History
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) originated from the French speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), that was founded in 1834 by a Brussels’ lawyer with Flemish roots, Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen. It was his intention to create a university independent of church and state at which academic freedom would roam.
Education
For more than 180 years VUB has helped build a better society as an innovative, free inquiring and critical thinking university. We are linked to the world from within our international capital Brussels. A never-ending quest for knowledge, insights and enlightenment form the golden thread in all we do in education, research and social commitment.
Learn more about our English-taught programmes during the online info sessions: www.vub.be/en/online-info-sessions
Research
- At the VUB, we want to focus on research that is both excellent and has a broad societal relevance. There are many societal challenges faced by Belgium, Europe and the rest of the world. Universities can play a significant role in searching for solutions, helping make policy decisions,…
- Much of this research requires an interdisciplinary approach. The great challenge here is not only bringing experts from different disciplines together, but also understanding one another’s language.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Key Statistics & Highlights
- #201 Ranking
- 3 Bachelors
- 58 Scholarships
- 22,800 Students
- 5,350 Students (int'l)
- Public Institution Type
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Overview
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Scholarships
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
LIFE Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
750 USD
Deadline
15 Jun 2026
Studybay Fall Essay Contest
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Anthem Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7450 USD
Deadline
31 May 2026
The Sapiente TECH Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
LIFE Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
750 USD
Deadline
15 Jun 2026
Studybay Fall Essay Contest
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Anthem Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7450 USD
Deadline
31 May 2026
The Sapiente TECH Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
LIFE Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
750 USD
Deadline
15 Jun 2026
Studybay Fall Essay Contest
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Anthem Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7450 USD
Deadline
31 May 2026
The Sapiente TECH Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
LIFE Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2026
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2026
Moving Mates Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2026
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
06 Jul 2026
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
750 USD
Deadline
15 Jun 2026
Studybay Fall Essay Contest
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Anthem Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7450 USD
Deadline
31 May 2026
The Sapiente TECH Scholarship Programme
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 USD
Deadline
Not specified
L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2026
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 SEK
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Kreditkortlistan Financial Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
The Bill Walsh Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Read more about eligibility
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 3.6% Belgium
Top 10.3% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
201
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
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.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | 201 | 201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
294
By TopUniversities
Dropped 16 places compared to 2025
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.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 259 | 278 | 294 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
301
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
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.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | 301 | 301 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
349
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 43 places compared to 2025
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.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 292 | 306 | 349 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Housing services
The VUB has 1540 rooms including 1452 single rooms, 35 double flats, 12 studios and 6 rooms for wheelchair users. These student rooms are located on and around the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Etterbeek) and the Brussels Health Campus (Jette).
Library services
The VUB University Library offers an extensive collection of newspapers, books and periodicals, in both paper and electronic format. At CAVA, the Centre for Academic and Secular Humanist Archives, you will find the heritage and archives of the liberal humanist community and of VUB.
ICT services
As a new student, you must create a network identity (NetID) and a VUB email address. These enable you to access the computers and the wifi on the campus and the various VUB applications.
Medical services
UZ Brussel is a hospital which has its values focusing on one single objective: to provide patients with the best possible care. Because your care is our care.
The hospital is part of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and is thus a university hospital. This means that it also has a teaching mission and conducts scientific research.
Campus life
The faculties, services and departments of Vrije Universiteit Brussel are located on several campuses in the Brussels Capital Region: Etterbeek, Jette and Anderlecht. We also have campuses in Gooik, Leuven and Diest.
Sports facilities
Moving is fun and healthy, but it can also reduce study related stress and improve your concentration. Enjoy the various sports the VUB offers, ranging from mere fun to competition!
Student clubs
Being a student is sometimes a bit of partying. The VUB has a rich tradition of student folklore with St-Vé, the Humanistic Singing Festival, Baptism and all kinds of ludic rituals. In addition, you can just go to the legendary TD's, the numerous nice Brussels cafés or dive into some cool Brussels scenes.
Accreditation
All degree programmes offered by VUB are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO), ensuring that they meet the highest predefined quality standards. Alongside this official quality control system, VUB has an internal Quality Control Commission in charge of permanently monitoring the quality of education.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Belgium Country
Brussels City
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Student Reviews & Awards
4
Based on 92 reviews
- 5 Star 32 Reviews
- 4 Star 39 Reviews
- 3 Star 10 Reviews
- 2 Star 10 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.2
- Student Diversity 4.6
- Online Classroom Experience 4.1
- Admission Process 4.2
Where Business Meets Analytical Thinking
I really enjoy studying Business Economics because it offers a well-balanced mix of subjects. The program combines business concepts with economics, mathematics, and statistics, which makes it both practical and intellectually stimulating. I like how it helps me understand real-world economic decisions while also building strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Overall, it feels like a versatile and valuable program that prepares me for a wide range of career opportunities.
Fun, Enlightening, and Valuable!
I really loved the physical and digital infrastructure that has been built by the university. The administrative process is quite well streamlined, you can get almost any sort of help from the university, doesn't matter if the subject is academic, mental health, or personal. The teachers and professors are all very kind and cooperative. One key feedback would be to add more practicality in the education system as a human learns best when experienced firsthand. My master in management really ended up being very boring to complete by the end because of attending so many lectures and looking at so many slides, without ever having the chance to see how management truly runs through an organisation in real time.
Research Masters in Gerontological Sciences
It was a highly enriching experience. The course was exclusively focused on aging research, and I learned a great deal from experts in the field of gerontology.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Online Classroom ExperienceHow was your experience with online courses?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?