Find out the Cost of Accommodation in Belgium

Belgium is one of the most beautiful countries in Central Europe; popular for its picturesque architecture, divine chocolates and proximity to countries like Germany, France and the Netherlands. Belgium is a living paradise for every international student because of its affordable programmes, top-notch universities and international network. Whether you’re a vacationer or a student, Belgium will make you feel at home with its excellent scenes, amazing engineering, and exceptionally multicultural climate. It is also popular for its educational system, infrastructure, low cost of living and excellent accommodation choices. In this blog, we will cover the cost of living, studying and accommodation in Belgium to help you pick your dream destination. 

Also Read: Why is Belgium a Favourable Destination for International Students?

Accommodation in Belgium 

Universities in Belgium offer a wide variety of accommodations to international students from living on campus in dormitories to sharing lofts or studio apartments with friends or living alone in a private apartment. Students can opt for whichever accommodation option in Belgium suits their interest and falls under their financial budget. 

Accommodation in Belgium can cost students anything between 200 EUR to 300-500 EUR per month. The cheapest option for international students is to live in student dormitories, these are great common points to meet new people and form lifelong friendships as well. Costs for accommodation in Belgium also depend upon the area and the university one is studying.

You have four choices with regards to discovering accommodation in Belgium: 

Type of Accommodation	Monthly Rent
University halls of residence	200 – 400 EUR/month
Shared student apartment	300 – 500 EUR/month
Homestays	700 – 800 EUR/month
Studio apartment	600 – 700 EUR/month

University Cost in Belgium 

Belgium is located in the heart of Europe and divided into three main districts such The Flemish Region (or Flanders), The Brussels – Capital Region and The Walloon Region (or Wallonia).  Before we jump into the cost of accommodation in Belgium and other living expenses, let’s look at the college and tuition expenses at some of the best universities in Belgium: 

University	Tuition Fees
KU Leuven	835 – 9,000 EUR/year
College of Namur	835 – 4,175 EUR/year
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)	835 – 4,500 EUR/year
College of Liége	835 EUR/year

Living Expenses in Belgium 

Living expenses in Belgium for the most part fluctuate between 700 – 950 EUR/month depending upon the area and university location. Living expenses generally include expenses like accommodation, transformation, food and utility bills. Tuition fees and personal shopping is not included in daily expense calculation. Cities in Belgium offer a more expensive lifestyle as compared to rural areas. Though living in cities can be expensive, it is also an amazing way to explore the city and understand the culture, lifestyle and people.

Here are a couple of instances of normal living expenses in some Belgian study urban areas: 

City	Living Expenses
Antwerp	780 – 1,230 EUR/month
Brussels	890 – 1,300 EUR/month
Gent	750 – 1,200 EUR/month
Leuven	800 – 1,300 EUR/month
Lord	700 – 1,100 EUR/month

Food Costs in Belgium 

Apart from securing safe and comfortable accommodation in Belgium, another major expense for students is food. The monthly expense for food in Belgium is somewhere between 300 EUR/month to 400EUR. It is cheaper to cook your meals than eating out daily so students can visit local supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi, or Colruyt to get everyday essentials and reduce the cost of food in the country. 

While the cost of eating out in Belgium is nearly 24EUR/per meal, it is also a grand experience. The country is known for its food delicacies that all international students must try on special occasions. There are various cheap restaurants and cafes that students can visit and enjoy the ambience.    

Transportation in Belgium 

Transportation is the least expensive while living in Belgium. A month-to-month public transportation pass for students costs 50 EUR/month. Another alternative is leasing or purchasing a recycled bike. It’s an incredible method to work out, appreciate some outside air, and find the Belgian city where you’ll live. 

Also Read: Study Masters in Belgium: Top Universities, Eligibility, and More

Miscellaneous Expenses

Apart from cost of living and accommodation in Belgium, there are various other expenses that students need to address while studying in the country. There are certain necessities like food, health care, books, stationary and every-day travel expenses that international students may need to meet. Here are some major areas of expense that all international students must know-

Books	35 – 50 EUR/month (INR 4,429.79)
Health care coverage	20 – 30 EUR/month (INR 2,657.87)
Transport	50- 20 EUR with a student discount (1,771.91 )
Utilities Cost	125 EUR/ month

University books can be expensive; each book can cost an international student nearly INR 5,000 or more so an effective tip would be to buy second-hand books from seniors or borrow books from the library rather than purchasing new ones. There are various online libraries where students can find relevant books and study material to ace their classes. 

Scholarships and Grants in Belgium for International Students 

Various scholarships are available for international students who wish to ease the burden of the cost of living and accommodation in Belgium. Here are some scholarships listed below- 

Here are a few instances of grants for worldwide students: 

• Brains Scholarships – given by the public authority of Flanders
• ARES Scholarships in Belgium – for students coming from non-industrial nations 
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) program – for every single worldwide study, paying little mind to their nation of beginning. The EMJMD grant takes care of costs like educational expenses, protection, and a portion of the movement costs. students additionally get a month-to-month recompense for the whole length of the investigation program.
• Science at Leuven Scholarships for International Students
• Ghent University Top-up Grants for Developing Countries
• Liege Heritage Foundation Scholarships for International Students
• VLIR-UOS Training and Masters Scholarships 

Popular Courses for Masters in Belgium

• Development, societies, and environment. 
• Human rights
• Aquatic resources management and aquaculture
• Risk and Disaster management
• Integrated management of health risks in developing countries.
• Transfusion Medicine
• Microfinance
• Public Health Methodology
• Public health sciences – research methods applied to global health
• Science and environmental management in developing countries
• Transport and logistics

Also Read: Countries with the Best Education System in the World

FAQs

This was all about accommodation in Belgium. Belgium is one of the best countries offering quality education in Europe and excellent universities, if you are planning to study in Europe then exploring this country is a must. For more useful content, follow Leverage Edu on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and LinkedIn.