The Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VUB is an Urban Engaged University in Brussels, the heart of Europe. With a diverse community of 22,000 students—nearly a quarter of whom come from abroad—the university is committed to shaping both individual futures and that of the world. Supported by over 4,000 staff members and offering 150 programmes, VUB strives to fulfil its mission every day. Its 70,000 alumni, spanning 50 generations, are making a difference globally as entrepreneurs, researchers, and engaged citizens. Through top-tier scientific research and tailored education, VUB plays an active role in building a better and more sustainable society.
Ranked as one of the world’s top comprehensive universities with over 185 years of history, VUB combines award-winning research and accredited English and Dutch-taught programmes with strong societal engagement. It prepares students to become open-minded world citizens committed to sustainable humanistic values, ready for careers in an international, multilingual, and multicultural environment. As an international university embedded in numerous European and global networks, VUB’s strategic position in the heart of Europe makes it an ideal partner for research and education with a global outlook. The VUB is also a proud founding member of EUTOPIA.
Open Mind
At the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), an open mind is a core value. The university strives to be a place where students and researchers can think freely, without external pressure or self-censorship. Religion is respected but remains a private matter, ensuring that research and study stay independent.
In the words of the French philosopher of science, Henri Poincaré:
“Thinking must never be subjugated, neither to a dogma, nor to a party, nor to a passion, nor to an interest, nor to a prejudice, nor to anything, but only to the facts themselves, for making it subjugate means the end of all thinking.”
VUB is not a “safe space” but a “brave space” where debate and the clash of ideas are encouraged. The history of science has been shaped by freethinkers who pushed the boundaries of their time, from mathematician Al-Khwarizmi to computing pioneer Ada Lovelace. This tradition of free-thinking is the foundation of VUB and is essential for the progress of both science and society.
Research & Innovation in 2023 at the VUB
The total research budget amounts to €144,204,920. There are 196 research groups, including 20 international joint research groups. In addition to 2,453 academics, there are 2,140 doctoral researchers. Together, they produced 3,310 publications. There are 49 active spin-offs, 4 of which are new, and 216 patent families in the portfolio.
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) ranks among the top European universities in its category, according to a study conducted by the university itself. While international rankings, such as the Times Higher Education (THE), often emphasise the size of a university, the VUB excels in performance per capita.
Though the VUB ranks within the top 10 per cent of universities worldwide in general rankings, the study reveals that, when compared with universities of a similar size, its achievements are even more impressive. For instance, the VUB holds second place for securing European research grants and ranks in the top 15 for scientific publications. This puts the VUB on par with larger institutions in terms of scientific recognition.
These figures highlight that a university’s success is not solely dependent on its size but also on the quality and impact of its research. As such, the VUB is a strong contender in the European academic landscape.
VUB in Facts and Figures
Saint-Verhaegen
On 20th November, the students of VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and its French-speaking sister university commemorate their founder during Saint-Verhaegen, or simply St V. St V is a tribute to the politician and lawyer Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, who championed the principle of free inquiry. His vision was to establish a university free from authority, dogma, and religious influence. VUB is also the only Dutch-speaking university that has enshrined the principle of free inquiry in its statutes. St V has evolved into a celebration where students and the universities themselves assert their freedom of thought and expression, often with critical banners and props carried during the parade.