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Student budget - what should you plan for?

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How much does a university education cost and how do you manage your budget?

Succeeding in your academic year also means knowing where you stand financially. The cost of your studies varies according to your profile (if you are living in student accommodation or commuting, if you are a Belgian or an international student). To help you see things clearly, here is a complete overview of the expenses to plan for, along with our best tips for spending less.

The average cost of a university year

To plan your budget with peace of mind, note that several key areas of expenditure need to be taken into account:

The standard tuition fees are €1,194 in all French-speaking universities in Belgium. However, this amount can vary from €0 to more than €4,000 depending on your economic situation and your nationality. To find out whether you are entitled to a reduced rate, see our dedicated page on tuition fee reductions.
 

Allow between €350 and €650 per year for your course materials. If you are entering the first year of a bachelor's degree, allow around €100 in additional set-up costs (lab coat, office supplies, etc.) as well as the essential purchase of a computer (allow around €600).
 

  Top tip: remember that you can consult reference works directly in your faculty libraries, or turn to second-hand book sales.
 

In addition, financial support for the purchase of teaching or IT materials is available from our Student Support Service!
 

See the social and financial support page >


 

UCLouvain offers furnished accommodation at moderate prices: a room in shared student accommodation generally costs between €360 and €490 per month (charges included), excluding the rental deposit (€150) and an Internet subscription. If your resources are limited, you can apply for a rent reduction of €90 per month from our service before the end of August.
 

   Please note: the amounts and accommodation conditions for the Brussels Saint-Louis campus are different. Enquire directly with their service.
 

See the UCLouvain Accommodation Service page >


 

Living in student accommodation requires a budget of at least €50 per week for food (excluding weekends). To lighten the bill, our university restaurants offer complete, balanced meals, including a "Plat malin" (smart-value meal) at just €4.
 

UCLouvain also offers various forms of food support.


 

The size of this budget item varies according to individual choices and habits: €37 to €50 per month is a reasonable estimate.
 

If you are under 25, public transport is available at reduced fares.
 

Across UCLouvain's various sites, there are many opportunities for cultural enrichment, often free of charge for the university community thanks to UCLouvain Culture.
 

For your leisure and fitness, take advantage of the Pass'Sport UCLouvain: for a maximum of just €60 (often reimbursed by your health insurance fund), you have access to dozens of sports!

 

Focus on the first milestone: the start of term in September

September is traditionally the most demanding month for your wallet. It is when the major expenses come together: tuition fees, first month's rent, rental deposit, purchase of course notes and possibly health insurance.

We estimate that a minimum of €2,300 is needed at the start of the academic year to cover these initial costs. Don't wait until you are in difficulty to plan for these payments and contact our Student Support Service if necessary. 

Our practical guides to download

The cost of studying and study allowances (brochure)

→ The cost of studying and study allowances (brochure) Part 1 and Part 2 (brochures)