Admission requirements
As a general rule, every study programme comes with its own set of conditions. You will find all the requirements for your chosen programme by clicking 'admission requirements' under the 'programme' tab.
Which degree is required?
If you have an academic Bachelor's degree in engineering (university level) with specialization in bioengineering or biomedical engineering (university level) you can directly enter the programme.
You can also apply if you have an academic Bachelor's degree in engineering or exact/ applied sciences (university level)--in this case, your background will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and admission is based on acceptance .
Based on the evaluation, and you might need to follow a preparatory program accounting for approximately 15/18 to maximum 90 ECTS credits, depending on your diploma.
Will I need to sit an entrance exam?
You will not need to sit an entrance exam to begin the programme.
Are there any language requirements?
We accept the following proof of English language proficiency:
- A secondary school diploma from the Belgian educational system;
- A certificate from the institution where you completed secondary or higher education, stating that English was the language of instruction;
- A certificate of one of the following language tests corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference with minimum level B2:
- TOEFL (internet-based test) with minimum level: 79
- IELTS academic module, with minimum level: 6.5
- Cambridge English minimum grade scale score of 170
- ITACE with minimum level B2
- Please note your language test results must not be older than 5 years at the moment of application.
GRE Test
Studying abroad is a significant decision that requires academic, social, and financial commitment. To assist international students in determining whether the Biomedical Engineering Master @VUB aligns with their academic background and qualifications, the faculty has established an advising system based on the GRE General Test – Quantitative Reasoning component.
From the 2025-2026 academic year onwards, all applicants must submit their Quantitative Reasoning score from the GRE General Test. Applications without a GRE score will not be evaluated, and admission will be denied.
About
The GRE General Test is a standardized exam assessing verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills, designed to measure readiness for graduate-level study. For more details about the GRE and how to register, visit the GRE website.
To apply for the Biomedical Engineering Master, we only need the Quantitative Reasoning score from the GRE General Test are required. GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.
Score scale
Based on research and evaluation, the Faculty of Engineering (IR) has set the following indicative GRE score scale for assessing applicants:
- GRE score of 163 or above: Indicates a strong likelihood of success in the program, provided the student adopts an appropriate study attitude.
- GRE score between 158 and 162: Suggests an acceptable chance of success, assuming the student commits sufficient effort.
- GRE score of 157 or below: Indicates that the applicant may face significant challenges in successfully completing the program within the expected timeframe.
Submission
Applicants must send their official GRE test results via email to: bme@etrovub.be.
Additionally, test takers can select VUB – Faculty of Engineering as a designated score recipient using the following GRE DI Code: GRE DI Code: 1877 (Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Faculty of Engineering).
This code ensures that your official GRE scores are sent directly to the faculty.
Exemptions
The following applicants are exempt from submitting a GRE test score:
Students who obtained their degree from a university located in an EEA country (European Economic Area): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands.
For further inquiries, please contact us at bme@etrovub.be.
Apply now!
You're convinced to start this study? It makes sense: our university is one of the best in Belgium and beyond. Allow us to take you through the steps of the application and enrolment process as swiftly as possible.
If you need help during the application and enrolment procedure, don't panic. We've listed useful tips for your application and enrolment, as well as a step-by-step guide through the entire application procedure and an answer to the most frequently asked questions.