Studying medicine in Belgium means a 6-year programme, a 3-year Bachelor followed by a 3-year Master. Public university tuition is genuinely affordable, roughly €900 to €4,000 a year (₹97,000–₹4.3 lakh) at the regulated EU rate, running higher for non-EU students at some universities. Programmes are taught mainly in Dutch or French, so you'll need to clear a national entrance exam along with a language test. Indian applicants also need a valid NEET UG score.
MBBS in Belgium for international students is often compared with medical programs in other EU countries. KU Leuven and Ghent University are among Belgium's most respected institutions, and their degrees are recognized throughout the EU. The catch is the language bar, you'll need B2 or C1 proficiency before clinical years start, not just an English score.
Here's what we'll cover: costs by university and EU status, entrance exams and NEET rules, how the six years break down, visa steps, scholarships, and doctor salaries after graduation.
Top MBBS Universities in Belgium
Anyone shortlisting MBBS in Belgium will notice its medical schools split roughly along language lines, Dutch-speaking in the north, French-speaking in the south, with Brussels sitting in between. Here's how they rank in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
University
City
QS Ranking 2027
KU Leuven
Leuven
59
Ghent University
Ghent
=150
UCLouvain
Louvain-la-Neuve
=196
Université libre de Bruxelles
Brussels
248
University of Antwerp
Antwerp
=277
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Brussels
295
Université de Liège
Liège
=364
Hasselt University
Diepenbeek
=639
University of Mons
Mons
801–850
University of Namur
Namur
801–850
Each one has its own character beyond the ranking number:
KU Leuven is Belgium's oldest university and its highest-ranked by a good margin, strong in biomedical research with a large international student base.
Ghent University is known for solid research output and a good spread of clinical training placements.
UCLouvain, based in the French-speaking campus town of Louvain-la-Neuve, leans into medical ethics alongside clinical training.
ULB is older and more traditional, with strong hospital ties across Brussels.
University of Antwerp offers a rare handful of English-taught courses and has a public health focus that sets it apart.
VUB sits in Brussels too, close to the EU institutions.
Université de Liège has close links to regional healthcare institutions.
Hasselt University is smaller, better if you want a more personal setup.
University of Mons and University of Namur are both smaller schools still building their international reputation.
Course Structure of MBBS in Belgium
The course structure for MBBS in Belgium runs six years total, split into three distinct phases that move you from classroom science to full clinical practice.
Years 1 to 3, pre-clinical phase Classroom and lab-based. Core subjects are anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, with introductory medical ethics included in most curricula.
Years 4 and 5, clinical phase Hospital-based rotations begin. Students work through internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, gynecology and psychiatry, usually a few weeks to a couple of months per rotation depending on the university.
Year 6, internship and thesis A full-time clinical internship runs alongside a required research thesis. Licensing exam preparation also starts in this year, since students sit for it shortly after graduating.
Eligibility & Admission Requirements for MBBS in Belgium
MBBS in Belgium requirements go well beyond good grades. There's a language bar, entrance exams, and for Indian applicants, an extra layer of national requirements Belgian universities won't spell out on their own websites.
Academic and Entrance Exam Requirements
Meeting MBBS in Belgium requirements starts with a strong science background, and most universities run their own entrance tests on top of your school marks.
Belgian universities don't spell this out on their own websites, but MBBS in Belgium for Indian students comes with an extra set of boxes to tick.
NEET UG is mandatory. No exceptions, regardless of how strong your board exam results are.
FMGE or NExT comes after graduation. You'll need to clear this licensing exam before practicing medicine in India.
Check NMC recognition before committing. Recognition status varies by university and isn't always obvious from a university's own marketing, so verify it against NMC's list for your specific target school.
English Language Score Requirements
If you're specifically hunting for MBBS in Belgium in English, know that only a handful of programmes, mostly at postgraduate level, are taught in English. MBBS in Belgium in English is limited to this short list, and even then you'll need a separate English score on top of your Dutch or French proficiency.
MBBS in Belgium fees work out cheaper than most Western European countries for medicine, but the tuition figures floating around online don't agree with each other. Here's the breakdown split by EU and non-EU status instead of one blended number.
Tuition Fees, EU vs Non-EU
If you're comparing Belgium MBBS fees for international students against other destinations, know that Belgium regulates tuition for EU and EEA students, which keeps their costs low, while KU Leuven MBBS fees for non-EU applicants run noticeably higher. Non-EU students, Indians included, pay a separate and higher rate that shifts by university.
University
EU/EEA Rate
Non-EU Rate
KU Leuven
€900–€2,500/yr (₹97,000–₹2.7 lakh)
€5,000–€9,000/yr (₹5.4 lakh–₹9.7 lakh)
Ghent University
€900–€2,500/yr (₹97,000–₹2.7 lakh)
€4,000–€7,000/yr (₹4.3 lakh–₹7.6 lakh)
UCLouvain
€900–€2,500/yr (₹97,000–₹2.7 lakh)
€3,500–€6,500/yr (₹3.8 lakh–₹7 lakh)
University of Antwerp
€900–€2,500/yr (₹97,000–₹2.7 lakh)
€4,000–€7,500/yr (₹4.3 lakh–₹8.1 lakh)
Cost of Living in Belgium
While MBBS in Belgium fees make up a significant part of the overall cost, accommodation is usually the biggest monthly expense and varies by city.
While comparing the cheapest medical school in Belgium for international students, don't overlook scholarships offered by universities, the Belgian government, and EU-wide programmes. A full ride is rare, but partial support is realistic if your academics hold up.
Erasmus+ is open to EU and non-EU students at partner universities, covering tuition, travel and a living allowance.
Belgian Government Scholarship (ARES) targets students from developing countries, covering full tuition plus a monthly stipend, one of the stronger options for Indian applicants who qualify.
KU Leuven Excellence Scholarship is merit-based for high-achieving international students, but only covers part of the tuition.
Ghent University Top-Up Grant goes to non-EU students with strong academic records, covering living expenses plus a portion of tuition.
Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) Scholarship applies if you're at a French-speaking university like UCLouvain or ULB, covering tuition plus a monthly stipend.
University-specific scholarships also exist at VUB, University of Antwerp, Université de Liège and Hasselt University, all merit-based, though coverage ranges from a small discount to fuller support, so check each university's own page directly.
Applying for MBBS in Belgium means working around the standard European academic calendar, so most of your planning revolves around one main window.
September is the primary intake, used by nearly every medical programme in the country.
Applications generally open in March and close by June, though exact dates shift a bit by university.
A few schools run a smaller February intake, but don't count on it being available everywhere.
Apply 6 to 9 months before your intended start date, given how much time entrance exams, document checks and visa processing take up.
How to Apply for MBBS in Belgium
Applying for MBBS in Belgium properly takes a few months, so it helps to start early rather than rushing through the final weeks before a deadline.
Step 1: Research universities Compare programmes, check the language of instruction, and shortlist based on tuition and location fit.
Step 2: Check your eligibility Confirm you meet the academic and language proficiency requirements for each shortlisted school.
Step 3: Prepare for entrance exams Sit for the university's local medical entrance test, or an accepted international equivalent like BMAT or MCAT.
Step 4: Gather your documents Collect transcripts, your Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, passport and proof of funds.
Step 5: Submit your application Apply through the university's online portal before the deadline, usually between March and June for the September intake.
Step 6: Attend an interview, if required Some universities gauge your motivation for medicine through a short interview before confirming your seat.
Step 7: Apply for your student visa Once admitted, start your visa process with your offer letter, proof of funds and language documents ready.
Student Visa Requirements for MBBS Students in Belgium
Anyone pursuing MBBS in Belgium as an international student needs a long-stay visa, covered in detail in ourStudy in Belgium for Indian Students guide. The process is document-heavy, so knowing what's coming ahead of time helps a lot.
Type D Visa, Step-by-Step Process
Belgian authorities want clear proof you can support yourself financially and academically before approving your visa. Gather everything in advance rather than scrambling close to your intake date.
Step 1: Get your admission letter This needs to come from a recognised Belgian university before the visa process can start.
Step 2: Prepare financial documents Bank statements, scholarship letters or sponsor documents showing you can cover tuition and living costs.
Step 3: Arrange health insurance You'll need valid international health insurance covering you in Belgium for your full stay.
Step 4: Sort out accommodation A rental contract or proof of university housing is required as part of the application.
Step 5: Submit your visa application File this at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country, with all supporting documents attached.
Step 6: Attend your interview and give biometrics Some applicants are called in for an interview, and biometric data collection is standard.
Step 7: Wait for approval Once approved, you collect your visa and can start planning your move.
Top Job Opportunities After MBBS in Belgium
Graduates who complete MBBS in Belgium are generally paid well by European standards, although salary estimates vary depending on the source. Multiple databases put average GP pay somewhere between €140,000 and €190,000 a year (₹1.51 crore–₹2.05 crore), with senior specialists earning well above €250,000 (₹2.7 crore) in some cases.
Job Role
Where They Work
Average Salary
General Practitioner
Clinics, hospitals, private practice
€140,000–€190,000/yr (₹1.5 crore–₹2.05 crore)
Specialist Doctor
Hospitals, private practice
€150,000–€297,000/yr (₹1.6 crore–₹3.2 crore)
Medical Researcher
Universities, research institutes
€70,000–€120,000/yr (₹75.7 lakh–₹1.3 crore)
Public Health Officer
Government, NGOs
€60,000–€100,000/yr (₹64.9 lakh–₹1.08 crore)
Hospital Administrator
Healthcare management
€80,000–€130,000/yr (₹86.5 lakh–₹1.4 crore)
Conclusion
Choosing MBBS in Belgium isn't the easiest path if you're not already comfortable with Dutch or French, but it's a genuinely solid option once you clear that hurdle. You get EU-recognised training, strong hospitals to train in, and career prospects that hold up well against other European countries. Just go in with realistic expectations on the language requirement and the tuition variation between universities, and confirm the numbers directly with your shortlisted schools before committing.
Tuition depends on whether you're an EU or non-EU student. EU/EEA students pay a regulated rate of around €900 to €2,500 a year (₹97,000–₹2.7 lakh), while non-EU students, including Indians, pay anywhere from €2,500 to €9,000 a year (₹2.7 lakh–₹9.7 lakh) depending on the university. Add living costs of around ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 a month on top of that. Always confirm exact figures with your shortlisted university before applying, since the numbers vary a fair bit across sources.
Is Belgium good for MBBS?
Yes, if you're comfortable putting in the work on the language side. You get EU-recognised medical training, well-established universities like KU Leuven and Ghent, and lower tuition than the UK or US. The trade-off is that most teaching happens in Dutch or French, so it demands more upfront preparation than an English-taught programme elsewhere.
Is 4000 euro a good salary in Belgium?
For most professions, yes, €4,000 a month (₹4.32 lakh) works out to around €48,000 a year (₹51.9 lakh), which is a comfortable salary in Belgium. But for a doctor specifically, it's on the lower end. Average GP pay runs closer to €140,000 to €190,000 annually (₹1.51 crore–₹2.05 crore), so €4,000 a month would be unusually low for a licensed physician there.
Does Belgium need IELTS?
Only for the limited number of English-taught programmes, mostly at postgraduate level. For most MBBS programmes taught in Dutch or French, you'll need B2 or C1 proficiency in that language instead, not IELTS. Where IELTS is required, universities generally ask for a score between 6.5 and 7.0.
Can Indian students get direct admission to MBBS in Belgium?
Not quite direct. You'll need to clear NEET UG first, meet the academic and language requirements, and in many cases sit a university-specific entrance test as well. There's no admission route that skips these steps for Indian applicants.
Is NEET compulsory for MBBS in Belgium?
Yes. Every Belgian university requires a valid NEET UG score from Indian applicants, regardless of how strong their board exam results are. There's no exception to this.
What is the medium of instruction for MBBS in Belgium?
Mostly Dutch or French, depending on the university and region. A small number of postgraduate programmes are taught in English, but core MBBS training is almost entirely in the local language, which is why B2 or C1 proficiency is a hard requirement.
Can I practice in India after completing MBBS in Belgium?
Yes, but you'll need to clear the FMGE or NExT licensing exam first, which the National Medical Commission requires for all foreign medical graduates. It's also worth checking NMC's recognition status for your specific university before you enrol.
How long does it take to get a Belgium student visa?
Processing time varies by embassy and case, but it typically takes a few weeks once your documents are complete. Given entrance exams, admission timelines and visa processing combined, it's safer to start the whole process 6 to 9 months before your intended intake.
Are scholarships available for MBBS students in Belgium?
Yes, through a mix of university-specific awards, the Belgian government's ARES scholarship, and EU programmes like Erasmus+. Most cover partial tuition or living costs rather than the full fee, so factor that into your budget rather than counting on full funding.
Is Belgium cheaper than Germany for MBBS?
It depends on the university and your EU status, but broadly, Belgium's non-EU tuition, roughly €2,500 to €9,000 a year (₹2.7 lakh–₹9.7 lakh), tends to run comparable to or slightly higher than Germany's, while living costs are fairly similar between the two. Germany has more public universities with very low or no tuition for medicine, so it can work out cheaper overall for non-EU students in some cases.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4833 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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