Funding

Scholarships in Belgium for Students from India and Pakistan

Belgium has a few large scholarships, but most are only for some countries. Here is which ones are open to students from India and Pakistan, and which are not.

Belgium Scholarship Overview

Which Belgian scholarships you can apply for.

How Scholarships Work in Belgium

Belgium's main scholarships come from the Flemish Government (the Dutch-speaking north) and the government of French-speaking Belgium. Some are only for poorer partner countries.

Universities also give some lower fees and awards. Each one has its own rules.

Check the country list first

VLIR-UOS and ARES are two Belgian scholarship programs. They do not include India or Pakistan. The Master Mind Scholarship is open to students from around the world.

Why Apply for Scholarships?

A Master Mind Scholarship gives a grant of EUR 10,225 and a tuition fee waiver for each academic year.
A scholarship letter can show you have enough money for the visa.

Types of Scholarships

Where scholarship money in Belgium comes from.

Government scholarships

Paid by the Flemish Government or the government of French-speaking Belgium.

Master Mind Scholarships (Flemish Government)
VLIR-UOS (not for India or Pakistan)
ARES scholarships (not for India or Pakistan)

University awards

Given by a university or a part of a university.

UGent business: 8 awards for top GMAT or GRE scores
KU Leuven: tuition fee waivers decided by the program

Rules differ

Each scholarship has its own country list, deadline and rules.

Government Scholarships

Scholarships from Belgian governments.

The Flemish Education Ministry is checking the Master Mind Scholarship. Its rules may change, so check again before you apply.

Master Mind Scholarships

For outstanding master's students from around the world, at a university in Flanders or Brussels. India: yes. Pakistan: yes.

VLIR-UOS

For 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. India: no. Pakistan: no.

ARES scholarships

For people who live and work in 32 partner countries. India: no. Pakistan: no.

Key Benefits of Belgium Government Scholarships

Master Mind: a grant of EUR 10,225 for each academic year.

Master Mind: you pay no tuition fee, or only a small part. The rate for the academic year 2026-27 is EUR 136.50.

Master Mind: one year for a 60-credit master's, two years for a 120-credit master's.

University Awards

Awards from the universities themselves.

Non-EEA students pay more

Students from outside the EEA (the European Economic Area: the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) pay a higher fee. Students from India and Pakistan are from outside the EEA. Some university awards bring the fee down.

Ghent University: GMAT/GRE awards

Ghent University (UGent) gives 8 scholarships to business students with very high GMAT or GRE scores.

KU Leuven engineering: fee waiver

You cannot ask for it. The program decides while it checks your application, before the end of May.

KU Leuven philosophy: fee cut

Three students from outside the EEA get a lower fee of EUR 3,252.72 for the year 2026-27. Ask the university if India or Pakistan counts.

How to Find University Scholarships

Where to Look

Your program's admission page.
The scholarship page of your university.

Application Tips

Read each award's country rules.
Apply for the program before its deadline.

Tips for Your Application

Simple steps that help your chances.

Start early

You apply for Master Mind through your university. Each university can send only 20 students, so apply early.

Apply for the program first

Most scholarships only go to students admitted to the program.

Check who can apply

Read the country list before you spend time on an application.

Strong GMAT or GRE score (UGent business)

Ghent University (UGent) gives 8 scholarships to business students with very high scores on the GMAT or GRE (tests some master's programs ask for).

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applying for a scholarship your country is not eligible for.
Taking Master Mind together with another Flemish Government scholarship or an Erasmus Mundus scholarship (a European Union scholarship). This is not allowed.