Would you like to enrol in a Dutch-language study programme in higher education and prepare by learning Dutch in one year ? On this page you will find all the information about the Dutch Preparatory Year at Linguapolis: from the programme’s contents to submitting your application.
What does the programme look like?
The Prep Year is a full-time programme that entitles you to a student visa for those who want to enrol for a Dutch-language study programme at a higher education institution in Belgium. You will learn Dutch from the absolute beginner level up to level 5.
- You will attend classes for 15 hours a week during the day, Monday to Friday.
- You need to schedule sufficient time for self-study.
- You will also follow courses on Culture of the Low Countries, Academic Skills and Phonetics.
If you pass the final exam, the Interuniversitaire Taaltest Nederlands voor Anderstaligen (ITNA, Interuniversity Language Test: Dutch as a Foreign Language), you can enrol for a study programme at a higher education institution in Flanders.
Find out more about the programme in our study guide!
Download pdf (in English, 2.089 KB)
Why choose the Prep Year at Linguapolis?
- You will become a student at the University of Antwerp, which means that you can use your student card to access university facilities.
- You will be taught by the most experienced language teachers who will fully support you in your learning process and future in Antwerp.
- You can practise Dutch with your language buddy through Taalmaat.
- You will make friends for life during all kinds of cultural and social activities.
Alumna Camila shares her experience
Watch video
What's the price?
Total tuition fee
The total tuition fee is:
- € 4 895 for students who are nationals of a member state of the European Economic Area. € 2 000 of this sum needs to be paid in advance.
- € 6 625 for students who are not nationals of a member state of the European Economic Area. € 2 000 of this sum needs to be paid in advance.
! Accommodation is not included in the tuition fee.
Scholarships for refugees
A limited number of scholarships is available for refugees. Deadlines for academic year 2025-2026 will be announced on 1 May 2025. You can read more about the conditions and the application procedure here.
What enrolment conditions must you meet?
In order to apply for the Preparatory One-Year Programme: Dutch as a Foreign Language in an Academic Context, you will need to comply with:
Visa requirements
Depending on your nationality, you will need a visa to follow the Dutch Preparatory Programme at Linguapolis. Check whether you need a visa here.
In order to obtain a student visa for the Preparatory One-Year Programme: Dutch as a Foreign Language in an Academic Context, candidates will need to be accepted for both the Preparatory One-Year Programme and the (under)graduate degree they intend to start in the following academic year.
Please note: When you plan to continue your studies at the University of Antwerp, Artesis Plantijn University College or Karel de Grote University College, you only need to submit one application; the application for the Dutch language year will automatically be included if your level of Dutch is insufficient. Upon successfully completing your application you will receive both Letters of Acceptance needed to apply for a student visa.
A visa will not be approved if it is just for a language course. As a result, a second Letter of Acceptance from a Flemish university or college is required.
You will be required to upload the following documents:
- A copy of a valid passport or identity card
Info for Ukrainian Nationals
For our admission purposes, all Ukrainian nationals will be considered as EEA nationals. You can apply until 31 August 2025 (instead of 1 March 2025).
The tuition fees payable will be equivalent to those for EEA nationals if you have temporary protection status at the time of enrollment.
Important information for students with a Chinese diploma
All students with a Chinese diploma who want to come to Belgium to study will have to obtain a certificate of academic screening issued by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) of the German Embassy in Beijing before being granted admission to any higher education institution, language course or other preparatory course in Flanders. APS formulates a non-binding recommendation for the university concerning the level of the student. Please note that an APS certificate is a required condition, but not sufficient for being admitted to any higher education institute. The APS certificate is also required for obtaining a Belgian student visa. Chinese students planning to study in Flanders are advised to contact the Academic Evaluation Centre in Beijing as soon as possible in order to make the necessary arrangements. They should do this before applying for a visa. More information on APS can be found at the website www.aps.org.cn.
Diploma requirements
You have successfully completed secondary school (1) and the degree must give access to higher studies in the country where the diploma was obtained (2).
You will be required to upload the following documents:
- Applicants currently completing their final year of secondary school must submit a copy of an original and signed letter from their secondary school confirming that they are expected to successfully complete secondary school at the end of the current academic year.
- A copy of your secondary school certificate (translated into Dutch, English, French or German)
- A copy of your secondary school transcript of records (translated into Dutch, English, French or German)
- (if applicable) Copies of other diplomas, degrees or certificates
- (if applicable) For Chinese students: the APS certificate.
- (if applicable) A copy of your country's national exam results that allow you to start higher education.
Language requirements
- You have an intermediate knowledge of English (= level B1 in the CEFR)
- Native speakers of English, and/or students who attended a secondary school where the language of instruction was English, must have experience in studying another European language as a foreign language (either as a curricular course, or as an extra-curricular course consisting of at least 50 hours).
You will be required to upload the following documents:
Proof that you have studied English as a foreign language
or (if English is your mother tongue or if English was the language of instruction at your secondary school) proof that you have studied another European language as a foreign language
How and when do you submit an application?
Applications for the academic year 2025-2026 are now open!
Webinar
Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CET, where we’ll walk you through the application process. There will also be time for a Q&A session at the end.
You have other questions!
- Be sure to read our study guide for the 2025-2026 academic year
- Check out the answers to frequently asked questions
- Get in touch with the secretary’s office at prepyear@linguapolis.be
- Rewatch our webinar 'How to apply to the Dutch Prep Year 2024-2025'
Stay up to date
Would you like to receive reminders to submit your application a few times a year, or would you like to be notified of future start dates? Then subscribe to our newsletter below! You will only receive information about the Preparatory One-year Programme.