Doubting your study choice

If you are doubting your study choice and you are thinking of doing something else, please know that you can always contact Study Guidance

Give it some thought

Making a new study choice isn't easy. Maybe you already have an idea of what you want to do next, maybe you don't. Maybe you're even thinking about not studying at all? Whatever you want to do, changing your studies is an active, dynamic process not to be rushed. 

Use this infographic for help with this

The student psychologists are here to help you with your study choice. 

2022_Infopunt studenten tijdens infodag_24 april_Etterbeek_VUB
Want to start in the second semester?

That's possible in certain programmes if you apply with a Belgian diploma. Find out all about your specific study path, how to apply and the tuition fees for a semester.

Starting in February

Find a new study programme

Want to change your study programme, but no idea which one to choose? Attention: you can only change study programmes during the academic year if you have a Belgian degree!

Attention! Starting from academic year 2023-2024 a new educational decree will come into force. This has consequences for students starting in a new bachelor. For some programmes you need to participate to a (mandatory) calibration test. Read more about the new rules

A new study programme at VUB

You can find an overview of all programmes at VUB on this page. You can use the filter to see all programmes per study level.  You will also learn all about our courses at our open days during the info sessions.

Current VUB students can also use this CANVAS module to select their new study programme.

At Erasmus Hogeschool (EhB)

VUB and Erasmushogeschool Brussel are both part of the UAB (Universitary Association Brussels). EhB organises info sessions for those interested. Students wanting to start in the second semester can take a look here

Emma choose for EhB after finishing her master at VUB (Dutch)

Study path counselors help students who want to switch programmes(Dutch)

Somewhere else

On the website hogeronderwijsregister.be you can find all programmes offered in all higher education institutions in Flanders. 

Everyone interested in Flemish higher education is also welcome at Leerwinkel Brussel, for info on the Dutch speaking education offer in Brussels and you can get help in making a study choice.

Found a new programme

You're staying at VUB

 

Found another programme you want to study at VUB? Then make sure to contact the study path counselor of your new programme. Based on the relation between your old and new programme, we can decide whether you should terminate your current programme or not. So please wait for advice from your study path counselor before you terminate your programme.

Be aware: Your VUB account will be shut down when you terminate your studies

Make sure your new application is in order and your new enrolment is finished before you deregister (if your study path counselor advises you to do so).

Did you obtain credits in one programme and are you planning to transfer to a similar programme or do you have questions about your learning account, individual study path or possible exemptions, you can contact the study path counselor of the new programme.

More info about starting in the 2nd semester

Impact of changing studies

You're staying at VUB

Are you staying at VUB? Be aware that changing from one VUB programme to another might have implications for your tuition fee, child benefits, scholarship and learning account.

Impact on tuition fees

Impact on your tuition fees if you stay at VUB

 
  • Changing your programme at the VUB is possible without incurring additional tuition fees if you do this before 1 December.
  • In case you only started in the second semester you can change programmes without incurring additional tuition fees before 1 March.

Attention! If the credits of your new programme exceed your initial number of credits, additional tuition fees will be charged.

Impact on child benefits

Impact on your child benefits if you stay at VUB

If you start another VUB programme, this may affect your entitlement to child benefits. For more information on this matter, you can contact Social legal & financial support or your child benefits institution.

Impact on scholarships

Impact on your scholarship if you stay at VUB

If you start another VUB programme, this may affect your entitlement to your scholarship from the Flemish Community. For more information on this matter, you can contact Social legal & financial support or your scholarship institution.

Impact on learning account

Impact on your learning account if you stay at VUB



Find out all about your learning account and what the consequences might be if you choose to change or terminate your studies.

Learning account

Impact on threshold

Impact on your threshold if you stay at VUB



Find out all about your threshold and what the consequences might be if you choose to change or terminate your studies.

Study progress

Continue studying at a different institution

 
  • Get informed on your new programme by contacting the counselors at the institution you want to switch to.
  • Terminate your studies at VUB.
  • Enrol for the new programme at your new school or institution. 

Terminating your studies

You want to quit your studies but don't know what to do yet? 

Terminate your studies

Maybe you want to take a break and do something different? Get some advice or inspiration from these services and organisations: