Quick Summary
Ghent University is a public research university founded in 1817, located in Ghent, Belgium. Ranked #169 globally by QS World University Rankings 2026, it enrolls 50000 students including 15% from outside Belgium. Known for strengths in Veterinary Science, Agriculture & Forestry, Life Sciences & Medicine, it maintains an acceptance rate of 75%.
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Institutional Profile
Who they are
Ghent is a top-100 world university known for its open-mindedness, high research impact, and being located in one of Europe's most vibrant student cities.
Subject Strengths
Veterinary ScienceAgriculture & ForestryLife Sciences & MedicinePsychologyArchaeologyNursing
Founded1817
TypePublic Research University
Total Students50000
Intl Students15%
Faculty Ratio20
CampusUrban / City Campus
Campus SizeNot Available
Affiliated HospitalsGhent University Hospital (UZ Gent)
AccreditationNVAO (Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders), AACSB, EQUIS
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Global Standing
Three independent ranking systems
QS World 2026
#169
Quacquarelli Symonds
Times Higher Ed
#115
THE World University
ARWU Shanghai
#84
Academic Ranking
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Academics & Research
What you can study
Bachelor's, Master's, Advanced Master's, PhD, Exchange Programs
Programs
Available
PhD Programs
Limited (primarily blended learning and specific MOOCs)
Online Programs
VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology), imec, Ghent Center for Global Studies, IDC
Research Centers
Very High
Research Output
NVAO (Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders), AACSB, EQUIS
Accreditation
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Admissions Brief
What it takes to get in
Entry Requirements
Acceptance Rate75%
IELTS6.5
TOEFL92
Min GPA3
GREOptional / Required for specific technical programs
GMATRequired for specific Business/Economics programs
SATNot Required
ACTNot Required
Key Dates
FALLApplication Deadline · March 1 (Non-EEA), June 1 (EEA)
SPRINGApplication Deadline · Limited (mostly PhD/Specific Masters)
MAR-APRDecisions Released
Required Documents
TranscriptsSOPEnglish ScoresLORsPassport
Insider Tip
Ensure degree equivalency is checked early. For Master's programs, focus heavily on the relevance of your previous curriculum to the Ghent program.
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Cost Ledger
Amounts in Euro
UG Tuition
€1,092/yr
per year · EUR
Living Cost
€12,000/yr
per year · EUR
PG Tuition
€1,092/yr
per year · EUR
Application Fee
$108
one time · USD
Total Estimated Annual Cost
€13,192/yr
tuition + living + essentials · EUR
Scholarships AvailableMaster Mind Scholarships, Top-up Grants for candidates from ODA countries, Erasmus Mundus
Avg Scholarship$9,000
Financial AidSocial Service for Students (available for EEA students)
Work-StudyAvailable for EEA students and Non-EEA with specific permits
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Featured & Popular Programs
A sample from Bachelor's, Master's, Advanced Master's, PhD, Exchange Programs programs total
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Bio-science Engineering | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
| Law | PHD | 3-5 YRS |
| Economics and Business Administration | MBA | 12-24 MO |
| Psychology | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
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Career Outcomes
Where graduates land
$45,000
Average Salary After Graduation
90%
Employment Rate
Internship PlacementStrong integration in curriculum for Engineering and Business
Industry Connections
Strong links with the Port of GhentNorth Sea Portand the biotech cluster in Flanders
Notable Alumni
Jacques Rogge, Marc Van Montagu, Alexander De Croo, Peter Piot
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Campus & Student Life
Life beyond lectures
Housing
On-campus available
Sports Facilities
GUSB (Ghent University Sports Center) including pools, gyms, and athletic tracks
Student Clubs
Over 100 clubs including Ghent Student Council and faculty-specific 'kringen'
Library Resources
Boekentoren (Book Tower), digital archives, 11 faculty libraries
Exchange Programs
Erasmus+, UREKA, ENLIGHT network
Summer Programs
Available (Clinical Infectious Diseases, Health & Migration, etc.)