Application procedure foreign diploma
1. Online application
Are you ready to apply? Create an account on our application portal and submit your application.
- Don't submit an application for someone else and only log in with the student's itsme (in case of Belgian ID) account, to avoid sending in an application for the wrong person.
- Don't have an itsme account? Just create an account 'via e-mail' like an international student. You van just fill out all your personal data manually, and the application will be processed the exact same way as for Belgian students.
- For some programmes, like the English engineering programmes from Bruface, you must apply via a different platform for mandatory prescreening.
=> Start with the mandatory prescreening - Do you live abroad? Or do you need a visa to come study in Belgium?
=> Check the visa procedure for foreign students
Application fee
For whom?
Students applying with a non-Belgian diploma must pay an application fee of € 90. This does not apply to students with a Belgian diploma from a French speaking school, only for students with a foreign diploma. PhD students, guest students and refugee students don't have to pay an application fee.
How to pay?
You can make the payment online with a debit- or creditcard when you submit your online application. Other forms of payment are not accepted. You can also submit your application and come back at a later time to pay the application fee, but keep in mind that we don't start processing your application until we have received the application fee. The application fee must be paid within 30 days after submitting your application, otherwise your application will be cancelled.
The application fee is non-refundable.
If your application is accepted, the fee will not be deducted from your tuition fee.
- If you are applying for multiple programmes, you will have to pay the application fee for each individual application.
- Did you apply for the wrong programme, and have you already paid the application fee? You will have to submit a new application for the correct programme and pay the application fee again.
Please don't send us proof of your application fee payment. As soon as you make the payment, you will automatically receive a confirmation e-mail with an update of your application status.
2. Application is processed
After you submit your application, you will get an e-mail within 24 hours confirming that we've received your application. Our admissions team will check your documents, data and previous education. During the processing of your application, you will be updated via e-mail each time your application status changes. You can also check your application status yourself in our application portal.
3. Conditionally accepted: diploma verification
You are accepted, on the condition that we can verify you have actually obtained your diploma (of your previous education)
When you receive the conditional acceptance letter, you will have to verify your diploma before you can continue with your enrolment. This is so we can verify the (previously obtained) diploma you are using to apply for a VUB programme is authentic. Make sure you only verify your diploma once you have obtained it. We don't accept any verifications while your programme is still in progress. As soon as your diploma is verified, you will be able to sign the online study contract and confirm your enrolment at VUB. The verifications will be processed at the earliest on 1 July, during the summer months.
How to verify your diploma
Start preparing your stay
If you are an international student? It's time to start finding accommodation, applying for a visa, proving financial means, getting health insurance, etc.
Unconditional acceptance
There is no unconditional acceptance (letter). After the conditional acceptance, the next step is to sign the study contract. Do not wait for an unconditional acceptance letter to start any further preparations.
Deferral of acceptance
Please note that the university does not offer deferrals. If you wish to postpone your application to the next academic year, you will be able to submit a new application once the admissions for the next academic year open. Please bear in mind that you will be required to pay the application fee again, but that your application will be processed more quickly.
4. Accepted: sign contract
Deadline: 8 October
Your application has been approved and you will receive notice that your study contract is ready to be signed.
The study contract must be signed by 8 October at the latest. After this day, signing is no longer possible and the application will be cancelled.
Sign your online study contract
- Log in on the application portal => apply.vub.be
- Click 'overview'
- Here is an overview of the application(s) you've submitted. There should be an orange button to sign your study contract. This also includes a questionnaire from our government, which doesn't impact your enrolment at VUB.
- Afterwards, you'll receive a digital version of the signed contract via e-mail.
Did you submit your application via the Student SelfService?
This is how you can sign your online study contract
If you require a visa to study in Belgium, please make sure you obtained this before signing the contract. Signing the contract means that you are required to pay part of the tuition fee.
After your enrolment
Start of the academic year
After signing your study contract you are officially enrolled! Find our which certificates you will receive, how to register your courses and when we expect you during Student Welcome!
Your stay in Belgium
Do you need a visa? Where are you staying? And how about health insurance? Make sure to start preparing your stay in Belgium ahead of time!
Refugee students
Deadline
If you are a recognised refugee in Belgium, your application deadline is the same as for students with a Belgian diploma, even if you hold a foreign degree. Applicants residing in Belgium under temporary protection follow the deadlines for non-EEA citizens residing in Belgium. If you are residing in Belgium with an orange immatriculation card, you will have to apply by the non-EEA deadline.
If you are wrongfully rejected by our application system, which automatically thinks you have an earlier deadline due to your foreign citizenship, please contact studentadministration@vub.be with a clear scan/picture of your residence permit (front and back) and any other official documentation referring to your refugee status, to see if your application can be re-opened.
Please note that even though refugee students can submit their application until September 23rd, the screening of your file can take a number of weeks. Be sure to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing the start of the academic year.
Application fee
If you are a recognised refugee in Belgium or are residing in Belgium under temporary protection, you don't need to pay the application fee. When you are asked to pay the application fee online, please send a clear scan/picture of your residence permit (front and back), proof of temporary protection and/or any other official documentation referring to your refugee status to admissions@vub.be, to see if your application fee can be waived.
Tuition fee
Recognised refugees may pay the tuition fees for EEA students. If you are asked to pay the tuition fee for non-EEA students, please send a clear scan/picture of your residence permit (front and back) and/or any other official documentation referring to your refugee status (your request for recognition) to admissions@vub.be by 31 December at the latest, so they can change the invoice for you. If your residence permit is not accepted or your request for recognition is not approved, you may remain enrolled but the tuition fees won't be lowered. Each time you re-enrol, you will be asked for valid proof of residence status.
Documents
Even if you don't have access to certain documents or are unable to obtain new copies, we would recommend that you try to complete your application file as much as possible. Additional documents can be requested and we can also help you find alternatives for missing documents if necessary. In the rare case where no other solution can be found, the special procedure listed in the Teaching and Examination Regulations (article 29) must be followed.
Diploma verification
If you can no longer contact your previous university, please contact admissions@vub.be motivating why you are unable to provide a digital degree verification through any of the regular methods. We can then look into other options.