The ARES Scholarships, a transformative advanced study in Belgium initiative, invites international students to pursue specialized Bachelor’s, Master’s, and continuing education programs at esteemed institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, such as Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Université de Liège, and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). Funded by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES), this international scholarships Europe program fosters global change agents in fields like public health, sustainable development, data science, aquaculture, risk management, international economics, and social innovation. Scholars embark on a transformative academic journey, engaging in cutting-edge research to address global challenges.

The ARES Scholarships offer over 200 programs, including one-year specialized master’s degrees, advanced bachelor’s programs, and 2-to-6-month continuing education courses, primarily taught in English or French. Scholars engage in innovative training at facilities like UCLouvain’s Bioengineering Labs or ULB’s Global Health Institute, collaborating with expert faculty on projects tackling climate resilience, health policy analysis, and digital transformation, with 80% of alumni contributing to sustainable development in their home countries. Launched under ARES’s cooperation framework, the program supports a diverse community of scholars from 31 partner countries, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and gender equity, particularly empowering women in development-focused disciplines.

The scholarship champions global professional networks. Scholars join the ARES alumni network, connecting with peers, mentors, and industry leaders through seminars, workshops, and events like Brussels Sustainable Development Summit, Liège Innovation Forum, and Wallonia Tech Expo. This inclusive framework supports diverse perspectives, with 45% of scholars from underrepresented regions. Campus activities, such as data science hackathons, Namur Cultural Festival, or Mons Sustainability Challenges, enrich the research-driven experience, with 65% forming international professional ties. ARES’s partnerships with African, Asian, and Latin American institutions enhance cross-border research opportunities.

Studying in Belgium, scholars explore landmarks like Brussels’ Grand Place, Bruges’ Belfry, or Dinant’s Citadel, immersing in European cultural vibrancy. Events like Tomorrowland, Brussels Jazz Festival, or Wallonia Carnival deepen engagement. ARES institutions, equipped with advanced labs, digital libraries, and innovation hubs, support global academic excellence, with connectivity to Paris, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg. Belgium’s safe, multilingual cities (QS Best Student Cities 2025) complement academic pursuits, ideal for advanced studies.

Programs like Master of Specialization in Public Health Sciences or Continuing Education in Data Science for Global Health award degrees or certificates upon completion. Join a global cohort to champion sustainable innovation, embrace Belgian cultural heritage, and redefine career horizons with the ARES Scholarships!

ARES Scholarships in Belgium:

Host Country:

•Belgium

Host Foundation:

•The Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) is the federation of higher education institutions (HEIs) of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) in Belgium.

Course Level:

•Advanced bachelor’s Program.
•Advanced master’s Program.
•Continuing Education Program.

Courses Offered:

Bachelor’s Scholarship:
•Specialized bachelor’s in business data Analysis.
•Specialized bachelor in pediatrics and neonatology.

Master’s Scholarship:
•Master’s degree in development, Environment and Societies.
•Master of specialization in human rights.
•Master of specialization in Aquatic Resources Management and Aquaculture.
•Master of specialization in risk and disaster management.
•Specialized master’s in integrated risk management in the Global South (IManHR).
•Specialized master’s in international and development economics.
•Master of Specialization in Transfusion Medicine.
•Specialized Master in Microfinance.
•Master of specialization in integrated production and preservation of natural resources in urban and peri-urban areas.
•Specialized master’s in public health Methodology.
•Master of Specialization in Public Health Sciences – Research Methods Applied to Global Health.
•Master’s degree in environmental science and management in Developing Countries.
•Master of specialization in transport and logistics.

Scholarship Duration:

•The scholarship duration of the ARES Scholarships for international students may vary depending upon the program you get yourself enrolled into. For advanced master’s and bachelor’s degree programs, the duration is one year. For continuing education programs, the duration ranges from 2 to 6 months.

Program Offered Under ARES Scholarships in Belgium:

Specialized bachelor’s degree

•Bachelor’s degree in business data Analysis

Master’s Degree Programs:

•Master’s degree in human rights.
•Master of Specialization in Risk and Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era.
•Master’s degree in integrated health risk management.
•Specialized master’s in international and development economics.
•European Microfinance Program.
•Specialized master’s in public health Methodology.
•Master of Specialization in Public Health Sciences – Analysis and Evaluation of International.
•Health Policies, Programs and Systems.
•Master’s degree in transport and logistics.
•Specialized master’s degree – Social Innovation Design.
•Master of specialization in Water-Energy-Food Nexus.

Continuing training courses

•University Certificate in Data Science for Global Health.
•International training in digital university pedagogy.
•Interuniversity and interdisciplinary certificate in transitional justice.
•Continuing education – Understanding and managing the human dimensions of sustainable development change projects.
•Continuing training in quality assurance and quality control of medicines and health products.
•Continuing education in free geographic information systems.

Benefits of the ARES Scholarship in Belgium:

•You will be given an economy class travel facility one time per academic year.
•You will be given a living allowance of 12 months for advanced bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
•You will be given a living allowance for the continuing education program, depending upon the course tenure.
•You will be facilitated with the insurance costs by ARES.

Eligibility Criteria of the ARES Scholarships in Belgium:

1. You should be a national, citizen, or a worker ineligible listed country of ARES.

2. You must hold a diploma equivalent to the bachelor’s degree from Belgium University studies for advanced masters and continuing education courses.

3. You must hold a diploma equivalent to the undergraduate degree from Belgium Institute for advanced bachelors.

4. You must have an academic degree for not more than 20 years at the start of the course.

5. You must possess relevant professional experience of at least two years after getting the preceding educational degree.

6. You must be proficient in the English language.

7. The preference is given to the students knowing the French language.

8. You can apply for only one training course at a time.

9. Applicants must pay a USD 39 registration fee.

Selection Criteria for the ARES Scholarships:

•Quality of previous education.
•Professional experiences.
•Not a prior recipient of the ARES scholarship.
•Member of a partner institution.
•Potential to bring change in society.

Required Documents for the ARES Belgium Scholarship:

1. Recommendation letter (if available).

2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of high school or Graduation of bachelor’s degree.

3. Academic transcript of high school or bachelor’s program (if required).

4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).

5. CV (if required).

6. Motivation letter/statement of purpose (if any).

7. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.

8. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).

9. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).

10. University Admission Offer Letter (If Already Issued).

11. Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years.

12. Pre-project (required for certain courses; refer to course-specific admission conditions).

Scholarship Deadline:

• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.

• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in December 2025!

Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.