Belgium is a country in Western Europe that is famous worldwide for Belgian waffles and chocolate production. With its geographic location, it also plays a key role in European and world politics, with many important offices being located in the capital city of Brussels. Belgium is also one of the six founding members of the EU.
The country is unique in that it has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German, with Dutch and French being the two main languages of communication in most official and government buildings.
As a highly-developed nation, Belgium enjoys some of the best healthcare and education systems in the world. That, along with the fairly lenient immigration policies, makes the country an ideal place for foreign students to come and study there. This also goes for medical students, and in this article, we will name the top five medical schools in Belgium.
Can Foreigners Study in Medical Schools in Belgium?
Yes. All foreigners, regardless of nationality are free to apply to any medical school in Belgium. However, the more prestigious ones may be difficult to get into due to there being a limited number of spots. Tuition fees for non-EU students range from 1,500 to 3,000 EUR for public universities, while private ones can cost in excess of 4,000 EUR. Good knowledge of Dutch and French is also recommended, as there are very few, if any, medical programs that are taught in English.
The Faculty of Medicine at KU Leuven has a detailed page on all the opportunities it offers to international students and applicants, and it can be a good resource to have so you know what you can expect as a foreign medical student in Belgium.
What is the most prestigious medical school in Belgium?
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is by far the best medical schools in Belgium, and as such, it is also home to the best medical schools in Europe. The University dates back to 1425, making it the oldest in Belgium and the region. The Faculty of Medicine at KU Leuven is currently ranked among the top 25 in the world and is being attended by some of the most promising and ambitious medical students in Europe, making it very competitive to get into.
Best Medical Schools in Belgium
1. KU Leuven – Faculty of Medicine
KU Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university that offers programs in both Dutch and English. This top medical school in Belgium is based in Flanders and it’s the largest university in Belgium with nearly 60,000 students. Many of these students attend the Faculty of Medicine. As a top 100 university in the world, KU Leven makes sure that all of its programs are up to the highest standard. The Faculty of Medicine offers courses on a variety of medical subjects, with bachelor’s degrees lasting for a period of three years. For further specialization, students can attend a master’s program that takes an additional three years.
2. Ghent University – Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Ghent University is one of the best medical schools in Belgium. It is based in the third-largest city of the country – Ghent and is home to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. As a traditional Dutch-speaking university, the bachelor’s medical program is only taught in Dutch. UGent is also home to the largest university hospital in Belgium, along with a state-of-the-art library that allows the students to get involved in research activities.
Apart from theoretical and practical work, UGent places a large emphasis on developing its student’s communication skills, which they deem to be essential in making them capable medical professionals.
3. Universite Catholique de Louvain – Facutly of Medicine and Dentistry
UC Louvain is always ranked among the top medical universities in Belgium. It is a sister-university of KU Leuven, both sitting in the same city. However, UC Louvain is a French-speaking university. In fact, it is the largest French-speaking university in the nation.
The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is equipped with modern dental and medical facilities and laboratories, that will equip the students with the necessary practical knowledge that is required of the profession. Study materials are also updated to ensure they are up to date with the latest discoveries and methods in the field. Students are encouraged to participate in research efforts early on in their studies.
4. University of Liege – Faculty of Medicine
Located on a beautiful wooden estate in Sart Tilman, a few kilometers outside the city of Liege, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Liege welcomes nearly 5,000 new students each year, across all three study cycles. There are 7 distinct study programs that students can choose from, all of which have the same goal of preparing the next generation of medical professionals in the best way possible.
This leading medical school in Belgium uses a learning method called problem-based learning, which places the student as the most important piece of the puzzle. Studies are carried out in smaller groups, with close supervision from qualified tutors. Thanks to utilizing these advanced methods, and having some of the most well-equiped facilities out there, the faculty has had a long history of success in producing a high number of qualified medical workers.
5. Universite Libre de Bruxelles
The Faculty of Medicine at Universite Libre de Bruxelles, one of the best medical schools in Belgium, is situated in the heart of the capital city of Brussels, making it an ideal place for studying all medicine-related subjects. This faculty prides itself on providing excellent opportunities for its students to gain practical knowledge along with theoretical learning. At the end of the 1st year, students are offered to attend an internship in a hospital setting.
All of the facilities are very well made and offer plenty of extracellular activities such as sports or social clubs, and the environment is pleasant and ideal for studying. The Faculty and the University as a whole are very involved in exchange student programs, and allow their students to spend some time studying abroad.
I hope that this article on the best medical schools in Belgium was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Medical School Category!
