Higher education

Higher education in the Flemish Community consists of:

• university education; and
• non-university education.

University education

Students follow university education at universities (universiteiten). Universities mainly offer research-oriented study programmes. In the Flemish Community, this is called 'academisch gericht'. University education follows a bachelor's-master's structure. This means that students enrol in a bachelor’s programme when they first start studying at a university.

Non-university education

Students receive non-university education at Flemish hogescholen. These hogescholen offer vocational degree programmes. In the Flemish Community, this is called 'professioneel gericht'.

Students can obtain a Diploma van Gegradueerde (Graduate Diploma) via a graduaatsopleiding (graduate degree programme). Graduaatsopleidingen are offered by hogescholen. Students can also obtain a Diploma van Gegradueerde in nursing. However, the nursing degree programme is called HBO5 Verpleegkunde (the HBO5 Nursing degree programme) and it is only taught in schools for secondary education.

• Duration : 2-2½ years. The duration of nursing programmes is 3 years.
• Study load : 120 ECTS.
• Content: practically-oriented daytime or evening classes.
• Admission requirements: the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs or an equivalent diploma – see the information on the Onderwijskiezer website.
• Function of the diploma: work and sometimes access to a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding (with exemptions).
• Diploma: Diploma van Gegradueerde.

Hogescholen offer professioneel gerichte bacheloropleidingen (profession-oriented bachelor’s programmes). These study programmes prepare students for a particular profession.

• Duration: 3 years (at least 180 ECTS) or 4 years (240 ECTS) for nursing.
• Content: practically-oriented daytime classes with an emphasis on developing skills and doing an internship.
• Admission requirements: the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs. For admission to higher arts education, additional requirements (artistic aptitude tests) apply. See also the admission requirements of the Flemish government.
• Function of the diploma: work and access to bachelor-na-bacheloropleidingen.
• Diploma: Bachelor.

If students want to specialise further in the field of study of their Bachelor obtained via a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding, they can do so via a bachelor-na-bacheloropleiding (bachelor after bachelor's degree programme). This study programme does not lead to a higher degree. Students conclude this study programme with a Bachelor as well.

• Duration: 1 year.
• Study load: at least 60 ECTS.
• Content: vocational subjects and internships.
• Admission requirements: a Bachelor obtained via a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding and specific requirements.
• Function of the diploma: further specialisation in the field of study of a previously obtained Bachelor.
• Diploma: Bachelor.

Universities offer academisch gerichte bacheloropleiding (academic bachelor's programmes). These are research-oriented (scientific) study programmes.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Study load: at least 180 ECTS.
• Content: scientific education and research, occasionally including an internship of several months depending on the specialisation.
• Admission requirements: the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs, which may be followed by an entrance examination or a preparation programme (for students who do not hold a diploma that grants immediate admission). The Flemish government provides more information about the admission requirements for study programmes in higher education.
• Function of the diploma: access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor.

Masteropleidingen (master’s programmes) are usually based on academic research.

• Duration: 1 or 2 years. Exceptions: (veterinary) medicine takes 3 years.
• Study load: usually 60 or 120 ECTS, 180 for the (veterinary) medicine programmes.
• Content: academic education, research and a thesis (15 to 30 ECTS), occasionally including a work placement of several months depending on the specialisation.
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • a Bachelor obtained via a academisch gerichte bacheloropleiding;
  • a Bachelor obtained via a professioneel gerichte bacheloropleiding + transition programme.
    Students may also have to pass an entrance exam. You can find more information about the admission requirements on the Flemish government website (in Dutch).
• Function of the diploma: access to master-na-masteropleidingen and PhD programmes.
• Diploma: Master.

If students want to specialise further in the field of study of their Master, they can do so via a master-na-masteropleiding (master after master's degree programme) at a university. This study programme does not lead to a higher degree. Students conclude this study programme with a Master as well.

• Duration: 1 or 2 years.
• Study load: 60 or 120 ECTS.
• Content: research and a thesis (15 to 30 ECTS), occasionally including a work placement of several months depending on the specialisation.
• Admission requirements: a relevant Master.
• Function of the diploma: further specialisation in the field of study of a previously obtained Master.
• Diploma: Master.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Content: academic research, writing and defending a thesis.
• Admission requirements: a Master, possibly other requirements. There is an admission procedure for candidates who do not hold a Master.
• Diploma: Doctor (dr) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).