Studying in Ghent
Ghent is a student city in Belgium.
Ghent is a compact canal city where a very large student community shapes daily life around the central campuses, Sint-Pieters, Coupure and the south. Cycling is usually the fastest way around, while a tight rental market means you should start housing early and check exactly which university residence quota you qualify for.
Overview
Ghent gives you a dense medieval centre, busy university quarters and an everyday culture built around bicycles. Student life is especially visible between the central campuses, Stalhof, Overpoort, Coupure and Sint-Pieters, but teaching also takes place around Campus Sterre, the university hospital and sites outside the inner city.
The centre is compact enough to cross quickly, while most outer campuses remain manageable by bicycle, tram or bus. Ghent feels lively without the scale of a capital, and its canals, towers, markets, parks and festivals sit close to the places where students study and live.
Source: https://stad.gent/en/international-students
Getting There
From Brussels Airport, direct trains connect to Gent-Sint-Pieters in about 55 minutes, so a change in central Brussels is usually unnecessary. The Brussels Airport Supplement is included in most through-tickets to or from the airport; where it is not included, the current supplement is €6.90 per journey. Buy the complete airport journey rather than assuming a normal Belgian rail ticket is sufficient.
From Gent-Sint-Pieters you can continue by tram, bus, bicycle or taxi. Brussels South Charleroi Airport is farther away and usually requires a bus or shuttle connection followed by rail, so check the full route and final arrival time before choosing it for a late flight.
Source: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/tickets-and-railcards/airports/brussels-airport/
Student Life
Start with your university welcome programme and the student association linked to your subject. Ghent University also supports sport, culture, student restaurants and a broad range of student organisations, while HOGENT and Artevelde University of Applied Sciences add their own communities across the city.
Your week can move between campus events, association activities, cafés, sports, concerts and the Overpoort student area. The Ghent Festivities turn the centre into a major summer event, while smaller cultural programmes, markets and university activities continue throughout the academic year.
Source: https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/facilities
Cost of Living
Ghent University gives an indicative total of about €1,200 to €1,800 per month for one person. Its current guidance estimates shared rooms or student housing at about €400 to €650, groceries at €250 to €500, transport at €0 to €60 and personal expenses at €100 to €200 per month. A private studio or small flat is estimated at about €700 to €1050 before other costs.
Your first month is usually more expensive because of a deposit, furniture, a bicycle and possible utility setup costs. Sharing housing, using student restaurants, cycling and comparing discount supermarkets can keep you closer to the lower end of the range. Treat every figure as an approximate 2026 planning amount rather than a guaranteed budget.
Source: https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/welcoming-new-staff/costoflivingghent.html/
University Districts
Stalhof and Overpoort place you beside central campuses and the busiest student nightlife, which is convenient but noisy. Sint-Pieters is practical for the main station and Campus Sterre, while Coupure and Bijloke combine university buildings, canals and a quieter residential feel. Zuid is central and well connected, with shops and cultural venues close by.
Dampoort and parts of the east can offer a different housing market but may add travel time to southern campuses. Because Ghent is compact, a safe bicycle route or direct tram often matters more than the straight-line distance to the centre. Visit the street at both daytime and evening before signing a private contract.
Source: https://visit.gent.be/en/ghent-lifestyle
Food & Essentials
Ghent University operates restaurants and cafeterias across its campuses, with menus, opening hours and current prices published online. These are useful for a quick lunch between classes, while campus location and teaching periods affect which venues are open.
For groceries, students commonly use Colruyt, Aldi, Lidl and larger neighbourhood supermarkets. The city centre, Dok Noord, Zuid and the station districts have broad eating options, while markets and food halls add local produce and prepared food. Eating out regularly costs much more than cooking, so check the university weekly menus before planning your food budget.
Source: https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/restaurants
Getting Around
Most students use a bicycle for daily travel because the centre, main station and central campuses are close together. De Lijn trams and buses fill the gaps, especially for the hospital, outer campuses and evenings when you do not want to cycle.
A De Lijn single ticket costs €3 and permits travel for 60 minutes. For travellers aged 18 to 24, the Buzzy Pazz costs €40 for one month, €98 for three months or €165 for twelve months, plus €10 in MOBIB administrative fees when a card is required. The 18–24 annual pass is valid on De Lijn bus and tram services across Flanders, not only within Ghent. Check whether your institution or municipality offers an additional mobility benefit before buying a long pass.
Source: https://www.delijn.be/en/content/abonnementen/buzzy-pazz/
Healthcare Locally
Ghent University students can contact the university medical service for appointments and student-focused care. The student wellbeing service also provides psychological support and guidance when stress, loneliness or study pressure begins to affect daily life.
For an urgent medical problem outside normal consultation hours, call 1733 to reach the local out-of-hours doctor service. Call 112 for a life-threatening emergency. Save the address of the nearest hospital or urgent-care service once you know where you will live.
Source: https://www.ugent.be/student/en/study-support/medical
Safety
Use normal city precautions around busy stations, nightlife streets and crowded events. Lock your room, do not leave valuables visible and use a strong bicycle lock attached to a fixed object, since bicycle theft is one of the most practical risks for students.
Take extra care when cycling beside tram tracks, canals and busy junctions, particularly in rain or after a night out. For private housing, verify the landlord and address before paying anything because fraudulent rental advertisements target students during the busiest search periods.
Source: https://stad.gent/en/international-students/living/accommodation/safety
Nightlife & Culture
Overpoortstraat is the clearest student nightlife area, with many venues close together near the central campuses. Vlasmarkt and Oude Beestenmarkt provide bars, clubs and late-night options nearer the historic centre, while smaller venues across Ghent host concerts, electronic music and cultural events.
Prices and crowds change sharply by venue and event, so student association nights can be cheaper than a general weekend club night. Ghent asks nightlife visitors to respect residential streets, especially during the quiet hours between 22:00 and 06:00.
Source: https://visit.gent.be/en/nightlife-ghent
Photos
The Graslei and Korenlei quays form the best-known canal view, framed by historic guild houses and bridges. The Castle of the Counts, Saint Bavo Cathedral, the Belfry and the three-tower skyline sit within walking distance, while former industrial sites and contemporary cultural spaces extend the city beyond its medieval centre.
Student Ghent also looks different from the postcard core. Expect bicycles outside faculty buildings, modern university complexes around the south, leafy paths beside the Coupure canal and busy evening streets around Overpoort.
Source: https://visit.gent.be/en/see-do
Common questions about studying in Ghent
What is student life like in Ghent?
Orientation, student associations and city traditions give you many ways to meet people.
How much does it cost to live in Ghent as a student?
A careful 2026 budget is roughly €1,200 to €1,800 per month, with rent as the largest variable.
Which areas of Ghent are useful for students to know?
The student belt south of the centre is social, while station and canal districts feel calmer.
How do students get around Ghent?
Cycling is usually fastest, with trams and buses covering longer or wet-weather trips.
What should students know about healthcare in Ghent?
Use the university medical service for routine needs and the local duty doctor after hours.