The Flemish higher education system is a binary system, consisting of 18 publicly funded higher education institutions: five universities, of which the oldest dates back to 1425, and 13 small and medium sized university colleges, also known as universities of applied sciences (and arts). 

Universities are research intensive universities, offering academic bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, advanced master’s degrees, PhD’s and postgraduate certificates. 

Universities of applied sciences (and arts) are higher education institutions with a strong practice-based focus, offering associate degrees, professional bachelor’s degrees, advanced bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate certificates. 

The schools of arts are integrated in the universities of applied sciences and arts. Beside professional bachelor’s degrees, schools of arts also offer academic bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, advanced master’s degrees and PhDs. 

The Antwerp Maritime Academy offers professional as well as academic bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and PhDs. 

All institutions offer higher education according to the principles of the European Higher Education Area. Their degree programmes are accredited (i.e. officially recognised) by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). 

The language of instruction of most study programmes is Dutch. You will find English taught programmes at bachelor’s level and more extensively at master’s and PhD level. Overall you will find 12% of international students enrolled in Flemish higher education institutions. 

The Flemish Higher Education system is part of the European Higher Education Area, where we use the ECTS credit system. ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. A year of full-time studies at university or university of applied sciences level is generally worth 60 ECTS credits, and defined as equal to 1,500 – 1,800 hours of study work. This means 1 ECTS is equal to between 25 to 30 hours. 

Source : https://www.studyinflanders.be/higher-education-in-flanders