Study abroad in Ghent
Housing, Erasmus groups, universities, costs and student life for exchange students in Ghent.
Country
BelgiumStudent Budget
EUR 850 – 1,200/month
Transport Card
De Lijn Buzzy Pazz under-25 — EUR 232/year unlimited bus/tram in Flanders.
Population
267,000 (Statbel, 2024)
City Vibe
Belgium's most underrated student city: 75,000 students, Ghent University in the QS top 150, a medieval canal-laced centre that goes fully car-free, and the famous Gentse Feesten — the largest free city festival in Europe.
Who loves this city?
Students who want a beautiful, cyclable, progressive medium-sized city with a serious top-150 university and a famous nightlife street.
What makes it special
Ghent has the cultural depth of Bruges, the academic firepower of Leuven, and the quality-of-life of a Dutch city — at Belgian prices.
Newcomer shocks
- The Overpoortstraat at midweek is louder than central Brussels — 30+ student bars on a single street.
- Veggie Thursday is real and city-wide.
- Cycling lanes are everywhere; you will be expected to obey them strictly.
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Weather & Packing
| Season | High / Low | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / 1°C | Rain and drizzle | 8h daylight; grey but not freezing |
| February | 7°C / 1°C | Rain/sleet | Canal views best when foggy; warm up inside |
| March | 10°C / 3°C | Showers | Spring colour; jacket needed |
| April | 14°C / 6°C | Showers | Beautiful historic city in bloom |
| May | 18°C / 9°C | Some rain | Lovely; terrace season opens |
| June | 21°C / 12°C | Occasional showers | Ghent Festival in July prep; warm |
| July | 23°C / 14°C | Showers | Gentse Feesten (10-day festival); vibrant |
| August | 23°C / 14°C | Some rain | Warm; canal swimming at St. Pietersplein |
| September | 19°C / 11°C | Rain increases | Autumn; medium layers |
| October | 14°C / 7°C | Frequent rain | Waterproof shoes a must |
| November | 9°C / 4°C | Cold rain | Dark and wet; warm cafe culture shines |
| December | 6°C / 2°C | Rain, possible frost | Beautiful ice rink at Korenmarkt |
Mild but rainy winters (2-7 C). Cycling year-round; bring waterproof gear. De Lijn trams cover bad-weather days.
Packing checklist
- Waterproof jacket year-round
- Layers for variable temperatures
- Comfortable shoes for cobblestone streets
- Umbrella handy
- Warm coat for Nov–Feb
Cost of Living
| Category | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room Rent | EUR 380 – 520/month | From the Ghent snapshot student rent range; inspect contract terms and what bills include before paying a deposit. |
| Groceries | EUR 150 – 300/month | Directional grocery allowance derived from the city snapshot budget and local price basket items. |
| Transport Monthly | EUR 19 – 45/month | De Lijn annual youth pass works out around EUR 19/month; exact eligibility and products change. |
| Leisure Phone Misc | EUR 100 – 240/month | Planning buffer for phone, basic social life, small supplies, and local surprises; keep a separate emergency reserve. |
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Housing
Overpoort / Sint-Pieters
Varies by street, room type, and season.Best for student nightlife, UGent access, and easy rail connections.
Rabot / Brugse Poort
Varies by street, room type, and season.More affordable, multicultural, and still bikeable to campus.
Ledeberg
Varies by street, room type, and season.Good-value south-side base with tram/cycle access.
Where to search
Documents to prepare
Passport or national ID
Admission or exchange confirmation
Proof of funds or guarantor details if requested
Deposit funds and signed lease
Health insurance or local registration documents if required
Timing
Start with university housing as soon as the host opens applications.
Keep temporary accommodation for arrival if the private market is tight.
For one-semester stays, confirm minimum term and cancellation rules before signing.
Red flags
Do not wait until July for a September arrival; local student advice repeatedly says late exchange students struggle hard.
Prefer university/city-backed listings first. If a landlord pressures you to transfer money before verification, walk away.
Watch the contract length. Many Ghent rooms expect a full academic year, which can be awkward for one-semester exchange students.
Safety
Very safe city. Bicycle theft is the dominant concern — use two locks and register your bike with the police.
Top risks
- Bike theft — Ghent is heavily bike-dependent; always use a quality U-lock
- Pickpocketing near the Korenmarkt and Vrijdagmarkt during summer crowds
- Rental scams targeting international students (fake ads on Facebook groups)
Ghent is very walkable and bike-friendly; public transport issues are minimal. Use common sense near train station at night.
Transport
🚌 City public transport
Ghent students should compare housing by the route to campus, not only by neighbourhood name.
Use the student or youth fare noted in the city snapshot when eligible.
🚌 Regional and weekend travel
Useful for airport links, day trips, and commuting from cheaper areas when city-centre housing is tight.
Check local rail, bus, and university student-card discounts before booking.
Events & Activities
Gentse Feesten
July
Mostly free city festival
Ten days of concerts, street theatre, late-night squares, and free culture across the city. If you stay after exams, this is the Ghent event.
Student Kick-Off Gent
September
Free or low-cost student festival
The fastest way to understand Ghent's student associations, music scene, and Overpoort rhythm at the start of the semester.
Light Festival Ghent
Winter cycle, every few years
Free outdoor route when held
A high-impact free night walk through the historic centre; ideal for winter social plans.
Free/low-cost museums with student pricing
Year-round
Reduced student tickets; free moments vary
STAM, MSK, and Design Museum are realistic culture options between exams and rainy weekends.
Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival)
July (10 days)
Mostly free; paid concerts €10–30
One of the world's biggest free city festivals — 10 days of music, theatre and street parties across the historic centre
SMAK Museum of Contemporary Art
Year-round (Tuesday–Sunday)
€12; free first Sunday of month
World-class contemporary art collection — permanent collection by Warhol, Beuys + excellent temporary exhibitions
Student Perks
Museums & Culture
Food Savings
Verify the student transit pass option for the De Lijn Buzzy Pazz under-25 — EUR 232/year unlimited bus/tram in Flanders. to save on daily commuting costs. Fares & passes
Universities
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
Hands-on Ghent applied sciences university with 14,000 students and the strongest English-taught short programme catalogue in Flanders for international business, communication, and entrepreneurship.
Ghent University
Belgium's second-largest research university (QS top 150, founded 1817): 50,000 students, 11 faculties, 100+ English-taught masters, and the strongest bioscience and engineering ecosystems in Flanders.
HOGENT – University College Ghent
Ghent's main applied sciences university (hogeschool) with 19,000 students, hands-on bachelor programmes in business, IT, healthcare, social work, and the arts (KASK conservatory).
Social Life
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Student Associations
Meeting Places 4
Public Groups 4
ESN Gent
Official Erasmus Student Network chapter for buddy programme, activities, trips, and international student events.
ESN Gent Buddy Program
Best first contact if you want a local student to help with arrival and practical questions.
UGent Housing Office
Official housing starting point for international UGent students.
Kotatgent
Official city-backed Ghent student housing platform.
Forums & Advice 2
Erasmus+ Community
Official network for exchange students — forums, contacts, and city guides.
Reddit: Student housing in Ghent
Useful reality check on timing, neighbourhoods, and the difficulty of finding rooms close to semester start.
Reddit: Accommodation in Ghent for exchange
Exchange-focused discussion on late searches, university housing, and private-market fallback options.