Exchange abroad for Ghent University students

Who hasn’t heard of Erasmus? However, Erasmus isn’t the only option for those who want to gain experience abroad during their studies.

ATTENTION. Also check the Ghent University travel policy for students! There is no automatic permission to travel to any destination.

Erasmus+ is the most well-known exchange programme but there are also scholarship opportunities to fund your non-European exchange.

Scholarships for exchange outside the Erasmus zone

Scholarships are available at UGent for an exchange OUTSIDE the Erasmus+ zone. Grant allocation depends on your socio-financial situation. The higher your needs, the better your chances of a higher scholarship. A potential scholarship can be a travel allowance or a travel allowance AND a monthly allowance (possibly limited in duration).

The Erasmus+ zone consists of the 27 EU member states and Northern Macedonia, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Serbia and Turkey. For these countries you can therefore NOT apply for a scholarship within this selection process. The United Kingdom doesn’t belong to the Erasmus+ zone. Scholarships for an exchange to the United Kingdom are therefore part of this selection process. Through this call you can’t apply for a scholarship for an exchange to Switzerland as it has its own scholarship program.

For additional general information, please get in touch with the International Relations Office at international@ugent.be

A first call with scholarship possibilities for an exchange outside the Erasmus area was launched in January 2024. After the first call, most of the scholarships were granted. If you were not able to apply during the first call (for example traineeship unknown, subject Master’s dissertation unknown, a one-year Master’s programme), you can apply for this current (second) call. For this second call, retroactivity is possible. That means that you can apply for a scholarship in December 2024 for a stay between 1/07/2024 and 31/08/2025 (validation required in your curriculum AY 24-25). The scholarship possibilities are limited to BIRAK Travel Allowances and VLIR-UOS scholarships, and the number of scholarships is limited.
All necessary and detailed information about the scholarships during the second call can be found in the ‘Guidelines for students for scholarships outside the Erasmus+ zone - second call’.

Scholarships for China

Students interested in exchange programs to China have three options:

UGent Scholarship outside the Erasmus+ Zone
The call for these scholarships will be distributed mid-January 2025.
Scholarship awarded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC)
In the framework of the "Chinese Government Scholarship Programme" for the Flemish Universities and Colleges Council (VLUHR).
Scholarship awarded by the Mission of P. R. China to the EU
(Chinese Embassy to the European Union) in the framework of the "EU-Window Chinese Government Scholarship Programme."

Students are not allowed to apply for both programmes of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) at the same time. They must choose one agency for their application either through the Chinese Embassy in cooperation with VLUHR or through the Mission of China to EU. Should the Chinese government find applications submitted through both funding programmes, both will be cancelled.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) Programme through VLUHR (and the Chinese Embassy)

What?

The Chinese Ministry of Education offers mobility scholarships for Bachelor, Master, and PhD students from all Flemish higher education institutions and disciplines for the 2025–2026 academic year. A list of participating institutions can be found on their website.

VLUHR will select 11 candidates (+ 2 reserve candidates). If more applications are received than scholarships available, the selection will be made in collaboration with the Department of Education & Training based on the quality of the dossiers (Transcripts of Records, study plan/research proposal, and recommendation letter).

Who is eligible?

Candidates must be Bachelor, Master, or PhD students with a strong interest in China. Students from all faculties are eligible, but Chinese nationals cannot apply.

Duration?

One semester or one academic year (from September to July).

The scholarship includes:

Tuition fee waiver
Campus accommodation (often in shared rooms)
Monthly allowance of CNY 2 500 (Bachelor), CNY 3 000 (Master) or CNY 3 500 (PhD)
Basic health insurance

Note: Tavel expenses are not included.

Required documents for application

Refer to the following documents for detailed requirements:

Application procedure and selection

The application involves two key steps:

Online registration

Register via campuschina.org and create an account under "Scholarship Application for Students." Use the following details:

Program Category: Type A
Agency Number: 0561

After registration, compile a dossier including all required documents. Key documents include:

Pre-admission letter from a Chinese university.
Non-criminal record report ("Certificate of Good Conduct").
Foreigner physical examination (for programs longer than six months; exact timing for the exam will be announced).

Upload all documents digitally with the online application form.

Submit the application by email

Send the complete file by Tuesday 11 February 2025 to the UGent Internationalisation Office via international@ugent.be.
The UGent Office will forward applications to the VLUHR Secretariat, which will select and nominate 11 candidates to the CSC.

EU-Window Chinese Government Scholarship Programme by the Mission of P. R. China to the EU in Brussels

What?

The Mission of China to the EU offers around 100 scholarships for European students for exchange programs in China. Past experience shows UGent students submitting complete applications have a high success rate.
More information.

Who is eligible?

Bachelor, Master, or PhD students from EU member states.

Duration?

One semester or one academic year (from September to July).

Scholarship includes:

Tuition fee waiver.
Campus accommodation (often in shared rooms).
Monthly allowance of CNY 2,500 (Bachelor), CNY 3,000 (Master) or CNY 3,500 (PhD).
Basic health insurance.

Note: Travel expenses are not included.

Required documents:

Application procedure and selection:

The application involves two steps:

Online registration

Program Category: Type A
Agency Number: 00006 (Exchange students registering for 6–12 months should choose the "General Scholars" category.)

Compile the required documents listed in "Guide to EU Window Chinese Government Scholarship Program". Key documents include:

Pre-admission letter from a Chinese university.
Non-criminal record report ("Certificate of Good Conduct").
Foreigner physical examination (for programs longer than six months).

Submit the online dossier by Friday 7 February 2025.

Submission Change
This year, submission of a complete paper file to the Mission of China to EU is no longer required.

Questions?

For CGS or EU-Window scholarships, contact our representative in Beijing, Mr. Zhang Chi chi.zhang@east-asia-platform.be or Mrs. Inge Mangelschots, Coordinator of the Ghent University East Asia Platform inge.mangelschots@ugent.be, or contact the Mission of China to EU directly at Chinamissiontoeu@gmail.com.

The Washington Center

Grants for internship in the USA via The Washington Center

Roadmaps

There is a lot involved in your exchange. The roadmaps will help you get started: