# University life

**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/overview.htm
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/social-services/allowance-interest-free-loan

## **Ghent: offbeat city in the heart of Europe**

Discover Ghent: a human-scale city with the heartbeat of a metropolis, a city of trailblazers and free spritis and an authentic place with a rich past and an exciting future.

Ghent is a vibrant city in the centre of Europe. Combining historical beauty with culture, creativity and an excellent restaurant and nightlife scene, Ghent is called Europe’s best kept secret by Lonely Planet and ranked as the third most authentic destination in the world according to National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

Ghent is Ghent University and vice versa: the city and the university are complementary partners. Ghent University regularly meets the city council for informative discussions between city, university and students, about hot topics such as environmental and waste disposal policies.

[Learn more about what Ghent has to offer](https://stad.gent/en/city-promotion/thisisghent) 

## Travel to Ghent

- [How to get to Ghent](https://visit.gent.be/en/good-know/good-know/how-get-ghent)
- [Public transport in Belgium](http://www.belgium.be/en/mobility/public_transport/)
- [Video on how to travel from Brussels International Airport to Ghent](https://youtu.be/iAbikxK22IU)

## About Ghent University

Discover everything you need to know about Ghent University (UGent): from our credo Dare to Think, and our mission and values, to our campuses, locations and history.

[Read more about Ghent University](https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/overview.htm)\
\
\
\

## Housing facilities

Looking for a comfortable and high quality living unit to rent at a competitive price?

### Accomodation for...

- [Exchange students](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/housing/exchange.htm)
- [Degree students](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/housing/accommodation)
- [(Exchange) PhD students](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/housing/phd)
- [Academic and scientific staff/visitors](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/housing/accommodation-staff.htm)

\

[Read more on housing facilities](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/housing)

## Restaurants

Ghent University has a wide range of student restaurants. Staff are also welcome. They are all situated in the vicinity of the faculties. Service and food are of a high quality, the prices are the lowest in town.

- [Student restaurants and cafeterias](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/restaurants/overview.htm)
- [Food and drinks in the city](https://visit.gent.be/en/food-drink)

## Sports Centre

Ghent University boasts a fully-equipped sports centre (called "GUSB"):

- 3 large and 2 small halls for indoor activities
- A 25-meter swimming pool
- An instruction pool
- 2 saunas
- ...

Special attention is devoted to sports for disabled students. The university also offers individual supporting services and counselling for students who are actively involved in top-class sports.

[Read more about the sports centre](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/sport/overview.htm)

## Bicycle rent and transport

The car-free city centre is tailor-made for the pedestrian and the cyclist.

[Bicycle rent and repair](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/bike/overview.htm)

With bus and tram you can reach any part of the city quickly and easily (even on weekend evenings) and taxis are also readily available.

[Getting around in Ghent](https://visit.gent.be/en/good-know/good-know/getting-around)

Our university is not located on one campus, like many other universities. Most faculties have a building of their own.

[Location of faculties and services at Ghent University](https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/campuses "Map and directions")

## Cost of living in Belgium

How much does life in Belgium cost?

[View the average amounts](http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Belgium)

## Job service for students

Ghent University has a job database in order to help students find a suitable student job.

[Find the perfect student job](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/jobservice/overview.htm)

## Everyday life and family

- [Child care and international schools](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/childcare-school/overview.htm)
- [Medical service for students](https://www.ugent.be/student/en/study-support/medical)
- [Pregnancy](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/pregnancy.htm)
- Intending on bringing your family with you? Read more about the [family reunification procedure](https://www.expatica.com/be/moving/visas/family-reunion-and-spouse-visas-belgium-107646/)
- [Banking](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/money/banking.htm)
- [Taxes and other payments requests](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/money/taxes.htm "Taxes")

[Discover all employee benefits](https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/next-steps/employeebenefits.htm)

For Ghent University related administration, funding and fees, visit the pages for [prospective students](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en), [current students](https://www.ugent.be/student/en), [PhD](https://www.ugent.be/phd) or staff.

## Culture and leisure

There is so much to experience at Ghent University and in the city of Ghent! Looking for a student association? Visit our science museum, the GUM (Ghent University Museum). Join one of our choirs or orchestras. Discover our regional platforms. And more!

- [Culture and leisure](https://www.ugent.be/en/facilities/culture-leisure.htm)
- [General introduction to Belgium](https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belgium.be%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FBrochure_2022_Anglais_web.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CFran.Desmet%40UGent.be%7C73d6f088e05743d7ba4b08dc5fbc428f%7Cd7811cdeecef496c8f91a1786241b99c%7C1%7C0%7C638490509386629446%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=i8ma%2Bj5J6kmuRWO8i1RdE3S4eGx4zer9aoV%2Fw71R4z0%3D&reserved=0)

## Programmes

Curious to see if one of our programmes is the perfect fit for you? We offer master programmes, postgraduate studies and exchange programmes taught in English. Or maybe you're more interested in PhD studies or courses for Lifelong learning?

- [Discover all programmes](https://www.ugent.be/en/programmes)
- [General information on studying in Ghent](https://stad.gent/en/international-students)