When students ask us about affordable, English-taught degrees in Europe, Belgium doesn’t always come up first. Belgium’s reputation abroad often gets overshadowed by bigger names like Germany or the Netherlands. But for students with a technical or life-sciences background looking for a program that’s genuinely in demand, it deserves a much closer look. One example worth understanding in detail is the Advanced Bachelor of Bioinformatics at Howest University of Applied Sciences.

Why bioinformatics, specifically

Bioinformatics sits at the intersection of biology and computer science. Think processing genetic data, running statistical analysis on biological research, or building the software tools that laboratories and pharmaceutical companies depend on. It’s a field with a genuine talent shortage in Europe, which matters for two reasons: strong job prospects during and after study, and programs that are increasingly open to international students with the right technical or scientific background coming in.

Howest’s program, taught entirely in English, is built for exactly this. Students coming either from a molecular biology background or from an IT background, learning to work with tools like Python, R, and biological databases, with a strong emphasis on hands-on, practical training rather than pure theory. You can see the full range of English-taught programs Howest offers on their official programme finder.

What makes it realistic for students from Rwanda or Cameroon

A few things stack in favor of a program like this compared to some of the more commonly discussed European destinations.

It’s genuinely English-taught, start to finish. There’s no requirement to learn Dutch or French before you can follow lectures.

Belgium’s cost of living is more manageable than several of its neighbors, particularly outside Brussels, in cities like Kortrijk or Bruges where Howest is based.

The program is short and focused. An advanced bachelor’s format means it builds on an existing bachelor’s degree rather than starting from zero, which shortens the overall time (and cost) to a qualification.

None of this makes it effortless. A genuine background in biology, IT, or a related field is expected, and applicants typically need to show they can follow instruction at that technical level.

The paperwork side (this is where most delays happen)

Every international application to a Belgian institution involves a legalized, certified translation of your existing diploma and transcripts. This isn’t optional, and it’s usually one of the first documents requested once conditional admission is granted. Belgium’s academic system is also strict about deadlines for the “blocked account” (proof of funds) and legalized document submission, often months ahead of the actual start date. Missing that window by even a few days can push an entire application to the next intake.

This is exactly the kind of process where having translation and admissions guidance under one roof saves real time. Instead of finding a translator separately from your admissions counselor, both pieces move together.

What a real journey through this process looks like

We walked one student from Cameroon through this exact pathway, from academic assessment through to a confirmed seat at Howest. It’s a useful read if you want to see what the timeline and document sequence actually looked like in practice, not just in theory. Read the full case study.

How Ngaija supports applications like this

Our Student Recruitment Unit handles the academic assessment, matches your profile against real entry requirements (not just program marketing pages), certifies your transcripts and diplomas in-house, and guides you through the blocked account and visa process step by step. See our Destinations and Students pages for the full picture across Belgium, Poland, Finland, Spain, Italy, and Turkey, or reach out directly if Belgium is the one you’re weighing right now.