Erasmus guide Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium.
Study abroad at Universite Libre de Bruxelles: overview
Study abroad at Universite Libre de Bruxelles means choosing a french-speaking Brussels research university with a free-thinking culture, strong social sciences, law, medicine, sciences and EU-city access. In practice, the useful context is enrollment: Approx. 38,000 students in the 2024/25 university activity profile; international mix: Very international Brussels campus community; strong fit for students interested in EU, law, politics, science and public health; academically it fits best around Law, Economics and Management (Solvay Brussels School), Political Science and International Relations, Sciences and Engineering. The part to check without romanticising it: rules can be faculty-specific, so confirm the host department, seats and course list early.
Enrollment
Approx. 38,000 students in the 2024/25 university activity profile
International Mix
Very international Brussels campus community; strong fit for students interested in EU, law, politics, science and public health
Why students choose it
Best fit: students who want Law, Economics and Management (Solvay Brussels School), Political Science and International Relations, Sciences and Engineering in Brussels, 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: French (primary); English available for some courses and at master's level
Exchange & application at Universite Libre de Bruxelles
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
ULB welcome and student association routes help exchange students enter campus life around Solbosch and Plaine.
🧭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 Universite Libre de Bruxelles
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 Universite Libre de Bruxelles
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 Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Brussels 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 Brussels
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Universite Libre de Bruxelles
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.
ULB Libraries
Network of campus libraries with print and digital collections, group study rooms, and access to major academic databases. Student card required for full access.
Healthcare & Wellbeing
Medical consultations, mental health support, psychological counselling, and wellbeing workshops on campus. Free and confidential for enrolled students.
Sports
Full university sports programme with gym, fitness classes, team sports, and outdoor activities at the Solbosch and Erasme campuses.
Student Welfare Office
Psychosocial support, disability guidance, financial help, and student wellbeing services. First stop for personal difficulties during your exchange.
Disability & Accessibility
Support for students with specific needs including disabilities, chronic illness, or learning differences. Academic accommodations and study adjustments available.
ESN ULB Brussels
ESN section at ULB organising trips, cultural events, integration activities, and ESNcard benefits for exchange students at ULB.
Student life at Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Student life in Brussels works best through repeated routines: canteens, sports, associations, cafés, language tandems and low-cost city plans.
Student Clubs
- BEA and faculty circles
- ULB Sport
- International and Erasmus student events around Ixelles
Buddy Program
ULB welcome and student association routes help exchange students enter campus life around Solbosch and Plaine.
Sports & Recreation
- University sport or city student sport routes
- Low-cost city events and faculty activities
Your First 2 Weeks
- Confirm campus location before choosing housing; Brussels university campuses can be 30-45 minutes apart.
- Register commune paperwork early if your stay requires it; appointments can fill quickly in September.
- Join the university international welcome and one city-level group before classes start.
- Test your commute at class time, not at noon; tram and metro crowding changes the real routine.
Key exchange dates at Universite Libre de Bruxelles
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
Brussels 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.