Graduating at VUB

Overview

Your final year at VUB

Are you in your final year of study? Then your diploma is within reach. The last hurdle to take is writing a bachelor’s or master’s thesis. The capstone of your programme, combining research and practical skills. Completing an internship is also a smart move, as it allows you to build up some relevant work experience for your CV.

Your master’s thesis

Individual counselling or workshops

Our study counsellors support you in writing your bachelor’s or master’s thesis by giving you practical tools: help with planning, tips on how to construct a paper, help with the search for a subject, you name it.

For students of the ES Faculty

Are you a final-year student at the Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School? Then for general questions about research methodology, source citation and academic language you can go to Thesis Café. Send us an email with your question: thesiscafé@vub.be

Looking for respondents?

As part of your research, you may need to find respondents to interview. Due to the high demand, we cannot send out mails for everyone individually. What can you do? Appeal to your own network, appeal to communities of students via social media and/or make your call known to candidates via a flyer with QR code on posters around campus.

Looking for material in VUB corporate branding?

Is your thesis entirely on paper? Then don’t forget to print the VUB stamp on the design as well. Browse our VUB corporate identity database and download the material you are looking for: from a template for a title page or PowerPoint to our VUB logos.

Promoter not helpful?

If you are having problems with your promoter, you can contact the faculty ombudsperson.

Your internship

Internship as compulsory course unit or voluntary?

During your studies at VUB, there are compulsory, optional and voluntary internships. It is also possible to complete an internship abroad. We have listed the most important information for you.

Internship supervisor not helpful?

Do you have a difference or conflict with your internship supervisor and can’t reach a compromise? Then be sure to contact your faculty secretariat. They can act as mediator if necessary.

You are graduating

Have you successfully completed a VUB programme? Then you will officially graduate and receive a diploma as the crowning glory of your work. Congratulations on this important milestone in your life!

Diploma and graduation certificate

You will receive your graduation certificate after the official announcement of your results via secured pdf in your mailbox (a few days after the deliberation). You can use this certificate to apply for a job or for further study. You will receive your original diploma a few months later from your faculty. You will receive an invitation to this ceremony at your VUB email address.

The graduation ceremonies will take place on 6, 7 and 8 October 2025.

VUB e-mail address and Office 365

After you graduate, your VUB account will be deleted automatically on 1 November of the subsequent academic year. If you continue at VUB as a student, PhD student or employee, your account will not be deleted.

Your graduation ceremony: a sneak preview

In October of your graduation year, we will see you off, together with your other master’s students, at a solemn ceremony on the Grand Place in Brussels. A moment of recognition for your great achievement: obtaining your diploma. And also a moment where we look ahead to your future. Find out what it was like at the Graduations of the #classof2021.

From 'with merit' to 'greatest distinction'

If you have successfully completed a full programme, an honours degree will be awarded to your degree based on your weighted average.

Graduating in January

Under certain circumstances it is possible to graduate after the first semester, in January. What do you have to do and what deadline do you have to keep an eye on?

A VUB sweatshirt or coffee cup as a souvenir?

In our webshop you will find a lot of gadgets in our recognisable VUB house style. The perfect graduation gift to give to yourself.

Graduated, now what?

After obtaining your diploma, you have several options. You can choose to continue studying in order to expand and deepen your knowledge even more. You can also choose to enter the professional world right away.

Continue studying

Advanced Masters options

Postgraduate Certificate options

PhD

Entering the job market

Possible professions by diploma

Find out where former students with the same diploma as you ended up in their careers.

Your first steps in the job market

From career guidance to tips for writing your CV: we will show you the way.

Administrative formalities

Child benefit, registering as a job-seeker, you name it: find out what you need to arrange administratively immediately after your studies.

Work at VUB

Ever thought about working at the VUB? You would be amazed at how many different profiles we need. With your diploma you will almost certainly find an exciting job with us with a range of benefits.

Check all job openings at VUB

Apply for a job at VUB