A programme overview

You can click in the course title to find details on each course or on the orientation (in bachelor 3).

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes describe the intended knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes that you must master after completing your studies. Do you want to know more about the specific learning outcomes of this programme? Click here for more information.

Entry requirements

Before you can start the Bachelor in Social Sciences, we'll have a look at your previous education and English language skills.

Academic requirements

You can apply for this Bachelor programme if you are currently in the final year of secondary education or if you already have a high school diploma.

Students with an upper secondary school diploma from the Belgian educational system are eligible to enrol in this programme automatically. They meet both the academic and language requirements.

Some international high school credentials are deemed equivalent to a Belgian degree of secondary education and grant direct access to our Bachelor programmes in terms of academic requirement. You would still need to prove your English language skills, but there is no further assessment of your high school grades.

Here is the the list of equivalent secondary school certificates. 

If your high school diploma is not on the list of equivalent credentials, you can still apply for our Bachelor's programme, if you have a diploma that grants access to higher education in your home country. In this case, we will evaluate your academic background on the basis of your diploma, a transcript of records and your motivational letter.

English language requirements

We accept the following proof of English language proficiency:

1. an upper secondary school diploma from the Belgian educational system;

2. a certificate from the institution where you finished secondary or higher education, stating that English was the language of instruction;

3. a certificate of one of the following language tests corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference with minimum level B2: 

• TOEFL iBT with minimum level: 79;
• IELTS academic module, with minimum level: 6.5;
• Cambridge English grade scale 170;
• ITACE with minimum level B2

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we now also accept the TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator. These are variants of the classic TOEFL and IELTS tests that you may take at home.

Certificates and other proof of language tests may not pre-date the first enrolment by more than five years.

Deadline(s)

Regarding admissions for the academic year 2022-23:

All non-EEA students have to submit their online application before  1 April 2022

All European students have to submit their online application before 1 September 2022. 

The enrolment deadline is 30 September 2022.

Tuition fees

All Belgian universities offer high-quality education at a very reasonable cost. The main formula is the following: fix fee (per programme) + variable fee (per credit)

For more information on tuition fees, go to https://student.vub.be/en/student-administration#tuition-fee.

Application procedure

The screening process can take up to several weeks, depending on the completeness of your file and on the workload of all departments involved. We advise you to submit your file as soon as possible.

1. Submit your application file here before the deadline

2. Screening process (both at central and faculty level)

3. Outcome of screening: if accepted, you will receive a conditional letter of acceptance

4. Enroll at VUB university campus (in person) before the deadline of 30 September 2022

Application documents

Applicants have to upload the following documents:

• ID card/passport copy
• passport photo (comes on your student card, once accepted & enrolled)
• secondary education degree (or proof of being registered for the final year of high school education)
• transcript of records (only for non-EEA diploma's that are not deemed equivalent)
• motivational letter (only for non-EEA students)
• proof of English language proficiency

If you do not possess all required documents yet, you can already submit your application and send us your late documents when available with the application deadline as final date. You can upload the documents directly to your application file via the student self service website, or send them to admissions@vub.be mentioning your full name as it appeared on your application form.

Questions about the programme

What should my level of English be in order to follow the programme?

We are not looking for the next Shakespeare, but our programme is nevertheless very language-driven (if you do not like to read and write, the BScSS is probably not for you). This means you will have to read and understand complex academic texts in English and will have to be able to produce both written and verbal arguments in English yourself. Since our curriculum does not include English-language courses we expect you to have a sound proficiency in English before enrolling. If you are not certain of your language skills, please refer to the language admission requirements.

What should my level of maths be in order to follow the programme?

We are not looking for the next Einstein, but courses on statistics form an integral part of our curriculum. While these courses are designed to gradually help you develop your statistical skills, we do expect you to have a firm grasp of basic mathematical operations. If you are not sure about your mathematical skills, this document with sample exercises can help you assess whether your prior knowledge is sufficient to follow the statistical courses.

After choosing one of the three orientations in the 3rd year, will this grant me direct access into a Master’s programme in the same field, at one of the two host universities?

Yes, graduating from the programme after having chosen on the three orientations will grant you direct access into one of Master’s programmes in that same field, at one of the two host universities (provided you fulfil all other admission requirements of the chosen programme). In addition you can also chose to enrol in Master’s programmes in any of the other two orientations at both VUB and Ghent University. For more information, please consult our Master programme offers.

After choosing one of the three orientations in the 3rd year, can I still be granted direct access into a Master’s programme in one of the other fields?

Given that the BScSS is an internationally accredited degree, it will grant you access to any Master’s programme that accepts a Social sciences-bachelor both in Belgium and abroad. All of this of course depends on the specific entry requirements of the Master’s programme you wish to pursue. Please consult our Master programme offers for more information.

Can I go on international exchange (Erasmus+)?

Yes, in your 3rd module you can opt to go on an international exchange experience, meaning you will study at a partner university for one semester. We have agreements with 14 universities in 9 countries: Bulgaria, Hungary, Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, UK, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. 

You have also the option to apply for an exchange adventure outside Europe, with univerities in countries like Brasil, Canada, Mexico, Japan, etc. More information on the exchange options will be made available during the start of your 2nd module.

Can I learn extra languages at VUB?

Yes, you can register for extra curricular languages courses at our Language Center, both in 1st and in 2nd semester. More information on the options and the procedure can be found on this website.

Practicalities

1. What is the tuition fee for an EEA national?

The tuition fee for a regular EEA national for one academic year is: €979,60. This page will provide you with more detailed information on tuition fees.

2. What is the tuition fee for a non-EEA national?

The tuition fee for a regular non-EEA national for one academic year is: €3.850,00. This page will provide you with more detailed information on tuition fees

3. Are there any scholarship options at the VUB?

Although the Vrije Universiteit Brussel participates in many scholarship programmes offering grants to all levels of study, there are currently no grants or scholarships for students who wish to enrol in the BScSS programme.

Depending on your nationality, family situation and income, you might however be eligible for a Study Allowance granted by the Flemish government. For more information on financial support, please contact the VUB Social Services

4. Do I need a visa to study in Belgium?

Visa requirements are mainly determined by 3 factors: how long the person will be staying in Belgium (more or less than 90 days); the applicant’s nationality, EEA or non-EEA; and the purpose of the stay (studying, working, family reunion, etc.). Depending on the applicant’s profile, some formalities may have to be performed in the country of origin (visa) and a number of administrative steps will have to be taken once in Belgium (ID card). More information on visa requirements can be found here.

5. What is the VUB Refugee Programme and how can I register for it?

The ‘Welcome Student-refugee programme’ was developed in the wake of the emerging refugee crisis in Europe in 2015-2016. The VUB has developed the programme in order to give students with a refugee background a chance to continue their studies. You can find more information on the programme and how to register for it on this page.

6. How should I prepare my stay in Brussels?

VUB has prepared a guide for international students and scholars, regarding the steps needed to prepare for your stay in Brussels.

7. What are the options for housing at the VUB?

The VUB has prepared a list of temporary accommodation you may need upon your arrival in Brussels, as well as options for permanent accommodation and housing.

8. What are the facilities available at Ghent University?

BScSS students can make use of all facilities offered to guest students. For an overview, see: https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities.

9. Is Brussels the right city for me?

Brussels is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and the biggest university city in Belgium. We have put together a short guide into the city’s history and important features.

Contact information

1. Who should I contact regarding the application and enrolment procedure?

For more information on the application and enrolment procedure, please contact the central admissions office.

2. Who should I contact regarding the programme's content or the evaluation of my academic background?

For more information on the programme and the evaluation of your academic background, please contact the administrative coordinator.

3. Who should I contact regarding course exemptions and/or credit transfers?

For questions on exemptions and credit transfers, please contact your future study counsellor.

4. Who should I contact regarding visa regulations/requirements/procedure or Refugee Programme?

For questions on visa regulations and details on the Refugee Programme, please contact the International Relations and Mobility Office (IRMO).

The end? Or the beginning?

There is no doubt that your Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences (BScSS) will stand out on the labour market. However, the biggest added value of the programme lies in paving the way for ambitious follow-up trajectories, such as master programmes and internships.

Your third bachelor year is designed to help you prepare for this choice. You major in one of the three social sciences composing the programme. It allows you to build expertise in this domain, but without losing track of the other two sciences. That way all choices for master programmes remain open, but you’ll have more insight about what you really want to master in.

At the same time, this last bachelor year offers you multiple contacts with professionals from organisations gravitating around the EU institutions through guest lectures and site visits. It’s a great way to start building your network, with an eye on future.

Master of the universe?

Well, the universe is big. But still, Ghent University and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are two acclaimed universities. Both are well placed on international rankings. The joint project they offer with the BScSS is an internationally accredited bachelor programme. This means your diploma grants you immediate access to many master programmes taught abroad. That’s just one of many possible next stops for you: the UNICAnetwork, the association of universities in European capitals.

Another smart move to consider is pursuing your academic career in one of the available English-taught master programmes at Ghent University or the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. You can join, either directly or via a short preparatory programme, a Master of Science in Communication Studies or a Master of Science in Management.

Master options at Ghent University

• Master of Science in Conflict and Development
• Master of Arts in Global Studies
• Master of Science in Sociology
• Master of Science in de Sociologie (Dutch instructed)
• Master of Science in de Politieke Wetenschappen (International Politics or National Politics) (Dutch instructed)
• Master of Science in de Communicatiewetenschappen (Communication Management, Film and Television Studies, Journalism or New Media and Society) (Dutch instructed)
• Master of Science in EU Studies (Dutch instructed)

Master options at VUB

• Master of Science in Communication Studies (both Digital Media in Europe as Journalism and Media in Europe)
• Master of Science in Management
• Master of Science in Political Science: European and International Governance
• Master of Science in Digital Communication Leadership (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree)
• Master of Science in Sociologie (Dutch instructed)
• Master of Science in de Politieke Wetenschappen (Dutch instructed)
• Master of Science in de Communicatiewetenschappen (Dutch instructed)
• Master of Science in Urban Studies
• Master of Science in de Journalistiek (Dutch instructed)