FAQ's impact of war in Ukraine

On this page you can find information regarding the impact of the war in Ukraine, concerning work, study and/or life at Ghent University.

This page will be updated regularly.

Info for prospect students

Can I transfer from my home country to Ghent University and continue my studies there? 

Many courses are in Dutch so an automatic transfer is not possible as such. Applicants interested in transferring must apply as a new student via the regular application procedure. Please check our general admission requirements. The application deadline is the 1st of June. Ukrainian students who cannot meet this deadline are advised to contact admission@ugent.be.

I am a Ukrainian citizen and want to come to Belgium to study. I do not have a residence permit/visa. Which steps should I take?

The first step is to apply for the temporary protection status. More information on the temporary protection status and how to apply for it can be found on these websites of the Belgian authorities:

Temporary Protection | IBZ and www.info-ukraine.be/ (available also in e.g. Ukrainian). More information regarding living in Belgium (more specifically in Flanders or Brussels) is gathered on this page from the Flemish government (available in several languages). 

I am a Russian/Belarussian citizen and want to come to Belgium to study. Which steps should I take regarding my residence permit?

All information about obtaining a visa for Belgium is available via the Visa for Belgium | Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs  and via the Belgian embassy in your country. More information regarding living in Belgium (more specifically in Flanders or Brussels) is gathered on this page from the Flemish government (available in several languages).

Where can I find information about studying at Ghent University. How can I apply for a degree program at Ghent University?

  • Study programs

Check our study programs. Our bachelor programs are instructed in Dutch (except for one organized in Brussels). However, some of the master programs are taught in English.

You might also check the higher education register for programs (in English) at other universities and university colleges in Flanders.

We do not offer programs in French. In case you are interested in the option of studying in French, you might want to get in touch with one of the French-speaking universities in Belgium: 

Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain),

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB),

Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles (USL-B),

Université de Liège (ULiège),

Université de Mons (UMons),

Université de Namur (UNamur).

  • Admission requirements and application procedure (update 22/4/22)

To be accepted as a degree student, you need to meet diploma and language requirements. Find out more information on admission requirements and the application procedure. There is an alternative admission procedure if you cannot provide certain necessary documents.

The application deadline is the 1st of June. Ukrainian students who cannot meet this deadline are advised to contact admission@ugent.be.

  • How much is the tuition fee and can I apply for a scholarship?

As of AY 2023-24 students from Ukraine who have the temporary protection status will pay the standard tuition fee as for Belgian and EEA-students instead of the higher tuition fee for non-EEA-students. If you take 60 credits (diplomacontract) the tuition fee is € 1.092,10. 
More information: www.ugent.be/tuitionfee or studiegeld@ugent.be.

Students from Ukraine who have obtained the temporary protection status can apply for a scholarship of the Flemish government (as from AY 2023-24). Eligibility for the scholarship will further depend on your income, family composition and your study programme. However, if you meet the income requirements for the scholarship, you pay a reduced tuition fee (‘beurstarief’): € 128,80 (flat fee).
More information: www.studietoelagen.be (in Dutch only).
If you need information or help to apply for the scholarship, please contact the UGent Social Service: socialedienst@ugent.be

  • Language courses and tests

The University Language Center (UCT) offers language courses and tests for English and Dutch in case you need these to fulfil the language requirements.

The Flemish government or the city of Ghent can provide a scholarship if you choose to follow an intensive day class of Dutch at the UCT, more information is available on https://www.in-gent.be/voor-jou/nederlands/wil-je-nederlands-leren/ (only available in Dutch). 

  • Refugees welcome at Ghent University

Ghent University welcomes refugees. More information is available on applying and studying as a refugee.

Can I start or continue medicine studies at Ghent University?

Unfortunately, we only offer dentistry and medicine programs in Dutch, not in English. Check the website of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences for more detailed information.

In Belgium, there is a national entrance exam for dentistry and medicine studies, which is organized by the government. This exam can be taken in Dutch by students who wish to study in Flanders (Ghent University is located in Flanders), or in French by students who wish to study in Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium.  

Info for students at Ghent University

I’m a student at Ghent University. I am a citizen from Ukraine, Russia or Belarus and have a question regarding my studies, deadlines and evaluations or exams

Contact the central Student Counselling Office  or your faculty student counselor.

If you experience specific difficulties due to the circumstances in your country, you can apply through OASIS for a Special status for exceptional social or personal circumstances. You will need to provide a description of your exceptional situation, with documents to prove this, together with the facility(ies) you would like to use.

I’m a student at Ghent University. I am a citizen from Ukraine, Russia or Belarus and have financial problems.

You can contact the Social Service if you encounter financial difficulties. They will support you and help you in an atmosphere of trust. If regular banking is disturbed, you can consider alternatives such as Wise, PaySend, Union Pay, JCB.

I’m a student at Ghent University. I am a citizen from Ukraine, Russia or Belarus and I'm struggling emotionally. Where can I find help and talk about my concerns?

You can receive moral support both individually and in groups, always in a confidential setting. If you want someone to talk to, contact UCare@ugent.be.

I’m a student at Ghent University and I am a citizen from Ukraine. My stay is coming to an end and I want to extend my stay. What are the possibilities:

  • You extend your stay because your studies at UGent are still ongoing. Please contact the Migration Office in Ghent or Kortrijk or Merelbeke or other (depending on where you live). 
  • Even if your studies have come to an end, your residence permit or visa can be extended if the situation in Ukraine does not allow a safe return. You have to contact the municipality of your place of residence more information.
  • You can also extend your stay in Belgium by applying for a search/orientation year, which can provide you more time to look for work after your studies or to start up an independent business in Belgium more information.

I’m a student at Ghent University. I am a citizen from Russia or Belarus. My stay is coming to an end and I want to extend my stay. What are the possibilities:

  • You extend your stay because your studies at UGent are still ongoing. Please contact the Migration Office in Ghent or Kortrijk or Merelbeke or other (depending on where you live). The Immigration Office will show discernment and will be attentive to Russian/Belarussian citizens temporarily prevented from returning to Russia/Belarus, or who had a project in Belgium (studies, work, family reunion). Russian/Belarussian citizens who have arrived legally in Belgium and who, due to the disruption of air connections from several European countries to Russia/Belarus , are prevented from leaving Belgium when their visa expires, may request the authorisation to extend their stay in Belgium until there is a possibility for them to return from Belgium or another Schengen state.
  • Extend your stay in Belgium by applying for a search/orientation year. This search/orientation year can provide more time to look for work after your studies or to start up an independent business in Belgium more information. 
  • As a Russian/Belarussian national you can apply for international protection (‘asylum’) in Belgium. You will be treated equally as any other asylum seeker.

Info for prospect researchers and staff

I am a Ukrainian citizen and want to come to Belgium to work. I do not have a residence permit/visa. Which steps should I take?

The first step is to apply for the the temporary protection status. More information on the temporary protection status and how to apply for it can be found on these websites of the Belgian authorities:

Temporary Protection | IBZ and www.info-ukraine.be/ (available also in e.g. Ukrainian)

I am a Russian/Belarussian citizen and want to come to Belgium to work. Which steps should I take regarding my residence permit?

All information about obtaining a visa for Belgium is available via the Visa for Belgium | Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs  and via the Belgian embassy in your country.

I want to start working at Ghent University.

You can consult job opportunities within Ghent University or  PhD applications.

Will Ghent University offer me special facilities when I apply for regular job opportunities as a refugee?

When applying for regular job opportunities, it is possible to take the tests that are required for ATP (Administrative or Technical) function in English or French. It is also possible to request the presence of an interpreter during the interviews.

It is possible to request an exception if you cannot provide certain necessary documents. You can do this by contacting DPO (= Department Personnel and Organization) or the responsible person for the vacancy.

If a legalization of your diploma is required (after start of the employment), please contact NARIC. A special procedure is applicable for refugees.

Consult the job opportunities within Ghent University

Info for researchers and staff

I’m a researcher/staff member at Ghent University and I am a citizen from Ukraine, Russia or Belarus and I'm struggling emotionally. Where can I find help and talk about my concerns?

You can receive moral support both individually and in groups, always in a confidential setting. If you want someone to talk to, contact UCare@ugent.be

I’m a researcher/staff member at Ghent University and I am a citizen from Ukraine. My stay is coming to an end and I want to extend my stay. What are the possibilities?

I’m a researcher/staff member at Ghent University and I am a citizen from Russia or Belarus. My stay is coming to an end and I want to extend my stay. What are the possibilities?

  • You can check the Job opportunities within Ghent University
  • The Immigration Office will show discernment and will be attentive to Russian/Belarussian citizens temporarily prevented from returning to Russia/Belarus, or who had a project in Belgium (studies, work, family reunion). Russian/Belarussian citizens who have arrived legally in Belgium and who, due to the disruption of air connections from several European countries to Russia/Belarus, are prevented from leaving Belgium when their visa expires, may request the authorization to extend their stay in Belgium until there is a possibility for them to return from Belgium or another Schengen state. Please contact the Migration Office in Ghent or Kortrijk or Merelbeke or other (depending on where you live). 
  • As a Russian/Belarussian national you can apply for international protection (‘asylum’) in Belgium. You will be treated equally as any other asylum seeker.

I would like to open a temporary position for a Ukrainian researcher or university professional. How can I do this? (update 4/4/22)

On this page(in Dutch) you can gather more details how to open a temporary position in your research group.

A position at your research group can be paid or unpaid.

You can publish these temporary positions also on the European platform 'Science for Ukraine' or Euraxess4refugees.

If I offer a temporary paid position in my research group, will this have an impact on this researcher's right to stay in Belgium? Is a single permit or host agreement necessary?   

No, a Ukrainian researcher with a status of temporary protection is allowed to work in Belgium as soon als DPO (=Department Personnel and Organization) has received the annex 15 or electronic residence permit type A. The employment can start once the selection and subsequent administrative procedure has been completed. There will also be a meeting with the Welcome Team.

If I want to offer a temporary position at our central administration; does this need to happen through a vacancy and employment position?

No, a Ukrainian researcher/worker that has temporary protection in Belgium can also apply for a first job through a BIS-Stage (= internship). The BIS internships can only be provided for ATP (=Administrative or Technical) functions to ‘learn on the job’. A cost needs to be paid to fund this internship. For more information you can contact diversiteit.personeel@ugent.be.

I’m a researcher/staff member at Ghent University and I want to know if I can continue or start new cooperation with Russian universities/institutions

The decision not to cooperate with specific Russian organizations only impacts institutional collaborations. Individual collaborations are still possible. When in doubt about whether a cooperation is possible with a Russian counterparty, you can always send an e-mail to mensenrechtenbeleid@ugent.be

Info for students, researchers and staff

I’m a student or researcher/staff member at Ghent University. Where can I find more official information?

I have a colleague or student who is having a very hard time because of the war in Ukraine and I am concerned about his/her mental well-being. What can I do?

You can contact UCare@ugent.be.

I’m a student or researcher/staff member at Ghent University and I wish to offer my help to people fleeing the war in Ukraine?  I can offer shelter or provide resources or want to help as a volunteer or give language support. What can I do?

Nearly all municipalities are currently setting up aid campaigns e.g. the city of Ghent. All Ghent University initiatives can be found on this dedicated website.

Am I allowed to travel to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus for work or studies?

No, currently due to safety concerns, you are not allowed to travel to either Ukraine, Russia or Belarus in light of your studies or employment at Ghent University. Please contact actueel@UGent.be  in case of a very specific situation.

Contact

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