Brussels is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The Brussels-Capital Region, one of Belgium''s three regions, is also a city with 19 boroughs covering 162 km2 and housing a million inhabitants. It is officially bilingual (French and Dutch), although it boasts an astonishing variety of cultures, styles and nationalities.

Being the capital of an expanding Europe, Brussels is an international city like no other. 31% of its population is of foreign origin, and this makes for a unique atmosphere in which cultures interact easily with one another.

English is rapidly becoming an important language in Brussels because of the numerous international political organizations. Language is not a barrier in the capital of Europe. These same differences and contrasts can be found in architectural Brussels'' various styles, where you will find Gothic cathedrals and churches Grand Place next to beautiful art nouveau and art deco houses.

The Grand Place (Grote Markt), with its splendid guild houses and the impressive Gothic beauty of its Town Hall, is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe.

Brussels is a historical centre. Whether you want to unravel the mysteries of Brussels by exploring the Atomium, symbol of the 1958 Brussels world fair, or by checking out the different outfits of the world famous Manneken Pis, discovering Brussels will yield many surprises.

Brussels is also a centre for the arts. Feel like delving into its rich cultural heritage? A wide variety of museums, theatres, and concert halls will see to your every need. Grab a movie at Kinepolis, one of the largest in Europe with 24 cinema theaters and a giant IMAX movie screen. Catch a glimpse of the Eiffel tower, the Brandenburg Gate, and other miniature sized major European monuments at MINI EUROPE. Or relive the adventures of Belgium''s comic book heroes like Tintin and his dog Snowy at the Comic Book Museum.

Brussels is also a delight for your taste buds. Chocolate, delicious local cuisine, the smell of hot waffles on a cold winter''s day, bars and pubs that never close. you''ll find it all. Belgium boasts an incredible diversity of beers, many of them flavoured with herbs, spices and fruits.

BrusselsA great many people work in Brussels. It is the headquarters of the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament. The Brussels-Capital Region accounts for nearly 18% of all of Belgium''s exported goods and services. The compulsory medical insurance system provides comprehensive coverage, making health care affordable for all. Patients have free choice of hospital and insurance provider.

A lot of people study in Brussels. Education is free and compulsory until the age of 18. The cost of attending university is very reasonable (especially compared to the US and the UK). This investment in people pays off.

In a 2001 study of the OESO, the Flemish Youth (aged 15) held the world''s highest scores in mathematics, ending third in sciences (after Japan & North Korea). History

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is the offshoot of the French-speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles Gebouw D en E(ULB) that was founded in 1834 by a Brussels lawyer with Flemish origins, Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen. He wanted to establish a university that would be independent from the state and the church and where academic freedom would reign.Although some courses at the ULB''s Faculty of Law were already being taught in Dutch in 1935, it was not until 1963 that almost all the faculties offered courses in Dutch. The Dutch-speaking university was finally split off from its French-speaking counterpart on 1 October 1969.



With the act of 28 May 1970, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Université Libre de Bruxelles officially became two separate legal, administrative and scientific entities.

Basic Philosophy

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is the only Flemish university that has incorporated the principle of ''free inquiry'' in its statutes. This principle is based on a text by the French mathematician and natural philosopher Henri Poincaré (1854-1912), in which he says that:

Thinking must never submit itself,

neither to a dogma,

nor to a party,

nor to a passion,

nor to an interest,

nor to a preconceived idea,

nor to anything whatsoever,

except to the facts themselves,

because for it to submit to anything else wouldZegel Vrije Universiteit Brussel be the end of its existence.

It is no surprise that the seal of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel bears the legend ''scientia vincere tenebras'' (science will triumph over darkness). The beggar''s wallet and the joined hands on the orange-white-blue escutcheon in the emblem (the colours of the Prince of Orange) refer to the struggle of the Protestant Gueux and the Prince of Orange against the Spanish rule and the Inquisition in the 16th Century. The combination of the legend, wallet and joined hands symbolises the free and unfettered spirit of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Another basic principle, also incorporated in the university statutes of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, is that the institution must be managed according to the model of democracy. In concrete terms, this means that all echelons, from professors and assistants over researchers, students, administrative staff and technical personnel, are represented on all its governing bodies.

Thus the university guarantees that every echelon has a voice in its decision-making processes and participates in its management.

Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen

P-T VerhaegenPierre-Théodore Verhaegen was born in Brussels on 5 September 1796. In many respects, his life was typical for the lifestyle of the high bourgeoisie and aristocracy in the first half of the 19th century. Verhaegen worked as a lawyer in Brussels, but he was also an active member of the freemasons, the liberal party, and the Belgian parliament.

Although Verhaegen was a strong supporter of the anticlerical movement, he came from a very traditional Catholic family. Quite a few of his ancestors had been men of the cloth, and he was raised in the faith by devout parents. However, Verhaegen was highly representative for the liberals of his age as regards the ideology behind his anticlerical thinking. The first and foremost concern of these liberals was freedom of thought and action, without any interference from the ecclesiastical authorities.

Verhaegen conceived the idea of a university that would be completely independent from the church and the state and that would be devoted to the principle of free inquiry. It was a dream that came true with the establishment of the ULB in 1834. In contrast to many other prominent liberals, Verhaegen never succeeded in founding a liberal tradition in his own family. His civil funeral ceremony in 1862 was a great liberal and Masonic event, perceived by the Catholics as a scandal, but very important for the introduction and spread of secular rites and rules of social behaviour.

Every year on 20 November, the students and the academic authorities commemorate the founder of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the ULB, Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen. The event is marked by a carnivalesque parade through the streets of Brussels, accompanied by typical student antics. In popular parlance, the day is better known as ''St-Vé''. Traditionally, the academic authorities of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the ULB lay a wreath at the memorial tomb of Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen at the Brussels cemetery in Evere. In addition, the festive commemoration of Verhaegen is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the close ties of friendship between the ULB and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Faculties

Faculty of Law and Criminology

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Campus Etterbeek

Building C, room 4C301

Pleinlaan 2

B-1050 Brussels

Tel. +32 (0)2/629.25.40

E-mail : faculteit.rechten@vub.ac.be

Faculty of economic, political and social sciences and Solvay Business School

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Campus Etterbeek

Building C, room 2C105

Pleinlaan 2

B-1050 Brussels

Tel. +32 (0)2 629 25 09

E-mail : faces@vub.ac.be

Website : http://www.vub.ac.be/masters

Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Campus Etterbeek

Building C, room 3C207

Pleinlaan 2

B-1050 Brussels

Tel. +32 (0)2/629.25.36

E-mail : facpe@vub.ac.be

http://www.vub.ac.be/PE/indexE.html

Faculty of Arts and Philosophy

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Campus Etterbeek

Building C, room 5C403b

Pleinlaan 2

B-1050 Brussels

Tel : +32 (0)2/629.24.99

E-mail : faclw@vub.ac.be

Faculty of Science

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Campus Etterbeek

Building F, room 4F107b

Pleinlaan 2

B-1050 Brussels

Tel. +32 (0)2 629 33.57

Fax. +32 (0)2 629 33.89

E-mail secr@we.vub.ac.be

Website : http://we.vub.ac.be/english/

Faculty of medicine and pharmacy

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Medical Campus Jette

Laarbeeklaan 103

B-1090 Brussels

Building A, room A042

Tel.: +32 (0)2 477 41 09

E-mail : info@gf.vub.ac.be

Website : http://gf.vub.ac.be/english/index.html

Faculty of Engineering

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Campus Etterbeek

Building K, room 2K014

Pleinlaan 2

B-1050 Brussels

Tel. : +32 (0)2/629.29.01

E-mail : secr-dtw@tw.vub.ac.be

http://www.vub.ac.be/IR (--> IR-English)

Faculty of physical education and physiotherapy

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Campus Etterbeek

Building L, room L202

Pleinlaan 2

B-1050 Brussels

Tel. +32 (0)2/629.27.19

e-mail : faclk@vub.ac.be

International Relations and Mobility Office

The International Relations and Mobility Office supports international students; it provides information regarding:

* Building Minternational student services at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

* study abroad opportunities for Belgian students

* international internships abroad

* international initiatives by students in Brussels

* development cooperation

* bilateral agreements between universities

* international programmes such as Erasmus Mundus, Lifelong Learning Programme or LLP, Tempus Tacis, Jean Monnet, Asia Link, etc.

Contact

Visit us in building M (oval-shaped building on campus Etterbeek), ground floor, Room M-001, Pleinlaan 2, B – 1050 Brussels, Belgium

e-mail: international.relations@vub.ac.be

Tel: + 32 (0) 2 629 13 25

Fax: + 32 (0) 2 629 15 01