The English-taught BA in International Affairs is a long-standing programme based in Brussels that equips students with the broad-ranging tools and skills to understand, analyse and assess the most pressing issues in national and global politics.
The Brussels School of Governance seeks students who are able to meet the challenges of our academic programme and are willing to participate fully in the intellectual and social life of the school in a spirit of openness and tolerance. Admission to the school is selective and holistic. We accept only students whose records indicate that they possess the qualities needed to achieve academic success in the degree programme of their choice.
Diploma requirements
Applicants for admission must have graduated from a secondary school prior to beginning their studies in this BA programme. Admission decisions take into account the candidate’s secondary school performance, examination results and English language competence, as well as demonstrated personal qualities and character. Please check ourguidelines on diplomas and required standardized tests.
Language requirements
All our programmes are taught in English; hence, a good verbal and written command of the English language is essential. Results of an English proficiency examination are required for students who have studied for less than three years in a secondary school, or less than two years in a university with English as the language of instruction. Click here for an overview of accepted language test certificates and required scores
Motivation
The BSoG seeks students who thrive on active participation in their academic journey. We are looking for individuals who relish the attention they receive in our close-knit community and flourish in small professor-to-student ratio classes where their voices are heard and ideas valued. When you apply, use your CV and information about your extracurricular activities to demonstrate your motivation and dedication.
You can already apply in the last year of your final school year!
Did you know... that you can already apply when the result of the English test is not yet known or if you have not yet obtained your degree? Even if you are still in the process of obtaining your degree, you can already apply and should indicate this information in the ‘Current and previous higher education section’ of the application form, mentioning the date (as precisely as possible) by which you will obtain the degree. If the Admissions Committee then decides that you meet all other admission criteria you will be accepted on the condition that you provide us with your diploma and transcript at the very latest before the Programme starts and that you obtain the required grades to start the programme. Please note that the same does not apply to the English language test certificate: our Admissions Committee will not assess your application if you have not submitted your language test certificate yet.
Deadlines
Places in our programmes are limited, so we encourage students to apply well in advance to their semester of choice. Below are the application deadlines students must adhere to:
Fall semester
Spring semester
EEA citizens
30 June
30 November
Non-EEA citizens
30 April
31 October
If you are interested in one of our programmes beyond these dates, and do not need to apply for a visa for Belgium, please contact our Admissions Office, who will advise you on your options.
How to apply
Follow the two steps explained below:
1. Submit your online application
Go to the home page of our application system, also accessible via the 'Apply here' button at the top of this page, which will take you to a web page on which you can create your account in our system and then submit your application. During the steps of this application process, you will have to submit the following documents:
Official academic credentials and transcripts (showing courses and grades) from all secondary schools and universities attended, including public examination results and official results of any national or regional examination (usually taken in the candidate’s country of residence).
Photocopies of original documents are not accepted as official documents. However, we strongly encourage you to upload copies of any of the above-mentioned documents that you have with your online application while waiting for official credentials to be sent to us.
A photocopy of either a passportor of a national identity card.
Results of an English proficiency examination, required for students who have studied for less than three years in a secondary school or two years in a university with English as the language of instruction. See the ‘Language requirements’ section for details.
A motivation letter orpersonal essay (min 300 words).Please focus on the following:
Why are you considering the Brussels School of Governance and the specific programme you are applying to?
What skills and experiences do you have that make you a good fit for our school and our programme?
How will you contribute to the Brussels School of Governance community? And how will you take advantage of what our programmes have to offer?
A curriculum vitae
A passport-style photograph to be used for your Student ID
Applicants must ensure that their names are recorded clearly on all documents. The family name or surname given in the application must then be used in all correspondence with the College and on all documents relating to the College. Note: None of the application materials submitted to Brussels School of Governance will be returned to the applicant. Candidates are advised to make copies for their own records prior to submission.
The Brussels School of Governance accepts credentials in English, Dutch, French, and German. For all other languages, official translations by a certified translator (whose signature is authenticated) are required and are accepted only when accompanied by the document in its original language.
2. Pay the application fee
Pay the non-refundable application fee of 50 EUR when submitting your application. The application fee will be deducted from the tuition upon registration. You can pay this application fee by card or by bank transfer:
By bank transfer: ING Bank, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium Account number: BE 64 3631 0290 8552 Swift code: BBRU BE BB Account holder: Vesalius College vzw For international transfers, the main office of the bank is: ING Bank, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium. Please allow two to three weeks for payments from abroad to arrive. It is important to retain proof of payment. Students are liable for all bank charges, including exchange costs.
Please make sure that in the comments section of your payment you mention ‘BA IA application fee’ + your name
Application submitted - what's next?
Admission decisions are usually made within three weeks after receipt of the complete application. Once accepted, students must pay a 1,000 EUR pre-registration fee, to be deducted from tuition, to receive their letter of acceptance. International applicants should contact the Belgian embassy or consulate in their country immediately to get a complete list of requirements specific for that country.
Students may be considered for transfer into this programme if they have completed at least one semester and are in good academic standing at an accredited college or university and have not been dismissed from that institution. Transfer applicants must submit the same documents as those applying for general admission.
See the FAQ section for more information on transfer credits.
