Belgium

Higher education in Belgium (French Community)

More than 60,000 students attend the university institutions in the French Community of Belgium. They have to provide a triple function: education, research and services to the Community. From this perspective, the universities primarily offer their students: 

 

• a sound training which enables them to adapt to the changes and innovation processes which characterise our society
• an initiation into scientific research and the permanent updating of knowledge
• the taste for an open and multidisciplinary culture, whith the intention of opening their minds to discovery as well as to a sense of social responsibility and making a contribution to the well-being of all.

University studies in the French Community are organised into three cycles. 
Initial training is structured around two cycles:

• a 1st transition cycle, comprising 180 ECTS, which normally lasts for 3 years of study, in which succesful comletion leads to a Bachelor’s degree
• a 2nd vocational cycle, comprising 120 ECTS, which normally lasts for 2 years of study in which succesful completion leads to a Master's degree.

Thus initial university training normally lasts for 5 years in all disciplines, with the exception of physiotherapy, medicine and veterinary medicine. 

Studies in the 3rd cycle, which are accessible to holders of a Master’s degree, lead to the awarding of a Doctor’s degree following the defence of a thesis.

This is offered in 25 Hautes Ecoles [Higher Education Colleges] and 17 Ecoles supérieures des Arts [Higher Arts Colleges].
The Hautes Ecoles mainly organise higher education of the short type (3 years) and some courses of the longer type (5 years). Studies are classified into eight categories: Agronomy, Applied Arts, Economics, Paramedical Studies, Education and Teaching, Social, Technical, Translation and Interpretation. The shorter type courses are organised in a single cycle and are recognised by an academic Bachelor’s degree. They are both practical and theoretical at the same time, and often lead directly into the practise of a specific profession. 

The Ecoles supérieures des Arts also offer higher education of both the shorter and longer types. These schools prepare students for all the artistic disciplines in four areas of study: Plastic, visual and spatial arts; Music; Theatre and the spoken arts; Performing arts, and broadcasting and communication techniques.

The long type of higher education is organised in two cycles: Bachelor (180 ECTS) and Master (generally 120 ECTS – see below). These are mainly university courses. Unlike the short type courses, the long type Bachelor courses do not lead to the practise of a profession. 
 

The Bachelor’s degree
The Bachelor’s degree is the 1st basic cycle and represents 180 ECTS (3 years). In the French Community of Belgium, university Bachelor’s degrees are referred to as “transitional”: they do not lead to the practise of a profession and provide access to the Master’s courses. Therefore the degree obtained after these 3 years is not of value on the employment market.

The Master’s degree
The Master’s degree is the second basic cycle. You will find Master’s courses worth 60 ECTS (1 year); most Master’s courses are worth 120 ECTS (2 years); but there is also a Master’s worth 180 ECTS (3 years) in veterinary medicine and a Master’s worth 240 ECTS (4 years) in medicine.

A “60” or “120” Master’s degree?

“60” Master’s degree
For certain fields of study you have a choice between 1 or 2 years. While the “60” Master’s is valid on the job market, it consists of general training and does not correspond to the European model. Nor does it offer the same opportunities as the “120” Master’s.

“120” Master’s degree
This Master is flexible in terms of its programme and can be adapted to suit your professional plans depending on the options, modules and above all the approach chosen (30 ECTS out of the 120).
The Finalité Didactique (FD) [didactic approach] comprises pedagogical training in preparation for the profession of teaching in higher secondary education. This pedagogical training is only valid in the French Community of Belgium.
The Finalité Approfondie (FA) [in-depth approach] prepares students for scientific research. It comprises both in-depth education in a particular discipline, and also general training as a professional researcher. Please note that even if the title of this approach remains general, it can include a number of important options.
The Finalité Spécialisée (FS) [specialised approach] prepares students for a professional specialisation in a particular discipline in the area to which the course relates. This can also involve numerous options.

The “120” Master’s degree also enables you to gain access to complementary Master’s courses and pursue a doctorate. As a specialist Master’s degree of European standard, this is finally the one which will open up international options for you, thanks amongst other things to the numerous exchange programmes and stays abroad.

The complementary Master’s degree
To gain access to certain professions, or specialise more in a very specific field of study, you need to follow another 2nd cycle course: a complementary Master’s (60 ECTS minimum).
Examples: the various specialisations in medicine, European law, the notarial profession, urban planning and development, the management of risks and well-being at work, the management of financial risks, nanotechnology, etc.

Doctorate
The doctorate, the 3rd university cycle, leads to the academic degree of Doctor. It is only accessible after the completion of studies worth at least 300 ECTS (Bachelor + Master) and consists primarily in preparing and defending a thesis.
The doctorate involves a doctoral course of 60 ECTS recognised by a certificate of training in research. This course involves the competences which are specific to research teams, and confers a high level scientific and professional qualification on the graduates.

Rating scale
With a view to discussion, each teaching unit is assessed using a number between 0 and 20, with the pass mark being 10/20.

 

scale	Qualitative scale
< 8	Serious inadequacies
8   to < 10	Inadequate
10 to < 12	Fair (pass)
12 to < 14	Satisfactory result
14 to < 16	Good result
16 to < 18	Very good result
18 and higher	Excellent result

The study programmes are presented in ECTS. These units correspond to the work load which you will have to devote to a teaching unit within a programme of studies. Not only the hours spent in class, but also practical work, seminars, laboratory work, work placements, personal work, research and surveys on the ground, etc. count towards credit.

1 credit corresponds to 24 hours of learning activities. 1 academic year is 60 ECTS

To gain access, the student must have:

• a Certificate of Higher Secondary Education provided by a Belgian establishment, duly dated, signed and stamped, or the provisional form dated, signed and bearing the seal of the establishment or a certificate of his aptitude to enter higher education.
• or a Certificate of success in an admission exam offered by the University