ULB/VUB 2027 Application Timeline + Costs + Success Stories – Bookmark This Guide

2027 ULB/VUB Study Abroad Guide: Timeline, Admission Requirements & Application Checklist

When people think about undergraduate study in Belgium, the first names that often come to mind are KU Leuven or Ghent University. But the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and its sister institution Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) – both located in the heart of the EU capital – are rapidly becoming a new favourite for Chinese students. Why? Because undergraduate study in Belgium offers not only a world‑class education but also an immersive multicultural experience right in the political heart of Europe. Whether you choose the French‑speaking ULB or the Dutch‑speaking (with many English programmes) VUB, the “Free University of Brussels” stands for academic freedom, cutting‑edge research, and a truly international environment. For students and parents planning to enrol in 2027, the journey to study at ULB/VUB starts now.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need: the 2027 application timeline, entry requirements, costs, document checklists, and real success stories to help you navigate the process with confidence.

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1. ULB/VUB Overview – Academic Gems in the Heart of Europe

ULB vs. VUB – Origins and Differences

The history of the Free University of Brussels dates back to 1834. In 1970, the university split along linguistic lines into two fully independent institutions:

• ULB (Université libre de Bruxelles) – French‑speaking, located in the southern part of Brussels, with about 32,829 students, of whom over 10,000 are international. ULB is known for its strong research culture and has produced four Nobel laureates.

• VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) – Dutch‑speaking but offering many English‑taught programmes, located in the northwest of Brussels. VUB is a dynamic, comprehensive public research university offering 27 bachelor’s and 105 master’s programmes, 40 of which are fully taught in English.

Although they operate independently, both share the “Free University of Brussels” reputation. When applying, you must choose one based on the language of instruction and your intended major.

2027 World University Rankings

In the 2027 QS World University Rankings, ULB ranks #248 globally (#102 in Europe), while VUB ranks #295 globally (#122 in Europe). In the 2026 THE World University Rankings, both are placed in the #201–250 band. ULB is also ranked #275 in the US NEWS 2026‑2027 Global Universities ranking.

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2. 2027 ULB/VUB Application Timeline – Start Planning Now

Most undergraduate programmes at ULB and VUB start in September. Below is the key timeline for 2027 autumn entry.

July–September 2026: Research & Language Preparation
This is your strategic preparation phase. You should:

• Thoroughly research the programmes offered by ULB vs. VUB and their admission preferences.

• Decide on your preferred language of instruction (French, Dutch, or English).

• Start language preparation – English‑taught programmes generally require IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79.

• Maintain and improve your high school GPA.

October–December 2026: Document Gathering & Essay Writing
The application season is about to open. You need to:

• Complete language tests and obtain official scores.

• Compile your high school transcripts (with certified English translation).

• Write a strong personal statement/motivation letter (recommended length: 1 A4 page).

• Contact two referees for recommendation letters.

• Prepare your passport copy and photos.

• Crucially, start familiarising yourself with the APS review process – this is mandatory for Chinese applicants.

November 2026 – March 2027: The Golden Submission Window
Applications for the 2026‑2027 academic year open on 15 November 2025 and close on 1 April 2026 (final submission date is 31 March 2026). Non‑EU students must submit by 1 April.

⚠️ Special deadlines: Brussels Governance Institute – 1 September 2026; Urban Studies master – 7 February 2026 (these are for master’s, but check individual programmes).

April–June 2027: Admission Decisions & Visa Processing
After receiving your application fee, the university takes up to 10 weeks to process. Decisions are usually released between March and April. Once you receive an offer, confirm your place within the given timeframe and start your visa application. For the 2026‑2027 academic year, the financial requirement for a Belgian student visa is €1,062 per month, meaning you need to prove over €12,000 for the full year.

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3. ULB/VUB Undergraduate Admission Requirements  Handling graduation certificate, transcript, and academic degree authentication services

Academic Performance
You must have completed secondary education and hold a high school diploma. Your academic grades should meet the programme’s standards – we recommend a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 (competitive programmes may require higher).

Language Proficiency

• English‑taught programmes: IELTS overall 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 79 (no sub‑score below 18). Some programmes may require higher scores.
  Note: International students can submit language scores after the application deadline, with a final deadline of 30 June (before 1 July). However, the university will not issue a conditional offer without language proof.

• French‑taught (ULB): Provide French proficiency proof (DELF, TCF, etc.) at the required level.

• Dutch‑taught (VUB): Provide Dutch proficiency proof.

⚠️ Important: ULB/VUB do not offer preparatory language courses. If you do not meet the language requirement, you cannot be admitted.

APS Review – A Must for Chinese Students
For Chinese mainland applicants, the APS review is mandatory for any Belgian university. APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) is conducted by the German Embassy in Beijing to verify the authenticity of your academic credentials and language skills. The interview is in English and/or French. The process takes about 3–4 months – book your appointment early (Beijing or Shanghai centres). Start as early as possible to avoid missing the 1 April deadline.

Complete Document Checklist

Application fee notes:

• Must be paid within 30 days of submission, otherwise your application is cancelled.

• Pay separately for each programme you apply to.

• The fee is not deducted from your tuition (policy changed since 2025‑2026).

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4. Tuition Fees & Living Costs at ULB/VUB  Handling graduation certificate, transcript, and academic degree authentication services

Tuition Fees

Fees vary by institution, programme, and nationality:

ULB (French‑speaking) :

• Undergraduate tuition: approx. €3,850/year

• From 2026‑2027, non‑EU students pay €5,010/year (the base registration fee is €835, but the new full rate rises to €1,194).

VUB (Dutch‑speaking) :

• Non‑EU/EEA tuition ranges from €1,092 to €5,000/year for bachelor’s.

• Some master’s programmes for non‑EU students cost €5,010–€5,720/year.

Living Expenses
Brussels, as the EU capital, is slightly more expensive than other Belgian cities, but still far lower than London or Paris:

• Accommodation: ~€400–€700/month

• Food, transport, insurance, etc.: ~€600–€900/month

• Annual living costs: ~€12,000–€19,000 (you need to prove at least €12,000 for the visa).

Scholarship Opportunities

1. VUB Scholarships – up to €10,000/year for outstanding students in research and academics.

2. VUB B‑PHOT Excellence Scholarships – €5,000/year for top students in specific fields like photonics.

3. Erasmus Mundus – for master’s students, may cover full tuition and living costs.

4. ULB financial aid – ULB’s social service department offers tuition reductions for students in financial difficulty, lowering fees to €325, €485, or €835.

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5. ULB/VUB’s Strongest Fields and English‑Taught Programmes

ULB’s strengths:

• Politics & International Studies – QS subject rank #60 globally

• Geography – QS subject rank #51‑100

• Physics & Astronomy – QS subject rank #137

• Development Studies – QS subject rank #101‑150

• Also strong in law, economics, philosophy, and medicine.

VUB’s strengths:

• Medicine & Life Sciences – strong research output

• Photonics Engineering – European leader

• Communications – excellent reputation

• Engineering & Technology – computer science, electronics, etc.

• VUB has produced 2 Nobel Prizes and 2 Fields Medals.

English‑taught bachelor’s programmes
ULB offers mainly French‑taught bachelor’s; English‑taught options are limited. VUB offers more:

• Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences (3 years) – tracks in sociology, political science, and communication. Year 1 & 2 at VUB, Year 3 at Ghent University.

• Tuition: €4,800/year

• Language: TOEFL 79 / IELTS 6.5 / Cambridge English 170

• Deadline: 1 April – application fee: €50.

English‑taught master’s programmes – a much wider range across humanities, STEM, life sciences, economics, and more.

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6. Success Stories – Real Admissions Cases

Case Study: From a Provincial Key High School to VUB
Background: Student C, from a first‑tier city key high school in China. GPA 3.4/4.0, IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0). During high school, he was president of the Model UN club, organised two school‑wide MUN conferences, and won a provincial English speech contest.

Key Strategy:

• Clear interest: He was passionate about international relations and political science – VUB’s Bachelor of Social Sciences with a political science track was a perfect match.

• English‑taught advantage: He didn’t need to learn Dutch or French, as VUB offers the programme in English.

• Early IELTS: He started IELTS in Grade 11 and scored 6.5 by Grade 12, meeting the requirement.

• APS ahead of time: He began preparing APS documents in the second semester of Grade 11 and submitted his APS application in Grade 12, obtaining the certificate well before the 1 April deadline.

• Motivation letter: He connected his MUN experience to his interest in political science, writing: “Through systematic social science training, I want to understand the structural forces behind international politics” – which aligned perfectly with VUB’s interdisciplinary approach. The letter was kept to 1 A4 page, concise and powerful.

• Two recommendation letters: One from his class teacher (general performance) and one from his English teacher (language skills) – both submitted on time.

Outcome: Admitted to the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Political Science track) at VUB for the 2027 autumn intake.

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7. 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

Q1: What is the difference between ULB and VUB? Which should I choose?
ULB (Université libre de Bruxelles) is French‑taught (mostly), while VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) offers many more English‑taught programmes. Both are independent and similarly ranked (ULB is slightly higher in QS). Choose based on the language of instruction and your preferred major. If you want English, go for VUB; if you want French, go for ULB.

Q2: Can I apply if I don’t speak French or Dutch?
Yes – but you must choose an English‑taught programme. VUB offers 40 fully English‑taught programmes, including a Bachelor of Social Sciences. ULB’s English bachelor options are very limited. You’ll need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79.

Q3: What is the total annual cost at ULB/VUB?
It varies by programme and institution. For VUB’s English‑taught bachelor: tuition ~€4,800/year, living ~€12,000–€19,000/year – total roughly €16,800–€23,800 (approx. RMB 130,000–190,000) . This is far less than the RMB 300,000–500,000/year in the US/UK.

Q4: What should Chinese students pay special attention to when applying?
The APS review is the biggest hurdle. You must obtain your APS certificate before you can apply – the process takes 3–4 months. Start gathering documents and applying for APS in the second semester of Grade 11 or early Grade 12, so you don’t miss the 1 April deadline. Also note that while you can submit language scores later (by 30 June), the university will not issue a conditional offer without them.

Q5: What are the career prospects after graduating from ULB/VUB?
Both degrees are recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Education. Graduates can: stay in Belgium or elsewhere in the EU (Belgium offers a job‑seeker visa); pursue further studies (master’s or PhD); or return to China, where the degree is valued by multinational companies, international organisations, research institutes, and universities. A major advantage: Brussels is home to the EU headquarters, NATO headquarters, and countless international organisations and corporations – providing unique internship and job opportunities right on your doorstep.

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Undergraduate study in Belgium is a journey that demands early planning and careful execution. From now – understanding the ULB/VUB differences, choosing your major and language, preparing language tests, starting the APS process, gathering documents, and submitting before the 1 April deadline – every step counts. Compared to the soaring costs and fierce competition of US/UK education, ULB/VUB offers an outstanding European alternative with academic excellence, affordable costs, and a location right at the heart of Europe. For a personalised assessment and application strategy for ULB/VUB, feel free to reach out to our professional consultancy team.