Dutch (& other language courses)

There are about 23 million Dutch speakers (more than 16 million in the Netherlands and 6 million in Belgium).  As the language of instruction in Flanders and Ghent is Dutch, Ghent University requires a basic knowledge of the language of instruction.  Therefore, students are advised to start learning Dutch before their arrival in Ghent and to take basis intensive Dutch courses upon arrival in Ghent.

Students who are planning to study in Ghent within the framework of an exchange project can take a preparatory course as part of the linguistic preparation of the exchange programme. In August and September, intensive day courses are organised at beginners’ level and advanced level.

Students can also take an evening course or a day course for beginners during the academic year.  The evening course is different from the day course since it is especially developed for exchange students. Upon arrival at Ghent University students should present themselves to the Exchange Students Adviser at the International Relations Office, where they will receive a voucher for a course of Dutch. For the actual enrolment they will be referred to the University Language Centre (UCT). They are only required to pay 50 euro for the course book and administration costs.

The University Language Centre offers courses in all modern European languages, but specialises in Dutch for speakers of other languages. The courses are a combination of class sessions and self-study. Students from abroad can also follow other languages apart from Dutch (e.g. English and French).  The normal student reduction (more or less half price) applies to those courses.

For further information, students can turn to the

More information about the Language Requirements for Exchange Students