Everything you need to know about your exchange at Thomas More.
First days in Belgium
At Thomas More, your first academic year starts with Welcome Days!
Official enrolment
Do I have to pay tuition fees?
Students from partner universities where both schools have signed and Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) obtain a waiver of this tuition fee.
Free-movers are an exception. They enrol for a credit contract and pay a tuition fee for their exchange semester at Thomas More.
When is the nomination deadline?
- Autumn semester (and whole academic year) - 1st of May
- Spring semester - 15th of October
When is the application deadline?
- Autumn semester (and whole academic year) - 15th of May
- Spring semester - 31st of October
How do I get my acceptance letter for the visa application?
The international Office will automatically send you your acceptance letter by e-mail once you have been accepted to Thomas More if you have a non-EEA nationality.
How can I look for housing in Belgium?
Remember to start on time! Please consult our database to start looking for accommodation: indicate the campus of your choice and change the search date. You will receive an overview of the available student rooms as for that date and the information and contact details of the landlord. You need to contact the landlord and arrange the contract yourself.
You can find more details about housing on this page.
Where can I find an estimate of the cost of living in Belgium?
Get an estimation of the study and living costs before departure!
More information can be found here.
How can I open a bank account in Belgium?
Students are free to choose their bank branch, but we recommend using the KBC bank. Please use these instructions to complete the bank account request earliest one month before arrival.
ECTS
What is it?
ECTS is short for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. It is a standard way to compare the "volume of learning based on the defined learning outcomes and their associated workload" in higher education across the European Union.
Work load
ECTS is a credit system based on student workload. The credits are a value given to course units to describe the student's workload needed to complete them successfully. 1 ECTS corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of workload per semester (including time spent in class, meetings for group work, reading assignments, revision for exams…).
ECTS credits express a relative value. Study hours are estimates because you may spend more time on a course you are not so familiar with and maybe less on another course that is exactly in your area of interest and expertise. That means that one of your 3ECTS-courses may involve more work than a 6ECTS-course.
A Bachelor's Degree consists of 180 credits. One year’s study is 60 credits, which is normally equivalent to 1500–1800 hours of total workload.
An exchange consists of approximately 30 ECTS – this might vary depending on your study programme. Please check the section “Programme” in the webpage of your study field.
ECTS grading scale
ECTS also includes a standard grading scale, shown in addition to Flemish standard grades.
| EXCELLENT - outstanding performance with only minor errors | A | 17-20 |
| VERY GOOD - above the average standard but with some errors | B | 15-16 |
| GOOD - generally sound work with a number of notable errors | C | 13-14 |
| SATISFACTORY - fair but with significant shortcomings | D | 11-12 |
| SUFFICIENT - performance meets the minimum criteria | E | 10 |
| FAIL - some more work required before the credit can be awarded | FX | 8-9 |
| FAIL - considerable further work is required | F | 0-7 |
Grading scale at Thomas More
- G (geslaagd) = P (passed)
- NG (niet geslaagd) = F (failed)
- NA (niet afgelegd) = NT (not taken)
Where can I find the ECHE - Erasmus Charter for Higher Education?
Erasmus charter for higher education for Thomas More Kempen - B GEEL07
Erasmus charter for higher education for Thomas More Antwerpen/Mechelen - B MECHELE14
