Nursing schools in Belgium are available to students from around the world. In fact, there are many nursing programs in Belgium that are taught in English, making it easy for international students to get their degree.

The first step to getting started is finding a school that offers an accredited program that meets your needs. The next step is applying and choosing a program that fits your requirements. After that, you’ll need to gather all of the documents needed for your visa application and submit them to the embassy or consulate in your home country.

Once you have received permission to study abroad, it’s time to pack! When you arrive at your new school, you will be required to attend orientation sessions where you’ll learn about Belgian culture and customs as well as important information about how life works in Belgium (like how things like healthcare work). You’ll also meet other international students who will help you adjust to life abroad during those first few weeks when everything feels foreign and strange!

nursing in belgium salary

Nurses in Belgium are highly sought after by foreign companies because they have extensive knowledge of English, French, and Dutch. They also have a high level of education, with many having master’s degrees in nursing or related fields.

The average salary of a nurse in Belgium is $40,000. The top 10% of nurses earn more than $67,000 annually, while the bottom 10% make less than $28,000 per year. Nurses who work in outpatient clinics and hospitals tend to earn more than those who work in nursing homes or other settings.

A person working as a Nurse in Belgium typically earns around 5,080 EUR per month. Salaries range from 2,640 EUR (lowest) to 7,770 EUR (highest).

Salary Range

Nurse salaries in Belgium range from 2,640 EUR per month (minimum salary) to 7,770 EUR per month (maximum salary).

Median Salary

The median salary is 4,880 EUR per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Nurse(s) are earning less than 4,880 EUR while the other half are earning more than 4,880 EUR. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

Nursing Schools In Belgium Taught In English

Healthcare professionals in Belgium are some of the most sought after in the world. The country is considered one of the best places to work, and nurses are no exception.

The average number of practicing nurses in Belgium is well above the EU average—this may be due to nurses in Belgium having a lower workload and enjoying higher social recognition and remuneration.

Government initiatives have further enhanced working conditions for healthcare professionals by providing them with better facilities and creating an environment conducive for learning and training.

There are nursing schools in the country that offer courses for international students. All of them are public universities, but they’re spread across three different regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.

Each school has its own admissions requirements, so check them out before applying to make sure that you meet their requirements.

1. Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB) Nursing Program Link. …
2. Haute École Galilée (HEG) Nursing Program Link. …
3. Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts (KdG) Nursing Program Link. …
4. Howest University of Applied Sciences (Howest) …
5. Ghent University (UGent)

How to Study Nursing in Belgium for International Students

Belgium is considered one of the best countries to work in. This holds true for nurses as well. The Belgian government takes vigilant measures to create better working conditions and environments for the healthcare professionals.

Even though there have been reports of nurse shortage in the country, the average number of practicing nurses in Belgium is well above the EU average. This may be due to nurses in Belgium having a lower workload; they may also enjoy higher social recognition and remuneration.

If you want to study nursing in Belgium, you can take a few steps to make sure that your application is accepted.

First, make sure that you have a good understanding of the language requirements for your program. Most programs will require English proficiency, but some may also ask for proficiency in French or Dutch. If you don’t know the language of the country where you plan to study, consider taking courses prior to applying.

Next, find out what kind of documentation is required by your program. Many schools ask for copies of academic transcripts and diplomas from other institutions that have been translated into English. Some schools also request letters of recommendation and personal essays (which typically need to be written in English). If your native language is not English but you are fluent in it, make sure all documents are translated by a professional translator who has experience with medical documents.

Finally, check with the school’s admissions office about any additional requirements they may have (such as an interview or essay questions). It’s important that you complete these steps before applying so that when it comes time for them to review your application, they already have everything they need!

Requirements to Study Nursing in Belgium

As there are three Communities in Belgium – the Flemish, French, and German-speaking Communities, you will need to be able to communicate in either Dutch, French, or German based on the location of the school you wish to attend.

For example, the Howest University of Applied Sciences offers courses in English or Dutch because it is an institution that is based in West Flanders, a province of the Flemish Region. International students who wish to study nursing at Howest must, therefore, know the Dutch language and meet a minimum requirement of B2 level as it is the teaching language that is used in the program.

You will also need to hold a diploma or education qualification that is recognized by the institution you are applying to. The admission requirements may vary depending on your nationality, the type of diploma or qualification you have, and the institution of your choice.

What Degrees are there for Nursing in Belgium?

There are two different levels of nursing education in Belgium – diploma degree and bachelor’s degree. You would find the latter more commonly at a university college.

To become a registered nurse in Belgium, you can study nursing in Belgium for four years. The program consists of 2,300 hours of practical training and corresponds to 240 ECTS credits. Upon completion, graduates will obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the institution and a license to practice from the Recognition Commission of the Federal Council of Nursing Practitioners and the Provincial Medical Commission.

Those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing may choose to further their studies or go into specialization by enrolling in a master’s or Ph.D. program. For those who had previously obtained a diploma in nursing, they will be able to obtain a professional bachelor’s degree by attending a bridging program or a shortened educational pathway at an institution that provides this program.

Cost of Studying Nursing

Depending on your nationality, the cost of your nursing education in a Belgian university will range between a few hundred to a few thousand euros annually. In general, citizens of the European Union or European Economic Area countries would need less than 1,000 euros a year to study in a public university in Belgium.

Besides the affordable tuition, the low cost of living is another factor that attracts countless students from across the world to study in Belgium. On average, you would need about 800 euros or less to cover your monthly living expenses in Belgium.

Best Nursing Schools in Belgium

1. Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB)

• Nursing program link
• Degrees offered: Bachelor of Nursing

Also known as Eramushogeschool Brussel (EhB), this higher education institution has about 7,000 students in its 11 campuses located throughout Brussels, Belgium. Working together with Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), EhB provides a myriad of degree programs in Dutch and exchange programs in English for students across the world.

International students who wish to pursue their nursing education can apply to this nursing school in Belgium as it offers a professional bachelor’s degree program in nursing. The language of instruction is Dutch. Students can choose to study the program full time at the Jette campus or follow the course through distance learning. Students with a diploma in nursing can also obtain a bachelor’s degree by undergoing a bridge training program at EhB.

2. Haute École Galilée (HEG)

• Nursing program link
• Degrees offered: Bachelor of Nursing in General Care

The Haute École Galilée (HEG) is a French-speaking private higher education institution located in Brussels. The university college offers training in four distinct areas – Communication and Journalism, Office Management and Tourism, Healthcare, and Education. HEG is considered to have one of the best nursing schools in Belgium.

At the healthcare department, also known as Institut Supérieur de Soins Infirmiers Galilée (ISSIG), students can study a four-year program to become a nurse responsible in general care. The school also offers three specializations courses – Community Health, Diagnostic and Interventional Medical Imaging, and Radiotherapy. The duration of these specialization programs is one year.

3. Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts (KdG)

• Nursing program link
• Degrees offered: Bachelor of Nursing

Named after a European emperor (Charles the Great), the Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts was officially opened in 1995. It is a non-profit private higher education institution formed from a merger of 13 catholic institutions in Antwerp. Each year, more than 13,000 students are enrolled in one of the six fields of study offered by the institution.

Aspiring nurses can study at KdG and obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Over the course of four years, students will learn about all the different fields of nursing in theory and in practice. Students will undergo 2,300 hours of internship in various healthcare settings such as primary care and home nursing, medicine and surgery, mental health care, geriatrics and chronic care, mother-child care, and pediatrics.

To apply for this program, international students are required to provide a Dutch language certificate (level B2) as proof of proficiency. You will also need a high school graduation certificate that is accepted by the school.

4. Howest University of Applied Sciences (Howest)

• Nursing program link
• Degrees offered: Bachelor of Nursing

You can study nursing in Belgium in Howest University of Applied Sciences (also known as Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen), a public higher education institution that is located in the province of West Flanders. Besides offering courses in Dutch, the school also provides many programs in English to cater to international students who wish to study in Belgium.

The nursing program at Howest is a four-year bachelor program delivered in Dutch. Applicants who wish to enroll in this program should provide proof of proficiency in Dutch that meets the minimum requirement of the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages (CEFR).

5. Ghent University (UGent)

• Nursing program link
• Degrees offered: Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery

The final top nursing school in Belgium is Ghent University, one of the major universities in Belgium that is located in Ghent, a city in the Flemish Region. Established in 1817 by King William I of the Netherlands, this public research university has 11 faculties and offers over 200 courses to 46,000 students annually. As most programs in UGent are taught in Dutch (with exception to some master programs and exchange programs), students are advised to learn Dutch before or during their time in the university.

Exchange students can apply to the university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences to obtain a qualification in Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery. It is a two-year, 120-ECTS credit master’s degree program that aims to equip students with precise and in-depth knowledge in either nursing, midwifery, or mental health nursing. Graduates of this program will be able to pursue a career in various fields such as advanced practice roles, research, education, and management.

To apply for this program, applicants must be enrolled in a university that has a bilateral agreement with UGent and possess a professional bachelor’s degree in nursing or midwifery or a bachelor’s degree in nursing that is approved by UGent. Applicants are also required to have at least a level B2 in English proficiency upon enrolment. For more information, please refer to the admission requirements on the website.

ghent university nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery at Ghent University is a 120 ECTS credit academic master that aims to prepare nurses and midwifes for the challenges in healthcare and to provide them with competencies to take-up professional an clinical leadership. The programme consists of a truncus communis and through a major structure, students can obtain specific and in-depth academic competencies in either nursing, midwifery or mental health nursing. The programme is developed in close collaboration with national and international stakeholders in the field of nursing, midwifery and mental health nursing.

The programme is specifically designed to provide opportunities for nurses and midwifes to develop advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes towards research, (clinical) leadership, advanced practice roles, and implementation of innovation in healthcare. The master’s degree provides nurses and midwifes with a rigorous grounding in research methods (quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods design), statistics, nursing and midwifery theories and models, critical analysis, leadership and theoretical perspectives that inform nursing and midwifery practice, education and research. Students will graduate with experience and sound knowledge in preparation for advanced practice roles, research, education, management and leadership positions.

Possibilities in Internationalization

Name of the Course	Credits	Semester	Period	Contact hours	Course specifications
SEMESTER 1
Economic Aspects of Health Care	4	SEM 1	Monday 16:00 – 17:00h	20.0 h	http://studiegids.ugent.be/2017/EN/studiefiches/D012541.pdf
Organization of Midwifery in International Perspective	3	SEM 1	10th – 14th October 2016	35.0 h	http://studiegids.ugent.be/2017/EN/studiefiches/D012174.pdf
Mother and Child Care: Intercultural Aspects	3	SEM 1	Friday 10:00 – 11:30h	15.0 h	http://studiegids.ugent.be/2017/EN/studiefiches/D001666.pdf
SEMESTER 2
Masterclass Advanced Pressure Ulcer Management	3	SEM 2	Tuesday 14/03/17 Thursday 16/03/17 08:30 – 16:00h	30.0 h	http://studiegids.ugent.be/2017/EN/studiefiches/D012562.pdf
Academic English	3	SEM 2	Monday 10:00 – 13:00h 14:30 – 17:30h Tuesday 8:30 – 11:30h Wednesday 14:30 – 17:30h	15.0 h	http://studiegids.ugent.be/2017/EN/studiefiches/A003001.pdf
Patient Care in the French Language	3	SEM 1 SEM 2	Tuesday Group 1 17:30 – 19:00h Group 2 9:00 – 20:30h	30.0 h	http://studiegids.ugent.be/2017/EN/studiefiches/D002250.pdf

Complete programme of the Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery is available on http://studiegids.ugent.be/2017/EN/FACULTY/D/MABA/DMVEVR/DMVEVR.html

• Courses taught in English: Most of the courses are taught in Dutch. Some specific courses are taught in English, including ‘Economic Aspects of Health Care’.
• Language courses at the University Language Centre (English or Dutch, 3 ECTS, evening course, NOT part of the Master in Nursing and Midwifery curriculum, application through uct@ugent.be).  The credits will not appear on the Transcript of Records, the University Language Centre provides a separate certificate. For more information, visit the website of the University Language Center.
• Master dissertation: We offer the possibility of completing a master dissertation within the Master of Nursing and Midwifery (15 credits = 12 weeks of staying abroad). Contact Prof. dr. Dimitri Beeckman (Dimitri.Beeckman@UGent.be) if you have interest in completing a master dissertation within the programme.

Requirements

Bachelor in Nursing and Midwifery: Students who previously obtained professional bachelor’s degree in nursing or midwifery can pursue this 2- years master’s programme. Degree students who would like to follow a master programme after they have obtained a Bachelor in nursing or midwifery, need to have their diploma approved. Students holding a Non-Belgian Diploma also need to have their diploma approved. Information, requirements and application can be found on the ‘Admission Requirements’ page of Ghent University

B2 level in English. If a student is unable to communicate properly with other students or stakeholders in practice, the student will not be allowed to start the course or master dissertation.

Practical information

Procedures and practical information can be found on the international pages of Ghent University.

The Ghent University does not offer accommodation, as a consequence, the incoming student is responsible for finding his/her own residence.

• Deadline for application for courses in semester 1 and/or master dissertation: 15 May 
• Deadline for application for courses in semester 2: 15 November

Nursing schools in Belgium are a great option for students who want to study nursing in English. The country is known for its friendly people and diverse culture, making it a great place to further your education.

Students who choose nursing schools in Belgium are able to take advantage of affordable tuition rates and a wide range of programs that fit their needs. With so many options available, it’s no wonder why more Americans have been choosing to attend these schools every year!