University studies are organized in three cycles

The 1st cycle of studies offers students core teaching in the chosen discipline, as well as a broad general education. They lead to the academic qualification of bachelor, with a duration of three years (180 credits).

The 2nd cycle of studies provides specialized content whilst allowing for further development of the scientific research process. These studies lead to the academic qualification of:

•    master after one year (60 credits), or in the majority of cases after two years (120 credits);
•    veterinary doctor after three years (180 credits);
•    Doctor in medicine after four years (240 credits).

The academic qualification of advanced master enables the acquisition of a specialist professional qualification. This program, with at least 60 credits, may be acquired following an initial program of at least 300 credits.

The 3rd cycle of studies includes on the one hand the doctoral program (60 credits), which leads to a research training certificate, and on the other hand work linked to the preparation of a doctorate thesis, which leads to the academic qualification of doctor following thesis examination. In the French Community of Belgium, the Fonds national de la Recherche scientifique (FNRS) manages the twenty doctoral schools that group together the thematic doctoral schools. In principle, they are inter-university, interdisciplinary and international.
Higher education organized outside of university institutions

Higher education organized outside of university institutions aims at obtaining professional or artistic higher qualifications.
The Institutes of Higher Education and Colleges of the Arts organize higher education programs of the long or short type. The Higher Institutes of Architecture only offer long-term higher education programs.

Short-term courses are organized in a single vocational cycle and carry the academic qualification of bachelor. They carry between 180 and 240 credits, which may respectively be acquired over three or, exceptionally, four years of study. This program is at once practical and theoretical. Some institutes of Higher Education offer short-term programs of study.

Long-term non-university higher education is organized in two cycles and is of university level:

•    The 1st cycle carries 180 credits which may be acquired in three years of study; it leads to the academic qualification of bachelor.
•    The 2nd cycle carries 60 or 120 credits, which may respectively be acquired over one or two years of study at the least, and leads to the academic qualification of master