Welcome international students!
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On this page, international students who have been granted enrolment authorisation will find some useful information to help with first steps towards settling in. We wish you the best as you prepare. Bon voyage!
- Visa
- Bank Deposit/Blocked account
- Enrolment
- Academic Calendar
- How do I find accomodation?
- Who is required to sign up for health insurance?
- Who is required to undergo a medical exam?
- What is the cost of university education in Belgium?
- Once I have enrolled in the university, do I have to register with my local municipality?
Visa
The enrolment authorisation enables you to start the formalities with your Belgian embassy or consulate. Please note that the visa application procedure will take some time. You will find complete information on the official website of the Belgian Immigration Office.
Bank Deposit/Blocked account
Information is available here.
Enrolment
The enrolment authorisation that you have just received is the first step in the enrolment process. You must confirm your enrolment by returning this document to us by email, signed and dated. Your enrolment will only be finalised once we have received this document and any additional requested information. We recommend that you bring all your original diplomas and transcripts to Belgium. Please note that students from outside the European Union must complete the enrolment procedure once they have obtained their visa. If you have any questions about enrolment, please consult our website: www.uclouvain.be/inscription.
Academic Calendar
he academic year begins in mid-September. Consult the academic calendar. Courses are spread over two terms (September to December and February to May), with three exam sessions: January, June and August.
How do I find accommodation?
UCLouvain is unique in that it has a large number of furnished flats reserved for its students. Many live in shared flats (each student has their own room and shares a kitchen, living room and sanitary facilities). There are also project-based shared flats (kots à projet) and standard flats and studios. If you are interested in UCLouvain accommodation, visit the Logistics and Accommodation Service. Lists of private accommodation are also available on university campuses.
Who is required to sign up for health insurance?
In Belgium, all students must be covered by health insurance. If you are a national of the European Union (or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland), remember to apply for your European health insurance card. This card is free and will give you the same access to healthcare as Belgians have. If you are not a national of the European Union, join a mutual insurance agency as soon as you arrive to obtain compulsory and supplementary insurance (from €100 to €120/year). This will provide reimbursement (partial or total, depending on the type of service) for your medical treatment and the purchase of certain medicines. You are free to choose your mutual insurance agency: there are socialist, Christian, liberal and neutral mutual insurance agencies. There are also supplementary health insurance policies, which are not compulsory and entail an additional cost, which cover all or part of the costs not reimbursed by the mutual insurance agencies (see link below).
Who is required to undergo a medical exam?
Any student from a country with a high prevalence of tuberculosis who is enrolling for the first time at UCLouvain is required to undergo a medical exam. The exam is free of charge. After your arrival, you will be called for a consultation by the university's health service. This is also an opportunity to meet a health care provider in Belgium.
What is the cost of university education in Belgium?
UCLouvain is a private university but is subsidised by the public authorities. Tuition fees may be reduced according to your personal situation. These amounts are available on our tuition fees page. Please note that these amounts are subject to annual review. You will need to budget for course materials (syllabuses, books, etc.) and have a computer at your disposal.
Once I have enrolled in the university, do I have to register with my local municipality?
Yes, it's required. Within eight days of your arrival in Belgium, you must go to your municipal administration (commune) with the following documents: passport, visa, two recent passport photographs, enrolment authorisation, academic enrolment certificate, scholarship award letter or sponsorship certificate (appendix 32) and accommodation lease.
If you have any further questions about your arrival in Belgium, you can find a whole range of additional information in the Welcome Guide.