VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL

BRUSSEL
Brussel is sometimes called the capital of Europe. It is home to approximately 1 million people, it is bilingual (French and Dutch) and besides being the headquarter of many EU bodies, it also hosts NATO and a wide range of international governmental and non-governmental organisations. It is a truly cosmopolitan city and 31% of the population is of foreign origin.                                   

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has eight of Arts and Philosophy; Law and Criminology; Economic, Social and Political Sciences and the Solvay Business School; Psychology and Education Sciences; Sciences; Medicine and Pharmacy; Engineering Sciences; and Physical Education and Physiotherapy – plus a Department of Teacher Training. VUB cooperates with 38 universities all over the world, and has student exchange agreements with 160 universities. Most bachelor and master programmes are taught in Dutch although some are in English. Students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English are advised to visit the Vesalius College web site. To study at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel a certificate of good command of English is required (except for native speakers). This is covered by a proof of having studied in English and/or a copy of a 'Test of English as Foreign Language' (TOEFL) with a minimum result of 213.

ASSORTED FACTS

TUITION
Tuition is waived for Erasmus students.Tuition is EUR 505 for most courses except a few Master's degrees for which the tuition fee is EUR 1010 or 1500. 

ACCOMMODATION
VUB has some 1100 single rooms and flats on campus and in town, many are furnished. You should expect to pay 300 EUR/month for a room and 500 EUR/month for a small apartment. All rooms have internet and cable television connection. In VUB’s housing facilities pages you will also find a useful practical student guide.

KEY DATES
The academic year starts ultimo September. After a two week Winter holiday ultimo December/primo Jaunary, semester 1 ends primo February. Semester 2 runs from medio January through Easter holiday in March or April to primo July. First semester exams start medio January, second semester exams start primo June.

VISA
A visa is not needed for Norwegian students.

CURIO
Brussels has more than 100 museums for a wide variety of interests. It has a Centre for Comic Strip Art (both Hergé, father of Tintin, and Peyo, creator of the Smurfs, were from Brussels, and Morris, creator of Lucky Luke, was Belgian too albeit from Kortrijk, not Brussels); the Atomium, which is a giant model atom – a  remnant of the 1958 World exposition in Brussels and a symbol of Belgium; Mini-Europe, a park which hosts miniature models of famous European buildings; and every other year there is the creation of the massive Floral Carpet consisting of hundreds of thousands of begonias and covering the entire Grand Place in an intricate and colorful pattern.

LINKS: THE UNIVERSITY AND ANSA'S COUNTRY PAGES
www.vub.ac.be/
www.ansa.no/land/belgia