Suspended graduation dates in 2020
Covid-19 has largely disturbed the final exams and evaluation periods of school and universities all over the world. We understand this also may influence your initial graduation date or delay the expected issuing date of your high school or university diploma/Transcript of records. Every case will be evaluated individually and with a flexible approach to a certain extent.
English language tests in 2020
Same with many suspended on-site English language tests. Besides the usual English language tests we will also accept online alternatives that are currently offered by TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator. Also, ACT Test is accepted as alternative.
Late or delayed arrival into the 2020-2021 academic year
Students who cannot make it to Belgium in time due to visa issuing delays or travel restrictions can join the programme at the latest by November 15th at the latest (final date of enrolment). Please contact always the international coordinator at the campus where you are studying: https://www.luca-arts.be/nl/international-office
Defer of admission to the 2021-2022 academic year
Students who opt to defer their admissions to the 2021-2022 academic year due to Covid-19 circumstances have to take into account the following:
- Students who have passed one of the mandatory artistic aptitude tests or master assessments and who were admitted to the 2020-2021 academic year, are allowed to defer to 2021-2022 without passing the artistic aptitude test again. The test result is valid for two consecutive years: 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. However, due to administrative reasons it may be required to re-enrol in the application tool again once the 2021-2022 intake is open. Please contact Onderwijsadmin@luca-arts.be as of February 1st 2021 for further inquiries.
- If you decide to defer for the 2020-2021 academic year after payment of the tuition fee, please check the requirements in our cancelling and refund regulation for 2020-2021.
Travel and visa
Travelling for studies is considered essential, so you are allowed to travel to Belgium from anywhere in the world to start your studies at LUCA, unless restrictions in your current country of residence prohibit this. More information about traveling to Belgium: https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/EN/Pages/Travel-to-Belgium.aspx
All visa applications for Belgium were resumed since July 1st. Members States of the European Union started to re-open their external borders to travellers. Belgian Embassies, Consulates and outsourcing partners for visa application are gradually re-starting visa activities, but take into account that travels between certain non-European countries and Belgium/ Schengen countries may not yet possible or imposed to further travel restrictions. Also, as visa activities were resumed after a long period of non-activity visa procedures might be subjected to delays. Contact the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in your home country to get the last visa application instructions, but also about their scheduled re-start of their activities in case the Embassy or Consulate is still closed or still a partially operating mode: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/embassies_and_consulates.
Visa and border regulations may always change at very short notice.
More information about visas: https://www.luca-arts.be/nl/visa-and-residence-permits and https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/EN/Application-guides/Pages/Higher_education_or_preparatory_year.aspx
Upon entry in Belgium, every student travelling from outside Belgium has to complete the Public Health Passenger Locator Form.
Entry and arrival requirements
Students from EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway: since June 15 cross-border mobility is possible between the countries of the European Economic Area, however some travels to Belgium or from Belgium to other EU/Schengen countries are not possible or only possible after quarantine, testing or other conditions. More information: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en
Students from non-EU countries: Travellers from third countries must in many cases take into account the current sanitary measures in Belgium, including a 14-day quarantine and testing. On the other hand, these travellers will have to fill in a document before they board. This document, once completed, will be considered a condition for entry. More information: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en
Upon entry in Belgium, every student travelling from outside Belgium has to complete the Public Health Passenger Locator Form.
Can I come (back) to the campus?
You can find all the necessary information on our website.
On campus after returning from an orange zone or a red zone
Every one travelling from a country outside the EU, Schengen zone or UK, as well as any traveller from a “red zone” within this European zone, as defined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is obliged to undergo a 14-day period of self-isolation upon arrival in Belgium. Please bear in mind that this is a legal obligation. Even if you are tested and the result appears to be negative, you are still required to stay in self-isolation during these 14 days. (Please note that the rules on self-isolation will be based on where you resided before coming to Belgium, not on your nationality.) For students who travel abroad on a daily basis, do not have to stay in self-isolation during their presence on campus.
For people travelling from an “orange zone”, this period of self-isolation is recommended, but not obligatory. If you believe you have been in situations where you were likely to be exposed to COVID-19, please make sure to self-isolate. If you have doubts about this you can consult a GP to help you decide. In any case, when coming to Belgium from an orange zone make sure to minimize your social contacts for a period of 14 days and always wear a mask.