Living costs

 Budget


The budget you should allow naturally depends on your profile (student, researcher, lecturer). Generally speaking, a single person should plan on an annual budget of around 9,500 euros. Shared households should assume an additional budget of at least 3,000 euros for each extra person.

Accommodation costs are the biggest expense. For example, the average price of UCL accommodation (room type) is 270 euros per month. The price of a flat is higher: you should count on between 500 and 700 euros per month for a one-bedroom flat in the private sector, and from 700 to as much as 900 euros per month for a two-bedroom flat. Other costs will vary, depending on your lifestyle and whether or not you use the services provided by the University: whether you live in UCL accommodation, use the university restaurants, cook for yourself, or use the University libraries and sports facilities.

For students, a significant portion of these costs is payable in September: enrolment fees, health insurance premiums, fees for most courses and syllabuses, first month’s rent + deposit and initial accommodation costs. As a result, a minimum of 2,300 euros (excluding standard and international fees) will be required in September. You will also need to ensure regular money transfers so you can cover accommodation and living expenses each month.

Some sample prices of everyday items:

Train ticket from Brussels to Louvain-la-Neuve: 4.80 euros
Daily newspaper: 1.20 euros
Cinema ticket: 8 euros
Dish of the day in a university restaurant: 4.15 euros
Dish of the day in a city restaurant: 9-12 euros
Sandwich: 2.50 euros
Loaf of bread (800 g): 2 euros
250 g of chocolates: 5 euros
1 kg of apples: 1.50-2.50 euros
Litre of milk: 0.60-1.00 euro
A packet of ground coffee (250 g): 2-3 euros
 

 Paid employment and student status  

Note that, in Belgium, undertaking paid employment or a student job with a view to increasing your resources is a risky business and is subject to very strict regulations (a work permit is compulsory for students who are not from the European Union). By the same token, current legislation does not allow students to finance their studies by student jobs alone. More information on the federal website "Studentatwork".
 

Also check out our Course fees page.