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)
Study abroad in Ghent: student life
Study abroad in Ghent is social, creative and student-heavy without feeling as capital-city complex as Brussels. It suits students who want canals, cycling, festivals and a large research university.
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.
Weather in Ghent & what to pack
Ghent is mild, rainy and grey in winter, with better cycling and canal life in spring. Waterproof layers and bike lights matter.
| Month | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 5° / 1° | 🌧️ Rain and drizzleRain and drizzle, cool | 8h daylight; grey but not freezing |
| February 7° / 1° | 🌧️ Rain/sleetRain/sleet, cool | Canal views best when foggy; warm up inside |
| March 10° / 3° | 🌤️ ShowersShowers, cool | Spring colour; jacket needed |
| April 14° / 6° | 🌤️ ShowersShowers, mild | Beautiful historic city in bloom |
| May 18° / 9° | 🌧️ Some rainSome rain, mild | Lovely; terrace season opens |
| June 21° / 12° | 🌤️ Occasional showersOccasional showers, warm | Ghent Festival in July prep; warm |
| July 23° / 14° | 🌤️ ShowersShowers, warm | Gentse Feesten (10-day festival); vibrant |
| August 23° / 14° | 🌧️ Some rainSome rain, warm | Warm; canal swimming at St. Pietersplein |
| September 19° / 11° | 🌧️ Rain increasesRain increases, mild | Autumn; medium layers |
| October 14° / 7° | 🌧️ Frequent rainFrequent rain, mild | Waterproof shoes a must |
| November 9° / 4° | 🌧️ Cold rainCold rain, cool | Dark and wet; warm cafe culture shines |
| December 6° / 2° | 🌧️ Rain, possible frostRain, possible frost, cool | 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 for students in Ghent
Ghent is usually more manageable than Brussels, but student rooms still move early. Cycling, university restaurants and cheap cultural plans keep the budget realistic.
| Category | Range / mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room - private market | EUR 380 – 520 | From the Ghent snapshot student rent range; inspect contract terms and what bills include before paying a deposit. |
| Groceries | EUR 150 – 300 | Directional grocery allowance derived from the city snapshot budget and local price basket items. |
| Transport Monthly | EUR 19 – 45 | De Lijn annual youth pass works out around EUR 19/month; exact eligibility and products change. |
| Leisure Phone Misc | EUR 100 – 240 | Planning buffer for phone, basic social life, small supplies, and local surprises; keep a separate emergency reserve. |
Private-market baseline
Use the standard student budget as a private-market planning range. Shared housing can cost less than a private apartment, especially outside the centre.
University and public housing
Campus halls, CROUS or an equivalent public option may cost substantially less. Prices, shared-room conditions and eligibility depend on the institution, and availability is never assumed in the standard range.
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Student housing in Ghent
Ghent housing needs an early, official-first search because UGent warns that demand is high and short stays are hard. Start with the UGent Housing Office, Kotatgent and verified residences, then compare Overpoort/Sint-Pieters, Rabot/Brugse Poort, Ledeberg and city-centre bike routes.
Overpoort / Sint-Pieters
Medium-high because student demand is obvious.Student nightlife, UGent access and easy rail connections.
Rabot / Brugse Poort
Often better value than Overpoort or the historic centre.More affordable, multicultural and still bikeable to campus.
Ledeberg
Medium and often practical.Good-value south-side base with tram and cycle access.
City centre / Zuid edge
Medium-high to high for central rooms.Students who want culture, canals and a central daily routine.
Official contacts
UGent Housing Office
Official university office for international student rooms, studios, flats and private-market advice.
UGent accommodation for exchange students
First-come, period-checked process for exchange housing applications.
Kotatgent / City of Ghent student housing
City-backed student housing platform and model-contract route.
Student residences
UGent Homes and Residences
University living units for eligible international students and PhD fellows.
Home Vermeylen / Home Boudewijn and UGent residence options
UGent residence buildings for selected student categories and periods.
Upkot Ghent
Managed student residences around Ghent; useful as a structured private option.
Private platforms
Student groups
Documents to prepare
Passport or EU/national ID
Admission, exchange nomination, or enrolment confirmation
Proof of funds or guarantor details if requested
Deposit budget and signed rental contract
Health insurance, commune registration documents, and arrival address details
Timing
For UGent housing, follow the official intake window; applications for AY 2026-2027 from September 2026 open from 15 May 2026.
Start private searches early because UGent and student reports describe high demand, especially for short stays.
One-semester students should confirm whether the rental period matches the admission/invitation dates.
Deposit & contract notes
Use UGent/Kotatgent model-contract guidance where possible and check rent, service costs, furniture and exit terms.
UGent exchange housing checks the requested rental period against the admission/invitation period; mismatches can block processing.
Ask whether the accommodation meets housing-quality and fire-safety standards before payment.
Red flags
Pressure to transfer money before a contract, landlord identity check, and verified viewing or platform listing.
Vague extra charges for utilities, internet, furniture, city tax, or common costs that are not written into the contract.
A contract length that traps a one-semester exchange student in a full academic year without a clear exit route.
Is Ghent safe for students?
Ghent is generally comfortable for students. Watch bike theft, rental scams and late-night routes, especially after festivals or nightlife.
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.
Getting around Ghent
Bikes, trams and trains make Ghent practical. De Lijn and SNCB options help, but the cheapest routine is often a reliable bike plus occasional train.
🚌 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.
Things to do in Ghent as a student
Ghent's event life is a real strength: Gentse Feesten, Student Kick-Off, Light Festival, Vooruit and canal-side routines. It feels local rather than tourist-only.
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.
medium
Korenlei evening walk
Year-round
Free
Classic low-cost canal route for meeting friends without paying for a full night out.
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
medium
Vooruit culture night
Year-round
Student ticket varies
Concerts, talks and club-adjacent culture in a student-friendly venue.
medium
Gent-Sint-Pieters arrival reset
Semester start
Free
Practical first-week route for learning the station, tram and bike connections.
medium
Blaarmeersen lake day
Spring to autumn
Free or low-cost
Easy sunny-day break when city life gets too compact.
medium
Boekentoren study landmark
Year-round
Free from outside
Useful campus landmark and a good symbol of Ghent's academic rhythm.
Student discounts & perks in Ghent
Student perks are strongest through cycling, university restaurants, reduced museum/culture tickets and food-saving apps. They add up because the city invites frequent small plans.
Museums & Culture
Food Savings
Check De Lijn student/youth season tickets and SNCB youth rail products before committing to a commute. Fares & passes
Universities in Ghent for exchange students
Ghent University is the full guide in this cluster; HOGENT, Artevelde and LUCA are useful context but not full guides here.
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
Large Belgian research university in a creative student city, strong in bioscience, engineering, economics, arts, veterinary medicine and sciences.
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).
Student social life in Ghent
Social life is easier if you join ESN, faculty groups, student sports or a cultural venue early. The city rewards repeated plans.
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.