University of Ghent

University of Ghent
University of Ghent

Programmes for student exchange usually have some general characteristics:

From non-EU students, Ghent University also requires proof of "solvability" for the period of study. This means that before registration (see below) proof must be submitted that the applicant has access to the legal minimum of 496 euros per month. For this ONE of the following documents is needed:

Visa requirements

Up to three months stay without a visa, for a Canadian student. For periods of more than three months, a visa is required.

First STEPs upon arrival in Ghent

You jump off the train in Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station and then the big adventure starts. Whether you like it or not, you will certainly find some administrative burdens and practical matters to be taken care of in your study-abroad path,. And if you want to enjoy your exchange as much as possible, then it's a good idea to follow STEPs 1 - 7 beelow. If you follow the advice given there, then you won't have too much to worry about. Minimal pain, maximal gain!

  1. STEP: insurance
  2. STEP: accommodation
  3. STEP: your promoter
  4. STEP: registration at the university
  5. STEP: registration with the City of Ghent
  6. STEP: Dutch language course
  7. STEP: Enjoy yourself!

1. STEP: Necessary insurance documents

Health insurance

Necessary documents: E111-form or E128-form or another insurance certificate from an insurance company back home. If you don't have these documents, you can also subscribe to a mutual fund ("ziekenfonds") upon arrival in Ghent. Contact the Foreign Students Adviser for more information.

Personal Accident Cover


Supplementary to health insurance. Necessary documents: a certificate from your home university or your insurance company back home. This insurance takes care of accidents that might happen on university grounds or during university activities.

Third Party Liability


This additional insurance is not obligatory, but we strongly advise you to take it. This insurance takes care of accidents that might happen in your private life and costs only +/- 2.5 Euro per month. You can ask the Juridical Department of Ghent University (Rectorate building, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25).

INSURANCE GUIDE

2. STEP: Accommodation

University residence


Only if you received a confirmation letter and a reservation number, can you be sure of a room in one of the university residences. Go to the Housing Department, reception of Home Vermeylen (Stalhof 6, B-9000 Gent, near Overpoortstraat and Sint-Pietersplein. Always open: 24h/24h, 7d/7d) to collect your key and sign your contract. Payment by bank instalment. They will also tell you in which residence your room will be. Download the 'Student Accommodation Form' and the 'Rules and Regulations of the residences'

Private room


If you do not have a reservation in a university residence, you can look for a room on the private market. Ask the Foreign Student Adviser to help you with this search and to give you a list with addresses of private rooms. Look also for posters in the city announcing "Kot te huur" or "Studentenkamer". You can also check for private rooms on the web site of the Housing Department (only available in Dutch!) or ask your promoter to help you.

Room swapping System


The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) can give you a list of Belgian students abroad and wishing to rent their room to a Socrates / Erasmus student. Their address: Studentenhuis "De Brug", Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 45, B-9000 Gent. You are welcome every Tuesday and Thursday from 17h - 19h.

3. STEP: Announce your arrival to your Faculty (promoter)

Upon arrival, you should meet your promoter to arrange academic matters. Some faculties have developed their own pages to guide their incoming students.

4. STEP: Registration at Ghent University: Central Student Registration Office

Central Student Administration Office in the Rectorate building,
Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, 9000 Gent
On Tuesday and Thursday academic year 2001-2002
8.30h - 11.30h 13.30h - 16.00h
email: helpdesk.studadmin@rug.ac.be

Make photocopies of your documents beforehand. There is not much point in presenting oneself for registration without copies of the necessary documents.

At the Central Students Administration Office you can:

  1. Register: which will allow you to obtain a registration card and an attestation for the office for registration of foreigners It is important that all Exchange Programme students register as soon as possible at the Central Students Administration Office. When you register you need the following documents:
    1. Copy (*) of certificate issued by your university stating your status as EU/CANADA Cooperation programme student. The document should mention the length of your stay, with dates
    2. Copy (*) of certificate of registration at home university or copy (*) student card.
    3. Copy (*) of passport.
    4. Copy (*) of certificate of health insurance (for example: E-111 or E-128) or a copy of your application for health insurance at a mutual fund in Belgium.
    5. Copy (*) of certificate testifying insurance by your home university or insurance company for 'personal accident cover' and 'third party liability' (ask your home university and/or your parents!).
    6. If you are an exchange student within a programme OTHER than Socrates (Erasmus), Leonardo, Tempus or Alfa, you should also present a letter from your promotor at the Ghent University confirming your status as an exchange student and the period of your stay; mentioning the framework of the exchange: title of the exchange programme, title/short description of the exchange project and (if applicable) project number at the RUG; asking to register you as an EC-Canada Cooperation exchange student.
    (*) Please take these copies in advance (before you go to the Central Students Administration Office for registration). With your registration card (special student card) you can: Identify yourself as a student of the Ghent University - RUG. Use all student facilities, such as sports accommodation, library, restaurants, computer centre (ARC) Obtain reductions on certain cultural activities, such as cinemas and museums.
  2. You can update your data in the registration computer (for example: date of departure, a letter of your promoter will be necessary).
  3. After your studies at the Ghent University, you can obtain a certificate (a letter of your promoter will be necessary).
    There are no administration formalities if you end your studies.

At the Faculty Students Administration Offices you can:

5. STEP: Registration at the City of Ghent: Foreigners Registration Office

Students in Home Vermeylen, Home Fabiola and the city centre have to go to:
City Administration Centre Het Zuid, Dienst Vreemdelingen, W. Wilsonplein (open every weekday 8h00-13h00, Wednesdays also from 14h00-18h30 and Saturdays 9h00-11h00).

Students in Home Boudewijn, Home Astrid, Home Vesalius and Home De Sterre have to go to: Dienstencentrum Nieuw-Gent, Rerum Novarumplein 39 (near UZ, entrance via Kikvorsstraat). (opened every weekday 8h00-13h00 and 14h00-16h00, Wednesdays also 14h00-18h30).

Take 4 passport photographs (white background!), the RUG-registration form, your passport/ identity card and 250 BEF registration fee.

6. STEP: Dutch language course in the Talencentrum

Most of the courses at Ghent University are taught in Dutch ('Nederlands'). Go to the Foreign Students Adviser to collect your voucher for a free Course of Dutch in the Language Centre ('Talencentrum').

The "Talencentrum" is located in the Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 136, B-9000 Gent (opened Monday + Wednesday + Thursday 15h00-18h30, Tuesday + Friday 11h00-14h00).

You can follow other language courses at half price.

7. STEP: Most important: Enjoy your stay in Ghent!

Course accreditation

All courses at the university of Ghent use the ECTS system. The implementation of ECTS fits one of the objectives of Ghent University, to be a real international university. This is an advantage to the student as it guarantees academic recognition all over Europe.

The credits reflect the quantity of work each course requires in relation to the total quantity of work required to complete a full year of academic study. So sixty (60) ECTS credits represent the workload of one academic year of study. One course has at least 3 study points or ECTS credits. For the whole academic year it varies between 1500 and 1800 hours.

1 study point
= 1 ECTS credit = 25 to 30 hours study time
60 study points
= 60 ECTS credits = 1500 to 1800 hours study time = 1 academic year

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