Study Abroad - Incoming Students

As the centre of the European Community, Brussels is the ideal place for students of varied interests and major areas of study to enrich their undergraduate experience. Located in the heart of Brussels, the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG) allows students to get the most out of the city while studying.

Over 300 international students of about 60 nationalities attend the School's programmes every semester, providing a truly cosmopolitan and culturally enriching environment. The Brussels School of Governance is a cozy community within a bigger mother-university offering classes fully taught in English and located in a French/Dutch bilingual city.

Thanks to our low student-teacher ratio, classes are interactive and students benefit from personalised attention. The School offers enriching academic internship opportunities to implement what they have learned in the classroom.

The Brussels School of Governance is an alliance between the Institute for European Studies (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Vesalius College. The Study Abroad programme is organised by Vesalius College.

Our School also offers a unique programme that provides insight into the changing nature and fundamental challenges of contemporary security issues from a distinct Brussels perspective. The European Peace and Security programme (EPSS) features four interrelated courses offered by the School and its partners, including the Royal Military Academy. The courses, which are all offered in English during the fall semester, can be taken separately, along with another course from across the curriculum. If all four EPSS courses are taken within the fall term, the student will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the term. The programme also includes a lecture series, which sees prominent academics and practitioners of the field of peace and security giving lectures and engaging with students and other experts.

Study abroad students can also benefit from seminars and workshops that feature some of the key decision-makers and leaders in the European Union.

As a student of the School, you will have access to all the facilities at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, including libraries, computer labs, cafeterias and sports facilities.

The courses offered for the Fall and Spring semesters will be available on our website during the preceding semester. Course schedules will be made available to you or your Study Abroad Coordinator by 1 April for the following Fall semester courses and by 1 November for the following Spring semester courses. The list of BA Course Descriptions of the current academic year (subject to change for next academic year) will provide you with a better understanding of the courses offered.

Orientation

The School provides a detailed Orientation for new students at the beginning of each term. For the Fall and Spring terms, orientation takes place over 3 days (Wednesday–Friday) in the week preceding the first week of classes. During the Summer term, orientation takes place in the first half of the first day of classes. Attendance at all orientation activities is mandatory for new Study Abroad students.

Students are given various sessions to allow them to familiarise themselves with all aspects of university and city life.

Prior to arrival, students will receive a “Getting Settled Guide” to provide them with information regarding living and studying in Brussels.

Pre-registration for language courses

If you wish to take any French or Dutch course other than those at the elementary level (i.e., requiring no prior knowledge of the language – French-LFR 101; Dutch-LDU 101), you will be required to take a language placement test (oral and written) on the Thursday of orientation week. This will ensure that you are registered for the language class that truly corresponds with your language level.

Please note that, due to differences between European and American learning outcome expectations for foreign language instruction, the level (course number) at which you are placed in the language programme may not correspond with the course level achieved at your home university; it may be lower. You should inform your home university advisor of this potential discrepancy and should request that your home university grants you language credit, even if the language ‘course number’ you take at the Brussels School of Governance is lower than what you would take at your home university.

You should list your language course choice in the same way that you list other courses. If you list any language course other than the basic level course, however, we will not automatically pre-register you for that course until you have taken the placement test and have been placed in the appropriate course level based upon test results.

Note: please be advised that for the Summer term, visiting students might not need to apply for a student visa to enter Belgium. For further details, please contact the Study Abroad Office at studyabroad_bsog@vub.be.

Application process

You should start thinking about Study Abroad at least six months before your Study Abroad semester at the Brussels School of Governance. This will give you ample time to select your courses and have them approved by your home institution. Early applications are important as the process for obtaining a Belgian student visa can be lengthy (3 weeks – 2 months).

If you come from one of our partner universities, you should contact your Study Abroad Office to verify whether you are eligible and potentially be nominated to study at the Brussels School of Governance. Once we have received the official nomination from your home university, we can proceed with your Study Abroad application.

If you do not come from one of our partner universities, please contact the Study Abroad Office at studyabroad_bsog@vub.be.

To APPLY, please click here to access the online Application Portal.