenship from our eligible countries list

Important exclusions: Students holding permanent residence or a second citizenship in a developed country (EU, USA, Canada, Australia, etc.) are not eligible for this scholarship, even if their primary citizenship is from one of the listed countries.

Visa requirement: While the scholarship reduces your tuition fees, if you require a student visa, you will still need to prove you have sufficient means of subsistence (solvency) for your living expenses in Belgium, as per government regulations.

For the complete list of eligible countries and more details, visit our Global Access Scholarship page.

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will generally need a Type D student visa. To obtain this, you must prove you have sufficient financial means.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the minimum amount set by the Belgian government is €1,062 net per month. You can prove this via:

• Blocked Account: Deposit 12 months' worth of living expenses (12 x €1,062) into a blocked account managed by Brussels College.
• Bank Guarantee: Arrange a guarantee for the same amount through a specialized financial institution.

You will also need to pay your tuition fees before applying for the visa.

Yes. You begin your studies on-campus in Brussels and progress through a structured curriculum. Our Bachelor's and MBA programs are awarded by Northwood University (Midland, Michigan, USA — HLC-accredited), as Brussels College is now an International Program Center of Northwood University. We also offer separate pathway programs for local & EU students that lead to a UK degree through our partnership with WINC.

Typically, you will need to submit:

• A completed application form
• Copy of your passport/ID
• Certified copies of your high school diplomas and transcripts (or Bachelor's for Master's applicants)
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS)
• A CV and motivation letter

Requirements depend on the program.

For our Northwood University-awarded Bachelor's and MBA programs (BBA in Management, BS in Computer Science, MBA), we require IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) for standard, unconditional entry into Year 1. Students scoring IELTS 5.5-6.0 can still be admitted directly into Year 1, on condition of mandatory concurrent enrollment in our English-language support program. Below IELTS 5.5, direct admission to a Northwood-branded program is not currently possible.

For our separate pathway programs (local & EU students), we typically require IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent), with a Foundation Year or an Intensive English Module available on campus for students below this level.

We accept several other English tests as equivalents (TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, Duolingo, and more) — contact admissions for the current equivalency table for your target program.

Yes! Belgium allows international students to work.

• During term time: Up to 20 hours per week.
• During official holidays: Unlimited hours.
• Wages: Typically €13-€18 per hour.

We also provide career services to help you find internships and jobs.

We have intakes in September 2026 and February 2027.

• September 2026 Intake: Now closed to international students. EU deadline: 18 September 2026.
• February 2027 Intake: Open to all applicants. International deadline: 16 October 2026. EU deadline: 12 February 2027.

International students: since the September 2026 deadline has passed, please apply for the February 2027 intake. We recommend applying early to allow sufficient time for visa processing.

Assessment methods vary by module but generally include a mix of assignments, projects, presentations, and examinations. Our goal is to assess not just your theoretical knowledge, but your ability to apply it in practical scenarios. You will receive detailed criteria for each assessment.

Brussels is very affordable compared to other major European capitals. You can live comfortably for approx. €1,062 - €1,500 per month (including rent, food, transport).

Healthcare is also excellent and affordable. Student health insurance typically costs around €25 per month, covering most medical expenses.

Brussels College delivers all programs full-time on-campus in Brussels. Our Bachelor's and MBA programs are awarded by Northwood University (Midland, Michigan, USA — HLC-accredited), as Brussels College is now an International Program Center of Northwood University, one of Northwood's International Program Centers in the European Union. We also offer separate pathway programs for local & EU students, many leading to a UK degree via our partnership with WINC. Together, this combines practical skills with academic rigour.

Studying in Brussels offers significant advantages:

• Cost: Living costs and tuition are highly competitive compared to other major European student cities.
• Location: As the EU capital, Brussels is home to major institutions, NATO, and hundreds of international companies.
• Travel: You are 2 hours by train from London, Paris, and Amsterdam.
• Global & European recognition: Our Northwood-awarded programs earn an HLC-accredited U.S. degree from Northwood University; our separate local/EU pathway programs lead to a UK degree, recognized across the European job market.

The Foundation Year is a preparatory program for students who:

• Do not meet the standard academic entry requirements (e.g., specific A-Level grades).
• Have an IELTS score between 4.5 and 5.5.

The tuition fee for the Foundation Year is €11,000, which is the same as the annual fee for our Level 6 programs. This investment ensures you are fully prepared for success in your subsequent studies.

It depends which program you're applying to. For our Northwood University-awarded programs (BBA in Management, BS in Computer Science, MBA), an IELTS score below 5.5 does not currently allow direct admission — a dedicated Pre-University Foundation Program is in development, pending Northwood academic approval; contact admissions for the latest status.

For our separate pathway programs, if your IELTS score is below 5.5, you may be eligible for our Foundation Year (requires IELTS 4.5). We also offer an on-campus Intensive English Module designed to boost your language skills up to the required level before you begin your main degree content.

It depends on the program. Our BBA in Management, BS in Computer Science, and MBA are awarded directly by Northwood University (Midland, Michigan, USA — HLC-accredited), as Brussels College now serves as an International Program Center of Northwood University. Our separate local/EU pathway programs lead to a UK degree, awarded through our university partner via WINC. Both are internationally recognized and respected qualifications.

An Offer Letter (or Admission Letter) confirms you meet the academic requirements. The Enrollment Certificate (Registration Letter) is the official document required for the visa. It is issued only after you have paid the first semester fees in full. Without this payment, the certificate cannot be released.

Yes, though it is often more complex than a blocked account. You can use a specific "Annex 32" form where a sponsor (family member) guarantees to cover your costs. The sponsor must meet strict solvency requirements set by the Belgian government. The blocked account method is generally recommended for a faster visa process.

A blocked account is a secure way to prove your financial means for your student visa application.

Studely Blocked Account Service

Studely is a financial service provider specializing in blocked account services for international students. According to their website (studely.com), Studely's service is recognized and accepted by the Belgian Immigration Office (IBZ), Belgian consulates, and municipalities.

What Studely Provides:

• IBZ-recognized blocked account service for Belgian student visas
• Blocked account certificate (AVI) for visa applications
• Monthly fund release upon arrival in Belgium
• Digital platform for account management
• Multi-language customer support

Required Deposit: €12,744 (12 months × €1,062) for 2026-2027 academic year as mandated by Belgian immigration regulations.

How to Proceed:

Visit studely.com/en/belgique for complete information about their service, current fees, terms, and step-by-step instructions.

Important disclaimer: Brussels College provides this information about Studely for educational purposes only. We are not affiliated with, do not endorse, and receive no compensation from Studely. Students should visit studely.com to review complete service details, current fees, and terms directly before proceeding. For official visa requirements, consult the Belgian Immigration Office at dofi.ibz.be or contact our admissions office at info@brucol.be.

Yes. Renewal is generally a formality as long as you are progressing in your studies (passing your courses). You will need to register at your local commune and prove you still have sufficient financial means and a valid lease contract. You do not need to return to your home country for this process.

The process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks depending on your country of origin and the time of year. We strongly advise applying at least 3 months before your intended start date.

Yes. After the official deadlines passed, late applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you missed a deadline, please contact our admissions office immediately to see if we can still accommodate you.

We offer comprehensive career services including one-on-one coaching, CV workshops, and internship placement assistance. We connect students with our network of industry partners in Brussels for real-world experience.

Students in Brussels under the age of 24 can get a STIB/MIVB season ticket for just €12 per year. This allows unlimited travel on trams, buses, and metro across the city. Regular student rates are also available for train travel across Belgium.

We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized attention and better interaction with faculty. This approach fosters a supportive learning environment.

There is no strict upper age limit. However, the minimum age for our underLevel 7 programs is generally 17/18 years old. We welcome mature students who bring professional experience to the classroom, especially for our Business Management program.

Most essential learning materials are available through our digital library and learning management system. Students may choose to purchase personal copies of core textbooks, but this is not mandatory. Budget around €50-€100 per year for additional materials.

Family reunification visas exist but are subject to strict conditions regarding accommodation and financial means. As a student, bringing family members immediately can be challenging. We advise consulting with a visa expert or the embassy for family reunification specifics.

The Business Management (Master of Business Administration) is a broader strategic qualification ideal for aspiring managers and leaders across any industry. It values professional experience. The **MSc** (e.g., in Data Analytics or Network Security) is a more specialized technical degree focused on deep expertise in a specific field.

Our Student Services team provides assistance with finding suitable accommodation. We can refer you to student residences and trusted landlords in Brussels. We recommend starting your search early, as demand in Brussels can be high.

Students often find the following platforms useful (independent providers):

• HousingAnywhere
• Brukot (Student Residences)
• Spotahome

Yes. However, please note that tuition fees are generally non-refundable once the semester has officially started or if you have attended classes. Refunds are typically only considered in specific cases such as visa refusal before the start of the program (minus administrative fees). Please consult the full terms and conditions in your offer letter.

We genuinely appreciate students who do thorough due diligence regarding their education. It is vital that you understand the specific legal framework of the institution you choose.

You are absolutely correct in your observation that Brussels College is not listed on government websites as an institution awarding national Belgian degrees.

We want to clarify exactly why this is the case, as this is a deliberate part of our structure, not a limitation.

1. Our Operational Model: Transnational Education (TNE)

Most higher education in Belgium is state-funded and delivered in either French or Dutch, leading to a local Belgian degree.

Brussels College operates on a different model known as Transnational Education. We were established specifically to provide fully English-taught programs that lead to international, rather than local, credentials. Because we do not award Belgian degrees, we are not listed on the registers reserved for institutions that do.

2. Our Legal Status in Belgium

We are a fully legally authorized institution in Belgium.

Brussels College (operating legally as Scholaria BV) operates under Belgian law as a "Private Higher Education Institution" in Flanders, under Article II.75, §5 of the Higher Education Law ("Codex Hoger Onderwijs," 2013) — the standard legal basis for private higher-education providers in Flanders, not an individual quality accreditation.

This legal basis permits us to deliver Transnational Education whereby students study physically in Belgium but earn degrees awarded by foreign partners.

2a. Our Northwood University Affiliation

Since 2026, Brussels College has also served as an International Program Center of Northwood University (Midland, Michigan, USA), accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education). Our BBA in Management, BS in Computer Science, and MBA are awarded directly by Northwood University under this partnership, taught full-time on our Brussels campus.

To be direct about NVAO specifically, since it's the body most people mean by "Belgian accreditation": Brussels College is not NVAO-accredited today. We have a long-term ambition to pursue it, but that is an early-stage goal, not a current credential, and shouldn't factor into your decision to enroll today. Our current, real accreditation is the HLC-via-Northwood status described above.

3. The Recognition of Your Degree

The value of your education is determined by the institution that awards the degree, not just the location where you study. By choosing Brussels College, you are choosing a pathway to recognized international qualifications.

When you complete a program with us, you receive:

• Northwood University-awarded U.S. degrees (BBA in Management, BS in Computer Science, MBA): HLC-accredited, earned as part of our International Program Center partnership with Northwood University.
• UK Degrees (Bachelor's & Master's): Awarded by our UK university partner via WINC through our separate local/EU pathway programs, recognized internationally.

In Summary

We are not a Belgian state university offering Belgian degrees. We are a legally authorized private institution serving as an International Program Center of Northwood University, and — for our separate pathway programs — as a Host Campus in Brussels for our UK university partner's degree programs. Your final degree will be a respected international qualification, taught entirely in English, designed for a global career.

I hope this clarifies the legal standing and the international nature of the degrees we offer. If you have further questions about our specific university partners, please let me know.

Since 2026, Brussels College has served as an International Program Center of Northwood University (Midland, Michigan, USA), one of Northwood's International Program Centers in the European Union. Under this partnership, marketed as Northwood University - Brussels, students study full-time on our Brussels campus and earn a genuine Northwood University degree: HLC-accredited (Higher Learning Commission, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education), with business programs accredited by ACBSP where applicable.

Three Northwood-branded programs are currently offered this way: the BBA in Management, BS in Computer Science, and MBA.

Brussels College itself remains an independent Belgian institution — legally established, with its own campus, staff, and student community — and holds a long-term goal of pursuing its own local (Flemish/NVAO) accreditation alongside this affiliation, though this is not yet in place. In short: Brussels College is the home institution; Northwood University - Brussels is the degree program we currently deliver here.

No, not currently. NVAO (Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie) accreditation is a long-term ambition of ours, but it's an early-stage goal — we have not begun a formal NVAO procedure, and it should not factor into your decision to study here today. Our current, real accreditation is via our affiliation with Northwood University: Brussels College is an International Program Center of Northwood University, HLC-accredited (recognized by the U.S. Department of Education). Separately, Brussels College (Scholaria BV) does hold two genuinely achieved Flemish quality marks — WSE Kwaliteitsregistratie and Qfor WSE certification — which are quality registrations, not degree accreditation.