pre arrival guide 2021

2 UNIVERSITY INFORMATION ACADEMIC SYSTEM IN BELGIUM Higher Education in Flanders has adopted the Bachelor-Master structure. What this means is a 3-year undergraduate cycle leading to a Bachelor degree (180 ECTS), followed by a 1-year or 2-year graduate cycle (60 or 120 ECTS) leading to a Master degree. Advanced master programmes offer further specialisation and/ or competences in a certain field of study. Our doctoral degree is the highest level of specialisation in scientific research. This PhD degree can only be awarded by recognised universities. We also offer post-graduate certificate programmes. Besides universities, Belgium also has university colleges, which offer professional Bachelor programmes. The courses are practice-oriented and include periods of work placement. Students can follow a bridging programme after their professional Bachelor degree to start in a Master programme at a university. The academic year at the University of Antwerp runs from end September to June and is divided into 2 semesters. Each semester comprises 13 weeks of lecturing concluded by a 4 week examination period. CREDITS AND GRADING The Flemish credit system is based on ECTS, The European Credit Transfer System. Students are graded between 1 and 20. A mark of 10 or more represents a ‘pass’, in which case credits are granted. 18-20: Excellent: outstanding performance with only minor errors 16-17: Very Good: above the average standard but with some errors 14-15: Good: generally sound work with a number of notable errors 12-13: Satisfactory: fair but with significant shortcomings 10-11: Sufficient: meets the minimum criteria; credit transfer is obtained < 10: Fail The diploma is granted with a grade of merit if a student has obtained credits at the University of Antwerp for at least half of the total number of credits of the degree programme. FACTS AND FIGURES ✓ over 20 000 students ✓ 19,6% international students, with 130 nationalities represented ✓ high standards in education ✓ internationally competitive research ✓ entrepreneurial approach Faculties at the University of Antwerp Faculty of Applied Engineering Faculty of Arts Faculty of Business and Economics Faculty of Design Sciences Faculty of Law Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Science