ARES Scholarships 2027/28 in Belgium for South African Students

South African students and professionals interested in studying in Belgium can apply for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027/28.

The programme, offered by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES) in Belgium, provides scholarships for international applicants from eligible countries to undertake selected specialised study and training programmes in Belgium.

South Africa is one of the countries eligible for the 2027/28 ARES International Training Scholarships.

The 2027/28 call opened on 3 August 2026, with applications scheduled to close on 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).

For South African applicants, this is an opportunity to gain specialised international training in Belgium without having to fund the full cost of the programme themselves.

ARES Scholarship 2027/28 at a glance

Scholarship: ARES International Training Scholarships 2027/28
Host country: Belgium
Eligible country: South Africa
Study/training location: Belgium
Study level: Specialised bachelor's, master's and continuing education/training programmes, depending on the selected programme
Scholarship provider: Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES)
Application opening: 3 August 2026
Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1)
Application fee: Free
Application status: 2027/28 call announced

ARES publishes a specific list of international training programmes for the scholarship call. Applicants should therefore select from the programmes included in the official 2027/28 call rather than assuming that every programme offered by a Belgian institution is covered by the scholarship.

What does the ARES scholarship cover?

ARES provides financial support to successful scholarship recipients.

The scholarship package includes support for major costs associated with participating in the international training programme, including international travel and subsistence.

The official ARES call documentation specifies support for international travel, a subsistence allowance and other eligible costs, with the exact arrangements depending on the type and duration of the selected training.

Applicants should consult the official 2027/28 call documentation for the current financial conditions and allowances applicable to their selected programme.

Who can apply?

The ARES International Training Scholarships are intended for applicants from eligible countries.

South Africa is included among the eligible countries for the 2027/28 call.

However, applicants must also meet the academic, professional and other requirements for the particular training programme they want to undertake.

This means that being a South African citizen does not by itself guarantee eligibility. Applicants should check both the general ARES requirements and the specific admission requirements for their chosen programme.

What can South Africans study?

ARES offers international training opportunities across a range of academic and professional fields.

The 2027/28 call includes selected programmes rather than providing funding for every course available in Belgium.

Applicants should therefore first review the official ARES list of eligible international training programmes and identify a programme that matches their academic background and professional goals.

Depending on the programme, opportunities can include:

• Specialised bachelor's programmes

• Specialised master's programmes

• Continuing education and professional training

• Other approved international training programmes listed by ARES

The exact programmes available for the 2027/28 call should be checked on the official ARES website before applying.

ARES scholarship eligibility for South Africans

South African applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before starting an application.

In addition to being from an eligible country, applicants must satisfy the requirements established for the selected international training programme.

These requirements can relate to:

• Academic qualifications

• Professional experience

• Relevant work experience

• Previous studies

• Language requirements

• Professional objectives

• Admission requirements for the selected programme

Because requirements can differ between programmes, applicants should not assume that meeting the general ARES conditions automatically means they qualify for every programme.

The official ARES call should be treated as the final source for eligibility requirements.

Application deadline

The official 2027/28 ARES call states that applications must be submitted by:

18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).

South African applicants should pay close attention to the time-zone difference and should submit their application well before the deadline.

Do not wait until the final hours to apply.

How to apply

Applications for the ARES International Training Scholarships are submitted through the official ARES application system.

Applicants should:

1. Review the official ARES 2027/28 scholarship call.

2. Check that South Africa is an eligible country.

3. Review the available international training programmes.

4. Choose a programme that matches their academic and professional background.

5. Check the programme-specific eligibility and admission requirements.

6. Prepare the required information and supporting documents.

7. Complete the official ARES scholarship application.

8. Submit the application before the deadline.

Important: ARES states that applying for its scholarship is free. Applicants should be cautious of anyone asking for money in exchange for submitting or securing an ARES scholarship application.

Official application

South African applicants should use the official ARES website and application system.

Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1)

Host country: Belgium

Eligible country: South Africa

Scholarship: ARES International Training Scholarships

Application fee: Free

Official scholarship information: ARES International Training Scholarships 2027/28

Official application portal: ARES 2027/28 International Training Scholarship Application

Applicants should check the official ARES website immediately before applying because application-system availability and instructions can change during the application period.

Important advice for South African applicants

The ARES scholarship is competitive, and applicants should carefully prepare their applications rather than submitting incomplete information at the last minute.

Before applying, make sure that:

• Your academic background matches your chosen programme.

• You meet the programme's admission requirements.

• Your professional experience meets the relevant requirements where applicable.

• Your documents are ready.

• You understand the programme's duration and study requirements.

• You have checked the official ARES information for the current application cycle.

Applicants should also remember that the scholarship is tied to specific international training programmes. Selecting an unrelated Belgian course does not automatically make the course eligible for ARES funding.

Is the ARES scholarship free to apply for?

Yes. ARES states that applying for an ARES scholarship is free and that it does not charge application fees at any stage of the selection process.

If someone claims to represent ARES and asks you to pay money to submit an application or secure a scholarship, treat this as a warning sign.

Is South Africa eligible for the ARES Scholarship?

Yes. South Africa is listed among the eligible countries for the 2027/28 ARES International Training Scholarships.

However, applicants must still satisfy the requirements of the scholarship and their selected programme.

When is the ARES Scholarship deadline?

The deadline for the 2027/28 call is:

18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).

South African applicants should convert the deadline to South African time and submit before the closing time.

Final reminder

The ARES International Training Scholarships 2027/28 provide eligible South African applicants with an opportunity to undertake selected international training programmes in Belgium.

South Africa is an eligible country, and the current call has a deadline of 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).

If you are interested, review the official ARES programme list and eligibility requirements as soon as possible.

Official scholarship information: ARES International Training Scholarships 2027/28

Official application portal: Apply through ARES

Always verify the latest application status and requirements directly with ARES before submitting your application.