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Ghent

All programmes in Belgium

Looking for a student city with medieval charm, top nightlife, and waffles on demand?

Ghent is one of Belgium’s best-kept secrets and a seriously underrated student city. With its canals, cobblestone streets, and grand old buildings, it might look like something out of a fairytale. But don’t let the historic vibe fool you, Ghent is young, creative, and full of life.

Whether you're into artsy cafés, live music, sustainability, or science, Ghent has a little bit of everything. It’s welcoming, walkable, and packed with students from around the world.

Study in Ghent: Find Bachelors and Masters

Living in Ghent as a student

Ghent is built around its students: around 80,000 of them, to be exact. That means cheap eats, bike-friendly streets, student discounts everywhere, and a nightlife scene that goes well beyond beer (though, yes, the beer is very good).

Student rooms (called “kot”) usually cost between €400 and €600 a month, depending on the location and amenities. Neighbourhoods like Overpoortstraat, Sint-Pieters, and Dampoort are popular with students.

And when you’re not studying? Stroll along the canals, grab fries and a waffle at midnight, catch a gig at Charlatan, or chill out in one of the city’s green parks or art museums. Ghent’s big enough to stay interesting — but small enough to feel like home.

50¶È»Ò tip: Rent a bike as soon as you arrive. Ghent is flat, car-light, and made for cycling.

Universities in Ghent

Ghent is a major hub for higher education in Belgium, and its universities are well-respected across Europe.

• Ghent University (UGent): One of Belgium’s top universities and highly ranked internationally. It offers a wide range of programmes in English, especially at Master’s and PhD level. UGent is known for its strong research output in life sciences, engineering, law, and more. The campus is spread out across the city, giving it a more integrated feel.
• Artevelde University of Applied Sciences: Offers practice-based programmes in business, communication, health care, and education. Great for students who want hands-on experience and strong job prospects.
• LUCA School of Arts – Campus Ghent: A top choice for art, design, and music students. LUCA combines studio practice with academic study and attracts creatives from across Europe.
• KU Leuven - Campus Ghent: From Renaissance philosophy to nanotechnology, KU Leuven is an international community where innovative research forms the basis of all academic programmes.
• Vlerick Business School: A leading international business school known for its strong focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and practical business education.

Tuition fees in Belgium are quite affordable compared to other European cities, and all universities offer strong international support services and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

Work opportunities for students

EU/EEA students can work freely in Belgium, while non-EU students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester (with a student work permit).

Part-time jobs are common in cafés, shops, and at the universities themselves. Ghent also has growing industries in tech, life sciences, and sustainable innovation, especially around the research clusters at UGent and the city’s many start-ups. If you're into research or academia, Ghent is full of opportunities to get involved in lab or field work.

Getting there and around

Ghent’s location makes it a great base to explore Belgium and beyond. It’s about 30 minutes from Brussels by train, an hour to the coast, and less than 3 hours to Paris, Amsterdam, or London. Trains run frequently and are student-budget friendly, especially with discount rail passes.

In the city itself, most students walk, bike, or use the trams and buses run by De Lijn. The historic centre is mostly car-free, so getting around is easy and safe. 

 

List of universities in Ghent

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