Brussels for dummies
Brussels is the name of a city. It’s also the name of a larger region that includes the city and its suburbs. When most people talk about the city, they say ‘City of Brussels’. When they talk about the Brussels-Capital Region, they just say ‘Brussels’.
As the capital city of Belgium and the multicultural heart of Europe, Brussels is an international melting pot. Around 108 languages are spoken in the city. As the official languages are Dutch and French, all government institutions, banks, hospitals, etc. are bilingual. You’ll find a lot of people speak English as well. You’ll also hear and even learn some of the wonderful local dialect. Its name? It’s also called ‘Brussels’!
Ready for the future
Brussels offers incredible opportunities for students. There are several world-class schools, colleges and universities. Globally renowned as a business city, it’s a favourite venue for meetings. Brussels is the economic engine that drives Belgium. It is a place for pioneering research, innovation and development. It’s home to multiple EU institutions, NATO headquarters and, yes, Manneken Pis. It’s the perfect place to further your studies, secure a work placement, an internship or give your career a flying start.
Everything you want
Brussels has everything. From the most unforgettable pop concerts to an active underground scene, skateparks to escape rooms, shops with the latest fashions to flea markets filled with treasures, as well as football with the Royale Union Saint Gilloise team and of course, international athletics at the Memorial Van Damme … There is a new discovery waiting for you around every corner! Sound tiring? With about 1,200 parks, cafés and pubs around the city, you’ll always find a comfortable place to relax and recover.
Facts and figures
- About 1.2 million people live in Brussels.
- Brussels is home to 182 different nationalities. Residents of Brussels speak 108 different languages.
- 43% of Brussels households do not have a car.
- There are 19 different communes in Brussels. The ‘communes’ are like the ‘arrondissements’ in Paris or the ‘boroughs’ of London. Every commune in Brussels has its own postcode: 1060 for St-Gilles, 1180 for Uccle, etc.
- The Brussels-Capital Region has a surface area of 162.4 km².
- The central boulevards in Brussels are 15 m above sea level. Place Madou is 52 m above sea level. The area between Forest and Duden park is 100 m above sea level.
- Green spaces, including parks, woods and forests, make up 11.4% of the region’s territory.
- Brussels has a temperate, maritime climate. The average temperature in summer is about 16°C (60°F). In winter, the average drops to around 3°C (37°F).
- The Brussels Ring runs around the City of Brussels, about 6 km from the centre.
- The time in Brussels is GMT +1 in winter and GMT + 2 in summer.
- The Grand Place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- There are 2,160 metro, tram and bus stops on the Brussels MIVB public transport network.
Higher education in Brussels
Brussels is home to more than 110,000 tertiary-level students. They attend a total of 50 different colleges and universities. But what about you? What if you still have to choose which institution to attend for your further education?
If you're studying in Brussels as part of the Erasmus program, it's crucial to be well-informed about the universities you wish to collaborate with. Start your search by visiting both the official Erasmus website and the website of the host university in Brussels. Brussels offers a diverse and captivating educational environment, where you can study in French, Dutch, and English. There’s a suitable study program for everyone.
Find all the information you need about the Dutch-speaking institutions in Brussels here, including VUB, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Science and Arts (EhB), Odisee, LUCA School of Arts and KU Leuven. If you would prefer French-language higher education in Brussels, you can explore options such as Wallonie Bruxelles Campus, ARES, and the Pôle Académique de Bruxelles.
Please be aware that admission procedures may vary for each of these institutions, so it's essential to consult the specific requirements and deadlines on the website of your chosen school.
