Erasmus guide HOGENT – University College Ghent
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at HOGENT – University College Ghent in Ghent, Belgium.
Study abroad at HOGENT – University College Ghent: overview
Study abroad at HOGENT - University College Ghent means choosing Ghent through a specific academic fit: 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). It works best when your courses, language and housing align with the faculty, not only with the university name.
Enrollment
19,000 students
International Mix
Visible international community; availability depends on faculty and agreement.
Why students choose it
Ghent's applied-sciences university college, strong in healthcare, technology, design, education, and business. Smaller than Ghent University, more practical in orientation, and deeply integrated into Ghent's student culture.
Language of instruction: Dutch (primary); some English-taught exchange tracks in business and social work
Exchange & application at HOGENT – University College Ghent
Exchange at HOGENT - University College Ghent starts with nomination, official calendar and course confirmation. Check seats, language and prerequisites before promising yourself a fixed timetable.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, online exchange application, learning agreement, valid ID/passport, transcript, and language proof when the host programme requires it.
📨Nomination Process
Your home university nominates you first. After nomination, complete the host online application and learning agreement by the faculty deadline; dates vary by semester and programme.
🛂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
HOGENT international support and programme coordinators are key because exchange modules are often practice-oriented.
🧭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 |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn intake | Usually spring; verify with the receiving faculty | Usually April-May depending on faculty and exchange type |
| Spring intake | Usually autumn; verify with the receiving faculty | Usually October-November depending on faculty and exchange type |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm campus and faculty before booking housing.
- Prepare backup courses in case your first choices are full or incompatible.
- Keep insurance, ID, nomination, and learning agreement PDFs offline.
- Register local admin steps early if your stay requires residence paperwork.
Academics & courses at HOGENT – University College Ghent
Academics are anchored in Business Management, Healthcare (Nursing and Midwifery), Digital Design and Communication, Social Work. Bring backup courses and confirm credit conversion with your home university.
📝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 HOGENT – University College Ghent
Costs at HOGENT - University College Ghent combine exchange agreement, housing, insurance, transport and materials. Always separate partner exchange from full-degree admission because the financial rules differ.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 tuition (admin EUR 0–50) | Erasmus tuition fully covered at all Belgian universities. Administrative fees €0–50 at enrollment. EU students use EHIC for medical care; non-EU need privat… |
| Full degree – EU/EEA | EUR ~906–1,000/year | EU/EEA statutory rate ~€906–1,000/year. HoGent is an applied university (hogeschool) — practical, career-oriented. Healthcare, education, arts & design strong. |
| Full degree – non-EU | EUR 1,800–3,000/year | Non-EU: €1,800–3,000/year. Ghent is an affordable Belgian city compared to Brussels or Leuven. Professional-focused programmes with strong industry links. |
EUR 0 tuition (admin EUR 0–50)
Erasmus tuition fully covered at all Belgian universities. Administrative fees €0–50 at enrollment. EU students use EHIC for medical care; non-EU need privat…
EUR ~906–1,000/year
EU/EEA statutory rate ~€906–1,000/year. HoGent is an applied university (hogeschool) — practical, career-oriented. Healthcare, education, arts & design strong.
EUR 1,800–3,000/year
Non-EU: €1,800–3,000/year. Ghent is an affordable Belgian city compared to Brussels or Leuven. Professional-focused programmes with strong industry links.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at HOGENT – University College Ghent
Housing should be chosen by safe campus route, contract and arrival timing. Start with official channels and avoid deposits before verifying identity and conditions.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Ghent
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at HOGENT – University College Ghent
The international office, student services and faculty coordinators are the route for arrival, courses and documents. Use them early before small doubts become blockers.
🛡️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.
Health & Sports
Medical appointments, sports hall access daily, Student Sport Flanders competitions, skiing trips, and individual sports sessions. Combined service for students.
Libraries
Eight campus libraries including two art libraries, five learning commons, and one digital library. Extensive physical and digital collections with individual and group study spaces.
Guidance & Wellbeing
Free confidential counselling for emotional or relational difficulties. MoodSpace platform for mental health self-help. Study coaching also available through student services.
ESN Gent
Erasmus Student Network Gent covers HOGENT, UGent, and Artevelde. Parties, city trips, cultural activities, and an active international community in Ghent.
Student life at HOGENT – University College Ghent
Student life at HOGENT - University College Ghent depends on orientation, clubs, faculty groups and neighbourhood routine. Integration improves when you repeat plans instead of staying only in international circles.
Student Clubs
- HOGENT student council
- Ghent international groups
- Applied programme project teams
Buddy Program
HOGENT international support and programme coordinators are key because exchange modules are often practice-oriented.
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 HOGENT – University College Ghent
HOGENT - University College Ghent dates change by semester and agreement. Save official emails, confirm nomination and application windows, and leave room for course changes after arrival.
-
1
Before nomination
Confirm that your home university has an active agreement for your subject area.
-
2
After admission
Lock housing, insurance, arrival date, and backup courses before peak September/February pressure.
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3
Welcome week
Attend orientation, student-card setup, campus tour, and first social events.