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Belgium doesn’t offer a single national scholarship for international students. Instead, higher education funding is split across language regions into two distinct fully funded programs: VLIR-UOS in Dutch-speaking Flanders and ARES in French-speaking Wallonia and Brussels.
When evaluating VLIR-UOS vs ARES, understanding their respective eligible country lists, monthly stipends, deadlines, and application portals to avoid wasting valuable preparation time. This guide breaks down the key differences between VLIR-UOS vs ARES to help you choose the right scholarship for your goals.
If you want an in-depth breakdown of Flanders-based programs, eligibility rules, and eligible 29 partner countries, read our Belgium VLIR-UOS scholarship complete guide.
VLIR-UOS vs ARES:Comparison
Compare the key differences between the VLIR-UOS Scholarship in Flanders and the ARES Scholarship in Wallonia-Brussels:
Region: Dutch-speaking
Stipend: €1,400/month
Deadline: Nov–Feb (varies)
Portal: University direct
Programs: ~20 accredited tracks
Asia List: ID, PS, PH, VN
Region: French-speaking
Stipend: €1,150/month
Deadline: Sept 18, 2026 (fixed)
Portal: Central GIRAF portal
Programs: 10 total tracks
Asia List: KH, ID, NP, PS, PH, VN
VLIR-UOS (Flanders): Covers 3-Year Professional Bachelor’s, 2-Year Initial Master’s, and 1-Year Advanced Master’s degrees focused on sustainable development and technology.
ARES (Wallonia-Brussels): Covers Bachelor’s degrees, Specialization Master’s (1-year advanced tracks), and Continuing Education/Short Training Courses (2 to 6 months).
Eligible Countries: Which System Can You Apply To?
Country eligibility is where both funding programs genuinely diverge, making it essential to verify your nation’s status before starting your application.
VLIR-UOS Eligible Asian Countries: Limited to Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Palestine.
ARES Eligible Asian Countries: Covers a slightly wider list, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Palestine.
Key Differences: If you are from Nepal or Cambodia, ARES is your only route because VLIR-UOS does not include Nepal or Cambodia.
Ineligible Nations: Neither program currently includes applicants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka.
Stipend & Benefits:
Monthly Allowance: VLIR-UOS pays €1,400 per month, whereas ARES provides €1,150 per month.
Visa Expenses: ARES explicitly covers visa fees up to €200 and reimburses documented costs above that threshold.
Tuition & Flights: Both programs feature a 100% tuition fee waiver and cover one round-trip international flight.
Health Insurance: Full health insurance coverage in Belgium is included under both awards
Application Deadlines and Submission Portals
The submission process and timeline differ significantly between the two systems:
ARES Scholarship: ARES applications open annually around September/October and close with a single fixed national deadline in mid-November to December via the official GIRAF portal (for the 2027/2028 academic intake).
VLIR-UOS Scholarship: VLIR-UOS does not have a single national cutoff. Each host university (KU Leuven, Ghent University, UAntwerpen, etc.) sets its own program-specific deadlines, typically ranging between November and February.
Which Scholarship Should You Choose?
Deciding between the two funding routes depends on your nationality, study field, and personal preferences:
Choose the ARES Scholarship if: Your country is Nepal, Cambodia, or one of ARES’s partner nations in Africa or Latin America; you prefer a single predictable application deadline; or your academic background aligns with one of ARES’s ten specialized degree programs.
Choose the VLIR-UOS Scholarship if: Your country is Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, or Palestine; you want to study in Flanders with a higher monthly stipend (€1,400); and you are comfortable managing university-specific deadlines across its ~20 accredited programs.
Overlapping Countries: If your country is eligible for both systems (such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, or Palestine), compare the specific degree programs offered by each. Choose the scholarship that provides a stronger curriculum for your specific career path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VLIR-UOS or ARES easier to get into?
Neither is straightforwardly “easier”; it depends entirely on whether your country and field are eligible, since both are genuinely competitive within their pool of eligible applicants.
Can Nepali students apply to VLIR-UOS?
No. Nepal is on ARES’s eligible list, not VLIR-UOS’s.
Which pays more, VLIR-UOS or ARES?
VLIR-UOS pays €1,400/month, compared with ARES’s €1,150/month, though ARES’s broader visa-cost coverage partly offsets the difference.
Do both cover tuition?
Yes, both fully waive tuition fees for scholarship holders.
Is there one deadline for all of Belgium's scholarships?
No. ARES has a single fixed deadline (September 18, 2026). VLIR-UOS has no central deadline; each program sets its own.
Whichever Belgium scholarship you target, you will need an entry visa.
Read our detailed guide on Belgium Type D student visa requirements, covering the €1,062 proof of financial means, embassy booking, and commune registration.
Scholarship Researcher and Writer