Do you have the time to complete your study path?
Class and exam schedules
A number of bachelor’s and master’s programmes offer a flexible path for work students. Choose this and you will have classes in the evening (between 4 PM and 10 PM) and occasionally on Saturdays. Read through this year's timetables; they will help you work out how to fit the lessons and exams into your daily routine.
Work student status
Your work commitments may occasionally prevent you from attending lessons. Work student status offers a solution, as it allows you rely on certain facilities for qualifying subjects. This can be feedback at an alternative time, rescheduling exams, alternative tasks, etc...
Individual study path
Would you rather spread your course load over a longer period, to help you manage the combination with your work and family? Then move away from the standard route and tailor your own study path. This is always done in consultation with your faculty's study path counselor.
Spreading scenarios
Each faculty offers specific information for its programmes for work students. Curious about what your individual study path or the spreading scenarios might look like? These scenarios are a proposal and it is possible to deviate from them, in consultation with your study path counselor.
Is your faculty not listed here or would you like an individual study path?
Social Sciences and Solvay Business School
Political sciences (Dutch)
Sociology (Dutch)
Preparatory programme
Business (Dutch)
Preparatoy programme
Master programme
Management
Languages and Humanities
Law and Criminology
Psychology and Educational Sciences
Educational Master
Sciences and Bioenineering Sciences
Study progress
If you are short on time, it is probably best to take fewer courses. You don't need to worry too much about this: there is no maximum term in which to graduate. However, you do need to pass at least 60% of the credits.
Study guidance
Good preparation is half the job. This is equally true of your study method and planning. Are you having difficulty with this? Get in touch with our study advisor. They will sharpen your study skills with tips, workshops and individual support.
Government schemes
These government schemes will help you to free up more time for study.
Public servants
As a public servant you can apply to the Flemish government for study leave. This leaves you free to study while keeping your salary. A career break or Flemish care credit will pay you a benefit while you temporarily reduce or interrupt your work.
For employees
As an employee you have the right to paid education leave (Brussels) or Flemish study leave (Flanders). It lets you attend an accredited course while keeping your salary. Or opt for time credit on specific grounds, which pays you a benefit while you to temporarily reduce or interrupt your work. On top of this, you may qualify for Flemish study credit.
For jobseekers
Under certain conditions you may be able to combine unemployment benefits with a course of higher education without seeking permission from the regional unemployment office. However, if taking 27 study points or more per academic year, you will need an exemption from availability for work to keep your benefits.
Do you have enough money to complete your study path?
Government schemes
These government schemes offer financial help if you wish to study further.
Training vouchers
If you live and/or work in Flanders or Brussels, you may have the right to training vouchers, which you can use to pay for a part of your course.
SME portfolio grants
Do you live in the Flemish region, and do you wish to follow a course as a self-employed person or at your employer's suggestion? Under some conditions you are entitled to a grant through the SME portfolio.
Scholarship from the Flemish Government
If you meet a number of nationality, study and financial conditions you are entitled to a study allowance from the Flemish Government. Your age is not important.
Extra financial VUB support
Are these government grants insufficient to cover the costs of your study? Make an appointment with the staff at Social, Legal and Financial support to discuss your options.
Still wondering what subject to choose? Be inspired
How to apply as a working student?
Read all information on how to apply. As a working student, the application process differs slightly.
1. On the page 'program selection' under 'working and studying' you indicate whether or not you want to follow evening classes. You also need to indicate whether or not you will combine your studies with your job.
2. When you choose 'evening or weekend classes' in the application at 'program selection', you will only be able to choose from programmes that are being taught in the evening or weekend.
3. By choosing 'evening or weekend classes' and indicating what is applicable to you at 'proof of employment/recipient of social security benefit, I solemnly swear' you directly request the statute of evening/working student.
4. In case you want to follow day classes, select 'day' and choose 'not applicable' at 'work situation'.
5. If during the course of the academic year you decide to follow evening classes, you should fill out the following form:
Re-enrol as a working student
As an evening/working student you will have the possibility to modify your work situation before re-enrolling via the Student SelfService.
E.g. If during the year you go from 4/5th employment to 1/3rd employment, you will be able to modify that in your Student SelfService.
Questions?
Do you still have doubts, questions, concerns, ... and would you like to discuss them? Then you can contact our staff member Hannelore!
Hannelore Deblander
Working students - Micro-Credentials - Postgraduates - Lifelong learning
