Career
Career opportunities in Antwerpen
Antwerp has a sustainable economy, attracting many multinationals and international business people. The main economic pillars are represented by the petrochemical industry, pharmaceutics, agro-food, aeronautics manufacturing and diamonds. Antwerp diamond trade is one of the largest in the world. Antwerp’s location, in the centre of Europe, at the crossroads of the most important trade routes, makes this city an interesting place for the business environment.
Some of Antwerp’s home based companies or with local offices include: Atlas Copco, Pwc, Alcatel Lucent, Belgacom, Media Plus, Cigna, Argenta, KPMG, Total Petrochemicals, BASF Belgium, SONACA SA, RioTinto Diamonds NV.
A large number of internships are offered by universities in Antwerp in collaboration with top companies in the city.
Life
Antwerpen city life
The city of Antwerp has a cultural and lively environment. You would have lots of places to see and enjoy a vibrant night life. Discover Belgium’s cultural heritage by visiting the Cathedral of Our Lady, St. James' Church, Plantin-Moretus Museum, the Saint-Boniface Church, Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Museum Vleeshuis, Het Steen (The Stone) - a small castle, Aquatopia aquarium, and the Jewish Quarter.
If you’re into music celebrations, the city hosts the Zomer van Antwerpen (Summer of Antwerp) Festival, during the whole summer. Other local famous event is Laundry Day, which is a large dance festival. You can relax and have a good time in numerous coffee shops, bars, pubs and night clubs.
You might not have thought about it, but Antwerp is actually an important fashion city. You can visit several fashion exhibitions and there is even a fashion museum, Mode Museum (MoMu). Antwerp is a good place for shopping. The Meir is the main shopping street where most popular brands are available. However, these places are not just about spending because you can admire the nice architecture of the historical buildings. The Palace and the "Stadsfeestzaal" that holds an indoor shopping centre with an exclusive Champagne bar are the most fascinating.
If you want to see more of Belgium, you could easily make a trip to Brussels, Belgium's capital, commonly known as 'the Capital of Europe', only a thirty-minute train ride away.
International atmosphere in Antwerpen
Antwerp attracts numerous international students and business investors, as the city is a hub of numerous prosperous economic activities and diverse service industries. Antwerp is an ethnically diverse city, with Moroccan, Turkish, Eastern Europe and ex-Soviet Union, African, Latin, Asian and Jewish communities. While in the city, you will have the opportunity to practice and use other languages like German, French, English, Spanish, and more. Local people speak Dutch, but they also have a good command of English and all around the city you would be able to survive just by speaking this language.
Weather Antwerpen
The climate of Antwerp is maritime and usually mild. Summers are not very hot, as the average temperatures are around 22°C (72°F), and moderate weather in the winter, with daytime temperatures of up to 5°C (41°F). Springs are very unstable, with cold and heavy rainfalls that occur during April and May.
Universities in Antwerpen
Welcome to KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts! Home to 14800 students (1500+ international) Find us in Antwerp, Belgium – a vibrant international city at the centre of Europe. We offer English-taught bachelor degree programmes, created and updated by industry experts to suit our globalized world. Prepare for your career. Develop a global mindset. Be supported to achieve your ambition.
Antwerp Management School, the autonomous management school of the University Antwerp, is a top-ranked business school in the heart of Europe. A strong network stimulates personal development, fosters innovative entrepreneurship and inspires people to play an active role in society.
KU Leuven is the highest-ranked university in Belgium and a top 50 university worldwide. As one of Europe’s oldest universities, KU Leuven boasts a 600 year tradition of ground-breaking research and high-quality education.
Thomas More is the largest university of applied sciences in Flanders, offering more than 30 Dutch-taught and a range of English-taught bachelor degree programmes & postgraduates in the province of Antwerp. Next to that, Thomas More offers exchange programmes in English, for students from partner universities.