Organisation of studies
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The academic year is divided up into three terms:
- the first runs from mid September to the end of December.
- the second runs from early February to mid May.
- the third is taken up by the summer break and the second examination session.
The examinations are organised at the end of each term: in January for the first term courses, and the end of May/early June for the second term courses.
Students have the possibility of retaking the examinations in which they have not obtained a satisfactory result (a grade of 10 out of 20 at least) during a second session of examinations that extends from mid August to early September.
Conditions for success To pass the academic year, the student must obtain an average grade that is equal to or higher than 12/20 over all of their exams and have no individual grade lower than 10/20.
We often talk of ECTS credits in the programs of study. An ECTS credit corresponds to a standard rate of 30 hours of learning activities (lectures, practical work, personal work, group work, projects, internships, etc.).
Generally, 1 year of studies = 60 ECTS credits. Please note: the credits are only granted to students who pass their exams.
The possibility of changing your field or type of study (Bridging or “Passerelle”)
Students following a course of higher education have the possibility of switching to another field of study or of extending it towards other training courses than those initially chosen. The bridging scheme applies both to students who have completed their studies in Wallonia-Brussels and to those that benefit from a total or partial equivalence of their foreign qualification in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels.
Example: The holder of an academic degree issued by a university college can be admitted to a graduate program at a university respecting specific conditions set by the regulations in force. To find out more, consult the Bridging website of the Ministry of Federation Wallonia-Brussels.
