Campus Location and Transportation
HOWEST’s main campuses are located in the cities of Bruges and Kortrijk, forming a “dual-city” educational model. The Bruges campus is situated in the historic city center, just a 10-minute walk from the Market Square; the Kortrijk campus is close to the train station and highway exits, making commuting extremely convenient. The train ride between the two cities takes about 30 minutes, and students can enjoy discounted fares on public transportation in the Flemish Region with their student ID. From Bruges, trains to major cities such as Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp take less than an hour, while European capitals like Paris, London, and Amsterdam are just two to three hours away. This central location makes HOWEST an ideal base for exploring the European continent. The Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen Degree is the key to success in the job market
Economic and Cultural Context
Bruges, often called the “Venice of the North,” boasts a perfectly preserved medieval old town that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s economy is anchored in luxury tourism, cultural creativity, and international business, attracting millions of visitors annually. For HOWEST students, the old town serves as an open-air museum—students in programs such as art history, cultural heritage conservation, and tourism management can complete course projects in authentic settings. Kortrijk, meanwhile, is a hub for industry and design in West Flanders, boasting a long-standing textile tradition and a vibrant design industry cluster. The university collaborates closely with organizations such as the Flanders DC creative industry platform and Designregio Kortrijk to provide students with abundant internship and employment opportunities. The contrasting atmospheres of these two cities—one classically serene, the other industrially modern—together create a diverse and multifaceted study abroad experience for HOWEST students.
Scholarship Types and Financial Aid System
As a public university college, HOWEST offers highly competitive tuition rates. Tuition for undergraduate programs for students from non-EEA countries ranges from approximately €6,000 to €7,000 per year. Regarding scholarships, the Flemish Government Master Mind Scholarship is available to master’s applicants worldwide, covering full tuition and providing a monthly living allowance. HOWEST also offers the HOWEST Talent Grant, which provides up to €3,000 per year in tuition reduction specifically for high-achieving international undergraduate students. Additionally, all students are eligible to apply for the Erasmus+ Mobility Grant to help cover expenses during study abroad or internships. Students facing financial hardship can apply for an emergency interest-free loan through Stuvo (Student Services), with amounts up to €1,500.
Why is it so popular?
According to the International Student Satisfaction Survey, the core reasons for HOWEST’s popularity can be summarized in five points:
First, world-class creative design programs—the DAE Game Design program has repeatedly been ranked number one globally, with graduates securing positions at major companies such as Ubisoft and Riot Games;
Second, a highly international campus—approximately 20% of students come from abroad, and there are numerous programs taught entirely in English;
Third, small-class, hands-on instruction—class sizes are kept under 25 students on average, with industry projects integrated throughout the curriculum;
Fourth, an excellent location—situated between two historic and cultural cities, with convenient access to other parts of Europe;
Fifth, affordable study costs—tuition and living expenses are significantly lower than in English-speaking countries such as the Netherlands, the UK, and Ireland. Together, these factors make HOWEST the “dream Belgian university college” for creative students worldwide.
