UMD: A Globally Connected University

BMGT Exchange: Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (Belgium)

Brussels, Belgium
Terms Offered: 
Fall
Spring
Program Type: 
Exchange
Program Home Page: 
https://sbsem.ulb.be/international/incoming-students
Credit Type: 
Transfer Credit
Minimum GPA: 
3.0
Non-UMD Students Eligible to Apply: 
No
EA Advisor: 
Rachel McCloud
Language of Instruction: 
English,French

 

 

All students accepted to an Exchange program are automatically considered for an award of $1,000! See Cost tab for more information.

Host Institution
Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, founded in 1903 as part of the Universié Libre de Bruxelles, is home to 1,800 students, many of those students from foreign countries. The school is located in Brussels and is less than two hours from France, England, Germany, and the Netherlands. The school recently moved to a new high tech building in 2010.

Host City
Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management is located in the center of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Considered the capital of the European Union, Brussels is the largest city in Belgium. With the headquarters of NATO and other multinational organizations, Brussels is a great place to study Europe and its financial and political interactions with other countries. With a population of over one million, there is plenty to do in the city. Whether it’s to satisfy your craving for high art (try the Magritte Museum) or delectable food (go for the waffles and chocolate bars), Brussels has something for everyone.
 

Exchange programs are highly competitive and space in each program is limited. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply to this program:

  • 3.0 GPA
  • Completion of 2 semesters at UMD
  • You must be a BMGT major

Exchange programs are a good fit for students looking for immersion, personal growth, and the opportunity to strengthen qualities such as independence and adaptability.

Student Visa Information
https://www.belgium.be/en/education/coming_to_study_in_belgium

  1. Click "Apply Now" at the top of this page. You will log in with your UMD directory ID and password.
  2. Submit all application materials by the deadline listed below. This includes meeting with your EA advisor (listed at the top of this page), and may include requesting a faculty letter of recommendation, and submitting an official transcript. If a letter of recommendation and/or official transcript are required, it will be listed in MyEA once you start an application for this program. 
  3. After the application deadline, we will review all completed applications and nominate students for available spots in each exchange program.
  4. If you are nominated to participate in this exchange, you will work with your EA advisor (listed above) to apply directly to the host university, who will formally admit you to the exchange program. Nominated students must complete the host university application in accordance with the host university’s stated deadlines and instructions.
  5. Nominated students will then work with their EA advisor (listed above) and our partner universities to coordinate all aspects of the stay at the host university such as course registration, visas and arrival.

Academic Planning

Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:

Coursework

Students will select their courses according to their programs, which include: Bachelor in Business Engineering, Bachelor in Economics, Master in Business Engineering, Master in Advanced Economics, Master in Economics, and other. Students can take classes outside their programs, but 60% of their course load must be from their own program. Note that UMD cannot guarantee that a particular course will be offered in any given semester at Solvay.

Roughly half of the master courses are taught in English, so it is possible to have a course program taught entirely in English. Students can additionally take free French courses while abroad aimed towards students with a good background of French to being with.  
 

 

There may be other course offerings on this program that are not currently listed in the Study Abroad Course Database (SACD).  If you are interested in taking a course not listed in the SACD, please submit a transfer credit evaluation request.
 

Credit

All credit you earn on this program will count as transfer credit towards your UMD degree.  Most courses at Exchange: Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management will be converted as follows:

Solvay Credit UMD Credit
.6 ECT Credit 1 UMD Credit
5 ECT Credits 3 UMD Credits

The chart above was last approved by the UMD Transfer Credit Committee on January 29, 2015.

Grading

Undergraduates must receive a C- equivalent or better in order to be eligible for the transfer of credit.
 

Solvay Grade UMD Grade
10 out of 20 C - 

 

Students will have to apply for housing through a private vendor. There are many off-campus student living areas near the main campus or are accessible through public transportation. The types of housing available are: furnished rooms or apartments with optional roommates. Rent typically ranges from $325 – $650 a month depending on the type of housing and accommodations. Once you have submitted your online registration form the school will email you a list of places to contact for housing.
 
Exchange Program Cost of Attendance
UMD students participating in an Exchange program have the benefit of paying UMD tuition rates to attend an institution abroad. For specific information about this Exchange program, please reference the Cost of Attendance Chart.
 

Tuition and fees for exchange programs are charged directly to your UMD account, which means you can apply UMD scholarships, state and federal financial aid, and alternative loans towards the cost of an exchange. Students participating in a BMGT or ENGR exchange program are not charged differential tuition. Housing costs are paid directly to the host institution or on-site housing agency.

You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor (listed above) is available to help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.

Exchange Scholarship
All students accepted to an Exchange program are considered for an automatic award of $1,000! To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be a current degree seeking undergraduate UMD student (graduate students are not eligible for this award)
  • Not currently receive full tuition scholarship/benefits (i.e. Banneker Key, tuition remission, Frederick Douglass Scholarship, etc.)

Additional Financial Resources

Maximize your time abroad by taking advantage of resources at your host institution!

Student Clubs and Organizations
Solvay offers a wide range of sports activities through its sports department and opportunities to see exhibitions, films, and concerts through its cultural department.

International Welcome/Orientation
Solvay hosts an exciting orientation week, including a French crash course, information sessions, and social activities designed to meet other exchange students. The orientation week takes place the week before each semester starts.

Counseling & Health Services
Solvay has three different counseling centers that students can access and set up a consultation with. The campus also has a robust medical center where students can access general help or specialized care.

Program Dates

Term Year Application Deadline Admission Notification Program Start Program End
Spring 2023 10/01/2022 10/11/2022
Fall 2023 03/01/2023 03/13/2023