Embassy and Consulates of Belgium in Egypt

Studies: general information

A correct assessment of one’s (1) academic credentials, (2) linguistic skills, (3) academic objectives and (4) financial resources is essential.

Let us review these four points:

1. Academic credentials

Equivalence and admissibility of degrees will be assessed according to Belgian law and individual universities’ regulations. Please note that the procedure is different if your institute depends of the Flemish Community or the French-speaking Community.

  • In case of enrolment by an institute of higher education depending on the Flemish Community. You should prove that you have passed the university entrance exam in Egypt and are entitled to study in a Egyptian university or institution of higher education (for example, certificate of enrolment from a Egyptian university, university diploma, or proof of study at university). The document should be submitted in the notarized form.
  • In case of enrolment by a French-speaking institute of higher education for a full 4-year cycle. Proof of the timely - between 15.11 and 15.07 of the academic year preceding the year for which you enrol - deposit of a request of equivalence of your Egyptian high school diploma.

Please submit a copy of your degree with a translation to the chosen universities’ admission boards.

 

2. Language skills

Egyptian students who wish to follow courses in Dutch or French must realize that a superficial knowledge of the language will not do. The ability to speak Dutch or French is imperative in order to follow lectures and to pass examinations. A preparatory year of language instruction is available in some universities for already enrolled students. Please apply for information at individual universities.

Students who wish to attend lectures in English (post-academic training, international courses) must of course have a good command of that language. Universities will inform you about their individual TOEFL requirements.

Postgraduate students studying for a doctorate must have sufficient knowledge of an international Western language such as English, French, German or Spanish, depending on the nature of their research project and the requirement of their working environment.

 

3. Programmes

Belgian universities offer basic academic courses, advanced academic training courses, doctoral programmes, post-academic training and various international study programmes (ex. Masters) in the fields of theology, philosophy, law, economics and applied economics, political and social sciences, medico-social health sciences, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, physical education and physiotherapy, sciences, language and literature / history, archaeology and art science, psychology and educational sciences, medical sciences, engineering and applied biological sciences, and so on.

It is strongly advisable to contact the Universities directly, submitting a well documented case and asking accurate questions on your specific wishes.

Please note that you must have a study plan which is in accordance with your previous studies or activities in Egypt.

 

4. Financing

It is very important that one evaluates the financial means necessary for living and studying in Belgium. Material uncertainty during studies can endanger the successful completion of the programme. Although precise determination of study and living expenses depend on individual life styles, one can assess that about 10.320 € is necessary for one year’s study. This amount should include books, housing, food, transport, health insurance, etc. It does not include the academic registration fee which can vary between about 625 € for a student under scholarship to 2.375/7250 € for a self-financing student, according to the chosen study programme, nor the cost of the journey from Egypt to Belgium.

Proof of solvency is one of the conditions for acquiring an authorization for provisional stay in Belgium as a student and, for some universities, it is also necessary for registration. The Belgian authorities do not issue an authorization for provisional sojourn to foreign students who state that they will work as “job students” to finance their studies. To receive a residence visa for family members, proof must also be presented that one has sufficient income to cover the cost of the family’s stay.

There are different ways to prove the solvency:

1. Studies can be self-financed: You will have to prove a personal and regular income.

2. A third person can sign an affidavit of support. He will have to prove his personal and regular income by his salary sheets or tax declaration (if he is a Belgian national or a permanent resident in Belgium).

3. A study-grant is another way to finance studies. The following classification of organizations that give such grants provides general information about application opportunities.

3.1. Bilateral cultural agreement:

Some grants are awarded in the framework of a cultural accord between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the French Community of Belgium. 
Information about the procedure to follow can be obtained from the Ministry of Education in Egypt.

3.2. Development cooperation:

The Belgian Ministry of International Co-operation is providing scholarships for several international courses (Master's Degree or training courses) organized by Belgian Universities. The publicity for these courses is spread widely to Egyptian Universities and through the internet. I advise you to consult the following sites: 
www.vliruos.be for universities located in the Flemish Community

and

www.ciuf.be for universities located in the French Community.

You will find the applications forms, as well as all the necessary information regarding fields of study, training possibilities, cost estimation and scholarships. Candidates are free to submit their file directly to the Council of universities of the relevant Region.

3.3. Individual universities: The Belgian universities themselves give a limited number of scholarships to students who satisfy specific conditions as to degree, age, employment at home. Arrangements may be made between the Institutions of origin and a Belgian University. It is advisable to address the issue in your letter to the individual universities.

3.4. Others: Study grants are also awarded by Erasmus Mundus and by the student’s own government, official organizations, private and semi-private organizations such as UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Organization for Space Research (EOSR) and service clubs.

 A condensed, but quite complete, overview of all these scholarship can be found:

  • In the bi-annual publication of the UNESCO: “Study Abroad / Etudes à l’étranger / Studios en el Extranjero”. This publication can be obtained from UNESCO (Place de Fontenoy, 75 F-75700 PARIS, FRANCE).
  • At the Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Finally, we raise your attention about the fact that all the (Egyptian) documents you have to submit to institutes, universities or administrations in Belgium for your admission, equivalence might be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being authenticated by the Embassy of Belgium.

 

Interesting links / websites:

1. List of Belgian Universities:  Click here

2. Visa:

Study visa: 
Procedure and required documents for a study visa in Belgium

3. Flemish Community:

  • www.ond.vlaanderen.be/english/: 
    Education in the Flemish Community 
     
  • www.ond.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/?get=INT&nr=140: 
    Higher Education in Flanders brochure in pdf format. This brochure lists and explains the various degrees and diplomas which can be obtained from Flemish educational establishments. It also provides information on the range of study options in Flanders. The brochure also gives a comprehensive overview of higher education establishments and financial information on all types of courses (e.g. grants). 
     
  • www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/interna/Naric/default.htm: 
    This site tells you if your foreign diploma receives the same recognition in the Flemish Community as in your own country. 
     
  • www.flanders.be: 
    General site Studying in Flanders:

4. French-speaking Community:

5. German-speaking Community:

6. Other interesting links:

  • http://europa.eu.int/ploteus: This is an extensive portal for the various schools, universities, etc. in Europe. It includes the Socrates/Erasmus programme for university and college students who have already completed one year of their studies. The grants system allows you to attend classes at a partner institution in another country. Some 29 countries, including 15 in Europe, are involved in this programme. 
     
  • http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/comenius/index_fr.html: This is the website of the Comenius programme, which supports partnerships between educational establishments, training projects for teaching staff and education networks. The aim of Comenius is to improve the quality of education, strengthen the European dimension, encourage language learning and promote mobility of students and lecturers.