How does it work?

(1) First, there is a pre-admission process. The pre-admission is a quick check to judge if your academic background meets the prerequisites required for the Master of your choice. You will be asked to upload a number of documents (such as your Transcript of Records and a language certificate), and asked a few questions (for instance, a self-assessment of your skills in mathematics). At this point, you will also be asked to pay an application fee of 50 EUR. Once we have received your file, our academic staff will evaluate your application. A motivated pre-admission response will be given within 14 calendar days. You can start the pre-admission process by clickin on 'start your application'. The pre-admission platfrom is open all year for interested candidates.

(2) Secondly, once your pre-admission has been proven successful, you will be asked to advance to a full admission. Your documents will receive a final check before your application can be approved. If any documents are missing at this stage, you will be notified to give you a chance to upload them.

Finally, if your application proves to be successful, you will be sent an electronic conditional letter of acceptance. With this letter, you can request a visa at your embassy. Please note to start this process in time, we recommend at least four months before the start of the academic year in September. Once you have received your visa, you can travel to Belgium and enroll at the university. Once enrolled, you will be reimbursed the full application fee of 50 EUR.

If you are a non EEA-student, you will be asked to enroll at VUB, if you are an EEA-student, you will be asked to enroll at ULB. However, all students will be mixed and receive the same education and diploma.

Start your application

Application deadlines

Next intake: academic year of 2023-2024 (start of classes: mid-September 2023)

For EEA students: before 1 September 2023

For non-EEA students: before 1 April 2023

Please note late applications will not be accepted.

Intake academic year of 2024-2025: applications open 1 October 2023

Join our online info sessions

In this one hour info session, we will briefly discuss tuition fees, scholarships, admission requirements, the application process and important deadlines. The session will end with a Q&A session. Above all, we believe it is a great way to get to know us and we look forward to welcoming you! More info

Do you still have questions?

Don't hestitate to check out our most Frequently Asked Questions, or simply send us an email

Architectural Engineering:

• I have or will soon have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences of at least three years, or consisting of at least 180 ECTS credits or equivalent (such as 130 US credits or semester contact hours)
• I have an overall degree above average, which in the US grading means level B+ or a GPA of minimum 3.33 out of 4. For conversion to the US grading system please consult this page.
• I have obtained a score above average for the mathematics courses, which means a score of minimum 3.2 out of 4, 15 out of 20 or equivalent B+ level.
• I have obtained a minimum of 30 ECTS or equivalent in architectural design studio or equivalent.
• I have obtained a minimum of 10 ECTS or equivalent in courses related to the history and theory of architecture.
• I am or will be able to prove my knowledge of the English language.

Civil Engineering:

• I have or will soon have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences of at least three years, or consisting of at least 180 ECTS credits or equivalent (such as 130 US credits or semester contact hours)
• I have an overall degree above average, which in the US grading means level B+ or a GPA of minimum 3.33 out of 4. For conversion to the US grading system please consult this page.
• I have obtained a score above average for the mathematics courses, which means a score of minimum 3.2 out of 4, 15 out of 20 or equivalent B+ level.
• I am or will be able to prove my knowledge of the English language.

Electrical Engineering:

• I have or will soon have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences of at least three years, or consisting of at least 180 ECTS credits or equivalent (such as 130 US credits or semester contact hours)
• I have an overall degree above average, which in the US grading means level B or a GPA of minimum 3 out of 4. For conversion to the US grading system please consult this page.
• I have obtained a score above average for the mathematics courses, which means a score of minimum 3 out of 4, or equivalent B level.
• I am or will be able to prove my knowledge of the English language.

Chemical and materials Engineering:

• I have or will soon have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences of at least three years, or consisting of at least 180 ECTS credits or equivalent (such as 130 US credits or semester contact hours)
• I have an overall degree above average, which in the US grading means level B or a GPA of minimum 3 out of 4. For conversion to the US grading system please consult this page.
• I have obtained a score above average for the mathematics courses, which means a score of minimum 3 out of 4,  or equivalent B level.
• I am or will be able to prove my knowledge of the English language.

Electromechanical Engineering:

• I have or will soon have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences of at least three years, or consisting of at least 180 ECTS credits or equivalent (such as 130 US credits or semester contact hours)
• I have an overall degree above average, which in the US grading means level B or a GPA of minimum 3 out of 4. For conversion to the US grading system please consult this page.
• I have obtained a score above average for the mathematics courses, which means a score of minimum 3 out of 4,  or equivalent B level.
• I am or will be able to prove my knowledge of the English language.

EEA Citizens

Formalities in the host country

The right of residence is granted to all students who are EU citizens when they are admitted to study in another member state, as long as they have the necessary resources, are enrolled at an authorised institution where they will follow a programme of study, and are covered by health insurance.

Formalities for obtaining the right of residence

These formalities are necessary only for periods of residence longer than three consecutive months. The right of residence in Belgium is granted if the following three conditions are met:

• The student must register at the district administration of his or her place of residence in Belgium within 8 days of arrival.

• The student must provide the pieces of identity which were used to enter Belgium (identity card, passport) and a certificate of registration at the university.

• The student must prove that he or she has sufficient means of support.

Non-EEA Citizens

Formalities in the country of origin

Students who wish to spend more than three months in Belgium must go to the Belgian Embassy in their country of origin to request a provisional residence permit (PRP) for the length of their stay in Belgium. It takes six to eight weeks to obtain. Without a PRP, which is impossible to obtain in Belgium, you will not be able to register with the register of foreign nationals of the Belgian district where you intend to stay, and therefore will be staying illegally in Belgium and will be subject to deportation. To obtain a PRP, you must provide the embassy with:

• The certificate issued by the host institution which certifies that you are registered as a regular student (a PRP is limited to the length of your studies and is based on this certificate).

• The proof that you have sufficient means of support.

• A medical certificate stating that you do not have a disease which could be a risk to public health.

• A certificate of good character if you are over the age of 21.

Formalities in the host country

You must meet the same conditions for obtaining the right of residence as those required of students who are citizens of the EU and other eligible countries.

Chinese Citizens

From the academic year 2007-2008 onwards all students from the P.R. China will have to obtain a certificate of academic screening issued by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) of the German Embassy in Beijing before being allowed to enrol at any higher education institution, language course or other preparatory course.

The APS certificate is also required for obtaining a student visa to Belgium. Students planning to study in Belgium are advised to contact the Academic Evaluation Centre in Beijing. Send an email as soon as possible in order to make the necessary appointments and this before applying for a visa.

Students who are currently enrolled at one of our partner universities are exempted from the admission process. Please contact international.relations@vub.be to inquire whether your university classifies as one of our partners.

Click here to find more information about the APS procedure

Click here to visit the website of APS

After you have submitted your application, a team of evaluators will check your documents and academic background. If you meet all criteria, you will be invited to an interview with a professor to verify you have the right academic knowledge. When succesful, you will be invited to complete the next steps in the registration process. Once completed, you will receive a conditional letter of acceptance and an invitation to enroll.