Study in Belgium

For centuries, Belgium has been at the centre of European events politically, culturally and economically. Located at the crossroads of Europe, Belgium has long been a hub for the brewing, textiles and shipping industries. Remnants of Belgium’s military past can be seen in medieval fortresses and famous battlefields across the country. Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union and hosts its headquarters in the thriving city of Brussels. Belgian became an independent country in 1830 after previously being the provinces of Holland, Austria and Spain and traces of each country can be seen in the architecture and lifestyle of the people. With currently nine categories of sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, countless art galleries, medieval monuments, beautiful town squares, magnificent cathedrals and their belfries, not to mention the heritage of the famous Flemish painters, Belgium truly is a city of cultural exchange making it a premier study destination.

Regions, Cities and Languages

Belgium’s two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 58% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 32%. Flanders is largely flatland criss-crossed with canals with artistic cities such as Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent and in Wallonia you will find the rolling hills of the Ardennes, numerous castles and the cities of Liege, Namur and Tornai. A small community in eastern Wallonia speaks German and the Brussels-Capital Region is officially a bilingual (although English is also spoken) enclave housing 10% of the population.

Brussels-Capital Region

Brussels is Belgium’s cosmopolitan capital, home of the European Union and the seat of numerous international organisations such as NATO. Belgium is a microcosm for Europe as a whole with Brussels at its heart, an international city that is multi-cultural and multi-lingual. Brussels benefits from a blend of old and new with the modern EU district and futuristic Atomium aluminium tower nicely contrasting the stunning renaissance and gothic architecture that can be found in the buildings and guild houses of Grand Place.

Other key sights in Brussels include St Michael and St Gudule’s Cathedral and Mont des Arts Park. Don’t miss the elegant Place Royale built between 1774 and 1780 in the style of Louis XVI with a sumptuous interior of Greek columns, marble panels and gilded decorations. Nearby, Art lovers will find happiness at the Museum of Fine Arts (divided in the Museum of Ancient Art and Museum of Modern Art). 11 miles south of Brussels heading into the province of Walloon Brabant, History buffs can visit the famous Battle of Waterloo site commemorating the battle that shaped the future of both Belgium and modern Europe.

When you’ve finished soaking up the culture, luxury boutiques, cafes and restaurants await you on the fashionable boulevard de Waterloo, or unwind in the city’s numerous bars where you can sample nearly a thousand types of Belgian beer! Wherever you go in Brussels, beautiful buildings, gourmet food, political and historical centres, different customs, languages and people will surround and welcome you to “Europe’s Capital”.

Antwerp – Flanders

Antwerp is a real urban paradise, successfully fusing a metropolitan vibe with magnificent architecture, fashionable shop fronts, beer-washed pubs, dazzling monuments and jazzed-up clubs. Home of the Flemish Baroque painter Rubens, picturesque galleries and museums, Antwerp continues to be a creative city at the cutting edge of fashion and design with countless boutiques and shopping outlets across the city.

Bruges – Flanders

The wonderfully preserved medieval town of Bruges is the capital of the province of Western Flanders and has been dubbed the “Venice of the North” owing to its extensive canal network and outstanding beauty of its buildings. This picture postcard city lures some 2 million tourists each year with its variety of sights and attractions such as the Lake of Love, the 14th-century Town Hall, the 13th Century gothic Cathedral of the Holy Saviour and the Grote Markt which was formerly the commercial hub of the city.

Ghent – Flanders

This old cloth industry centre was once the largest medieval city in Europe after Paris. The medieval heart of Ghent boasts many historic buildings, including St Bavo’s Cathedral, home to Jan van Eyck’s world famous multi-section painting “The Mystic Lamb”, the medieval Gravensteen Castle surrounded by the Lieve canal and the medieval town centre with its old guild houses.

The Coast and West Flanders

The Belgian sandy coastline stretches 42 miles from Knokke near the Dutch border to De Panne on the French border with over a dozen resorts. Here you can bathe in the sea, go sailing, sand yachting, riding, fishing and rowing. Some popular resorts include Bredene, De Haan, De Panne, Lombardsijde, Nieuwpoort, Wenduine, Westende and the town of Ostend. This region is home to World War I battlefields such as the killing fields of Ypres where you will also find a war museum, monuments and military cemeteries.

Liège – Wallonia

As a major city of Wallonia, Liège provides a gateway to another aspect of Belgium culture. Liège is situated on the banks of the Meuse with many reminders of a colourful and affluent past dotted around the city. Liège has an impressive selection of museums, the highlights of which are The Museum of Wallonian Life; the Museum of Wallonian Art; the Museum of Modern Art, displaying the works of Corot, Monet, Picasso, Gauguin and Chagall, to name but a few.

The Ardennes – Wallonia

This mountainous area is famous for its cuisine, forests, lakes, streams and grottoes. The River Meuse meanders through many beautiful and historic centres including the town of Dinant with its famous gothic church of Notre-Dame. Walk the cobbled streets of the old university town of Namur and visit the castle and cathedral there. Alternatively, try your hand at some watersports in Yvoir Godinne and Profondeville or go kayaking in Houyet. Explore the prehistoric caverns at Spy, Rochefort, Hotton and Hans-sur-Lesse or visit the water gardens at Annevoie.