The Belgium Government ARES Scholarship 2027-28 is a fully funded Master's scholarship for citizens of developing countries who want to study in the French-speaking part of Belgium. It is run by ARES, the academy for research and higher education, and it pays for tuition, a monthly living allowance, return airfare, insurance and a settlement allowance. You can read the full scholarship details on our listing before you go further.
This is a scholarship with a clear purpose. ARES funds people so they can build skills and take them back into their field. That means it suits a working professional with a few years of relevant experience much more than a fresh graduate looking for any route to Europe. If you finished your Bachelor's last year and have no work history, this one is probably not for you yet.
The ARES scholarship in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Belgium Government (ARES) |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Study level | Master's (the program also mentions training opportunities) |
| Where you study | Participating institutions in the French-speaking community of Belgium |
| Eligible fields | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Opening date and deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Website | listed scholarship website |
If you are comparing options in the same country, see all Belgium scholarships in one place.
Why the developing country list decides everything
The first eligibility rule is simple and strict: you must be a citizen of a developing country that appears on the ARES list. Nothing else matters if your country is not on it. The information available to us does not name the countries on that list, so we cannot tell you whether Pakistan is included for the 2027-28 cycle. Check the current ARES country list for your nationality before you spend a single evening on your motivation letter.
This sounds obvious, but it is the step people skip. Students see "fully funded" and "developing countries" and assume they qualify. Lists like this can change between cycles, so look at the version for the year you are applying in.
What the funding pays for
The scholarship is described as fully funded, and the support covers the main costs of studying abroad for the length of your program:
- Full tuition fees at the host institution
- A monthly living allowance
- International travel, meaning round-trip airfare
- Insurance and medical coverage
- A settlement allowance when you arrive
The exact monthly amount is not stated in the information we have, so do not build a budget around a figure you saw on a forum. Get the current number from ARES or your host institution once you are shortlisted. The settlement allowance is helpful because the first weeks in a new country are the most expensive: deposits, a winter coat, a local SIM, basic kitchen items. Still, plan to arrive with some money of your own in case the first payment takes time to reach you.
The professional experience requirement
ARES asks for four things from applicants:
- Citizenship of a developing country on the ARES list
- A relevant academic degree that matches the level required by the program
- Professional experience in the relevant field
- Meeting the language requirements of the specific study program
The experience rule is where this scholarship differs from many others Pakistani students apply to. Your work history has to connect to the program you choose. An engineer working in water management applying to a related Master's makes sense. A banker applying to a public health program, with no link explained, will struggle. The minimum number of years is not stated in our information, so check the program page.
The language question
Study happens in the French-speaking region of Belgium. That does not automatically mean every course is taught in French, but it does mean you must meet whatever language requirement your chosen program sets. Some programs will ask for French, others for English. Read the program page carefully. If a program needs French and you have none, pick a different program rather than hoping to learn it in a few months.
Documents to gather
The application asks for five documents:
- A copy of your passport
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- A CV
- A motivation letter
- Professional reference letters
Notice that the references are professional, not academic. Ask a current or former manager who has actually supervised your work and can describe what you did. A generic letter from a senior person who barely knows you is weaker than a detailed one from your direct supervisor.
Pakistani applicants should also leave time to get degrees and transcripts in order early, since universities and institutions abroad often ask for attested copies later in the process. Our documents checklist for international scholarships and the IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explain how that works.
How the application moves
- Check the eligibility criteria on the official ARES website, starting with the country list.
- Choose an eligible Master's or training program at a participating institution.
- Prepare all the required documents listed above.
- Submit your application through the official ARES online portal.
The order matters. You pick the program before you write anything, because your motivation letter, your choice of referees and even your language preparation depend on which program you apply to.
On dates: the opening date and the deadline both vary, and we do not have confirmed dates for the 2027-28 cycle. Confirm the exact deadline on the official ARES portal and work backwards from it. Give yourself time for reference letters in particular, since they depend on other people's schedules.
Writing a motivation letter ARES will believe
The program exists to build human resource capacity in developing countries. Your letter should show that you are the kind of person who will use this degree in your field afterwards. A good letter usually answers three practical questions: what work you do now, what gap in your skills or in your sector this program fills, and what you plan to do with it when you finish.
Avoid writing about how beautiful Europe is or how much you have always wanted to live abroad. That works against you here. Keep the focus on your professional background, because ARES specifically weighs it.
Mistakes that sink applications
- Applying without confirming that your country is on the ARES list for the current cycle.
- Choosing a program unrelated to your work experience.
- Missing the language requirement of the specific program.
- Collecting academic transcripts at the last minute.
- Submitting through an unofficial channel instead of the ARES online portal.
The last point needs care. The website listed for this scholarship is an information page, and your actual application should go through the official ARES online portal. If any site asks you to pay a fee to apply on your behalf, stop and check directly with ARES.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the ARES scholarship?
Only if Pakistan is on the ARES list of eligible developing countries for the cycle you are applying in. The information we have does not confirm this, so check the current list for your nationality on the official ARES website.
Is the ARES scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, round-trip airfare, insurance and medical coverage, and a settlement allowance on arrival.
Do I need work experience?
Yes. Applicants must have professional experience in the field related to their chosen program, and the application asks for professional reference letters.
Do I need to speak French?
You must meet the language requirements of your specific program. Study takes place in the French-speaking region of Belgium, so check each program's language of instruction and test requirements before applying.
When is the deadline for 2027-28?
The opening date and deadline vary. Confirm the current cycle and exact deadline on the official ARES portal.
Which fields can I study?
Eligible fields vary, so confirm on the official site which Master's and training programs are open in the current cycle.
Before you apply, check the listed scholarship website and the ARES portal for the current cycle, and keep the full scholarship page handy for reference.