International Support

Our academic year runs from September until September.  You can start either in September (fall semester) or in February (spring semester).  Curious to find out when your class weeks are and (of course!) when you have holidays? 

• Academic Calendar 2023 - 2024
• Academic Calendar 2024 - 2025 

ISP = Individual Study Programme. This determines  the courses and exams you will take in the coming academic year. Your ISP has to meet the requirements of the (exchange) programme you're registered for. You will get help to set it up during the Welcome Days.

Looking for help?

• Degree student?  Your programme has a student counsellor to assist you in filling out the ISP.  Contact information can be found on the page of your programme on our website.
• Exchange student?  You don't need to worry, your ISP will be made during the Welcome Days with support from the international office and your international coordinator. So easy!

Congratulations! We are so happy to hear that! We are looking forward welcoming you at Thomas More!  

• Degree student? Please upload your visa as soon as possible into our application system and the latest before the end of the 3rd week of the semester start (as indicated in our Education and Exams regulations). After you have uploaded your visa document, you will be able to register at Thomas More and from then on you will have access to our Student Portal full of information for new students!
• Exchange student? You are totally fine, you don't need to upload your visa.

Here are some things you can do to prepare: 

• -> Attend the pre-arrival webinar: We love to prepare you as good as we can, so don't miss this! Get acquainted with Thomas More, ask millions of questions... 
• -> Sign up for the buddy programme: Your first friend is already waiting for you in Belgium!
• -> Search for housing: consult our website.
• -> You will get all the information to create your student account after your registration is complete! 

• Attend the Welcome Days
• Register at the townhall:
  • Non-EEA student? Apply for a residence permit! Within eight days of arrival, you must report your place of residence in Belgium to the municipal administration where you reside. No stress, we will walk you through everything during our Welcome Week. Want to read more now? Check our Student Portal!
• Open a Belgian bank account.
• Sign up for health insurance.
• Set up a mobile phone.
• Taste a Belgian waffle ;-)

In order to activate your account, you will need a personalised URL, your username (= student number) and your date of birth. The Student Administration will send you an email with this personalised link giving you direct access to the account activation page. Follow the link and then confirm your identity using your date of birth.

The Student Portal is your go-to place for information about your study programme, life in Belgium, and much more! Here, you will find everything you need to know, not only about the start of the academic year but also about requesting course exemptions, finding your timetable, ordering textbooks and other practical matters. Log in with your student email, which begins with the r-number found on your student card: r-number@student.thomasmore.be. Your password is the same one you entered when activating your account.

Welcome to Thomas More! We’ve put together a checklist to ensure you have everything you need before starting your higher studies.