Study in Belgium with the IB Diploma
This guide explains how the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is used for university admission in Belgium, using only official government and institutional sources. It is written exclusively for IB Diploma students and IB Coordinators.
Last updated for the 2026 intake
Recognition
How Belgium Recognizes the IB Diploma
Belgium officially recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma as a valid secondary school qualification for university admission.
Belgium has three linguistic communities, each with its own education system. Recognition rules differ between the Flemish Community and the French Community.
🇧🇪 Flemish Community
The IB Diploma is automatically recognized as equivalent to the Flemish certificate of secondary education. No application is needed.
🇧🇪 French Community
An equivalence application is required through the Service des Équivalences of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.
Equivalence
Do IB Students Need a Belgian Secondary Diploma?
No.
IB students do not need a Belgian secondary diploma (CESS or Flemish equivalent) to apply to Belgian universities.
The IB Diploma is accepted as a standalone secondary qualification.
French Community Requirement
For universities in the French Community, IB students must apply for an equivalence of their diploma through the Service des Équivalences (application period: November 15 – July 15).
Official Sources
- https://www.vlaanderen.be/en/naric — Flemish automatic recognition
- Service des Équivalences, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles — French Community equivalence
Admission System
University Admission System in Belgium
Belgium does not use a centralized national admissions platform.
Admission is organized by:
There is no national IB cut-off score. Each university defines its own admission criteria based on the IB Diploma.
Grade Evaluation
IB Grade Evaluation in Belgium
Belgian universities evaluate IB results independently.
Common practices include:
⚠️ There is no official Belgium-wide IB grade conversion table.
Official Sources
- https://www.kuleuven.be/english/admissions
- Individual university IB policies (e.g., KU Leuven, ULB, Ghent, VUB)
Entrance Exams
Entrance Exams and Restricted Programs
Required for some programs.
Most undergraduate programs in Belgium do not require entrance exams. However, certain competitive fields have mandatory entrance examinations.
🏥 Medicine & Dentistry
Flemish Community
Mandatory Toelatingsexamen Arts en Tandarts (entrance exam for Medicine and Dentistry), conducted in Dutch. Covers sciences and general competencies.
French Community
Mandatory concours d'entrée organized by ARES. Covers biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and communication skills.
🔧 Civil Engineering (French Community)
A mathematics entrance examination is required for Civil Engineering (Sciences de l'Ingénieur) programs in the French Community.
Official Sources
- https://www.studyinflanders.be/practical-information/admission-requirements
- Flemish and French Community entrance exam regulations
Language Requirements
Language Requirements for IB Students
Yes, language proficiency is required.
Dutch
Required for programs in the Flemish Community (KU Leuven, Ghent, VUB, etc.)
French
Required for programs in the French Community (ULB, UCLouvain, ULiège, etc.)
English
Available for select English-taught programs, mostly at master's level
IB English does not automatically waive language requirements. Proficiency must be demonstrated per university policy.
Official Sources
- https://www.studyinflanders.be/
- University language policy pages
University Types
Public vs Private Universities for IB Students
Public Universities
- Primary destination for IB students
- Community-regulated admission
- IB Diploma widely accepted
- Low tuition fees for EU citizens
Examples: KU Leuven, Ghent, ULB, UCLouvain, VUB
Private / Specialized Institutions
- Independent admission criteria
- Tuition fees usually higher
- IB acceptance varies by institution
Documentation
Required Documents for IB Students
Typical application requirements:
- IB Diploma or predicted grades
- Academic transcripts
- Passport or ID
- Equivalence application (French Community only)
- Language proficiency certificate (if required)
- Motivation letter (some programs)
Official Sources
- https://www.kuleuven.be/english/admissions
- Individual university admission checklists
Timeline
Application Timeline for IB Students
Typical timeline across Belgian universities:
November–July
Equivalence applications (French Community: Nov 15 – Jul 15)
February–April
Application deadlines for many programs
April–August
Admission decisions communicated
July–September
Final IB results and enrollment
⚠️ Deadlines vary by university and community. Always check the specific university's admission calendar.
Source: University admission calendars
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (IB Only)
Is the IB Diploma recognized in Belgium?
Yes. In the Flemish Community it is automatically recognized as equivalent to the Flemish secondary certificate. In the French Community, an equivalence application is required.
Do IB students need a Belgian secondary diploma?
No. The IB Diploma is accepted as a standalone qualification. In the Flemish Community, recognition is automatic. In the French Community, an equivalence to the CESS must be obtained.
Source: NARIC-Vlaanderen
Are entrance exams required in Belgium for IB students?
For most programs, no. However, Medicine and Dentistry require a mandatory entrance exam in both communities. Civil Engineering requires a math exam in the French Community.
What languages can IB students study in at Belgian universities?
Programs are offered in Dutch (Flemish Community), French (French Community), and some in English. Language proficiency is required in the language of instruction.
Source: Study in Flanders
Is there a national IB cut-off score for Belgium?
No. There is no national minimum IB score. Each university sets its own admission criteria, though most require the full IB Diploma (minimum 24 points).
Source: University admission policies
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