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Tuition fees 2023/2024
The tuition fee for students with an EEA-nationality starting in 2023/24 is composed of a fixed component of €282,10 and a variable component of €13,50 per credit. For a full year programme of 60 credits, the total fee is €1092,10.
The tuition fee for students with a non-EEA-nationality starting in academic year 2023/24 consists of a fixed amount of €4500* and a variable amount of €75 per credit. The total registration fee for the one academic year (60credits) will be €9000.
In the context of the calculation of the tuition fees, non-EEA students who fall into one of the right of residence categories determined by the Higher Education Code (Art.II.215) are given the same rights as people of Belgian nationality. Within these categories, the equivalence of rights for family members of EEA citizens, as described in Art.II.215.8°, is interpreted as an equivalence for people married to or legally cohabitating with EEA citizens, as well as direct ascendants and descendants of EEA citizens.
You have to be able to demonstrate that you meet at least one of these requirements by no later than 31 December of the relevant academic year.
UK students will be considered as non-EEA members. You will be charged the same tuition fee as all other non-EEA students.
Ukrainian refugee students who have the special temporary protection status in Belgium or who are in the process of obtaining this status will be considered as EEA members . Therefore they will fall in the regular tuition fee category instead of the increased category. You will also most likely be eligible for a scholarship of the government which may result in another reduction of the tuition fee.
*The academic year always runs from September to August. If you start in the Spring semester (February) you pay the fixed amount for that ongoing academic year (that runs until August). Once you re-enroll in September, you will need to pay the total fixed amount again, this amount will then cover September to August.
Scholarships
Thomas More offers a non-monetary scholarship to international students. You can get a discount on the tuition fee via the merit-based scholarship or tuition fee waiver.
Tuition Fee Waiver 2022/23
Once you are registered, more information can be found on the student portal.
Tuition Fee Waiver 2023/2024
NON-eea students who pay the increased tuition fee can receive a discount.
For students in their first year of enrolment, the discount is calculated on the basis of the study efficiency after their first semester:
- If the student reaches 60% study-efficiency at the end of the Fall semester, he/she receives a discount of 60 euro per credit for the course units of the Spring semester. As of the second year of enrolment (new academic year), the discount is calculated based on the year-study efficiency of the previous academic year.
- If a student achieves 70% study-efficiency in the previous academic year*, he/she receives a discount of 30 euro per credit for all course units of the following academic year.
*this is also applies for students who start in February. The academic year always runs from September to August.
Example
non - EEA | non-EEA |
| fixed cost = €4500 | fixed cost = €4500 |
| Fall SEM = 30 credits €75 per credit variable cost = €2250 | FALL SEM = 30 credits €75 per credit variable cost = €2250 |
| SPRING SEM = 30 credits €75 per credit variable cost = €2250 | SPRING SEM = 30 credits €15 per credit variable cost = €450 |
TOTAL = €9000 | TOTAL = €7200 |
**The academic year always runs from September to August. If you start in the Spring semester (February) you pay the fixed amount for that ongoing academic year (that runs until August). Once you re-enroll in September, you will need to pay the total fixed amount again, this amount will then cover September to August.
Paying the Tuition Fee 2023/24
EEA-students and students who applied with a valid residence permit for Belgium
First invoice
After your registration is processed, you will receive an invoice for the amount of the fixed part. The payment of the fixed part of the tuition fee can’t be cancelled after the start of the academic year.
Second invoice**
In the first weeks after your registration you will compile your individual study programme (ISP) and determine how many credits you take up. Once your study programme has been approved, you will receive a second invoice for the variable part. This invoice will be sent to your Thomas More mail address. You don’t pay for course units for which you are exempt.
Non-EEA-students who applied without a valid residence permit for Belgium
First invoice
After your application has been approved you will pay the tuition fee of one semester in advance*, including the fixed part and the variable part of 30 credits. The payment of the fixed part of the tuition fee can’t be cancelled after the start of the academic year.
*For postgraduate candidates: you pay the total tuition fee in advance (60 credits) and you do not get a second invoice.
Second invoice**
If you choose a non-standard individual study programme (ISP) your variable tuition fee will vary according to the total credits you enrolled for. If you start in the fall semester you will be charged for the variable amount of the spring semester as soon as your ISP has been approved.
Important
- Only transfer the tuition fee to the account number stated on the invoice
- Always state the structured communication (e.g. +++000/0000/00000+++)
** Thomas More offers the possibility to pay the second invoice in instalments. This can be done online via a standard distribution plan.
The academic year always runs from September to August. If you start in the Spring semester (February) you pay the fixed amount for that ongoing academic year (that runs until August). Once you re-enroll in September, you will need to pay the total fixed amount of €1700 again, this amount will then cover September to August.
Study and Living Costs 2023/24
These estimates are based on research of the study and living costs by CEBUD (centre for budget advice and research), a research group linked to the Bachelor programme in social work of Thomas More. This information is provided to ensure that you are fully aware of the likely costs of your study. Therefore we advise you to consider them very carefully.
These are the likely living costs (accommodation, food, personal items, social activities, study cost without tuition fees and transport) for a single, full-time degree student:
- for 1 month: between €850 and €1,150
- for 7 months: between €5,990 and €8,000
- for a whole academic year: between €10,260 and €13,590
Additional costs
You may need to make additional provision for costs such as a student visa, international travel to and from your study location and internships.
For some of our programmes you'll also need to purchase specific study materials:
The overview below gives you the average rental prices at the private rental market. Take into account increased rent, due to rising energy costs and possible extra index adjustments.
Accommodation averages per month
- Sint-Katelijne-Waver: €356
- Geel: €306 - €414
- Mechelen: €378 - €502
- Antwerp: €445 - €545
The amounts mentioned above are the average rental prices of a standard student room with common kitchen and sanitary facilities. If you seek for a room which include kitchen and bathroom for yourself, you will have to pay more each month. The sooner you start your search for a room (we recommend at the end of Apil), the more options you have in finding what you want. Bear in mind that the cheapest rooms are taken very quickly. Allow an average €30 - €60 per month for utilities, depending on the type of student home.
You can read more information about renting a student room on this page.
Blocked Account 2023/24
New students (1st year)
Thomas More requires a blocked account procedure to prove your financial solvency when applying for (the extension of) a student visa (sufficient means of subsistence). You make an advance payment of your monthly living expenses (13 months for FALL semester, 8 months for SPRING semester) into a blocked account managed by Thomas More. When you arrive in Belgium you open a Belgian bank account in your name into which you receive monthly payments during your studies. You will receive a double payment (€1700) the first month to cover all extra costs such as rent deposit etc.. At the end of the academic year you are fully reimbursed, apart from €250 administrative fee. The minimum amount to cover your living expenses is €850 per month and is set by the Belgian government.
Blocked account Fall 23/24: €850 x 13 months + 250€ administrative fee = €11300
Blocked account Spring 23/24: €850 x 8 months + 250€ administrative fee = €7050
You will receive detailed information on the procedure as soon as your application has been approved. Be aware that the monthly amount is set by the Belgian Government and is subject to change at any given time. If any changes should occur we will notify our students.
Sponsorship (annexe 32) is only allowed if the sponsor is a first degree relative (proven by birth certificate).
Should your visa be refused, the blocked account will be fully refunded (€-250 administrative fee 23/24) onto the account where the money originally was transferred from.
Students (2nd & 3rd year)
A student visa/residence permit is valid for 1 year. You will need to extend your visa/residence permit each year. A blocked account can be requested by the commune as one of the options to proof your financial solvability in your second/third year. If you wish to use this procedure again, please contact student administration.
Laptops and software
A computer is a necessary support for your studies. You can access the digital learning environment with it, follow online lessons, do exercises… This is why we advise you to foresee a good computer and software for the start of your new academic year. More information.
Once you are enrolled, you will get access to the software platform of Academic Software. Here you will not only find all kinds of useful software tools you can use for your degree programme, but you will also get technical support on the phone during the installation and usage of the software. All students get access to this bundle and pay €25 for it.