High-caliber education in Flanders

Primary school

Free schooling is available to children at 2.5 years old, and compulsory education begins at the age of 5. Parents can choose between state-owned schools and private schools that are generally Catholic or government-subsidized.

General secondary education lasts for 6 years, and includes general and theoretical subjects. Students are generally expected to continue to university studies after secondary school.

Technical secondary education also lasts for 6 years, but subjects are usually more technical and practical. Upon graduation, students are considered ready to be employed in their specialty, but they may choose to continue their studies.

Job education is extremely practical and specific, involving 6 years of study plus a 7th year of specialization.

Are you relocating to Flanders with children? You can choose from a broad range of well-developed international schools in cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Mol and Leuven. British and American curriculums can be found alongside international and European curriculums at various schools.

Universities in Belgium and Flanders as a region, as with most European countries, follow the bachelor/master system. There are 5 universities in Flanders, located in Leuven, Ghent, Brussels, Hasselt and Antwerp. There are also 13 university colleges and schools of music, architecture and art in the region.

With prominent international players such as Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School, Antwerp Management School and Flanders Business School, Flanders has some of the best management and business schools around the globe – as evidenced by rankings such as the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report.