INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Universiteit (University)

Hogeschool (Non-University Higher Education Institution)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs

Gegradueerde

Kleuteronderwijzer

Maatschappelijk Assistent

Onderwijzer

Vroedvrouw

Geaggregeerde voor het  Secundair Onderwijs - Groep 1

Kandidaat

Architect

Industrieel Ingenieur

Interieurarchitect

Meester

Apotheker

Arts

Bio-Ingenieur

Burgerlijk Ingenieur

Burgerlijk Ingenieur-Architect

Dierenarts

Handelingenieur

Licentiaat

Tandarts

Gediplomeerde in de Voortgezette Studies

Geaggregeerde voor het Secundair Onderwijs - Groep 2

Gediplomeerde in de Aanvullende Studies

Gediplomeerde in de Gespecialiseerde Studies

Postgraduate Degree

Doctor

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 18

Structure of school system:

Elementary

Type of school providing this education: Primary School

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 6 to: 12

Certificate/diploma awarded: Getuigschrift van Lager Onderwijs (Primary Education Certificate)

General Secondary

Type of school providing this education: General Secondary Education (ASO)

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 12 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs (Secondary Education Diploma)

Specialized Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Artistic Secondary Education (KSO)

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 12 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs (Secondary Education Diploma)

Technical

Type of school providing this education: Technical Secondary Education (TSO)

Length of program in years: 6

Age level from: 12 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs (Secondary Education Diploma)

Vocational

Type of school providing this education: Vocational Secondary Education (BSO)

Length of program in years: 7

Age level from: 12 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs (Secondary Education Diploma)

Professional

Type of school providing this education: Part-Time Education Centres (CDO)

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 15 to: 18

Apprenticeship

Type of school providing this education: Retailer's Training Centres

Age level from: 16

School education:

Primary education lasts for six years leading to the Getuigschrift van Lager Onderwijs (Primary Education Certificate). Secondary education is provided for young people aged 12 to 18 in four branches: ASO (general), TSO (technical), KSO (artistic) and BSO (vocational), each divided into three 2-year periods. Pupils come into contact with as many subjects as possible during basic education. From the third and fourth year of secondary education, pupils can opt for a certain branch of study within ASO, TSO, KSO, or BSO, a 7th year after the 6th TSO, KSO or BSO year, or for a 5th year after the 4th BSO year. In the fifth and sixth years of secondary education pupils are offered either occupational training or higher education training. From age 15/16, pupils may also attend from 1 day/week to 15 week/year part-time secondary education, while having signed a part-time labour or apprenticeship contract. General, vocational and technical secondary education lead to the Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs.

Higher education:

Higher education comprises university and non-university institutions (Hogescholen); transfer from one type to another is possible. Entrance examinations exist only for Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering -Architecture, Dental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Nautical Sciences and Fine Arts. Higher non-university education offers both short-term (one cycle), three-year study courses and long-term (two-cycle) four-to five-year study courses of academic level. There are 24 hogescholen and 6 universities. University education takes four, five, six or seven years, depending on the discipline. In addition, hogescholen and universities offer postgraduate (advanced, supplementary or specialized) training programmes. Courses at postgraduate level are also organized at postgraduate training institutions, three of which are recognized by the Flemish government: Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde and Instituut voor ontwikkelingsbeleid en-beheer.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Act on Hogescholen in the Flemish Community Year: 1994

Concerns: Non-university higher education

Decree: Act on Teacher Training  Year: 1996

Concerns: Teacher training

Decree: Act on Universities in the Flemish Community Year: 1991

Concerns: University education

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: Jun

Languages of instruction: Dutch, English

Stages of studies:

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level:

Undergraduate studies: Studies at the hogescholen are divided into one-cycle and two-cycle programmes. One-cycle studies last for three years and prepare students for professions in Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, Health and Rehabilitation, Social Work, Teaching, Informatics, Applied Arts or the Media. Two-cycle studies are divided into two periods of a minimum of two years each and cover more or less the same sectors as one-cycle higher education. These studies are more academic. After the first cycle, the qualification of Kandidaat is awarded. One-cycle programmes lead to such titles as Gegradueerde,  Maatschappelijk Assistant (Social Worker) or Vroedvrouw (Midwife). Two-cycle programmes lead to the Licentiaat or the titles of Industrieel Ingenieur, Architect or Meester. Postgraduate studies:  Postgraduate studies in hogescholen are open to holders of a diploma of higher education. Non-university level postgraduate qualifications include Geaggregeerde voor het Secundair Onderwijs-Groep 2 (Qualified Teacher's Degree) and Gediplomeerde in de Voortgezette Studies (Degree in Advanced Studies).

University level studies:

University level first stage: Kandidaat cycle:

A Kandidaat degree may be obtained after basic university training of two to three years. In the fields of Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law the degree conferred is the Baccalaureus.

University level second stage: Licentiaat cycle:

The second cycle at universities requires another two to three years, although the period takes even longer in some branches. The degree awarded - Licentiaat or professional qualification of Ingenieur, Apotheker, etc. - entitles one to either employment or research.

University level third stage: Postgraduate studies:

At the same time as or after the second cycle, students may obtain the Geaggredeerde voor het Secundair Onderwijs-groep 2, a qualification that entitles the holder to teach various subjects in upper secondary education. Postgraduate qualifications also include the Gediplomeerde in de Aanvullende Studies (Degree in Complementary Studies) and the Gediplomeerde in de Gespecialiseerde Studies (Degree in Specialized Studies).

University level fourth stage: Doctoral Studies:

Admission to the Doctor's Degree (Doctor) can only be obtained by publicly defending a doctoral thesis at least two years after obtaining a final university degree (e.g. Licentiaat) or, in some cases, a specific final Hogescholen degree of academic level (e.g. Handelsingenieur). The Doctor's Degree is required to be appointed a member of the academic staff.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

A one-cycle teacher training course of three years' duration leads to the degree of Onderwijzer which entitles the holder to be a primary school teacher. At pre-school level, a one-cycle teacher training course of three years' duration leads to the degree of Kleuteronderwijzer which entitles the holder to be a pre-school teacher.

Training of secondary school teachers

Lower secondary education teachers follow a three-year one-cycle teacher training course leading to the degree of Geaggregeerde voor het Secundair Oderwijs - Groep 1. Upper secondary school teachers follow a two-cycle programme at a university or a Hogeschool where they obtain a Qualified Teachers Degree (Geaggregeerde voor het Secundair Onderwijs - Goep 2).

Training of higher education teachers

A Doctor's Degree is required to be appointed member of the academic staff.

Non-traditional studies:

Lifelong higher education

Access to part-time education for every kind of course is available. Next to regular studies, one can obtain qualifications of continuous education such as the Getuigschrift Posthogeschoolvorming (Certificate of Post-Hogeschool Studies) at the Hogescholen and the Getuigschrift Postacademisch Onderwijs (Certificate of Post-university Studies).

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Administration of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of the Flemish Community

Head: Marleen Vanderpoorten, Minister

Hendrik Consciencegebouw, Toren A 7, Koning Albert II-Iaan 15
1210 Brussel
Belgium

Tel: +32(2) 553-98-19

Fax: +32(2) 553-98-05

EMail: erwin.malfroy@ond.vlaanderen.be

WWW: http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be

Role of governing body: Administrative, supervisory and advisory role.

Flemish Interuniversity Council (Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad - VLIR)

Administrative officer: Dirk Van Damme, Algemeen Directeur

Egmontstraat 5
1000 Brussel
Belgium

Tel: +32(2) 512-91-10

Fax: +32(2) 512-29-96

EMail: secretariaat@vlir.be

WWW: http://www.vlir.be

Flemish Council of Hogescholen (Vlaamse Hogescholenraad - VLHORA)

Head: Jan Geens, Director

Administrative officer: Luc Van de Velde, Secretary-General

Wolvengracht 38
1000 Brussel
Belgium

Tel: +32(2) 211-41-90

Fax: +32(2) 211-4-199

EMail: jan.geens@vlhora.be

WWW: http://www.vlhora.be

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs

For entry to: All non-university higher education institutions

Entrance exams required:

Entrance examinations must be sat for Nautical Sciences and Fine Arts

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs

For entry to: All universities

Entrance exams required: Entrance examinations must be sat for in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering-Architect, Dental Sciences and Medical Sciences.

Foreign students admission

Admission requirements: Foreign students who can justify having obtained a secondary school leaving certificate giving access to higher education in their country may start higher education in Flanders. However, foreign students also have to pass the same entrance examinations. Foreign students holding  a higher education diploma may obtain a reduction of the total study load of a programme.

Language requirements: Students must be proficient in Dutch for undergraduate studies. Candidates may be required to sit for a language test. The universities organize language courses during the summer.

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The Flemish Interuniversity Council (http://www.vlir.be) reviews university programmes

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

NARIC-Flanders, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Department of Education, Higher Education Administration

Head: Erwin Malfroy

H. Consciencegebouw, Toren A 7, Koning Albert II-Iaan 15
1210 Brussel
Belgium

Tel: +32(2) 553-98-19

Fax: +32(2) 553-98-05

EMail: erwin.malfroy@ond.vlaanderen.be

WWW: http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be

Services provided & students dealt with: Provides advice for admission to universities and hogescholen

Other information sources on recognition of foreign studies: Hogescholen and Universities deal with credential recognition for access to higher education

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Name of agreement: European Convention on the academic recognition of university qualifications

Year of signature: 1972

Name of agreement: European Convention on the equivalence of diplomas leading to admission to universities

Year of signature: 1955

Name of agreement: European Convention on the equivalence of periods of university studies

Year of signature: 1972

Name of agreement: European Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the European region

Year of signature: 2000

Name of agreement: European Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Concerning Higher Education in the States Belonging to the European Region

Year of signature: 1986

Name of agreement: Protocol to the European Convention on the equivalence of diplomas leading to admission to universities

Year of signature: 1972

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Higher Education in Flanders

Publisher: Ministry of the Flemish Community, Department of Education

Year of publication: 1998

STUDENT LIFE

Main student services at national level

NARIC-Flanders, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Department of Education, Higher Education Administration

H. Consciencegebouw, Toren A 7, Koning Albert II-Iaan 15
1210 Brussel
Belgium

Tel: +32(2) 553-98-19

Fax: +32(2) 553-98-05

EMail: erwin.malfroy@ond.vlaanderen

WWW: http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 75 (Euro)

Maximum: 620 (Euro)

Foreign students tuition fees: Maximum: 8100 (Euro)

Publications on student services and financial aid:

Title: Study Abroad 2000-2001

Publisher: UNESCO/IBE

Year of publication: 1999

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: ERASMUS/SOCRATES

Name of exchange programme: LEONARDO

Name of exchange programme: LINGUA

Name of exchange programme: PETRA

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: a 10-20 grading scale, with 10 as the pass level.

Highest on scale: 20

Pass/fail level: 10

Main grading system used by higher education institutions

Full Description: Marking system (Vermelding) used: met voldoening: satisfactory; met onderscheiding: distinction (70%); met grote onderscheiding: high distinction (80%); met grootste onderscheiding: highest distinction (90%).

Highest on scale: met grootste onderscheiding

Pass/fail level: met voldoening

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2001-2002

Source: NARIC-Flanders, Department of Education, Higher Education Administration, Ministry of the Flemish Community, Brussels, 2002