A Ghent University Scholarship can support postgraduate study in Belgium through several distinct funding routes. This guide focuses on the Flemish Government’s Master Mind Scholarship at Ghent, rather than treating every university award as one package.
The published 2026–2027 Master Mind call is closed, and the provider says the 2027–2028 scheme is under review. The rules below describe the published scheme; future amounts and selection arrangements may change.
Key Facts
- Host: Ghent University, Belgium.
- Funding route: Master Mind Scholarship.
- Provider: Flemish Ministry of Education and Training.
- Study level: master’s, including eligible advanced master’s programmes.
- Programme size: 60 or 120 ECTS.
- Published annual grant: €10,225 for 2026–2027.
- Tuition support: waiver subject to a possible reduced student contribution.
- Academic benchmark: GPA 3.5 out of 4.0.
- Selection route: university nomination.
- Future-cycle position: modalities under review.
University Overview
Founded in 1817, Ghent University is a Belgian university with 11 faculties. Its teaching and research span humanities, social sciences, health, engineering and natural sciences.
Most bachelor’s teaching is in Dutch, while a number of master’s programmes are taught in English. Applicants should examine the language and entry conditions of their chosen programme rather than assuming one university-wide admission standard.
Ghent assesses international qualifications individually. Its admissions office checks the file and documents, while the relevant faculty evaluates whether previous studies provide suitable preparation.
Scholarship Overview
- Master Mind is a competitive award rather than automatic admission funding.
- Ghent incorporates consideration into its academic admission process.
- Programme coordinators preselect candidates.
- The university screens nominations before forwarding a shortlist.
- The Flemish selection committee makes the final award decision.
- Preselected applicants receive access to Mobility Online.
- Only one Flemish institution may nominate an applicant.
- The award does not fund bachelor’s or doctoral degrees.
Eligible Majors
Ghent’s published host guidance covers its master’s programmes, including advanced master’s degrees, subject to the provider’s exclusions and university nomination. There is no promise of a scholarship place in every subject.
Examples of English-taught study include Economics, Business Economics and Business Engineering, as well as Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics. Check the current programme catalogue for the precise degree, prerequisites and credit load; preparatory, bridging and distance-learning programmes are excluded from Master Mind.
Target Groups
The published rules allow all nationalities except Russian nationals. The qualifying previous degree must come from outside a Flemish higher education institution; previous credit mobility in Flanders does not itself disqualify a candidate.
Students already enrolled in Flemish higher education are generally excluded, with a narrowly defined preparatory-programme exception in the published call. Applicants should obtain confirmation before relying on that exception for a future cycle.
Benefits
- Annual cash grant under the applicable award terms.
- Tuition fee waiver, with a possible reduced contribution of €136.50 under the published 2026–2027 rules.
- Potential second-year funding for eligible two-year master’s scholars who satisfy progression requirements.
The grant should be budgeted against actual expenses. The published package does not establish separate guaranteed housing, airfare or insurance allowances; see the official Master Mind funding terms.
Duration and Renewal by Degree
One-year master’s: funding covers one academic year for a 60-ECTS programme. The final payment depends on completing the degree under the published payment rules.
Two-year master’s: support can cover two academic years for a 120-ECTS programme. Ordinarily, at least 54 ECTS must be obtained in year one to retain second-year funding; exceptions require formal approval.
Bachelor’s and PhD: this scheme provides no funding for these degrees. Discontinuing an awarded master’s may trigger partial repayment.
Scholarship Requirements
Applicants need strong academic performance and English evidence. Published university-level thresholds are IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 94, CEFR C1 or a comparable official test recognised by the host; evidence must be no older than three years when processed.
Master Mind cannot be combined with another Flemish Government scholarship, Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus, BAEF or Fulbright funding. At least half the master’s credits must be earned at the Flemish host if the programme includes mobility.
Admission Requirements by Degree
Initial master’s requirements
An appropriate Belgian academic bachelor’s or a foreign university/higher-education bachelor’s of at least three years is the general starting qualification. Programme-specific subject preparation and language requirements still apply; some applicants require preparatory study, which Master Mind does not fund.
Advanced master’s requirements
An appropriate master’s degree is normally required. Certain programmes accept a bachelor’s of at least four years, but the faculty must confirm eligibility for the particular course.
Bachelor’s and doctoral requirements
These have separate admission procedures and are outside this Master Mind route. A master’s scholarship application does not confer eligibility for either level.
Application Steps
1. Choose an appropriate master’s
Compare your prior qualification with the programme’s curriculum, language rules and entry conditions.
2. Submit the admission file
Use Ghent’s official degree application procedure, including qualification verification and document legalisation where required.
3. Complete university preselection
Ghent considers academically admitted applicants through programme-coordinator nomination; students cannot submit a direct independent Master Mind application.
4. Complete the invited scholarship file
If preselected, follow the Mobility Online invitation and upload the requested evidence.
5. Await validation and selection
The host validates the file for the Flemish selection process. Follow the award letter and enrolment instructions if selected.
Required Documents
- Profile photograph
- International passport or national identity card
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcript
- Degree diploma
- English proficiency certificate or host-university exemption letter
- English motivation letter
- Two signed English recommendation letters
- Certified diploma and transcript translations, where required
- Qualification verification results, where required
Practical Tips
The following suggestions are preparation advice, not additional official selection rules.
- Compare the actual curriculum with your previous modules before choosing a degree.
- Keep a copy of the programme entry conditions for your records.
- Ask admissions about ambiguous qualification equivalencies.
- Make scans legible, with all page edges visible.
- Use consistent names across your passport and academic file.
- Explain genuine academic interests through specific coursework or projects.
- Give referees clear information about the degree you plan to study.
- Keep an independent budget for relocation and initial living expenses.
- Save submitted forms and confirmation emails in one folder.
- Read an award offer before making non-refundable commitments.
Conclusion
A Ghent University Scholarship through Master Mind requires a suitable master’s admission and a successful nomination. Prepare an academically coherent file and confirm the next published call’s conditions before relying on future funding.
FAQ
Can I apply directly to the Flemish Government?
No. Ghent must preselect and nominate you before the invited online scholarship stage.
Does admission guarantee an award?
No. Admission and scholarship selection are separate decisions.
Are the next cycle’s benefits final?
No. The provider explicitly warns that the scheme is under review; use the published official eligibility rules as a reference and confirm any revisions.
Can a two-year scholar lose funding?
Yes. Academic progression and completion affect payments; the official payment conditions explain consequences and exceptions.