Study systems in Europe

Degrees in the two communities are similar – mostly only the names differ:

• bachelor / bachelier – 180 ECTS, i.e. 3 years; some programmes have 240 ECTS (4 years), e.g. nursing in Flanders,
• master – 60, 120 or 180 ECTS (1–3 years); in Flanders there are also advanced master's programmes after a master's degree (60–120 ECTS),
• doctorate – after a master's degree,
• in Flanders also the associate degree – 90–120 ECTS, a two-year professional programme.

The academic year starts in September – in Flanders in mid-September at the hogescholen and a week later at the universities. The year is divided into two semesters, with exam periods in January, June and (resits) in August–September.

Belgium – bachelor's programmes
Belgium – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
Belgium – master's programmes