English BA sees registrations soar at Flemish Free University

Figures from the VUB's Student Refugee Programme show that 45 recognised refugees will study at the VUB this semester. Thirty-eight students are taking MA courses in English, two an MA in Dutch. A further three students have started studies in English that should lead to a BA. Three others are taking a Dutch-language BA.

The thirty-six male and nine women students hail from Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Egypt and Rwanda.

VUB rector Caroline Pauwels: "The VUB wants to be an urban, internationally targeted university. Reflecting the diversity of Brussels in its courses is an important step in this direction."

For a sixth year in a row the VUB registered an increase in the number of new students. 1,576 students have registered for a first university course in 2016. Sciences and Social Sciences (Solvay Business School) report the largest increase: up 49%. The increase is due to a new English language BA in Social Sciences launched in conjunction with Ghent University. 138 students from 40 different countries have registered.