Jasmine Grover Study Abroad Expert
Study Abroad Expert | Updated On - Feb 13, 2026
Belgium is increasingly popular among Indian students because it offers strong public universities, English-taught Master’s programmes, and comparatively moderate tuition in Flanders region. But “study in Belgium without IELTS” is often misunderstood. In most cases, Belgian universities still require proof of English proficiency, yet IELTS is not always the only way to prove it—some universities accept TOEFL, Cambridge, ITACE, or formal exemptions such as a degree fully taught in English (with a verified attestation). At the same time, Indian applicants must plan around early non-EEA deadlines and the Type D (long-stay) student visa, where the normal procedure can take 6–8 weeks.
Study in Flanders is the official website where international students can discover the English taught degree programmes of the 18 Flemish Higher Education Institutions in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.
- What “Study in Belgium Without IELTS” really means
- Upcoming intakes for Indian students
- English proof routes that can replace IELTS
- Universities in Belgium where admission can be possible without IELTS (Bachelor vs Master)
- Step-by-step admissions plan for Indian students
- Belgium student visa (Type D) essentials for Indians
- Common mistakes Indian students should avoid
- FAQs
What “Study in Belgium Without IELTS” really means
For Belgium, “without IELTS” usually means one of the following:
- IELTS is optional because your university accepts an alternative test (e.g., TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, ITACE).
- IELTS is waived because you qualify under a university’s exemption rule (for example, some institutions exempt applicants who hold a degree fully taught in English with a medium-of-instruction attestation).
- You are applying to a programme that assesses English differently (rare, programme-specific), sometimes through interviews after academic evaluation.
KU Leuven explicitly states that applicants who did not obtain a previous diploma taught in English in a limited set of English-speaking countries (Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, USA) must submit one of KU Leuven’s accepted English tests—so an Indian English-medium degree does not automatically remove the testing requirement there.
Upcoming intakes for Indian students
Belgium’s main intake for degree programmes is typically September. For KU Leuven, the academic year 2026–2027 starts on 16 September 2026, which is useful for planning visas and travel.
Spring/February intakes exist only for selected programmes, so you should verify on the programme page before building your plan.
Key application deadlines to target for September 2026
| University | Intake focus | Indian students’ (visa) application timing |
|---|---|---|
| Ghent University (UGent) | September is the standard intake | UGent lists: students who need a visa should submit before 1 April. |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) | September is the standard intake | VUB lists: non-EEA citizens apply before 1 April 2026 (last day: 31 March). |
| KU Leuven | Programme-dependent | KU Leuven uses an official “application window” tool; many programmes show before March 1 for non-EEA (example programme page). Always verify your exact programme. |
Planning note: Study in Flanders warns the normal visa procedure can take 6–8 weeks, so building buffer time is essential for Indian applicants.
English proof routes that can replace IELTS
Below is how studying in Belgium without IELTS typically works in practice.
| Route | When it works | What you should prepare | Official examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accepted alternatives to IELTS | You submit TOEFL/Cambridge/ITACE etc. instead of IELTS | Test score report + validity rules | UGent requires valid proof of required English level; accepted proofs vary by programme. |
| Degree fully taught in English (exemption) | Some universities may exempt if you can prove your degree was fully English-taught (with attestation) | Medium of instruction (MOI) / attestation + transcripts | UHasselt lists exemptions including a degree fully taught in English with medium-of-instruction attestation. |
| English-taught study history (partial waiver) | Some programmes accept proof you studied a substantial part in English, but may still request additional evidence | Proof of English-taught credits/years + transcripts | UAntwerp (programme example) notes proof of at least 60 ECTS/one academic year in an English-language programme may be accepted, but the board may still request additional proof. |
| Programme interview route | Some programmes mention interviews if formal proof isn’t provided | Prepare for structured interview; keep written proof ready | Example programme info indicates interview-based assessment in some cases. |
Universities in Belgium where admission can be possible without IELTS (Bachelor vs Master)
English-taught Bachelor degrees are more limited in Belgium than English-taught Master’s programmes, so most “without IELTS” pathways are used at the Master’s level.
Bachelor’s level (selected English-taught options)
- VUB (example programme requirements): A VUB programme page states you can prove English by having a secondary/higher education diploma where English was the language of instruction, or by taking accepted tests like TOEFL/ITACE/Cambridge (IELTS is listed, but not mandatory if another accepted proof is used).
Master’s level (most common “without IELTS” use-case)
- UGent: States you cannot enrol without valid proof of required English level; most English-taught masters require English at B2 upon enrolment, with programme-specific variations and accepted proof lists.
- KU Leuven: Requires accepted English tests for applicants who don’t meet KU Leuven’s specific prior-diploma-in-English-country condition.
- University of Antwerp: Publishes English proof options and minimum scores for master admission (requirements can vary by programme).
- UHasselt: Lists exemptions including degree fully taught in English with attestation.
Step-by-step admissions plan for Indian students
If your previous education was taught in English (Indian English-medium)
- Don’t assume it’s automatically accepted as a waiver everywhere.
- Build a “language proof pack”:
- MOI/attestation on official letterhead
- Transcripts clearly showing English-taught coursework
- Backup plan: one alternative test (TOEFL/ITACE/Cambridge) if your target university doesn’t accept MOI alone.
This matters because some universities (e.g., KU Leuven) have specific conditions that do not automatically treat Indian English-medium degrees as test-exempt.
If your previous education was not taught in English
- Book an accepted test immediately (TOEFL/ITACE/Cambridge depending on your programme).
- Work backwards from deadlines (often March/April for visa students at major universities).
Belgium student visa (Type D) essentials for Indians
The EU’s official immigration portal states that to obtain a D visa, you submit an application with required documents to the Belgian diplomatic/consular post of your residence, and your fingerprints and a digital photo are taken.
For Indian residents, Belgium’s official India mission page highlights practical requirements like legalisation of official documents before submission.
Processing time planning
Study in Flanders notes the normal procedure can take six to eight weeks, which is why September-intake applicants should avoid late summer filing.
Proof of funds
Belgium’s India mission “Visa D for students” document states the minimum means of subsistence is indexed each year, and for academic year 2024–2025 it was €803 net/month.
Visa handling fee and possible administrative fee
Belgium’s official “visa handling fees” page lists the D visa handling fee as €180.
A separate official “administrative fee info” document states most applicants pay an administrative fee for long-stay visa D processing, and it also notes an exemption for a student/researcher who receives a scholarship and submits the “standard form.”
Scholarships in Belgium for Indian Students
Study in Flanders states the Master Mind Scholarship includes a grant of €10,225 and a tuition fee waiver per academic year, and the call for 2026–2027 is open.
Common mistakes Indian students should avoid
- Assuming “English-medium education in India” automatically means no test. This is not true for all universities (KU Leuven is a clear example of stricter rules).
- Missing visa-student deadlines (many are March/April for non-EEA applicants at major universities).
- Underestimating document legalisation and translation needs for India-filed visa applications.
- Treating February intakes as standard without confirming programme availability.
FAQs
Ques. Can I study in Belgium without IELTS as an Indian student?
Ans. Yes, in many cases you can apply without IELTS if your university accepts alternative tests (TOEFL/Cambridge/ITACE) or if you qualify for an exemption (for example, some institutions accept a degree fully taught in English with an attestation). However, some universities still require an approved test unless you meet their specific exemption conditions.
Ques. Which intake should I target for Belgium if I’m applying from India?
Ans. The safest target is the September intake. For 2026–2027, KU Leuven notes the academic year starts on 16 September 2026, and major universities show non-EEA deadlines around March/April for visa students.
Ques. Does the Belgium student visa (Type D) require IELTS?
Ans. The visa process focuses on admission/registration, financial means, and required documentation rather than mandating IELTS specifically. But you must meet your university’s language requirements for admission/enrolment, and visa files can require complete, verifiable documentation (including legalised documents for India).
Ques. How much money should I budget monthly in Belgium as a student?
Ans. Study in Flanders estimates an average month in Flanders/Brussels costs about €800–€1,000, including accommodation, food, transport, insurance, and personal expenses.
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