Erasmus guide Ghent University
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Ghent University in Ghent, Belgium.
Study abroad at Ghent University: overview
Study abroad at Ghent University means choosing a large Belgian research university in a creative student city, strong in bioscience, engineering, economics, arts, veterinary medicine and sciences. In practice, the useful context is enrollment: More than 50,000 students in recent institutional profiles; international mix: Large international and exchange community, especially across research master's, sciences and engineering; academically it fits best around Bioscience Engineering, Economics and Business Administration, Engineering and Architecture, Arts and Philosophy. The part to check without romanticising it: rules can be faculty-specific, so confirm the host department, seats and course list early.
Enrollment
More than 50,000 students in recent institutional profiles
International Mix
Large international and exchange community, especially across research master's, sciences and engineering
Why students choose it
Best fit: students who want Bioscience Engineering, Economics and Business Administration, Engineering and Architecture, Arts and Philosophy in Ghent, with a course list that genuinely matches their home degree. Do not choose it on reputation alone; watch this trade-off: rules can be faculty-specific, so confirm the host department, seats and course list early.
Language of instruction: Dutch (primary); English widely available at master's level and in exchange-specific courses
Exchange & application at Ghent University
Start with home-university nomination, then confirm faculty rules, Learning Agreement, insurance and local registration steps. Acceptance is the start of logistics, not the end.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, valid Learning Agreement, insurance proof and faculty-level course eligibility.
📨Nomination Process
Your home university nominates first; the host university then opens application or enrolment steps.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students normally do not need a student visa. Non-EU students should check Belgian long-stay visa or residence rules early and keep proof of insurance and financial means ready.
👥Buddy System
UGent welcome activities and ESN Ghent are the fastest first-week route for exchange students.
🧭Orientation Week
International welcome days usually happen just before classes; attend them even if your course timetable is not final yet.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | Usually spring; verify faculty instructions. | Usually spring/early summer after nomination. |
| 2nd semester | Usually autumn; second-semester options can vary by faculty. | Usually autumn after nomination. |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm insurance status before enrolment.
- Activate student account and course systems.
- Book local registration or residence steps if required.
Academics & courses at Ghent University
Expect ECTS, faculty-level course rules, language requirements and a mix of lectures, seminars or projects. Check course seats before promising yourself a perfect timetable.
📝Course Registration
Course registration is usually handled after admission through the faculty or exchange platform. Build a backup shortlist because English-taught places and timetable combinations can change.
🎓Credit System
Belgium uses ECTS. A full-time semester is normally 30 ECTS; exchange loads depend on the home university learning agreement.
💯Grading System
Belgian universities commonly use a 0-20 grading scale with 10/20 as the usual pass mark, though conversion is handled by the home university.
✍️Exam Culture
Attendance, group work, and final exam dates vary by faculty. Do not book return travel until the official exam schedule is confirmed.
📚Library Access
Exchange students normally receive student-card access to campus libraries, study rooms, Wi-Fi, and digital learning platforms after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at Ghent University
Exchange students usually pay no host tuition, but semester costs still include housing, insurance, transport, food and student contributions. Full-degree fees are a separate decision and must be checked by programme.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 host tuition + local semester/admin costs | Partner exchange students normally do not pay host tuition, but insurance, housing, transport and local administrative costs still apply. |
| Full degree - EU/EEA | Statutory/programme tuition; verify current fee page | Full-degree fees depend on programme, language, student status and annual rules; exchange students are a separate category. |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA | Programme fees vary; verify official fee page before applying | Non-EU/EEA fees can differ sharply by programme, faculty and scholarship status; use the official fee page before budgeting. |
EUR 0 host tuition + local semester/admin costs
Partner exchange students normally do not pay host tuition, but insurance, housing, transport and local administrative costs still apply.
Statutory/programme tuition; verify current fee page
Full-degree fees depend on programme, language, student status and annual rules; exchange students are a separate category.
Programme fees vary; verify official fee page before applying
Non-EU/EEA fees can differ sharply by programme, faculty and scholarship status; use the official fee page before budgeting.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Ghent University
Ghent housing should move in parallel with the application. Student residences help, but private rooms need contract checks and realistic commute planning.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Ghent
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Ghent University
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, orientation, buddy systems and student groups early. The right office can save weeks of confusion.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes. Arrive with valid health insurance for the full exchange period and keep proof available for university and residence steps.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
Use the university student services or international office first; they can point you to local doctors, insurance guidance, and urgent-care procedures.
🧠Mental Health
Student services can usually route students to counselling, wellbeing support, disability services, or external care. Ask early rather than waiting for exam period.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Useful for many EU students for medically necessary public care.
Belgian mutuelle or private insurance
Varies by status and provider
Often relevant for long stays, reimbursements, or non-EU visa/residence requirements.
Campus services
International office
Main contact for nomination, learning agreement, arrival steps, and exchange paperwork.
Housing support
Start here before using private groups; it reduces scam risk and clarifies realistic rent ranges.
Student support
Use for insurance, wellbeing, disability support, study adjustments, and practical first-week questions.
University Library (UGent)
University-wide library network with study spaces, laptop loans, group study rooms, research databases, and 24/7 reading rooms. Student card gives full access.
Sports Centre (GUSB)
Large sports campus with gym, swimming pools, fitness classes, and 50+ sports. Reduced-rate semester sports card for students. Intramural leagues available.
Medical Service for Students
On-campus student medical service for general consultations, referrals, and health advice. Separate from general practitioners — specifically for UGent students.
Job Service for Students
Find student jobs in Ghent and surroundings. CV help, employer connections, and job listings. Free for enrolled UGent students.
Student life at Ghent University
Student life in Ghent works best through repeated routines: canteens, sports, associations, cafés, language tandems and low-cost city plans.
Student Clubs
- ESN Ghent
- Faculty student circles
- UGent Sport and cultural groups
Buddy Program
UGent welcome activities and ESN Ghent are the fastest first-week route for exchange students.
Sports & Recreation
- University sport or city student sport routes
- Low-cost city events and faculty activities
Your First 2 Weeks
- Sort bike access quickly; Ghent is much easier when housing, campus, and groceries are bike-connected.
- Do not wait for perfect housing; a verified kot in a workable area beats a late search from abroad.
- Use ESN/student union events early, then branch into faculty circles and local house groups.
- Check whether your courses are in the centre, Sterre, Schoonmeersen, or another campus before signing a lease.
Key exchange dates at Ghent University
Track nomination, application, housing, insurance, registration, course enrolment, arrival and exams. Put resit periods in your calendar before booking return travel.
-
1
Nomination and application
Spring for first semester; autumn for second semester
Home-university nomination comes first; the host application and Learning Agreement follow.
-
2
Housing, insurance and arrival setup
As soon as acceptance arrives
Ghent housing and admin should move in parallel with course planning, not after it.
-
3
Arrival and orientation
September/October or January/February
Use orientation for enrolment, student card, campus systems, local registration and social groups.