Education
Education for children
In Belgium, there is compulsory education for children who reside on the territory (regularly or irregularly) from 6 to 18 years old.
Children can be enrolled in a preparatory ‘reception class’ according to his or her language ability and educational level, if the school has one. Once sufficient language and general skills have been acquired, they should be oriented into the regular education system.
As a parent, you must ensure that your child attends school. The reception centre where you are staying during the time of your international protection procedure can provide suitable support. There are reception centres where the staff organizes ‘homework classes’ to help your children with their school tasks. More information on education for children can be found here.
Education for adults
As an applicant for international protection, you can enrol in a Dutch or French language course with some institutions, such as Huis van het Nederlands, Enseignement Promotion et Formation Continue (EPFC) and organizations involved in Integration.
Recognized refugees are also allowed to study at universities and colleges and can sometimes benefit from scholarships. More information can be found here:
- UGent (Universiteit Gent)
- UA (Universiteit Antwerpen)
- VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
- KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
- ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
- Université Saint-Louis Bruxelles
- UCLouvain (Université Catholique Louvain)
- ULiège (Université de Liège)
- Université de Namur
- UMons (Université de Mons)
- IHECS (Institut des Hautes Études des Communications Sociales)
If you started studies in another country before arriving in Belgium, you can enrol at a university or college in Belgium without asking for recognition of your previous studies, except in certain circumstances. More information can be found on the website of the university or college you want to apply to.