Medicine in Belgium for Tunisian students: what you need to know
Entrance exam, non-resident status, length of studies, budget, specialisation and returning to Tunisia: what you need to know before aiming for medicine in Belgium.
By Worldwide Studies team, Worldwide Studies teamPublished 4 min read
Studying medicine in Belgium is a dream for many Tunisian baccalaureate holders: teaching in French, well-regarded faculties, proximity to Tunisia and moderate fees. But access is regulated by an entrance exam and specific rules for non-resident students. Before you get started, here is what you need to know to make an informed choice.
The rules for access to health studies in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are changed regularly. Our advisers check for you the conditions in force for the year of your application.
Where can you study medicine in French-speaking Belgium?
The faculties of medicine of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are located in particular at UCLouvain, ULB and ULiège, as well as at UNamur and UMONS for part of the programme. The basic programme includes:
a bachelor's degree in medicine (3 years);
a master's degree in medicine (3 years), which confers the title of doctor;
then, to practise a specialty, a specialisation master's lasting several years.
The entrance exam
Access to studies in medicine and dentistry goes through an entrance exam held every year. It generally has two main parts:
science tests: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics;
tests of reasoning, communication and critical analysis.
The number of successful candidates is limited, and the ranking determines who can enrol. The exam is known to be demanding: it requires serious preparation, ideally from the final year of secondary school, with a good level in the science subjects.
Non-resident status
Students who do not live in Belgium (which is the case for baccalaureate holders coming from Tunisia) are considered non-residents. For some health programmes, a quota limits the proportion of non-resident students who can enrol. Depending on the programme, this quota may apply through the exam or through a draw (this is the case, for example, for some paramedical or veterinary programmes).
These rules have a direct consequence: even with a good application, access is never guaranteed. A plan B is essential.
Other requirements
Equivalence of the baccalaureate obtained from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. See Studying in Belgium: baccalaureate equivalence, enrolment and costs.
Enrolment at the university within the deadlines set for non-EU students.
Student visa with proof of financial resources.
Good level of French: the whole programme is taught in French.
How much does medicine in Belgium cost?
Tuition fees are moderate compared with other countries, but may be increased for non-EU students depending on the university.
Living costs remain the main expense: allow on average €800 to €1,100 per month depending on the city.
Over 6 years, the total budget is calculated mainly in living costs. Also plan for the cost of exam preparation and any additional years.
And after graduation?
This point is often overlooked:
Specialising in Belgium: access to specialisation places is limited and very competitive, with particular constraints for non-EU graduates.
Practising in Tunisia: the Belgian degree must be granted equivalence under the Tunisian rules in force.
Practising elsewhere in Europe: the Belgian degree is a European degree, but the right to practise also depends on nationality and on the rules of each country.
Think now about where you want to practise.
Alternatives to explore in parallel
If Belgium is your first choice, keep at least one or two alternatives:
Biomedical sciences or pharmacy in Belgium, without the medicine entrance exam, sometimes with possible bridges;
medicine in Romania in French or English: see Medicine in Romania;
medicine in Italy with the IMAT: see The IMAT exam explained;
Hungary or Poland, with programmes taught in English.
Typical timeline for a medicine project in Belgium
Start of the final year of secondary school: decide on the project, choose universities, start preparing for the exam.
Autumn – winter: put together the equivalence file (legalisations, translations), submit enrolment requests within the deadlines set for non-EU students.
Spring: apply for equivalence as soon as the required documents are available, register for the exam.
Summer: entrance exam, results, student visa if you pass.
September: start of the first year of the bachelor's in medicine.
The exam may have several sessions depending on the year: find out the exact dates from the autumn.
How to prepare for the exam
Revise in depth biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, beyond the baccalaureate syllabus.
Practise reasoning and text analysis, which also count in the assessment.
Work on past papers and timed mock exams.
Plan over several months: last-minute preparation is rarely enough.
Manage stress: the exam tests consistency as much as knowledge.
Documents to prepare in Tunisia
transcripts for the last years of secondary school and the baccalaureate diploma;
legalisations or apostilles and translations if needed;
valid passport;
criminal record extract (bulletin n° 3);
medical certificate for the visa;
proof of financial resources (financial guarantee, blocked account or scholarship).
Biomedical sciences and pharmacy
These programmes do not go through the medicine entrance exam. They lead to careers in research, the pharmaceutical industry or community pharmacy. They can be a choice in their own right or a solid plan B, but bridges to medicine are limited and should not be considered guaranteed.
Our support
Worldwide Studies helps you assess your profile, prepare the equivalence and enrolment, organise your exam preparation and build a solid plan B. See also our page Study in Belgium.
👉 Access rules change regularly: talk to an adviser to check this year's conditions and your chances.