QS Top Universities: Schools

In student numbers as well as in research impact, Ghent University is one of the fastest growing institutions of Higher Education in Europe. The universitys various campuses in and around the city firmly embed university life within the vibrant city culture. The city of Ghent is unique in Belgium in its balanced combination of a picturesque historical city centre, vibrant business developments and a dynamic university. Needless to say, various research departments in the university cooperate with social and industrial organizations in the region. Its motto Sapere aude or dare to think is the driving force behind the universitys aspirations in education as well as research.

In 2007, Ghent University attracted over 29,500 students, with a foreign population of nearly 2700 EU and non-EU citizens. Through its 11 faculties and 5 Doctoral Schools, Ghent University offers a broad range of study programmes in all academic and scientific branches. A number of English-language master programmes, as well as a wide range of Ph.D. programmes, have been designed especially to attract internationally mobile students and researchers. For example, the University has recently been praised as one of the success stories of the Erasmus Exchange programme, and is now engaged in three new Erasmus Mundus International Cooperation Window programmes.

With a view to cooperation in research and community service, numerous research groups, centres and institutes have been founded over the years. A new spearhead policy in research is aiming towards interdisciplinary collaboration and top-level achievements in a number of selected fields. International cooperation strategies are matching these ambitions. Ghent university now ranks within the top-100 on indicators measuring research productivity and quality. Also the Shanghai Ranking has recognized Ghent Universitys research profile as the best in Belgium.

Highly ambitious, but constantly focused on quality, Ghent University aims to add force to the achievements of some of its well-know academics such as Heymans (Nobel prize for Medicine), Baekeland (inventor of Bakelite), Van Montagu, Schell and Fiers (founders of biotechnology) and has recently attracted high-potential international academics in a range of fields. Providing a pleasant work environment and interesting career opportunities are high on the agenda. The university was awarded 6th place by the readers of The Scientist in their most recent list of best places to work in academia outside the US.

While Ghent University aims to attract excellent students and researchers, participation from students from disadvantaged backgrounds and regions is actively promoted through a range of bursaries, scholarships and development cooperation programmes. Next to excellent student facilities, the university is proud of its distinctive and extensive library collection, which made the Ghent University Library one of the chosen partners in the Google Books Library Project.

Faculty

Number of International Faculty Staff	Headcount: 460 FTE: 419
Number of academic faculty staff who are of foreign nationality. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even if from another EU state. In Hong Kong, this includes professors from Mainland China. Inclusion and exclusion mirrors those for academic faculty staff.
Number of Faculty Staff	Headcount: 4,670 FTE: 3,992
Total number of academic faculty staff who are responsible for planning, directing and undertaking teaching only, research only or both teaching and research. Please include: vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors, principals, professors, heads of school, associate professors, principal lecturers and tutors. Please exclude research assistants, PhD students who contribute to teaching, and exchange scholars or visiting professors who are members of another university. FAQ: How is research assistant defined?
Number of Inbound Visiting Faculty Staff	Headcount: 293 FTE: 73
Number of academic faculty staff contributing to teaching or research at your university in the last 12 months who are visiting from an overseas institution for a minimum period of at least 3 months.
Number of Outbound Visiting Faculty Staff	Headcount: 154
Number of academic faculty staff employed by your institution contributing to teaching or research at an overseas institution in the last 12 months for a minimum period of at least 3 months.

Undergraduate Information

Number of Undergraduate Students	Headcount: 15,751 FTE: 15,600
Number of students pursuing a Bachelor�s level or equivalent degree. This excludes certificates/diplomas and associate�s degrees.
Number of International Undergraduate Students	Headcount: 672 FTE: 669
Number of undergraduate students who are foreign nationals. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China. Please exclude all exchange students.
Average International Undergraduate Fees	€ EUR 540
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that an international student would be expected to pay for an undergraduate program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?

Graduate / Postgraduate Information

Number of Graduate / Postgraduate Students	Headcount: 13,802 FTE: 13,653
Students pursuing a higher-level degree (Master and Doctorate), including both taught and research postgraduates (e.g. PhD students)
Number of International Graduate Students	Headcount: 2,019 FTE: 1,997
Number of graduate / postgraduate students who are foreign nationals. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China.
Average International Graduate / Postgraduate Fees	€ EUR 540
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that an international student would be expected to pay for a graduate / postgraduate program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Average Domestic Graduate / Postgraduate Fees	€ EUR 540
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that a domestic student would be expected to pay for a graduate / postgraduate program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?

Students

Total Students	Headcount: 29,553 FTE: 29,253
Total number of students.
Total International Students	Headcount: 2,691 FTE: 2,667
Number of students who are foreign nationals. The term �international� is hereby determined by citizenship. For EU countries, this includes all foreign nationals, even nationals of other EU states. In Hong Kong, this includes students from Mainland China.
Total Outbound Exchange Students	Headcount: 475 FTE: 266
Total number of students registered at your institution who have attended another institution on an exchange program for at least 1 semester in the last 12 months.
Total Inbound Exchange Students	Headcount: 816 FTE: 408
Total number of students attending your university on international exchange programs for at least 1 semester in the last 12 months.
Average International Student Fees	€ EUR 540
Average tuition fees per year that an international student would be expected to pay for any course
Average Domestic Student Fees	€ EUR 540
Average tuition fees per academic year (two semesters) that a domestic student would be expected to pay for any program, with �program� referring to the complete range of courses contributing to a degree. FAQ: How do I calculate average fees?
Average Class Size	42
The average size of class across all programs. The term �class� refers to an unit of instruction or taught session in which a teacher has pre-defined material to cover. It does exclude tutorial seminars.

Graduate Output

Proportion of Graduates Employed	90%
Proportion of graduates (excluding those opting to pursue further study) in permanent employment within 6 months of graduation
Number of PhDs Awarded	365
Total number of PhDs awarded in the last 12 months

Research Productivity & Quality

Number of Papers	11,935
Total number of papers published in ESI indexed journals in the past 5 years
Number of Citations	67,920
Total number of citations for papers published in ESI indexed journals in the past 5 years