HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN BELGIUM

Types of Higher Education Institutions

1 : Université : University

2 : Haute Ecole : University colleges

3 : Ecole supérieure des Arts : Arts colleges

4 : Etablissement d'enseignement de promotion sociale : Institution of social advancement education

Pre-Higher Education System

Age of

entry:6

exit:18

Structure of School System

Pre-Primary : Ecole maternelle; Ecole fondamentale

Primary : Ecole primaire; Ecole fondamentale

Length of program:6

Age level from:6

Age level to:12

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Certificat d'Etudes de Base (CEB)

Lower Secondary : Enseignement Secondaire - Premier degré

Length of program:2

Age level from:12

Age level to:14

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Certificat d'études du 1er degré (CE1D)

Middle Secondary : Enseignement secondaire - Deuxième degré

Length of program:2

Age level from:14

Age level to:16

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Certificat d'enseignement secondaire du deuxième degré (CESDD)

Higher Secondary : Enseignement secondaire - Troisième degré

Length of program:2

Age level from:16

Age level to:18

Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur (CESS)

Higher Secondary : Enseignement secondaire - Quatrième degré- 7th year, non compulsory

Length of program:1

Age level from:18

Age level to:19

Description of School System

Compulsory education lasts for 12 years starting at age 6. Primary education lasts for six years leading to the Certificat d'Etudes de Base (CEB). Secondary education is divided into three levels of two years each leading to CESS and CQ6, and includes a 7th non-compulsory year leading to higher education. Secondary education is offered in 4 routes: general, technical, artistic and professional.

Higher Education System

Structure

Higher education is established on a binary scheme which refers to the co-existence of “short-type” or professionalising education and “long-type” or academic education. “Short-type” or professional-oriented higher education, which closely relates theory and practice in terms of pedagogy, is organised by the university colleges (Hautes Ecoles ), the arts colleges (Ecoles supérieures des Arts ) and the institutions of social advancement higher education (établissements d'enseignement supérieur de promotion sociale). "Long-type” higher education or academic-oriented higher education, which is based on fundamental concepts, experimentations and illustrations, is organised by the universities, the Hautes Ecoles, the Ecoles supérieures des Arts and the Etablissements d'enseignement de promotion sociale.

Laws/Decrees

Décret du 7 novembre 2013 définissant le paysage de l'enseignement supérieur et l'organisation académique des études (2013)

Description:Higher education

Décret du 22 février 2008 portant diverses mesures relatives à l'organisation et au fonctionnement de l'Agence pour l'évaluation de la qualité de l'enseignement (2008)

Description:Evaluation of higher education

Décret du 14 novembre 2002 créant l'Agence pour l'évaluation de la qualité de l'enseignement supérieur (2002)

Description:Evaluation of higher education

Languages of Instruction

French, English

Stages of Higher Education

Non-university level : Bachelier (Professional-oriented higher education/“short-type” higher education)

Description:Hautes Ecoles (university colleges), Ecoles supérieures des Arts (arts colleges) and Etablissements d'enseignement de promotion sociale (social advancement education) offers “short-type” or professionalising higher education programmes are organised in a single cycle of studies including at least 180 credits (study programmes in nursing and midwifery are organised into a single cycle with a value of 240 credits) and are sanctioned by a Bachelor’s degree (Bachelier). At the end of this single cycle, specialized studies are offered in some fields and lead to the Bachelier de spécialisation after one year of study.

University level first stage : Bachelier (Academic-oriented higher education/“long-type” higher education)

Description:The first stage of university level studies is offered at Universities, Hautes Ecoles, Ecoles supérieures des Arts and Etablissements de promotion sociale. It leads to the title of Bachelier after three years' study and 180 ECTS credits.

University level second stage : Master; Médecin; Médecin vétérinaire

Description:The second stage of university-level studies is offered at Universities, Hautes Ecoles, Ecoles supérieures des Arts and Etablissements d'enseignement de promotion sociale. It leads to the title of Master after one or two years' study and 60 or 120 ECTS credits; of Médecin (Medicine) after three years' study and 180 ECTS credits; and of Médecin vétérinaire (Veterinary Medicine) after three years' study and 180 ECTS credits.

University level third stage : Doctorat

Description:The third stage of university-level studies is offered at universities. Doctoral training lasts generally 3 years corresponding to 180 ECTS.

Training of HE Teachers

There is no formal training of higher education teachers.

Education Exchange Programs

ERASMUS

Bodies

Governing bodies and other organizations / associations

Direction générale de l'Enseignement supérieur, de l’Enseignement tout au long de la vie et de la Recherche Scientifique

Role:Governing and decision-making role for higher education

Street:Ministère de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles Administration générale de l'Enseignement Direction générale de l'Enseignement supérieur, de l’Enseignement tout au long de la vie et de la Recherche Scientifique Rue Adolphe Lavallée, 1

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1080

www:http://www.enseignement.be

Contacts:Jean-Claude Marcourt (Head), Job title : Minister of Higher Education, Social Advancement Education, Research and Media

IAU Member Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement supérieur - ARES

Role:Established to coordinate, support and foster collaboration between all Wallonia-Brussels Federation higher education institutions in the fulfilment of their missions. ARES has thus specific and complementary missions with the academic clusters, higher education institutions and all HE and research partners.

Street:rue Royale 180

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1000

Tel:+32(2) 225-45-11

www:http://www.ares-ac.be

Contacts:- Laurent Despy (Head), Job title : Administrateur
- Elodie Decostre (International Relations Officer), Job title : Director of International Relations

Agence pour l'Evaluation de la Qualité de l'Enseignement Supérieur

Role:Created in 2002, the AEQES is an independent public service agency, a full member of the European Network for Quality Assurance (ENQA) and included on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR) which develops a formative approach to quality assurance.

Street:Boulevard Léopold II, 44 2e étage

City:Brussels

PostCode:1080

www:http://www.aeqes.be

Contacts:- Anne-Joëlle Philippart (Head), Job title : President
- Caty Duykaerts (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Head of the Executive Unit

Conseil des Recteurs des Universités francophones de Belgique - CREF

Street:Rue d'Egmont, 5

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1000

Fax:+32(2) 504-9343

www:http://www.cref.be

Contacts:Pierre Wolper (Head), Job title : President

Bodies Responsible for Recognition

Centre ENIC-NARIC de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Street:Rue Lavallée, 1

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1080

Tel:+32(2) 690-8747

Fax:+32(2) 690-8760

www:http://www.enseignement.be/enic-naric

Contacts:Céline Nicodème (Head)

Direction générale de l'Enseignement supérieur, de l’Enseignement tout au long de la vie et de la Recherche Scientifique

Recognition for institution:no

Recognition for profession:no

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1080

www:http://www.enseignement.be

Student Associations

Fédération des Etudiant(e)s Francophones - FEF

Street:Rue de la Borne, 14 – bte 17

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1080

Tel:+32(2) 223-01-54

www:http://www.fef.be

Contacts:- Chems Mabrouk (Head), Job title : Présidente
- Manon Sperati (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secrétaire-générale

Union des étudiants de la Communauté française - UNECOF

Street:Rue du Congrès, 13

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1000

Tel:+32(2) 541-8500

Fax:+32(2) 541-8509

www:http://www.unecof.be

Contacts:Morgane Justens (Head), Job title : Présidente

Bodies Responsible for Financial Aid

Direction des Allocations et prêts d'études - DAPE

Grants:yes

Loans:no

Street:Rue Adolphe Lavallée, 1

City:Brussels

PostCode:1080

Tel:+32(2) 413-3737

www:http://www.allocations-etudes.cfwb.be

Wallonie-Bruxelles International - WBI

Grants:yes

Loans:no

Street:Place Sainctelette, 2

City:Brussels

PostCode:1080

Tel:+32(2) 421-8211

Fax:+32(2) 421-8787

www:http://www.wbi.be/fr/bourses

Contacts:Pascale Delcomminette (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : General Administrator

Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement supérieur

Grants:yes

Loans:no

Street:rue Royale 180

City:Brussels

PostCode:1000

www:https://www.ares-ac.be/fr/cooperation-au-developpement/bourses/masters-et-stages-en-belgique#03-formulaire-de-candidature

Enabel - Agence Belge de Développement

Grants:no

Loans:no

Street:rue Haute 147

City:Bruxelles

PostCode:1000

Tel:+32(2) 505-3700

Fax:+32(2) 502-9862

www:https://www.enabel.be

Contacts:Hannelore Beerlandt (Head), Job title : Président

Admission to Higher Education

Secondary School Credentials Required for Non-University Level Admission

Certificat d' Enseignement secondaire supérieur

Requirement for:Hautes Ecoles, Ecoles supérieures des Arts and Etablissements d'enseignement de promotion sociale

Alternatives

Successfully passed a certificate in one of the admissions examinations organised by the higher education institutions or a jury of the French Community.
Academic title conferred by a higher education institution of the French Community.

Admission Test

For admission to Ecoles supérieures des Arts (Arts colleges).

Secondary School Credentials Required for University Level Admission

Certificat d' Enseignement secondaire supérieur

Requirement for:All institutions.

Alternatives

Attestation of success in one of the admissions examinations organised by the higher education institutions or a jury of the French Community - Academic title conferred by a higher education or university institution and in some cases by social promotion institutions.

Admission Test

For admission to first cycle programme :
- Veterinary sciences: compulsory orientation test called TOSS (non-binding results)
- Medical sciences (medical studies and dentistry): entrance exam
- Engineering sciences organised by universities: special admission examination in engineering sciences
- Academic-oriented Arts higher education: admission test.

Foreign Students Admission

Definition:A foreign student is a person enrolled at a higher education institution in Belgium (French-speaking Community) who is not a permanent resident.

Admission Requirements:Students must obtain the equivalence of their upper secondary school leaving certificate with the Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur (CESS).

Quotas:Some fields of study are limited for non-resident students:
at the university: in medical sciences, dental sciences, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, veterinary sciences, or psychological sciences and education, speech therapy orientation;
in university college: in physiotherapy, speech therapy and audiology.

Language Proficiency:Admission to the first cycle of studies requires sufficient level of knowledge in French (with the exception of studies in Arts colleges). Language proficiency tests are organised by the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement supérieur (ARES).

Entry Regulations:Students must register with the communal administration of their town of residence, present proof of their enrolment, as well as financial guarantees.

Application to Individual Institution:Yes

Recognition of Studies

System of Recognition

Competences over the academic recognition of foreign higher education degrees in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels are shared between the Ministry (DGENORS) and the higher education institutions. The Ministry is competent for the academic recognition of foreign higher education degrees when requested for professional purposes. The higher education institutions are competent for the academic recognition of foreign doctorate degrees and are entitled to valorize foreign degrees for admission purposes.

Multilateral Agreements

Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning Higher Education in the States Belonging to the European Region (2005)

Other Info Sources

Dedicated website of the Federation Walonia-Brussels : http://www.equivalences.cfwb.be
Wallonia-Brussels Campus (WBCampus), the agency for promoting higher education of Wallonia-Brussels abroad : http://www.studyinbelgium.be.

Student Life

Social Security/Health Insurance for Home Students

Is there social security:Yes

Social Security/Health Insurance for Foreign Students

Is there social security:Yes

Special Travel Concessions

By Road:Yes

By Rail:Yes

By Air:No

Available to Foreign Students:Yes

Student Expenses and Aid

Average Living Costs:850

National Students - Min Tuition Fees:374 Euro

National Students - Max Tuition Fees:836 Euro

Foreign Students - Min Tuition Fees:992 Euro

Foreign Students - Max Tuition Fees:4175 Euro

Publications Listing Financial Aid

http://www.studyinbelgium.be/

Author:Wallonia-Brussels Campus (WBCampus)

Year of publication:2013

Credentials

Certificat d' Enseignement secondaire supérieur

Description:Credential awarded at all types of secondary training schools after six years of secondary school following six years of primary school.

Acronym:CESS

Bachelier (enseignement supérieur de type court)

Description:The higher education system of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels is characterized by the co-existence of “short-type” or professionally-oriented education and of “long-type” or academic education. In spite of the binary character of the higher education system, no legal distinction is made between similar degrees, irrespective of the type of higher education institution awarding them. However, a distinction should be made regarding the organisation of the programme according to the type of education. The “short-type” or professionally-oriented higher education programmes are organised in a single cycle of studies of at least 180 credits (Bachelor in Midwifery requires 240 ECTS) and are sanctioned by a Bachelor’s degree (bachelier de l’enseignement supérieur de type court).

Credential required for entry:Certificat d' Enseignement secondaire supérieur

Type of institution where credential is offered:Haute Ecole (University colleges)
Ecole supérieure des Arts (Arts colleges)
Etablissement d'enseignement de promotion sociale (Institution of social advancement education)

Bachelier (enseignement universitaire et enseignement supérieur de type long)

Description:The higher education system of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels is characterized by the co-existence of “short-type” or professionally-oriented education and of “long-type” or academic education. In spite of the binary character of the higher education system, no legal distinction is made between similar degrees, irrespective of the type of higher education institution awarding them. However, a distinction should be made regarding the organisation of the programme according to the type of education. University as well as “long-type” or academic higher education programmes are organised into two cycles (Bachelier-Master). The first cycle includes 180 credits and is sanctioned by a Bachelor’s degree (bachelier). Admission to the second cycle (Master level) requires the completion of the first cycle.

Credential required for entry:Certificat d' Enseignement secondaire supérieur

Type of institution where credential is offered:Université (University)
Haute Ecole (University colleges)
Ecole supérieure des Arts (Arts colleges)
Etablissement d'enseignement de promotion sociale (Institution of social advancement education)

Bachelier de spécialisation

Description:Specialised degree awarded after one year of study (60 ECTS) following a professionally-oriented Bachelier. The title of the degree is followed by the name of the speciality (i.e. Bachelier de spécialisation en pédiatrie, en art thérapie, en accessoires de mode, etc.).

Credential required for entry:Bachelier (enseignement supérieur de type court)

Type of institution where credential is offered:Haute Ecole (University colleges)
Etablissement d'enseignement de promotion sociale (Institution of social advancement education)

Master

Description:Second cycle of university and “long-type” or academic higher education. It includes 60 credits or 120 credits and is sanctioned by a Master’s degree.