Studying in Belgium: ARES and WBI Scholarships and Procedures for Moroccans

French-speaking Belgium (the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) is a popular destination for Moroccan students: teaching in French, reasonable registration fees, recognised universities and a cost of living more moderate than in other European capitals.

The academic landscape

Universities and university colleges (hautes écoles) offer bachelor's (bacheliers), master's and doctoral degrees. The French-speaking universities are brought together in ARES, which also manages cooperation scholarships. Short-cycle programmes at university colleges allow quick entry into working life. For certain fields such as medicine, access is regulated by an entrance exam.

Scholarships and aid

• ARES scholarships: development cooperation study scholarships for students from partner countries, in specialised master's or continuing education.
• WBI scholarships: Wallonie-Bruxelles International offers excellence and mobility scholarships for studies, internships and research.
• University aid: several universities offer scholarships to international students, often targeted at master's programmes or specific profiles.
• Flemish Community scholarships: for Dutch-language or international programmes (VLIR-UOS).

Enrolment and admission

Students from outside the European Union submit a file to the institution, with legalised and, where necessary, translated diplomas, transcripts, proof of French language when required and sometimes a level certificate. Diploma equivalence may be requested for some courses. Deadlines frequently fall at the beginning of the calendar year for a September start.

Visa and residence

A long-stay visa (type D) is needed to study for more than three months. It requires the enrolment certificate, proof of sufficient resources (often through a bank guarantee or a scholarship), a medical certificate and a criminal record extract. Start the procedures as soon as you are admitted, because processing times are long.

Budget

Brussels is the most expensive; Liège, Namur, Louvain-la-Neuve or Mons are more affordable. Student housing is found through the institutions' services or in shared flats. Remember compulsory health insurance (mutuelle) and student transport passes.

Advice

• Check the ARES and WBI calendars from the start of the year: the calls are short.
• Have your diplomas translated and legalised before registration opens.
• Compare universities and university colleges according to your professional project.