Enrolling with a foreign diploma
Online application
Create an account, sign in and go though all the steps to submit your application.
For some programmes you must first apply via a different platform for mandatory prescreening.
Programmes with mandatory prescreening
Application fee
For whom?
Students applying with a non-Belgian diploma must pay an application fee of € 90 (previously € 50, but for academic year 2025-2026 the fee has been raised). 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.
If your application is accepted, the fee will not be deducted from your tuition fee (this used to be the case, but our policy was changed for academic year 2025-2026). The application fee is non-refundable.
- 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.
Application is processed
After you submit your application (within 24 hours), you will get an e-mail confirming that we've received your application. Our student administration will verify if all required documents are included.
Any documents missing?
Please e-mail them to admissions@vub.be and mention your full name, date of birth and the programme you're applying for. The sooner we have all your documents, the faster we can process your application. Make sure you send in all required documents before the application deadline. The only documents you may provide after the deadline are your proof of language and the APS certificate (if applicable).
Overview required documents
We start screening your application as soon as:
- you've correctly submitted your application (before the deadline)
- all required documents are present (before the deadline)
- we've received your application fee
The Student Administration will handle the academic screening of your application, along with other departments involved. This process can take up to 10 weeks.
You will be notified via e-mail as soon as a decision has been made. Want to check your status during the screening process? Log in to the application tool with your personal e-mail and password, and check the overview to see the status of your submitted application.
If your application is accepted, you will receive a conditional letter of acceptance.
Conditional letter of acceptance
You'll receive a conditional acceptance letter via e-mail, once your application has been approved. (there is no 'unconditional' acceptance letter)
- This is the time to verify your obtained diploma if you are asked to do so. Please don't verify your diploma yet if your study programme is still in progress.
How to verify your diploma? - This is the time to start your visa application if applicable. Let us know which embassy or consulate you will request your visa from, so we can confirm your application directly.
Apply for a visa - If you don't have a place to stay (yet) in Belgium, this is also the time to start looking for accommodation.
Arrange accommodation - Foreign students can apply for a scholarship at this point.
Scholarships
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.
Diploma verification
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.
How to verify your diploma
Accepted
Your application has been approved and you will receive notice that your study contract is ready to be signed. This will happen from 1 July onwards.
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.
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.
Log in, find your application under 'overview' and sign your online study contract
Afterwards you'll receive an e-mail confirming the signing of your contract.
If you submitted your application via the Student SelfService (for current students), this is how you can sign the online contract.
Next steps: preparation
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!
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!
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.