University of Antwerp
Universiteit Antwerpen
A young Flemish university in a port city, with low fees and two English-taught bachelor's among Dutch ones.
- Students
- 24,827
- 11,272 undergraduates
- Tuition
- €4,300
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 2003
- QS World Ranking
- #277
- 2027 edition
About UAntwerp
The University of Antwerp in its current form was created in 2003 by merging three smaller Antwerp institutions, whose roots go back to the Jesuit-founded Institut Saint-Ignace of 1852. It is now one of the main universities of Flanders, with 24,827 students (including 2,258 exchange students) and 7,276 staff, spread across the City Campus in the historic centre and green campuses at Drie Eiken, Middelheim and Groenenborger on the south side of the city.
Teaching is organised in nine faculties, from Applied Engineering and Design Sciences to Law, Medicine and Health Sciences and Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences. Of its 32 bachelor's programmes, only two are taught in English: the Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences and the YUFE Bachelor of Urban Sustainability Studies. All others are in Dutch, so most international students come for master's programmes, of which 22 are English-taught.
UAntwerp publishes about 4,510 scientific papers and holds around 350 PhD defences a year, has 15 Research Centres of Excellence and 64 research groups with European Research Council funding, and counts 45 active spin-offs. Its Faculty of Business and Economics holds AACSB, EFMD and EQUIS accreditation. It suits students who want a mid-sized, research-active university in a lively port city, at Flemish tuition rates.
Why students choose UAntwerp
Low fees: 1,181.40 euros a year for EEA students and 4,300 euros for non-EEA students on a 60-credit bachelor's year (2026-27).
The English-taught Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences combines business, economics, sociology and statistics, with four majors from the second year.
The Faculty of Business and Economics holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EFMD, EQUIS) and appeared at 85th in the Financial Times European Business School Ranking 2024.
The City Campus is in the centre of Antwerp, around the Hof van Liere, a historic courtyard building.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (admission applications open 4 November 2026)
Selectivity
UAntwerp does not publish an admission rate. Admission is based on eligibility: a secondary diploma that would give access to a comparable university programme in the country where it was awarded, plus proof of the language of instruction. Holders of EEA diplomas, IB or European Baccalaureate diplomas who do not need a visa can enrol directly; everyone with a non-EEA diploma or who needs a visa must first apply through Mobility Online. Medicine and Dentistry also require the Flemish entrance exam.
Typical entry requirements
| EEA secondary diplomas | Direct enrolment if your qualification is on UAntwerp's list (no admission application unless you need a visa) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma or European Baccalaureate | Direct access; the IB diploma must be verifiable on ibis.ibo.org |
| Non-EEA secondary diplomas | Admission application required; minimum requirements per country are in UAntwerp's equivalency list, and an entrance exam result counts where your country uses one |
| Dutch-taught bachelor's | Proof of Dutch proficiency |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 80 For English-taught bachelor's: TOEFL iBT 80 (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.5 (from 21 January 2026), taken at a test centre; IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each part; Cambridge B2 First 176; PTE Academic 59; or ITACE B2. |
Deadlines
- Non-EEA nationals not living in Belgium: online application (Objective 1) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~5 months28 February 2027
Upload all electronic documents and test results in Mobility Online. Legalised or certified documents must reach the registrar by 31 May 2027.
- EEA/Swiss nationals or residents of Belgium with a valid permit: online application (Objective 1) Non-binding In ~8 months31 May 2027
Only for those who must apply (e.g. non-EEA diploma). Legalised documents due by 30 June 2027.
- Enrolment (all students) Non-bindingEarly October 2027
For 2026-27 enrolment closed on 2 October 2026; the visa process does not extend this deadline.
The 2027-28 admission application deadlines are from UAntwerp's How and when to apply page. The YUFE Bachelor of Urban Sustainability Studies uses its own admission procedure. The Flemish entrance exam for Medicine and Dentistry is held once a year; registration for the 2027 exam was not yet open when we checked.
How to apply
Applicants who need a visa or hold a non-EEA diploma submit an admission application in Mobility Online (free of charge): part 1 is a screening of content and level, including CV, motivation letter, diploma or final-year transcripts and test results; part 3 checks legalised or certified documents. Only one application per applicant is allowed. After a Letter of Acceptance, you enrol through the online preregistration. EEA diploma holders without a visa requirement enrol directly from July.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary diploma that would give you access to a comparable university programme in the country where you earned it.
- For Social-Economic Sciences with a non-EEA diploma, a mathematics test score such as SAT Math 640 or ACT Math 27.
- A motivation letter and CV, which the programme's admission board uses to judge your access.
- Proof of English (or Dutch) at the required level.
Tips for applying to UAntwerp
- 1 Non-EEA applicants: book your SAT, ACT, AP or OMPT early, because the maths result must be uploaded by 28 February 2027.
- 2 Start legalising and translating your documents immediately; UAntwerp warns that waiting for the first screening result often makes you miss the second deadline.
- 3 You may only have one running application, so decide on your programme before submitting in Mobility Online.
- 4 Apply for your visa as soon as you have a Letter of Acceptance: the procedure can take more than three months.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
EEA nationals, recognised refugees and holders of a permanent residence permit pay the standard Belgian rate. The Social Service offers financial advice and support, and payment plans can be requested between 1 August and 15 November. Course materials for Social-Economic Sciences cost about 508 euros a year.
- Free of charge
- Admission application fee
- 468 euros a month for a room with shared facilities, 586 euros for a studio
- Average rent near Antwerp
Academics
Social-Economic Sciences (Bachelor)
English-taught, with majors in Business Economics, Economic Analysis, Social-economic Analysis or Sociological Analysis; leads to English master's in Economic Policy, Political Science or Business Economics.
YUFE Bachelor of Urban Sustainability Studies
UAntwerp's second English-taught bachelor's, run through the YUFE European university alliance with its own admission procedure.
Business and Economics bachelor's (Dutch-taught)
Dutch-taught at a faculty with AACSB, EFMD and EQUIS accreditation.
Medicine (Geneeskunde, Bachelor)
Dutch-taught; entry through the Flemish entrance exam for doctors and dentists.
Political Science and Communication Studies (Dutch-taught bachelor's)
From the Faculty of Social Sciences, whose Communication Sciences and Political Sciences programmes are each ranked 51-75 in the Shanghai subject rankings 2024.
Research
- About 4,510 scientific publications and 350 PhD defences a year.
- 15 Research Centres of Excellence and 64 research groups with European Research Council funding.
- 45 active spin-offs through the Antwerp University Association.
- Molecular geneticist Christine Van Broeckhoven leads a VIB department at UAntwerp researching the genetics of neurodegenerative diseases.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Applied Engineering
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Business and Economics
- Faculty of Design Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences
- Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Science
Student life
UAntwerp is a city university: the City Campus sits in Antwerp's historic centre around the Hof van Liere, while the science, health and technology campuses lie in greener areas south of the centre. Most students rent a kot, a room with shared facilities, and get around by the Velo city bike scheme, which costs under 60 euros a year. The International Student Housing Office helps degree students find accommodation, and the Sportsticker and STAN student passes give access to sport and city culture. Student life mixes Flemish student clubs with a growing international community.
- City Campus in the historic centre, including the Hof van Liere courtyard.
- Velo Antwerp city bikes for under 60 euros a year.
- An International Student Housing Office on the City Campus and at Drie Eiken.
- 2,258 incoming exchange students in 2025-26.
Housing. Students rent privately (a room with shared facilities averages 468 euros a month); the International Student Housing Office and the Kotweb platform help international degree students find accommodation.
Location
Antwerp is Belgium's second-largest city and a major port, with a historic centre close to the City Campus and good rail links to Brussels and the Netherlands. Students get around by bike: a Velo city bike subscription costs under 60 euros a year. UAntwerp's international degree students reported spending about 1,489 euros a month in 2025-26, with rent the largest item.
Nearest airport: Brussels Airport (BRU)
Notable alumni
- PP Peter PiotMicrobiologist who helped discover the Ebola virus in 1976 and later led UNAIDS; studied at Antwerp
- KP Kris PeetersFormer Minister-President of Flanders and Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium
- PS Paul StoffelsPhysician and pharmaceutical executive; co-founder of Tibotec and Virco
- MW Marcia De WachterFormer director of the National Bank of Belgium; applied economics graduate (UFSIA, 1975)
- JV Johan Vande LanotteFormer Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium
- MW Marthe WandouCameroonian women's rights activist; studied gender studies at Antwerp
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Antwerp offer bachelor's programmes in English?
Only two: the Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences and the YUFE Bachelor of Urban Sustainability Studies. All other bachelor's programmes are taught in Dutch.
How much is tuition at the University of Antwerp for international students?
In 2026-27, EEA students paid 1,181.40 euros and non-EEA students 4,300 euros for a 60-credit bachelor's year.
What is the University of Antwerp application deadline for 2027?
Applications open on 4 November 2026. Non-EEA applicants living outside Belgium must complete the online application by 28 February 2027; EEA applicants who need to apply have until 31 May 2027.
Do I need the SAT for the University of Antwerp?
Only if you have a non-EEA diploma and apply for Social-Economic Sciences: you then need a maths test such as SAT Math 640, ACT Math 27, AP Calculus AB 4 or OMPT-A 75%.
What IELTS score does the University of Antwerp require?
IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each part, or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the new scale) for its English-taught bachelor's.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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