The Free University of Brussels (Université libre de Bruxelles, or ULB) was founded in 1834 and is one of Belgium’s most prestigious public, comprehensive research universities. Located in Brussels, the capital of the European Union, the university comprises three main campuses: Solbosch, la Plaine, and Erasme. With the motto “Conquer Darkness with Knowledge” (Scientia Vincere Tenebras), ULB upholds a tradition of academic independence and free inquiry, and its degrees are highly recognized by the global academic community and employers. Building Foundational Confidence with a Université libre de Bruxelles Degree
Global Rankings: Consistently ranked among the world’s top 250, placing it in the top 1.3% globally
ULB performs exceptionally well in authoritative international rankings. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, ULB was ranked 227th globally; in the 2026 U.S. News World University Rankings, it was ranked 252nd globally; in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, it was ranked 201–250; In the 2025 Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), it ranked 101–150. In the CWUR World University Rankings, ULB ranked 263rd globally, placing it among the top 1.3% worldwide. Within Belgium, ULB firmly holds the 4th position.
Academic Excellence: A Cradle of Nobel Laureates and a Hub for Cutting-Edge Research
ULB is a truly research-intensive university with an international reputation in fields such as medicine, biology, physics, and economics. Over nearly two centuries since its founding, ULB has produced four Nobel laureates, including Jules Bordet (1919 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Albert Claude (1974 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Ilya Prigogine (1977 Nobel Prize in Chemistry), and François Englert (2013 Nobel Prize in Physics). In addition, ULB scholars have received 24 Francqui Prizes (the highest honor in the Belgian scientific community) and one Fields Medal.
The university comprises eight faculties, covering disciplines such as Philosophy and Literature, Law, Social Sciences, Political and Economic Sciences, Psychology and Education, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. ULB actively participates in cutting-edge international research projects, including global collaborative initiatives such as Antarctic ice core drilling and research on the habitability of Mars.
Highly International: 31,000 Students, 30% of Whom Are International
ULB is one of the most international universities in Europe. It currently has approximately 32,819 students, of whom 10,136 are international students, accounting for about 30% of the student body. The international student body comes from all over the world, fostering a truly multicultural academic environment.
Affordable Tuition and 2026 Application Deadline
ULB offers highly competitive tuition rates for international students. The annual tuition for international students at both the undergraduate and master’s levels is a flat rate of 5,010 euros, plus a registration fee of approximately 835 euros. The total annual budget for tuition and living expenses is approximately 15,000 euros, which is significantly lower than that of similarly ranked institutions in the UK and the U.S. The university offers undergraduate and master’s programs taught in English. The application deadline for fall 2026 admission is March 31, 2026.
