Ghent University: Tuition, English Programs & How to Apply (2027/28)

Ghent University (UGent) is a large public Flemish university with the largest number of English-taught masters of any Belgian university in the FindUniPath database, but from 2027/28 most new non-EEA master's students pay €12,557.70 per 60 credits. The big exception: students from developing countries in the lowest two OECD/DAC categories still pay the EEA rate of €1,229.70, which makes UGent excellent value for them.

That is why UGent sits lower in our best-value list for most nationalities, and near the top for some. Here is how to work out which fee applies to you.

UGent tuition fees for non-EEA students

UGent has changed its non-EEA fees sharply. According to its 2027/28 master's fee page, new non-EEA enrolments pay the standard fee plus a higher fee: €317.70 fixed, plus €103.20 and €100.80 per credit, which is €12,557.70 for 60 credits.

For comparison, in 2026/27 UGent charged non-EEA master's students €2,297.40 (fee A) or €7,079.40 (fee B). Joint and inter-university programs have their own fee rules, and some joint masters cost more. In the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, students from a listed set of countries get a full waiver of the higher fee. The figures above come from the master's fee page; check the bachelor fee page separately if you plan a bachelor's.

Why UGent can still be good value

• Huge English master offer: the FindUniPath database lists 45 English-taught masters, 3 bachelors and PhD programs.
• EEA rate for the poorest countries and for VLIR-UOS scholarship holders.
• No application fee, although you pay for document verification, tests and the GRE or GMAT.
• Flemish living costs, estimated at €800 to €1,000 a month by Study in Flanders.

English-taught programs

UGent's English-taught bachelors are three Social Sciences tracks: Communication Studies, Political Sciences and Sociology. The masters cover many fields:

Admission requirements

• Bachelor: a secondary diploma that gives access to a university bachelor's in your home country; most foreign diplomas are assessed individually.
• Master: a related bachelor's, assessed by the faculty; requirements vary by program.
• Tests: non-EEA diploma holders need the GMAT or GRE for Economics and Business masters and the GRE for Engineering and Architecture masters; Statistical Data Analysis has its own admission test.
• English: B2 for most programs (for example IELTS Academic 6.0); some programs require C1 (IELTS 7.0).
• Documents: a diploma verified through Qualification Check, transcripts, sworn translations if needed and, for masters, a CV.

Deadlines

UGent publishes a recurring rule: if you need a visa, start your online application between October and March and complete it before 1 April; if you do not need a visa, before 1 June. Processing takes about three months. Erasmus Mundus and joint programs may have their own dates. Check the official deadlines page.

Scholarships

• VLIR-UOS scholarships: holders pay the EEA rate; eligibility depends on nationality and residence, and Afghanistan is not on the VLIR-UOS country list.
• Faculty of Economics and Business: 8 scholarships for outstanding GMAT or GRE scores.
• Master Mind Scholarship (Flemish government): €10,225 plus a tuition waiver; the 2027/28 modalities are under review.
• Erasmus Mundus: scholarships for joint masters, open to all nationalities.

See our scholarships in Belgium guide.

Living in Ghent

Study in Flanders estimates €800 to €1,000 per month, rent included. The visa requires proof of €1,062 net per month for 2026/27. After arrival, register at the town hall within 8 days to get your A-card residence permit. See cost of studying in Belgium.

Is UGent right for you?

Your nationality decides this. If your country qualifies for the EEA rate, UGent costs about the same as a French-speaking university for ARES-listed nationals, with a far larger English-taught master's choice. If it does not, €12,557.70 a year is more than twice what you would pay at VUB (€5,340 to €6,300, 2027/28) or UHasselt (€3,900, 2026/27).

• Good fit: nationals of the poorest developing countries, and VLIR-UOS scholarship holders.
• Good fit: students set on a specialised UGent program, such as Aquaculture or Nuclear Fusion and Engineering Physics.
• Think twice: if you pay the full non-EEA rate and a similar English-taught master exists at a cheaper Belgian university.

Honest downsides

How to apply step by step

1. 1

   Check your fee category

   Find out if your country qualifies for the EEA rate before you commit.

2. 2

   Take the required tests

   IELTS or TOEFL, and the GRE or GMAT if your faculty requires it.

3. 3

   Verify your diploma

   Use Qualification Check as UGent asks. See our documents guide.

4. 4

   Apply online

   Start between October and March via UGent's application page and complete it before 1 April.

5. 5

   Apply for the visa

   Follow our Belgium student visa guide.

Track UGent's 1 April cut-off: track deadlines for free on FindUniPath. Compare alternatives in the Belgium hub.