Free schooling is available to children at 2.5 years old, and compulsory education begins at the age of 6. Parents can choose between state-owned schools and state-free schools that are generally Catholic or government-subsidized. A second language is introduced to 6-year-olds, with a choice between French and Dutch.
General secondary education lasts for 6 years, and includes general and theoretical subjects. Students are generally expected to continue to university studies after secondary school.
Technical secondary education also lasts for 6 years, but subjects are usually more technical and practical. Upon graduation, students are considered ready to be employed in their specialty, but they may choose to continue their studies.
Job education is extremely practical and specific, and involves 6 years of study plus a 7th year of specialization.
Relocating to Flanders with children? You can choose from a broad range of well-developed international schools in cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Mol and Leuven. British and American curriculums can be found alongside international and European curriculums at various schools.
2. International School of Brussels
9. ISF Waterloo International School
10. St. John's International School
11. International School of Ghent
25. International Montessori School Tervuren
27. Brussels International Catholic School
28. Acacia School
29. Alpha School
30. The International School Le Verseau
31. International School Montgomery
32. International School of Leuven
1. European School of Brussels IV
3. European School of Brussels III
4. European School of Brussels I
5. European School of Brussels II
7. European School of Mol
12. Brussels American School
22. Japanese School of Brussels
6. Vlaams Nederlandse Basisschool Prinses Juliana
8. Burgemeester Marnixschool
13. Antwerp International School
14. Da Vinci International School (Antwerp)
15. DY Patil International School (Aartselaar)
16. BEPS International School (Brussels)
17. British Junior Academy of Brussels
18. British School of Brussels
19. British International School of Brussels
20. St. Paul’s British Primary School (Tervuren)
23. Lycée Français Jean Monnet
26. Lycée Français International Anvers
21. Internationale Deutsche Schule Brüssel
24. Scandinavian School of Brussels
Universities in Belgium and Flanders as a region, as with most European countries, follow the bachelor/master system. There are 5 universities in Flanders, located in Leuven, Ghent, Brussels, Hasselt and Antwerp. There are also 13 university colleges and schools of music, architecture and art in the region.
With prominent international players such as Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School, Antwerp Management School and Flanders Business School, Flanders has some of the best management and business schools around the globe. To highlight this with just one example: in 2016, the World Economic Forum stated that management schools in Belgium – and Flanders as a region – are the 2nd-most competitive in the world.
