Ranked as one of Europe's top
universities, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) combines
award-winning research and a range of study programmes with a supportive
open-door policy in Brussels, one of the most interesting cities in Europe.
Almost 200 years of experience and history await you at its green, urban
campuses.
Master's Programmes
Engineering & Technology (11)
- M.Sc. Applied Computer Science
- M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering
- M.Sc. Civil Engineering
- M.Sc. Computer Science
- M.Sc. Electrical Engineering
- M.Sc. Nuclear Engineering
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (7)
- M.Sc. Biology
- M.Sc. Chemistry
- M.Res. Gerontological Sciences
- M.Sc. Molecular Biology
- M.Sc. Physics and Astronomy
Social Sciences (7)
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (4)
- M.Sc. Biology
- M.Sc. Physical Land Resources
Arts, Design & Architecture (3)
- M.Sc. Urban Studies
Business & Management (3)
- M.Sc. Business and Technology
- M.Sc. International Business
- M.Sc. Management
Computer Science & IT (3)
- M.Sc. Applied Computer Science
- M.Sc. Computer Science
- M.Sc. Electrical Engineering
Humanities (2)
Journalism & Media (2)
Medicine & Health (2)
- M.Sc. Disaster Medicine (EMDM)
- M.Sc. Global Health
Agriculture & Forestry (1)
Applied Sciences & Professions (1)
- M.Sc. Disaster Medicine (EMDM)
Education & Training (1)
About
History
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is the offshoot of the French-speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) that was founded in 1834 by a Brussels lawyer with Flemish origins, Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen. He wanted to establish a university that would be independent from the state and the church and where academic freedom would reign.
Education
We offer a quality education to more than 16,000 students (24.5% of these are international students, covering some 140 nationalities). In VUB's eight faculties, students can choose to study and explore beyond their own discipline. VUB offers a full range of Bachelor, Master and Advanced Master courses, many of which are taught in English. The key concept in this range of courses is flexibility. The system of majors and minors enables students to plan their studies in a way that best meets their interests.
Research
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel aims to make an active contribution to a better society through research freedom, critical thinking, and an international orientation. In terms of research, the VUB aims to deliver high quality research that is both locally grounded and has strong international recognition. Our research teams are internationally recognised in many disciplines of fundamental and applied research.
The four key goals of our research policy
- An optimal research environment
- An international and interdisciplinary research culture
- Participative and community-based research
- An inclusive, open & networking researchers' community
Career
The VUB Career Center is the university’s central information hub to assist and support students and young graduates to make an efficient start on the labor market.
The Career Centers offers individual career counselling on themes such as career guidance, job application and interview techniques, tailoring and enhancing a CV, networking. Additionally, the Career Center runs a job and internship board students are invited to make use of.Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2019
GSSA 2019
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2019. By rating institutions on a scale from 1 to 5, on multiple studies-related questions, we found the top educators in the world.
Learn more about the Global Student Satisfaction AwardsUniversity Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2021
200 -5
2020
195 -7
2019
188
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2020
301 -100
2019
201
2018
201
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2021
-
2020
201 50
2019
251
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2021
-
2020
259 21
2019
280
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
VUB students have access to a variety of services, such as personalized study guidance, social services, housing service, medical services, integration within the VUB community, foreign language learning, library services, and this on and/or around campus.
Housing services
VUB has 1540 rooms including 35 double apartments, 12 studios and several wheelchair accessible rooms. These student rooms are located on and around the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Etterbeek) and the Brussels Health Campus (Jette).
These rooms are all located on and around the campuses, and are offered at very attractive prices thanks to government subsidies.
Library services
The University Library consists of the Central Library and the Medical Library. Both libraries offer a large number of databases and contain an extensive collection of printed or electronic journals, books, newspapers, etc. Most electronic sources are available for remote access by the VUB community via the library website.
ICT services
All VUB campuses have public computers at student's disposal, including within the libraries. All computer rooms have printers and/or copy machines.
The VUB campuses have free wireless networks coverage.
Students have access to the online learning platform, the student self-service, webmail, etc.Medical services
The VUB provides medical and psychological services to its students. These services are located on or close to the campuses. Students have easy access to general medical and dental consultations, a dental clinic, physiotherapy.
Additionally, there is a mental health care center. On top of that, students also get access to the medical services conveyed by the University Hospital.Student Life
Campus life
The faculties, services and departments of Vrije Universiteit Brussel are located on several campuses in the Brussels Capital Region.
The main campus is the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus, a green campus with numerous auditoria, classrooms and labs, a library, sports facilities, a student restaurant, a medical center, a bank.The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and the University Hospital are both located in the Brussels Health Campus, also a fully-fledged campus. Finally, Brussels Kaai Campus hosts the department of Industrial Engineering, a place where students can work on/with the latest computer controlled machines such as 3D printers and laser cutting machines.
Sports facilities
The VUB sports infrastructure consists of a swimming pool, athletics track, two large multi sports halls, an artificial grass rugby/football pitch, and artificial training field (tennis/football), three squash courts and a martial arts room. Each campus includes a fitness center as well.
VUB students can make use of these facilities through their sports card. There is a VUB discount available and it also gives access to our Sportmix. Every week you can then participate in 25 (team) sports at different locations.
Student clubs
The International Student Platform consists of international students that cooperate with the general VUB Student Council. This platform has been created to give a voice to the growing number of international students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
There is a wide range of student associations at VUB, which can be split up by region (national and international) or interests such as music, leisure and activism.
Accreditation
VUB is registered with the Flemish government of Belgium. The VUB programmes are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO, Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie).
This official organisation was established by an international treaty between the Flemish and the Dutch governments to ensure the quality of higher education in both the Netherlands and Flanders.
Student Reviews
VUB LOVES international students
Anonymous rated 1 out of 5 stars
VUB is a very good university if you are trying to study abroad. It provides excellent services to an international student. From preparing your stay and while you are living there. When I first joined, I enjoyed VUB very much and still enjoying. It is a very welcoming community and helps you in any way if you are struggling. At the moment, I am struggling with the exams...
Vrije university, Brussels. A citadel of visionary learning experience.
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
Everything about my academic experience and student life at VUB worked perfectly. The teaching system and access to academic facilities is highly commendable. Although my program applies the blended learning system, I can only speak for myself with regards to the current global pandemic which has disrupted academic activities. It is however noted that, the switch to...
Betty and university life
Anonymous rated 4 out of 5 stars
Best university in Belgium
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