FAQ

Programmes

Do you offer English Master Programmes?

We offer the following English master programmes for international students: http://www.uhasselt.be/en#_studiekiezer

Do you offer English Bachelor Programmes?

All Bachelor programmes are taught in Dutch. Hasselt University offers study programmes in its 6 faculties: Faculty of Business Economics, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Science, Faculty of Law, faculty of Architecture and Arts, Faculty of Engineering Technology and the school of Transportation Sciences: http://www.uhasselt.be/en#_studiekiezer

Candidates who wish to register in a Dutch-language Bachelor programme will need to demonstrate good command of Dutch, both written and spoken.

Please click on the next link for more information about the admission: http://www.uhasselt.be/Admission-requirements

Could you provide me with information concerning scholarships?

http://www.uhasselt.be/Scholarships

What is the difference between a professional programme and an academic programme?

Professional bachelor's programmes are only offered by university colleges. Programmes offered by the university are academic programmes.

Starting in 2013-2014, academic master's programmes which were previously organised by university colleges, have been transferred to universities (not including art programmes). Hasselt University has expanded its range of study programmes with the programmes for Architecture and Interior Architecture, Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy and Engineering Technology (Industrial Science). As a result, 5,400 students now attend Hasselt University.

A professional bachelor's programme focuses on direct employability on the labour market. After completion of a three-year professional bachelor's programme, you are ready to work independently. If you would like to switch to academic higher education later and pursue a master's degree, you will not be admitted directly. You will first have to complete a bridging programme (one to two years) in which you will have to acquire the missing general scientific competences and scientific basic knowledge. This is not self-evident and reserved only for students with an inquisitive and critical attitude and sufficient analytical skills. You should not underestimate the time and effort which are needed to complete a bridging programme. Therefore, students who want to pursue a master's degree should start with an academic bachelor's programme.

An academic programme consists of a bachelor's programme followed by a master's programme. These bachelor's programmes build a broad scientific basis and prepare students for the master's programme. The academic bachelor's programme provides direct access to a master's programme, which in turn prepares people for professions in which they are expected to independently apply scientific knowledge. After completion of a master's programme, you can also choose to prepare for a PhD thesis, with which you will contribute to scientific research and which can also be the starting point for an academic career

Programmes are structured in ECTS credits? What does that mean?

The value or size of a programme (component) is expressed in ECTS credits.
An ECTS credit is a measure of the study time needed to reach the necessary study results / final competencies for a programme component. On average, one credit equals 27 hours of study activity, including tuition and exams included.

Each bachelor's programme has a value of at least 180 ECTS credits. The value of a master's programme depends on the programme: 60, 120 or more credits.

In both the bachelor's and the master's programmes, you can choose a specialisation. This means you can choose a domain to specialise in. A specialisation has a value of at least 30 ECTS credits.

Each programme is built up of programme components of at least 3 ECTS credits each.
In the study programme, you can find the number of credits which is attributed to each programme component. There are programme components of 3, 4, 5, 6 or more credits. For a full-time study, you'll use roughly 60 study points per academic year. This equals an average study activity of 1620 hours per year.

What is a study guide?

In the study guide, you'll find information about the programmes and programme components. The study guide is available exclusively online: www.uhasselt.be/studyguide .
A search per programme will show the following information: the study load in ECTS credits, possible specialisations, the language of instruction, a description of the programme, the admission requirements and the course programme (standard programme pathways).
A search per programme component will show information about the study load in ECTS credits, the language of instruction, the prerequisites and learning outcomes, the evaluation methods, etc.

Admission requirements

What are the language requirements?

More information: http://www.uhasselt.be/Language-requirements

For the Master of Management there are specific language requirements.

What are the admission requirements?

More information: http://www.uhasselt.be/Admission-requirements

What is the learning account?

The learning account was introduced in 2008 - 2009. It means that at the beginning of each student's first registration, the student receives 140 ECTS credits.
Credits are used to register for programmes, and earned back at the end of the year for programme components which they have successfully completed.
Get more information on the website of the Flemish government.

Does an exchange student need to pass a IELTS/TOEFL?

No. However, for courses taught in English the student should have a sound grammatical basis, the pronunciation skills and vocabulary range to take part in social intercourse on a number of topics, and the competence to understand native speakers of English and to comprehend information provided in newspapers, magazines and textbooks. In other words the student should have the level of proficiency required for the Cambridge First Certificate (equivalent to a TOEFL score of 550).

I have a foreign diploma of secondary education. Can I be admitted to the bachelor programme?

Only students with a sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language shall be admitted to first-time enrolment for a programme with Dutch as the language of instruction. Therefore, a students knowledge of Dutch shall be assessed. The test can be taken by the university itself or by an institute of organization that has been recognized for this purpose by the university. If you have a foreign diploma of secondary education outside the European Union, the university will verify if your diploma is equivalent to the diploma secondary education in Flanders. There is no numerus clausus in Flemish higher education. However, there are entrance examinations for students who wish to take a degree in dentistry or medicine.
Also check the next webpage: http://www.uhasselt.be/Admission-requirements 

Do I need an APS certificate?

From the academic year 2007-2008 onwards all students from the P.R. China will have to obtain a certificate of academic screening issued by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) of the German Embassy in Beijing before being allowed to enroll at any higher education institution, language course or other preparatory course in Flanders. The APS certificate is also required for obtaining a student visa to Belgium. More information on APS can be found at their website www.aps.org.cn

Application process

How to apply?

More information: http://www.uhasselt.be/How-to-submit-application

How to apply for the VLIR-scholarschip?

If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship, you will see this on the page “finances” in the online application. To apply for the scholarship, you first have to mark the option “yes” on that page (application for a VLIR-ICP-scholarship: “yes”).

Furthermore, you have to follow a specific procedure. You’ll find more information about this procedure on the VLIR-application form, which you can download on top of the “up/download” page in your online application.

What is the status of my application file?

At each moment you can check the status of your application file. Open your application file and click on 'state of file' in the left block. You can update and upload documents in your application file until the status 'additional information requested' . When your application file is in status 'under consideration', you can't change the data anymore. You also receive an e-mail when the status of your application file has changed.

Please note that your file only will be processed after receipt of your certified hard copies by postal mail.

When will my application be processed?

After finalizing the online pre-registration, sending a hard copy of certified / legalised certificates and transcripts of records is mandatory. Only when your online application is complete and after receiving the hard copies your file will be processed.

Certified / legalised hard copies cannot be returned to the candidate.

What is a certified hard copy?

All applicants need to send certified hard copies to Hasselt University by postal mail.
This copy of your original documents needs to be certified by an official institution. This can be the university, the notary, the embassy, …
They stamp and sign the copy again to attest that it is a true copy of the original document.
Photocopies and digital versions of certified documents will not be accepted.

Certified / legalised hard copies cannot be returned to the candidate.

Has the university received my documents?

We cannot confirm the receipt of your documents, due to the volume of applications. We strongly recommend to send your certified hard copies via express service, so you can track your documents. Therefore, their arrival at our university also can be acknowledged. Your file will be updated when we have opened your envelope.

How to defer your admission?

Your admission cannot be automatically deferred to the next academic year.

Admission requirements can change each year. Therefore, the admission committee will have to re-evaluate your file.

Please send an email to admissionformaster@uhasselt.be to ask for a re-evaluation of your file.

How to re-apply for a master programme?

  • Do not start a new online application.
    • Re-open your online application at UHasselt and change the academic year
  • Upload all new documents.
  • Send a certified version of those documents to Hasselt University by postal mail.
  • Contact the administrator about your re-application.

How to re-apply for a scholarship programme?

  • Do not start a new online application.
  • Check if you are still eligible to apply for the scholarship: http://www.vliruos.be/scholarships
  • Re-open your online application at UHasselt and change the academic year
  • Print a new hard copy application form
  • Send the hard copy with the required documents to Hasselt University: only certified new documents, CV and two new letters of recommendation
  • Contact the administrator about your re-application.

Which steps do I have to take after admission?

Tuition fee

How much is the tuition fee?

More information: https://www.uhasselt.be/Tuition-fees

How to pay the tuition fee?

The payment must be made by international bank transfer in your home country. When you are academically selected to the programme, you will receive payment instruction by e-mail.
International students have to pay the fees at the latest one month before their arrival in Belgium.

Does an exchange student have to pay tuition fee?

Exchange students are exempted from paying tuition fees. Soon after registration exchange students will receive a student ID card which entitles them to all facilities, reductions, etc. available to UHasselt students.

Will my tuition fee be refunded if no visa is granted?

Refund of tuition fee is possible. Send an email to the administrator with the details of your bank account: number, BIC or SWIFT code and name of the account holder.

Practical

Can the University help to obtain my visa?

Visa applications are the responsibility of the incoming student. The university does not have any influence on the procedure.
The role of Hasselt University is limited to providing an admission letter, some practical information and, on demand, a letter to proof your solvency.

ATTENTION: Students should not enter Belgium with a tourist visa if they intend to stay longer than 90 days or three months.

What is the proof of solvency?

When applying for a visa or a residence permit, students are asked to proof their solvency. Depending on the country, one of the following proofs of solvency may apply:

  • A document certifying that the student has been awarded a study grant or scholarship
  • An agreement for acceptance of financial responsibility (letter of a guarantee) by the so-called Annex 32 (can be done from your home country or in Belgium)
  • A proof of your own financial means by transferring a certain amount to a blocked bank account in Belgium on your name.

In case you would like to use the last option (proof your own financial means), Hasselt University can assist you and provide you a letter to proof solvency.

Preliminary notes:

  • for year students, the amount for a full year must be transferred at once (13 months); the period runs from September 1 st until August 31; in September a double amount is required because of many extra costs for starting up

  • for semester students, 6 months must be paid for, i.e. September 1 st until Feb. 28th; in September a double amount is required because of many extra costs for starting up

  • payment can only be done as described in the document below

  • pls. allow at least 10 days between sending the money and receiving your certificate

All students/guests who need proof of solvency are referred to this document (pdf, 83 KB), which describes the full procedure.

For applications for 2021-2022 the final amount is 725 EURO/month. An additional 100 EURO has to be added for administrative costs.

So the total amount for year students will be 13 x 725 = 9425 + 100 = 9525 EURO

For semester students the amount will be 6 x 725 = 4350 + 100 = 4450 EURO

Kindly send back the fully filled Agreement (see above) BEFORE sending the money.

What are the living costs in Belgium?

Living standards are quite high in Belgium. Therefore, all international students and guests of Hasselt University are advised to make sure that they have the financial means for a stay in Belgium, before they leave their home country.

The following are average costs. These amounts do not include travel expenses, nor expenses of (touristic) trips in Belgium and surrounding countries, leisure expenses, transport, tuition fees, etc.
Please note that the amounts may change yearly and may vary according to your personal needs. If your partner or family members will come along to Hasselt, the extra costs need to be calculated as well.

Cost TypeAverage cost in EURO
Accommodation (please note that the utilities costs such as water, electricity, internet, etc. are not always included in the rent)€265-€330/month
Catering (warm meal in the student restaurant at the campus)€3,65-€5,50/meal
Health insurance (compulsory)€40/month
Textbooks etc.€650

How to register for health insurance?

All residents in Belgium are required by law to be covered by a health insurance policy. Each student at UHasselt is responsible for taking out his own health insurance. Non-EEA-Students enrolled at UHasselt or tUL must register with a Belgian health insurance fund and obtain a comprehensive health insurance, for the duration of their studies at the UHasselt/tUL.

Hasselt University insists that all non-EEU students (EU-students are typically covered via their local insurance) enroll into the so-called Aon Student Insurance. More info and registration. 
After payment of the fee, you will receive a certificate, that you should then upload into your student file.
Please make sure you use the exact same name and surname as for your enrolment at Hasselt University or send it to stefanie.commeene@uhasselt.be.  
If you have a personal health insurance equivalent to the SIP-insurance, please upload a certificate of this insurance into your student file or send it to stefanie.commeene@uhasselt.be.  
For more info, please contact stefanie.commeene@uhasselt.be.

How to look for student housing?

Accommodation is arranged ONLY for VLIR-ICP Scholarship students.All other foreign students should find accommodation by themselves.
One option is to use the ‘accommodation pool’ put together by the Office for Student Affairs of UHasselt. This pool includes student rooms which are let under conditions controlled by the Office for Student Affairs. You can find information about the rooms in the pool.

An alternative option is to rent accommodation from landlords not subscribing to the UHasselt pool or from private housing agencies.

Students who are not in Belgium before the 15th of September might encounter difficulties in finding a room. By that time there will be almost no rooms left on the list that is made available through the Office for Student Affairs. Note that the later you arrive, the larger the problem to find a room.

Students

Programmes are structured in ECTS credits? What does that mean?

The value or size of a programme (component) is expressed in ECTS credits.
An ECTS credit is a measure of the study time needed to reach the necessary study results / final competencies for a programme component. On average, one credit equals 27 hours of study activity, including tuition and exams included.
Each bachelor's programme has a value of at least 180 ECTS credits. The value of a master's programme depends on the programme: 60, 120 or more credits.
In both the bachelor's and the master's programmes, you can choose a specialisation. This means you can choose a domain to specialise in. A specialisation has a value of at least 30 ECTS credits. 
Each programme is built up of programme components of at least 3 ECTS credits each.
In the study programme, you can find the number of credits which is attributed to each programme component. There are programme components of 3, 4, 5, 6 or more credits. For a full-time study, you'll use roughly 60 study points per academic year. This equals an average study activity of 1620 hours per year.

What is the difference between selected and obtained ECTS?

Selected credits are the credits of a programme component for which a student has registered in an academic year. Obtained ECTS credits are the credits related to a programme component, for which the students has received a credit certificate.

What is a credit certificate?

A credit certificate for a programme component is a document you will receive if you pass your exam and have obtained a grade of at least 10 / 20. A credit certificate indicates that you have obtained the competencies related to a programme component.

What is an academic year and academic calendar?

An academic year is a period of one year. The academic year starts between 1 September at the earliest  and 1 October at the latest, and ends on the day before the beginning of the next academic year. At Hasselt University, the academic year usually starts on the third Monday of September. The academic calendar (http://www.uhasselt.be/Academic-calendars) shows the yearly planning: the successive teaching periods, the exam periods, the free days and holidays, the dates of deliberation.

What is my study pathway?

A study pathway shows the way in which a programme is organised. When you first enrol for a bachelor's programme, you will follow the standard study programme of roughly 60 ECTS credits.
On subsequent registrations, in principle it will be possible to choose your own study pathway, which is known as an individualised study pathway. An individualised pathway offers the possibility to deviate from te standard pathway. The annual programme proposed by a student who wants fo follow an individualised study pathway must be approved by the Examination Board. One important condition is that the correct sequence must be followed, as certain programme components can only be followed in a certain order. The condition for taking Mathematics 2, for instance, is that you have first passed Mathematics 1. An individualised study pathway can be allowed to students who have fallen behind within a standard study programme, students with exemptions, students with functional impairments, working students and recognised top athletes (conditions can be found on the website).

What is a study contract?

On registering at Hasselt University, students conclude an entry agreement. Students can choose between three contract types: a degree contract, a credit contract or an exam contract.
In general, students who register for a bachelor's programme for the first time will conclude a degree contract. This is the case because most students intend to obtain a degree. If you only register to obtain a credit certificate for one or more programme components, a credit contract will apply. Lastly, it is also possible to conclude an exam contract, in order to just take exams, in which case you are not entitled to also attend educational activities.

What is my student file?

When you come to sign your entry agreement on registering as a new student, you will receive login data. You can then log in on www.uhasselt.be/intranet. "My Student File" is your personal file. This file is used and supplemented by the educational administrations and possibly by other offices of Hasselt University. Your student file allows you to view and modify your personal data, to register and to view your registration data.
"My Tuition Fees" shows an overview of your invoices and payments of tuition fees.
You can also view your study contract, your study pathway and your exam results. You can download the forms needed to de-register for a certain programme component or programme, or to request a modification of your study contract.
In addition, you can register for September courses. Other practical features are your personal programme agenda and exam schedule.
You can also view a list of manuals and courses of the programme components your study pathway is comprised of.
All the forms needed to apply for grants, can be found under "Student Facilities". You can also order a laptop via your student file, and it provides the initial password to login on the electronic study environment "Blackboard".

What is a study guide?

In the study guide, you'll find information about the programmes and programme components. The study guide is available exclusively online: www.uhasselt.be/studyguide.
A search per programme will show the following information: the study load in ECTS credits, possible specialisations, the language of instruction, a description of the programme, the admission requirements and the course programme (standard programme pathways).
A search per programme component will show information about the study load in ECTS credits, the language of instruction, the prerequisites and learning outcomes, the evaluation methods, etc.

What is a master’s thesis?

A master's thesis is a paper or project you hand in at the end of your master's programme. In the past, this was called a thesis or final dissertation.
With your master's dissertation, you prove your analytical and synthetic skills in solving problems independently at an academic level. You demonstrate that you have a critical reflective attitude and the skills required for research.

What is the deliberation package of a programme?

Hasselt University sees the first bachelor year as a transitional year. The student's study pathway in the bachelor's programme therefor leads to two deliberation packages. The first deliberation package is comprised of the programme components of the first bachelor year of the full-time standard study programme. The second deliberation package is comprised of the relevant programme components of the second and third bachelor year. Together, these two deliberation packages make up the full study programme of the bachelor's programme (at least 180 ECTS credits).
The master's programme comprises one deliberation package (60 or 120 ECTS credits). The Examination Board decides whether or not you have passed a deliberation package. The conditions for accepting an 'unsatisfactory' grade for a programme component can be found back in the education and examination regulations (www.uhasselt.be/onderwijs-en-examenreglement).
If you have not passed the first deliberation package, you will have to register to obtain the missing credits. You can then also register for programme components of the next deliberation package.

When have you passed the first deliberation package of a bachelor’s programme?

Hasselt University sees the first bachelor year as a transitional year. The student's study pathway in the bachelor's programme therefor leads to two deliberation packages. The first deliberation package is comprised of the programme components of the first bachelor year of the full-time standard study programme. The second deliberation package is comprised of the relevant programme components of the second and third bachelor year. Together, these two deliberation packages make up the full study programme of the bachelor's programme (at least 180 ECTS credits).
The master's programme comprises one deliberation package (60 or 120 ECTS credits). The Examination Board decides whether or not you have passed a deliberation package. The conditions for accepting an 'unsatisfactory' grade for a programme component can be found back in the education and examination regulations (www.uhasselt.be/onderwijs-en-examenreglement).
If you have not passed the first deliberation package, you will have to register to obtain the missing credits. You can then also register for programme components of the next deliberation package.

When have you passed the second deliberation package of a bachelor’s programme?

You have passed the second deliberation package of the bachelor's programme if you have received an examination grade for each programme component belonging to this package (not including exemptions) and you have either obtained a credit for each programme component or you have no more than two unsatisfactory grades 8 and / or 9, and the sum of the ECTS credits related to these tolerated unsatisfactory grades is no more than 12. Additionally, you need to have scored at least 50%.

When have you passed a bachelor's programme?

You have passed the bachelor's programme if you have passed both the first and second deliberation packages of the bachelor's programme.

What is a binding condition?

If you have registered as a student with a degree contract and have failed to obtain at least 60% of the credits after one academic year, the Examination Board may impose binding conditions. If, for instance, you have registered for 60 credits with a degree or exam contract with the goal of obtaining a degree but you have obtained less than 36 credits, binding conditions can and will be imposed when you register for the following academic year. Binding study advice.

If you fail to satisfy the conditions, a further registration may be refused.

What is a degree of distinction?

When students pass a programme, they are awarded a degree of distinction, according to the following rules:

  • distinction: a weighted percentage of 68% or more
  • great distinction: a weighted percentage of 77% or more
  • greatest distinction: a weighted percentage of 85% or more.

What is a learning account?

The learning account was introduced in 2008 - 2009. It means that at the beginning of each student's first registration, the student receives 140 ECTS credits.
Credits are used to register for programmes, and earned back at the end of the year for programme components which they have successfully completed.
Get more information on the website of the Flemish government.

Graduation

When do I receive my official diploma and diploma supplement?

After graduating, you will receive a provisional certificate which you can use until the official diploma is ready.
The student administration office will inform you when you can pick up your diploma and diploma supplement.

Where do I legalize my diploma from Hasselt University?

More information: http://www.uhasselt.be/Information-at-departure

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