Registrar s Office Pleinlaan 2 B-1050 Brussel, BELGIUM inschrijvingen@vub.ac.be website:

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1 Registrar s Office Pleinlaan 2 B-1050 Brussel, BELGIUM inschrijvingen@vub.ac.be website: Dear Applicant We thank you for your interest in one of our programmes. Attached to this letter you will find an Application Package for the academic year , of which the forms have to be duly completed according to the requirements. This package, together with the required documents, should be returned to: Registrar s Office Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 2 B-1050 Brussel BELGIUM Application deadline: preferably before February 1, 2008 (EU-nationalities: June 1, 2008) ATTENTION : ONLY COMPLETE FILES WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION - please enclose a) an officially authenticated copy of the diplomas you obtained: university degree, equivalent to a Flemish Bachelor s degree (obtained after minimum 3 years of study = 180 ECTS in an academic curriculum) or Master s degree (obtained after minimum 4 years of study = 240 ECTS in an academic curriculum) b) transcripts of academic records (marksheets) of all the academic years under envelope sealed by the university or officially authenticated copies of these transcripts. Applicants who graduated at an African university must request their home university to send the transcripts under sealed envelope to the Registrar s Office of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel If these documents are not in English, French or Dutch, OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS (= by a sworn translator) in one of these languages must be added. Copies of degrees and transcripts are not accepted, nor are copies of authenticated copies. c) certificates of enrolments taken at other Flemish universities (if applicable) d) two letters of recommendation e) a comprehensive motivation f) two address labels (label with your own address printed on it). These labels will be used for mail purposes. g) three photographs h) a copy of a valid ID-card or pasport - Proof of proficiency in English : only TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, CPE, CAE are accepted. The minimum requirements are TOEFL :paper-based: 550, computer-based:213, internet-based: 80; TOEIC: 860; IELTS-academic module: Band 6.5; CPE: Grade C; CAE: Grade B. Some programmes do require higher scores. Please check with the programme director for the requested score. Scores should be sent directly by the examination centre to the VUB under sealed envelope. Officially authenticated copies are not accepted. - Taking a test (language or GMAT) after the deadline of application will delay the screening of your file. - respect the application deadline. If applying after a deadline admission can not be guaranteed. At the back of this letter you will find some addresses and some information, which could be useful. Sincerely, The Registrar s Office

2 TOEFL P.O. Box 6151 Princeton, NJ USA Website : (code V.U.B. : 3574) ETS/TOEFL Europe Thomson Prometic Noordwagenplein AL Lelystad The Netherlands euregs@thomson.com Website : V.U.B. : 3574) IELTS ielts@ucles.org.uk website Cambridge Certificates general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org website: TOEIC Telephone: toeic.belgium@skynet.be website: IRMO (International Relations and Mobility) Patrick Boeckstijns, telephone : pboeckst@vub.ac.be Bruno Verwee, telephone : Bruno.Verwee@vub.ac.be Please note Screening an application file takes about two months. A letter of admission will only be forwarded - after approval by the academic authorities - to applicants with sufficient financial means to cover all the expenses resulting from their stay in Brussels. You should make sure you have at least about 830 (Euro) a month. Since the letter of admission is conditional to having sufficient resources, you will be expected to take all necessary steps to secure the financial aspects of your stay in Belgium. The University can NOT offer a solution for financial problems and will not intervene in the case of financial problems. The letter of Admission has to be presented at the Registrar s Office in order to enrol at the University

3 Registrar s Office Pleinlaan 2 B 1050 Brussel BELGIUM APPLICATION PACKAGE Master or subsequent Master Content: - an Application form for Admission - a Statement Financial Resources - a certificate attesting the level / total ECTS of a foreign degree - a recommendation letter All dossiers will be screened by the Admission Committees of the different programmes. Apart from the specific requirements (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, CAE, CPE, GMAT, etc.) also other elements of the submitted dossiers will be taken into account. Applicants are, therefore, invited to submit complete dossiers. By submitting an application, the applicant accepts that decisions of the Admission Committees are final and irrevocable.

4 APPLICATION FORM FOR ADMISSION This form is free of charge. Registrar s Office Pleinlaan 2 B 1050 Brussel BELGIUM Important : 1. The deadline needs to be strictly observed. 2. No reply will be sent to applicants who fail to enclose all required documents together with their application form. Only original documents under sealed envelope or officially authenticated copies will be accepted. Applicants with a degree from an African university should request their home university to send the transcripts under sealed envelope to the VUB. Copies or copies of officially authenticated copies are not accepted. 3. Chinese students should enclose an APS-certificate. 4. Language-test scores should be sent directly by the examination centre to the Registrar s office of the VUB. 5. This is not an application for a scholarship. Admission gives no right to financial support of any kind. 6. All enclosed documents remain the property of the university, whichever decision is taken. 7. Requirements for admission cannot be discussed. 8. Decisions of the admission committees are final and irrevocable. 9. Applicants whose application form includes incorrect information will be refused admission. Personal information (in accordance with your passport) 1. FAMILY NAME (SURNAME) : Given name (first name) : 2. Place and country of birth : date of birth : (day month year) :.. 3. Sex : male female 4. Nationality : 5. Address for reply : (c/o) street / n postal code / town country telephone / telefax

5 Information about education List all universities or other institutions of higher education you have attended in your country or abroad in chronological order. The certificate attesting the level / total ECTS of a foreign degree must be enclosed under sealed envelope. Universities, colleges or other institutions (+ address) Duration (from till) Title and field of degrees obtained Date of graduation Results (if more space is needed, attach a separate sheet listing other institutions attended) Command of English 7. Proof of good command of English includes: I graduated at an English speaking University or secondary school (certificate issued by the university or secondary school that English is the language of instruction for all courses taught must be enclosed) I took /will take the TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, CAE, CPE-test* on and have asked the examination centre to send my result to the VUB under sealed envelope. (* indicate which test you took)

6 Professional information (last five years) 8. Details of employment and duties (add additional sheets if necessary) Name and address of employer Position function Date from till 9. Have you ever applied for a programme at the V.U.B. before? (List all programmes for which you did apply) yes no which academic year (s) : / / /.... which programme(s): were you accepted? If you were not accepted, which was the reason:

7 10. Have you ever been enrolled at the V.U.B. in the past? yes no last academic year :.... /.... registration number : for which programme :. result :. 11. Have you ever been enrolled at another Flemish university in the past? yes no name of the Flemish university :. for which programme :. academic years of enrolment : from.... /.... till.... /.... (add an official certificate of all enrolments at Flemish universities) result : State precisely for which programme you want to apply. When applying for two programmes, indicate which programme is your first choice and which programme your second. The correct denomination of the programmes can be found on Please note that the statement on the next page has to be completed and included. Applications without a signed statement and/or motivation will not be considered. 15. Please also enclose a comprehensive motivation about why you want to study at the VUB and why you want to apply for this programme.

8 STATEMENT I, (name) enclose the following documents: (indicate which documents you enclose) an officially authenticated copy of the diplomas listed above under pt. 6. Only original copies under envelope sealed by the university or officially authenticated copies are accepted. Copies of authenticated copies are NOT accepted. officially authenticated copies of the transcripts of academic records of all academic years Only original copies under envelope sealed by the university or officially authenticated copies are accepted. Copies of authenticated copies are NOT accepted. Applicants from African countries should request their home university to send the transcripts under sealed envelope to the VUB. the certificate attesting the level of a foreign degree or diploma (under sealed envelope) 2 recommendation letters a statement financial resources (if applicable) certificates of enrolment taken at other Flemish universities (if applicable) a comprehensive motivation a copy of a valid ID-card or passport I have taken the following tests and I have requested the examination-centre to send my score to the VUB. (indicate which test you took). Officially authenticated copies are NOT accepted. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) International English Language Testing System academic module (IELTS) Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) Certificate, issued bv the home university or secondary school that English was the language of instruction for all courses taught I declare upon oath that this information is correct and complete and that I have sufficient funds to cover my expenses resulting from enrolment at the V.U.B. I acknowledge that admission will be refused if the information is incorrect and that I cannot claim University subsidized accommodation, financial or material help from the V.U.B. during my studies. I declare that I, or one of my representatives, understand that the decision taken by the admission committee is final and not open to further discussion. I hereby authorise the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to verify the information presented on this form and to procure investigative and credit history reports for that purpose. Date : Name + Signature :

9 Sufficient financial means: not just a formality! 1. What is meant by sufficient financial means? The purpose of this paper is to advise you on the money you will need while studying at the Free University in Brussels. Studying overseas is an incredible experience in many ways: academically, socially, culturally However, without the necessary preparations, especially financial, it can turn out to be a big disappointment. It is essential that you have the necessary financial means to study at the university. This paper will give you a realistic answer to the question, how much money do I need during my stay in Brussels as a self supporting student? 2. How much is the tuition? To be admitted to the VUB you must have sufficient financial means. Besides the VUB-tuition fee, you should have at-least ,00 EUR yearly for the duration of your studies. The tuition fee is fixed every year by the VUB Board and is subject to changes. 3. What will my monthly expenses be? Studying is expensive! Every year students underestimate the amount of money they need monthly. Below you find the needs and costs of an average student studying at the VUB. Expenses EUR Accommodation 250,00 Food 235,00 Household 30,00 Clothing 50,00 Transport 30,00 Health insurance 25,00 Leisure 60,00 Educational materials 75,00 Savings (in case something happens) 75,00 Monthly total 830,00 4. How much will it cost to get settled when I arrive? Mind that during the first month of your stay you will have some exceptional costs. Taxi- Airport to university (+/- 40 EUR). Temporary accommodations- Arriving students may stay in a hostel close to the university until they find more permanent housing. This hostel costs +/-15 EUR daily for a single room. From experience with other students, we have learned it takes at least one week before you find a room and settle in. Security deposit for your room- Every landlord asks their tenants for a guarantee. You need to pay this guarantee before you move into the room, which can cost up to three times the monthly rent. At the end of your contract, and if the room remains intact, you will get the guarantee back. Health insurance registration- This is compulsory in order to register at the university. Life in Belgium without health insurance is very risky because medical costs are extremely high (more information in infofile Before You Take Off Payment tuition fee. Educational materials. Costs for room equipment: furniture, kitchen, computer- This can be expensive, depending on your demands. Because of the wide range of possibilities of expenses we do not provide the

10 prices in the following chart. Still, it is wise that you keep these expenses in mind. Ask your program director if it is necessary to have a personal computer for your studies. Expenses EUR Taxi 40,00 Transit accommodation (1 week) 100,00 Room guarantee 250,00 750,00 Health insurance 45,00 Tuition fee 505, ,00 Educational materials 150,00 Room equipments Variable Total 1090, ,00 Despite these warnings, every year some foreign students ask the Social Services for financial support. Although they have signed a document in which they solemnly declared they have sufficient financial means, they come to the VUB without actually being able to support themselves financially. Do not let this happen to you! Please note the VUB will decline any claim for financial support in any form. 5. Will I be able to work in Belgium? Some students come to the university with insufficient financial means and expect to get a job to help to support their studies. The reality is that it is extremely hard to get a part-time job in Brussels. Brussels is a bilingual city. Most jobs require good knowledge of at least French or Dutch or even both. As a student you would only be allowed to work less than 20 hours a week, which certainly would not be enough to support yourself here, because of the high cost of living in Belgium. We want to make it clear that due to these circumstances it is nearly impossible to gain a sufficient income by working. 6. What else should I know financially before I leave? Students who have applied for a scholarship will receive conditional letters of acceptance. This admission letter is only valid if the scholarship is awarded. Without a granted scholarship the letter is void, which means you will not be able to enrol. If you applied for a scholarship but it was not granted, we urge you not to come to Brussels! Students who are coming for a very short period are advised to either: Bring cash money, or have a credit card. Most banks refuse to offer you their services if you are here for less than 6 months. It is not uncommon that former students, on returning to their home countries, will tell about their experiences without mentioning the difficulties they encountered. These testimonies are partial. Be aware that life in Belgium is not always as easy as believed. Instead, assume that you will be confronted with difficulties. Assuming that you have the necessary means, problems can still arise. Problems that appear frequently are: - foreign cheques that can t be cashed in Belgium - delayed or blocked bank transfers from abroad - loss of money due to devaluation - sponsors not paying allowances - insufficient scholarships - loss of scholarship Keep in mind that you need money to buy your return flight ticket at the end of your studies. The Belgian culture is very systematic. To avoid problems, know that organisation is a way of life in Brussels. Rules and regulations are not negotiable, contacts are more formal, agreements are consolidated into contracts,... For instance: prices in shops are fixed, you cannot knock them down. To avoid problems we want to stress once more the importance of sufficient financial means. If you don t have the necessary means we urge you to postpone and/or cancel your trip to Belgium.

11 STATEMENT: FINANCIAL RESOURCES Should not be completed by applicants with a nationality from one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands. In the framework of a binding agreement between myself and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), I, (full name). hereby declare to have read and fully understood the above-mentioned financial requirements for admission at VUB. I therefore accept the condition to have sufficient financial means: / , -EUR yearly and this for the whole duration of my study. I confirm having this amount available when and where ever needed. Funding is originating from the following source(s): - Scholarship: amount : EUR yearly name and address of organisation:.. - Private sponsor : amount :EUR yearly name and address of sponsor : Savings, amount : :. EUR yearly - Salary (leave with pay) : amount :...EUR yearly name and address of employer.; Salary from current job :. amount :.EUR yearly (in Belgium) name and address of employer.; Total of. EUR yearly I understand and accept that funding is my own responsibility and under no circumstance I can claim financial or material assistance from the University. Place (full address). Date :. Full name :. Signature: Please enclose the completed and signed statement with your application form. The Service mentioned hereafter is available for information only. VUB Social Sector- Service for Foreign Students Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels BELGIUM Phone : Fax : pboeckst@vub.ac.be

12 DIENST INSCHRIJVINGEN To be completed by the university or Ministry of Education from the country issuing the degree: Certificate attesting the level / total ECTS of a foreign degree for the purpose of access to a postgraduate degree (Master or subsequent Master) at university level I, the undersigned, Prof. /Dr/Mr/Mrs (Name and First name):. Title or Function: At O University O Ministry of Education (University or Ministry of Education from the country issuing the degree) Name + full address: (compulsory):. hereby declare that the diploma awarded to Name: First Name: Place and date of birth: Title of the degree or diploma awarded: Total ECTS-credits obtained: By the following university or institute of higher education Name and address: O university O institution of higher education (non university) Allows access to postgraduate studies at the following level in the country in which the diploma was awarded O master (second level) with bridging programme or pre-master without bridging programme O subsequent Master or PhD (third level) Date: Signature + Seal: This certificate is not valid if not under envelope sealed by the testifying organisation. Vrije Universiteit Brussel Dienst Inschrijvingen Pleinlaan Brussel

13 Registrar s Office Pleinlaan 2 B 1050 Brussel BELGIUM LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION APPLICANT First name (given name): FAMILY NAME (SURNAME): APPLYING FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM: RECOMMENDER Name: Function: Institution/Firm: To the applicant: Please complete the above lines of the recommendation letter and forward it to an Academic staff member, scientist or scholar who is familiar with your (recent) (professional) activities. Two letters of recommendation are required. These letters or recommendation should be returned together with the completed admission application form and other requested enclosures. To the Recommender: the registrar of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel greatly appreciates your cooperation in assessing the applicant for the above postgraduate course. Please give your opinion frankly as to the applicant's professional strengths and weaknesses. The completed letter of recommendation must be signed and returned under sealed envelope to the applicant 1. How long have you known the applicant and in what connection? 2. How well do you think the applicant is capable of adapting to conditions, which are very different from the conditions he/she is familiar with?

14 3. What is according to you the applicant's main strength in a professional/scientific/academic context? 4. If the applicant were to apply for a similar course at your institution, would you accept him/her 0 readily 0 with reservation 0 not at all 5. Please rate the applicant in comparison to his/her peers. intrinsic intellectual ability top 2% top 20% above average under average breadth of general knowledge maturity quality of oral expression ability to work with others analytical ability ability to carry out individual research 6. Which overall recommendation would you give? 0 I highly recommend the applicant 0 I recommend the applicant 0 I recommend with the following reservation 0 I do not recommend the applicant

15 7. If there are any important comments you would like to give which are not sufficiently covered by the above questions, we should appreciate it if you would give them below: date : Recommender's name and signature : Seal: