Scholarships in Belgium: What Can International Students Apply For?

Start by matching a recognised course in the Univs programme catalogue to funding for that exact level and intake. Belgium has community programmes, European schemes, development-cooperation awards and institution support, but no universal scholarship for every student. The Flemish Government’s Master Mind Scholarship supports selected master’s students; its 2026–2027 call is closed, the award is €10,225 plus a tuition-fee waiver, and the Ministry says the 2027–28 scheme is under review. WBI’s MASTER IN programme, ARES training scholarships and Erasmus Mundus serve different groups. Eligibility, hosts, nomination routes and deadlines change each cycle, and many awards require an admission file first. Once Univs has helped you organise the study route, any legally required scholarship submission must follow the current official call. Keep an independent budget until an award is final.

Belgium scholarships at a glance

Start with the programme, not the word “scholarship”

Funding normally attaches to a study level, programme, institution or applicant group. First confirm that the programme is recognised, open for the intended intake and academically suitable. Then identify funding for that exact route.

A scholarship listing is not proof that every Belgian institution participates. Check the host list, eligible degree length, nationality rules and whether the institution must nominate candidates.

Master Mind Scholarships in Flanders and Brussels

The Flemish Ministry of Education and Training awards Master Mind Scholarships for selected master’s programmes. Official 2026–2027 information states a grant of €10,225 and a tuition-fee waiver per academic year. A 120-ECTS master’s may receive support across two academic years subject to the scheme’s rules.

The call for 2026–2027 is closed. Applicants do not simply send a general request to the government: they check a participating host institution, meet its deadline and follow its preselection process. A host may still charge the limited amount allowed by the scheme.

WBI MASTER IN grants

Wallonia-Brussels International’s MASTER IN programme supports eligible international students pursuing a master’s in a recognised French-speaking Belgian institution. The 2026–2027 WBI call guide required a qualifying foreign degree, access to the chosen master’s and an admission-file reference for university applications, among other conditions.

The official WBI financial-support page explains the grant’s payment and coverage. Read it together with the current call before deciding whether the award makes a programme affordable. The 2026–2027 application deadline was 31 March 2026. Future applicants must wait for and read the next official call rather than copying that date or any award amount forward.

ARES international-training scholarships

ARES scholarships can support named one-year advanced bachelor’s or master’s programmes and shorter continuing-education programmes in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The scheme is linked to development cooperation and uses eligible-country, qualification and professional-experience conditions.

This is not a general scholarship for any Belgian bachelor’s or master’s. Use Univs to keep the study shortlist coherent, then treat the current ARES call as the authority for the exact programme list, eligible countries, required experience, documents and any later official submission channel.

Erasmus Mundus and mobility funding

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is delivered by an international consortium and normally involves study in more than one country. Some programmes include a Belgian institution. Scholarships are awarded through the specific programme’s selection round, not through a national Belgium application.

Exchange students may also have home-institution or Erasmus+ mobility support. Ask both institutions about tuition treatment, grant responsibility, insurance and the number of funded months.

Institution and faculty support

Universities and universities of applied sciences may offer fee reductions, doctoral funding, research assistantships, emergency funds or programme scholarships. Availability can be narrow and may not appear on a central country page.

Organise the programme choice through Univs, then use the institution’s official scholarship, tuition and faculty pages as verification sources. Ask whether the award is automatic, requires a separate form or depends on admission. Doctoral funding should be checked against the employment or scholarship contract and research conditions.

Read what the scholarship actually pays

Separate tuition waiver, cash stipend, travel, insurance and residence support. A headline amount may be paid in instalments after arrival, leaving the student responsible for visa, travel, deposit and first-month costs. A tuition waiver may not cover programme supplies or living expenses.

Check whether the award satisfies immigration proof-of-means rules and what certificate is issued. Only the competent authority decides whether the evidence is acceptable.

Build a competitive, truthful file

Scholarship selectors may consider academic results, motivation, recommendations, professional experience, research fit or contribution to the programme. Follow the stated criteria rather than adding irrelevant material.

Use consistent dates and achievements across the admission and scholarship files. Explain grading scales and employment clearly. Do not inflate responsibilities, invent publications or reuse a generic motivation letter without addressing the scheme.

Plan for deadlines before admission closes

A scholarship deadline can be earlier than the programme’s final admission deadline. Institution nomination adds another internal cut-off. Build a calendar with the programme application, scholarship preselection, external call, decision date and visa preparation.

If the current call is closed, do not pay someone who promises late entry. Ask the institution about the next cycle or other funding and decide whether the programme is affordable without the award.

Scholarship risks and scams

• A “guaranteed scholarship” is sold for an upfront fee.

• The sender uses a personal account rather than an official domain.

• The programme or host institution is not listed in the official call.

• An old deadline or amount is presented as current.

• The award is said to guarantee admission or a visa.

• Banking passwords, card PINs or one-time codes are requested.

What to verify before you decide

• The official call year, closing date and participating programme.

• Nationality, residence, degree, experience and study-level eligibility.

• Whether admission, nomination or a separate scholarship application comes first.

• What tuition, stipend, travel, insurance and arrival costs are covered.

• The payment schedule and any academic-progress or repayment conditions.

• Whether the award evidence meets current immigration requirements.

Use the live Univs programme catalogue, review the Belgium country hub, understand the application process, and create an Univs account when you are ready to continue. Funding should support a sound choice, not make an unsuitable programme appear suitable; an official scheme still controls its own award submission and decision.

Can I get a full scholarship to study in Belgium?

Some Belgian awards cover substantial costs, but a full scholarship is not guaranteed and selection is competitive. Coverage may include tuition, a stipend, travel or insurance in different combinations. Read the current award terms, confirm eligibility and renewal rules, and budget for every expense that is not explicitly covered.

Is Master Mind open for bachelor’s degrees?

Master Mind is designed for eligible master’s programmes rather than bachelor’s degrees. The current call sets the host-institution list, selection criteria and application steps. Check the scheme’s official page for your intake and confirm with the university whether admission and scholarship applications must be filed separately.

Can any nationality apply for ARES?

No. ARES international-training calls are limited by eligible-country and other conditions that can change by cycle. Check the current official call for nationality, programme, experience and document requirements. Do not assume that eligibility in a past year or another scholarship means you qualify for the present round.

Do I need admission before applying for a scholarship?

It depends on the award. Some schemes require an admission application or host nomination first, while others use a consortium or scholarship application alongside admission. Read the current call’s sequence and deadlines, then ask the host institution which steps must be complete before funding review begins.

Can I combine two scholarships?

Not always. Master Mind and WBI rules can restrict combining their support with certain other awards. Read both agreements and ask each administrator for written confirmation before accepting overlapping funding. Compare the total benefits and any reporting obligations so you do not unintentionally breach a scholarship condition.

Does a scholarship guarantee a student visa?

No. A scholarship may help document financial support, but the immigration authority independently assesses the full visa application. Admission, identity, health, conduct and other requirements may still apply. Confirm the current evidence rules with the Belgian Immigration Office and the diplomatic post handling your application.