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University of Ghent

136 129   Arts & Humanities166  Natural Sciences
133  Engineering & IT197  Social Sciences
World Rankings113  Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Source: Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings Copyright © 2009 QS Intelligence Unit
136 120   Arts & Humanities156  Natural Sciences
148  Engineering & IT205  Social Sciences
World Rankings127  Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Source: Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings Copyright © 2009 QS Intelligence Unit
124 115  Arts & Humanities148  Natural Sciences
146  Engineering & IT223  Social Sciences
World Rankings163  Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Source: Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings Copyright © 2009 QS Intelligence Unit
141=     
    
World Rankings  
Source: Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings Copyright © 2009 QS Intelligence Unit


In student numbers as well as in research impact, Ghent University is one of the fastest growing institutions of Higher Education in Europe. The university’s 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 university’s 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 University’s 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 Faculty Staff Headcount: 5,445 FTE: 4,243

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, tutors or postdoctoral researchers. Please exclude research assistants*, PhD students who contribute to teaching, hospital residents and exchange scholars or visiting faculty staff who are members of another university. * The important distinction for us is that staff counted as 'research only' should be academically involved in that research and should be likely to publish research outputs. A research assistant, in our understanding, is any individual who is not doing own research and is therefore not likely to publish own research outputs. Said individual is (only) involved in research in terms of operation execution , such as lab technician or equipment operator.

Number of International Faculty Staff Headcount: 716 FTE: 599

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. In case of dual citizenship, the 'deciding' criteria should be 'citizenship obtained through birth', basically first passport obtained.
Number of Outbound Visiting Faculty Staff Headcount: 154 FTE: 0

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: 16,668 FTE: 16,025

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: 594 FTE: 552

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. In case of dual citizenship, the 'deciding' criteria should be 'citizenship obtained through birth', basically first passport obtained. Please exclude all exchange students. As for language students, if the language students take up a particular language course that is outlined as 'undergraduate degree program' they should be included under 'international undergraduate students' . Language students who take part in a course not contributing to a degree qualification should be counted under 'Total International Students'.

Average International Undergraduate Fees $ EUR 533

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: 12,591 FTE: 12,021

Students pursuing a higher-level degree (Master and Doctorate), including both taught and research postgraduates (e.g. PhD students)
Number of International Graduate/Postgraduate Students Headcount: 1,500 FTE: 1,432

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. In case of dual citizenship, the 'deciding' criteria should be 'citizenship obtained through birth', basically first passport obtained. Please exclude all exchange students. As for language students, if they take up a particular language course that is outlined as 'postgraduate degree program', they should be included under 'international postgraduate students'. Language students who take part in a course not contributing to a degree qualification should be counted under 'Total International Students'.

Average International Graduate / Postgraduate Fees $ EUR 533

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 533

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: 29,259

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. In case of dual citizenship, the 'deciding' criteria should be 'citizenship obtained through birth', basically first passport obtained.
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 Headcount: 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 Headcount: 90 %

Proportion of graduates (excluding those opting to pursue further study) in permanent employment within 6 months of graduation
Number of PhDs Awarded Headcount: 389

Total number of PhDs awarded in the last 12 months
  • Department of Administrative Affairs
  • Department of Educational Affairs
  • Department of Research Affairs
  • Doctoral Schools Coordination Unit
  • Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
  • Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
  • Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
  • Faculty of Sciences
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  • Office of International Affairs