Home to over 100,000 students, Brussels is the largest student city in Belgium and now the brand new GIS Brussels campus where students can study a Postgraduate Diploma in International Football Business at RSC Anderlecht's Lotto Park.
As you’d expect from one of Europe’s most historical and culturally significant cities, there is a wide and varied array of experiences just waiting to be discovered by students.
Sitting at the heart of Europe, and home to the European Union and NATO, Brussels is rich in heritage, history and architecture, and is just as quirky as it is formal. Below, we’ve pulled together some fun and practical tips for what to expect in Brussels as a student…
Getting around
Brussels runs an efficient public transport system known as MIVB (or STIB in French), consisting of the bus, tram and metro. If you’re under 24, don’t miss out on the €12 season ticket. This gives you access to all transport in the city, including night buses, offering incredible value. Make sure to also download the MIVB app for real-time information.
Food and drink
Brussels, and Belgium in general, is world-renowned for three culinary exports – moules frites (mussels and chips), chocolate and waffles. New students to Brussels will be pleased to hear that the city offers all three in abundance. Did you know that some restaurants offer portion sizes of moules up to 1kg! if it’s just the fries you are after, then Frit Flagey and Chouke are both cheap and brilliant options.
Nightlife
Whether it’s live music, clubbing or just a quiet drink you’re after, Brussels has something for everyone. Café Bizon is a popular spot for students and offers great live music and a choice of famous Belgian beers, while Café Bonnefooi has a range of entertainment, including live jazz, set in a cosy environment. For those who like their evenings to be a little more lively, nightclubs including Fuse and C12 are two popular spots to let your hair down.
Parks and green spaces
Looking to unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle? Brussels has over 8,000 hectares of parks, forests and other tranquil green spaces. Brussels Park is the oldest in the city, while Josaphat Park is a popular spot for locals with its pavilions and array of statues to explore. Sonian Forest features the Red Monastery, and Leopold Park is on the site of a former zoo.
Sport in Brussels
Brussels is home to two Belgian Pro League teams – Union Saint-Gillois and RSC Anderlecht, with the latter playing their home games at Lotto Park, Global Institute of Sport’s newest state-of-the-art campus. Away from football, padel is a popular racquet sport right now in Brussels, with many tennis clubs around the city installing indoor and outdoor courts for enthusiasts. And finally, it's worth noting that cycling is almost a religion in Belgium. With a keen eye on a certain race in France each summer, locals and visitors are encouraged to saddle up and experience Brussels 220km cycle network.
Fancy a day trip to Paris?
Brussels is at the heart of Europe, as its transport links around the continent show. The easiest and greenest way to get around is by train. Paris is just 80 minutes away, and Amsterdam is under two hours, offering you easy access to even more European adventures.
Brussel Brost
Brussel Bost is a free festival for students that kicks off the academic year. This unmissable event is now firmly placed in the Brussels student calendar, where students from all over the city come together to dance and celebrate with live music and DJs across multiple stages. This year’s event takes place on Thursday 26th September.
Learn more about the Postgraduate Diploma in International Football Business at GIS Brussels.
Article written by Neil Hawkins.
