Student (on top) of the world

Student of Brussels

Welcome to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a dynamic and modern university with two green campuses in the Brussels-Capital region, offers high-quality education and research. Our research teams are internationally recognized in many disciplines of fundamental and applied research. We offer high-quality education to almost 10.000 students. Add to that about 4.500 students of our association partner, the University College Erasmushogeschool Brussel, the 300 students at the Englishlanguage Vesalius College, the 5.000 students at the Centre for Adult Education which shares our campus, and the more than 150 research teams working on both of our campuses, and you have one of the biggest centres of knowledge in the capital of Europe. Thanks to this expertise and its strategic location, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is your ideal partner for prestigious research and education with an outlook on Europe and the world. With all fields of study being represented on two campuses, you can go above and beyond your own discipline. At our student restaurant, you will easily find an engineering student standing next to a future philosopher trying to decide together between a pasta meal or the vegetarian selection of the day. Our students do not feel like they are just a number in a long row of unknown students. They have good relationships with their lecturers and assistants who have an open-door policy where students with questions are always welcome. Small group workshops are also used to ensure close interaction and hands-on experience. Educational assessment conducted annually indicates that our students are satisfied to very satisfied with 90% of their courses.

Lecture halls and laboratories are furnished with the most up-to-date equipment. Modern sports facilities, including gymnasiums, fitness rooms, tennis and squash courts, and a swimming pool, can be found on campus.

Since Brussels has a central location in Europe, you can always visit neighbouring cities like Amsterdam, Kln, London, Paris and Luxembourg, each of which are only about two hours away by train.

Every year about 70.000 students study in Brussels. This is not surprising. With its international institutions, companies and embassies, Brussels is the beating heart of Europe. Study in Brussels? In a heartbeat!

PhD Programmes at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

PhD students get the support they need from the Doctoral Schools and the Central PhD Office of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. These departments help PhD students to start, conduct and complete a PhD project. This covers diverse aspects of the doctoral process, such as offering workshops in the framework of the Doctoral Training Programme, providing information about the administrative aspects of a PhD, helping shape the policy concerning the PhD process and further cooperation with other institutions in the domain of PhD studies. The emphasis lies on a flexible Doctoral Training Programme. This approach fits the image of PhD students as early-stage researchers who may need a certain degree of guidance and support, yet are themselves best placed to identify their own particular training needs, issues and concerns. In this way the support provided by the Doctoral Schools and the Central PhD Office is tailored to the actual needs of individual PhD students. COORDINATOR: [T] +32 (0)2 629 16 51 [E] phd@vub.ac.be [W] www.vub.ac.be/phd/english

Language courses on campus

The Brussels Adult Education Centre (CVO) of the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry organises high-quality language courses for adults on the campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Each year more than 5.000 students enrol in various levels of the Dutch, French, German, English, Spanish, Italian and Arabic courses. Linguistic competence is highly valued in the European business world and opens doors to a wide range of careers. Therefore, a team of experienced teachers offers clear, well-structured courses, supplemented with up-to-date textbooks and other didactic materials. Appropriate attention is paid to the four language skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing. Special classes for writing and reading are organised and blended learning programmes for higher levels are highly successful. [T] +32 (0)2 629 39 08 [E] info@cvo-khnb.be [W] www.cvo-khnb.be

Why study in Brussels, Belgium, at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel?

The answer to that is simple: Belgium is a breeding ground for talent. Have you ever tried one of our famous Belgian chocolates? Have you ever heard the soothing music coming from a saxophone? Ever read a Tintin comic book? Or looked at a Magritte or Rubens painting? Have you ever read a book by George Simenon? Listened to Jacques Brel? Or worn clothes designed by Dries Van Noten? Youve already guessed: all Belgian! And where would modern medicine be without Andreas Vesalius, often referred to as the founder of modern human anatomy? Or how about the Belgian chemist, Ernest Solvay, who invented the industrial process for sodium carbonate production? The cost of attending university in Belgium is very reasonable (especially in comparison to the US and the UK) thanks to generous government funding. However, Belgian education is internationally renowned for its high standard. Belgiums compulsory medical insurance system provides comprehensive coverage, making health care affordable for all. Patients are free to choose their hospitals and insurance providers. Brussels is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The Brussels-Capital is a city with 19 boroughs covering 162 km2 and housing more than a million inhabitants. It is officially bilingual (French and Dutch), although it boasts an astonishing variety of cultures, religions and nationalities. Whether you want to unravel the mysteries of Brussels by visiting the Atomium, symbol of the 1958 Brussels World Exhibition, or by discovering the different outfits of the world-famous Manneken Pis, exploring Brussels will lead to many surprises.

Feel like delving into Brussels rich cultural heritage? A wide variety of museums, theatres, and concert halls will fulfill your every wish. Catch a movie at Kinepolis cinema, one of the largest in Europe with 24 theatres and a giant IMAX movie screen. Brussels is also a delight for your taste buds. Chocolate, exquisite and very affordable restaurants, the smell of hot waffles on a cold winters day, bars and pubs with an incredible diversity of Belgian beers you will find it all. A great many people work in Brussels. It is the headquarters of the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament and NATO. The Brussels-Capital Region accounts for nearly 18% of all of Belgiums exported goods and services. Since it is the capital of an expanding Europe, Brussels is an international city like no other. Thirty-one percent of its population is of foreign origin, and this creates a unique atmosphere in which cultures interact easily with one another. English is an important language in Brussels because of the numerous international political organisations. Language is not a barrier in the capital of Europe. These same differences and contrasts can be found in the various architectural styles of Brussels, with Gothic cathedrals and churches next to beautiful art nouveau and art deco houses. The Grand Place with its splendid guild houses and the impressive Gothic beauty of its Town Hall, is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is an excellent choice for your academic development. Next to a large number of Dutch programes, it also offers a wide range of bachelor(Vesalius College), master, advanced master and postgraduate programmes in English.

English-taught programmes at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

(academic year 2011-2012)

English-taught Bachelors Programmes at Vesalius College Brussels

ECTS Possible Concentrations 180 Economics European Studies International Management Marketing Management Science Technology Management Communication 180 Business Communications Studies European Communication Studies Journalism and Scriptwriting Political Communications International Affairs 180 European Studies Communications Economics Politics History Vesalius College is the international, undergraduate, English language college in Brussels. Vesalius College was founded in 1987 through a cooperative effort between the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Boston University. It offers an American-style educational philosophy that includes small classes, high teacher/student ratios and varied and participatory classroom experiences, combined with the resources and facilities of a large research university. The result is a globally recognised educational institution with a student body drawn from over 40 nations. Vesalius College degrees are recognised by the Flemish Government of Belgium. In accordance with the Bologna Declaration, Vesalius College offers three-year European Bachelors degrees and calculates coursework in ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits. Vesalius College offers students the exceptional opportunity to gain professional experience while earning university credit via its exclusive Internship Programme. It can offer students workplaces in one of 50+ prestigious partner organisations in Brussels ranging from government organisations to NGOs, multi-national corporations and media houses. Vesalius College students can also gain university credit by studying at one of its 30 partner universities across the globe. Many are located in North America, while others are located in Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia. For more information: [T] +32 (0)2 880 12 52 [W] www.vesalius.edu BACHELOR Business Studies

For more information, please visit our website: [W] www.vub.ac.be/education

MASTER Applied Science and Engineering: Applied Computer Science Applied Science and Engineering: Computer Science Architectural Engineering Biology Biomedical Engineering Biomolecular Sciences Business & Technology Chemical and Materials Engineering Civil Engineering Communication Studies Electromechanical Engineering Electronics and Information Technology Engineering Geography International Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering Human Ecology (u.r.**) Management Management Science Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management Master of Science in Photonics Molecular Biology Photonics Science and Engineering Physical Land Resources Urban Studies Water Resources Engineering ADVANCED MASTER* Advanced Studies in Linguistics American Studies Disaster Medicine Economics of Globalisation and European Integration European Integration and Development European Urban Cultures Gerontological Sciences International and European Law Nuclear Engineering ECTS IU EM ICP 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 60 120 120 120 120 120 60 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 ECTS 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60

POSTGRADUATE*** ECTS Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing 60 China Business Development 60 Chinese Business Law 60 Contemporary China Studies 60 Contemporary Chinese Art 60 International Business Arbitration 60 Investing in the EU - Benelux as a Gateway 60 Multilingual Education, Learning and Teaching 30
ECTS European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System ICP International Course Programme IU Interuniversity EM Erasmus Mundus * An advanced master programme (i.e. master after master): is usually only accessible after completion of a Master programme or 240 ECTS. ** u.r.: under reservation *** After completing a postgraduate programme successfully the student will receive a certificate.

Scholarship Programmes
Scholarships granted by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel The scholarship programme of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel strives to strengthen universities or research institutions in developing countries by improving the skills of local academic personnel. Each year the Vrije Universiteit Brussel awards a number of scholarships for advanced studies at the Masters or at the Advanced Masters level. These programmes integrate education and research and include a Masters thesis. Depending on the field of study, the programmes consist of 60 or 120 ECTS. Annually, one or more specific programmes will be considered for Vrije Universiteit Brussels scholarships. The Bureau for Development Cooperation selects these programmes following an internal Call for Interest to all programme directors of Masters or Advanced Masters programmes. This selection is submitted for endorsement to the Research Council. [W] www.vub.ac.be/scholarships Scholarships for International Course Programmes (ICP) The Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) offers yearly scholarships to students from developing countries to follow International Course Programmes. These courses are masters courses lasting two academic years, all of which lead to an accredited masters degree. The ICPs focus is on the specific problems of developing countries. International Courses Programmes are the following Masters: Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management Molecular Biology Physical Land Resources Water Resources Engineering [W] www.scholarships.vliruos.be Scholarships for International Training Programmes (ITP) International Training Programmes are short-term training programmes whose main focus is transferring skills rather than knowledge. The programme is designed for people from developing countries with a certain degree of professional experience. A possibility for cooperation and networking is created during these three months of training. The Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers a training programme in Scientific and Technological Information Management in Universities and Libraries. [W] www.scholarships.vliruos.be Scholarships of the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) BTC is the Belgian development cooperation agency that supports developing countries in their fight against poverty. To find out if you are eligible for a BTC-grant best check the website of the Belgian Technical Cooperation. [W] www.btcctb.org China Scholarship Council: Programme for Excellence: ten PhD scholarships each year Outstanding Chinese students can apply for a scholarship from the China Scholarship Council to undertake a PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in one of the following disciplines: Molecular Biology / Biotechnology Cell & Gene Therapy: Diabetes Research Cell & Gene Therapy: Cancer Research Cell & Gene Therapy: Reproductive Medicine Medical Imaging & Medical Instrumentation Applied Computer Science A scholarship lasts four years. Additional support is provided by the university. [W] www.vub.ac.be/csc Erasmus Mundus Action 1 (former Erasmus Mundus Masters scholarships) The Erasmus Mundus programme is a co-operation and mobility programme in the field of higher education which promotes the European Union as a centre of excellence in learning around the world. It supports top-quality, European Masters courses and provides EU-funded scholarships for third-country (non-EU) nationals participating in these Masters courses. The Vrije Universiteit Brussel participates in the following Erasmus Mundus Masters programmes: Photonics [W] www.master-photonics.org Economics of International Trade and European Integration [W] webhost.ua.ac.be/eitei International Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering [W] www.biomedicaltechnology.eu Erasmus Mundus Action 2 (former Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window) The Erasmus Mundus - Action 2 programme is a scholarship programme set up and financed by the European Commission. Scholarships are available to undergraduate (bachelor), graduate (master) and doctoral students, but also to postdoctoral researchers and academic staff members. A detailed overview of the different programmes the Vrije Universeit Brussel participates in, both as partner and coordinator, can be found on the website www.vub.ac.be/IRMO Vietnamese scholarships The Vrije Universiteit Brussel has a cooperation agreement with several Vietnamese scholarship programmes, such as the Mekong 1000 scholarships, the Hong Duc Scholarships (TOSP), and the MOET VOSP scholarships (Ma & PhD). [E] development.cooperation@vub.ac.be

Admission requirements and language skills

Admission is based upon acceptance of the application form (proof of meeting the language requirements, necessary background, etc.). This form can be downloaded from: www.vub.ac.be/admissions To study in English at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, students coming from outside the European Economic Area must demonstrate a good command of the English language. This can be done by: Presenting proof of having studied in English Presenting an English-test result: - Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL): minimum result if paper-based: 550, if computer-based test: 213, if internet-based test: 80 - Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC): minimum result 860 - International English Language Testing System, academic module (IELTS-academic): minimum Band 6.5 - Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): minimum Grade C - Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): minimum Grade B

Erasmus Programme at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel has been participating in the Erasmus Programme for more than 20 years and is holder of the extended Erasmus University Charter (EUCX). This means that our university is entitled to apply for funding for the following Erasmus activities: Erasmus students and teaching staff mobility, as well as the organization of such mobility; Activities related to the introduction, implementation and /or extension of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS); Curriculum Developments projects, Intensive Programmes and Thematic Networks. The Vrije Universiteit Brussel strives to develop intensive cooperations with strong partner universities across Europe for mutual student- and staff mobility. Mobility gives students the possibility to develop skills required for their future careers. Yearly the Vrij Universteit Brussel welcomes students from a broad range of European countries ranging from Norway to Turkey.

General information
Vrije Universiteit Brussel Campus Etterbeek Pleinlaan 2 1050 Brussels - Belgium - Europe Vrije Universiteit Brussel Campus Jette Laarbeeklaan 103 - 1090 Brussels - Belgium - Europe [E] info@vub.ac.be [W] www.vub.ac.be/english

International Relations and Mobility Office

[T] +32 (0)2 880 12 80 [F] +32 (0)2 880 12 81 [E] international.relations@vub.ac.be [W] www.vub.ac.be/irmo Mailing address Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 2 - 1050 Brussels - Belgium - Europe Visiting Address Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Campus Etterbeek Huis van het Hout Vrijwilligerslaan 2 - 1040 Brussels - Belgium - Europe
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