A town made for students
Ghent has over 270,000 inhabitants (2025), making it the second-largest municipality in Belgium by population (after Antwerp). And if you ask us, it's also Belgium's most beautiful city. Walk through its city centre, and you'll immediately understand why. With a compact historic centre located at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers, Ghent's fairway is a journey through time.
Yet, at the same time, it's a lively town with vibrant nightlife and an impressive cultural scene. Naturally, Ghent's students play a big part in that. It's impossible to imagine Ghent without students cycling in the streets, studying in libraries and cafés, meeting with friends over drinks, enjoying a nice meal in one of the many restaurants, or enjoying the first rays of sunlight on the banks of the river Leie.
Multicultural and multilingual
Belgium has a very diverse population. Being open-minded, interested, and friendly, Belgians generally like meeting new people of different backgrounds. English is widely spoken, especially in our big cities. Want to learn more languages? Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. In addition, our higher education institutes welcome an increasing number of international students, which has resulted in more global and multicultural campuses.
Safe, green city
Bicycles are the primary way of transportation in the city centre since cars are not allowed in most parts. For many years, Ghent has been committed to protecting the environment with initiatives ranging from the vegetarian capital of Europe (since 2009) to the largest low-traffic pedestrian zone in Europe (since 2017). The city aims to be climate neutral in 2050.
The world at your feet
From Ghent, you can travel to Amsterdam and Paris in just 2h30 by car, to London in only 2h30 by train and to Barcelona and Berlin in 2 hours by plane.
Eating in Ghent
Being a student in Ghent has many perks, but one of them deserves a special mention: the food! Whether you fancy Mexican, Italian, Thai or old-school hearty Belgian dishes, the city offers a lot, often at very affordable prices. On top of that, Ghent is one of the veggie capitals of Europe; you'll find loads of vegan and vegetarian restaurants here.
Nightlife
The thousands of students, lively atmosphere and hip music make Ghent ideal for a night out. Get a taste of the rich nightlife Ghent has to offer!
With more than 35 cafés, Overpoortstraat is the centre of student life. Thursday night is the student night when the place is buzzing. There is also a lot to do outside Overpoortstraat. Music lovers will find what they want in the many arts centres and clubs, such as VIERNULVIER or Kompass Club. Prefer to keep it quiet? Go to one of the many cosy pubs and bars in Ghent!
Student Kick-Off
Start the academic year off right at the biggest and free student festival: the Student Kick-Off.
Live it up with 30,000 fellow students on St Peter's Square.
Fraternities
A student club is a perfect place to meet new people and make friends for life. You have plenty of choices with more than 100 fraternities in Ghent.
Regional and college fraternities - Want to live in Ghent while staying connected to your home region? Would you like to meet new people from the region or stay in touch with old classmates? Or would you rather join the fraternity of your course? Then choose a student fraternity at SK Ghendt. This association houses no fewer than 20 regional fraternities, a handful of college clubs and several pub clubs.
An alternative youth and student association that brings students together based on interests? Some examples include Mother Teapot, 't Bos In or Risaala.
Cantus - A cantus is a celebration where students sing, dance and drink together. Cantus have a unique atmosphere. They are a big part of student culture, especially among fraternities. Worth experiencing once.
Time for culture
As a city of culture, Ghent is not inferior to Antwerp or Brussels; on the contrary! Every evening you can go to a great concert, an impressive theatre performance or a great film. And the best news? As an Artevelde University of Applied Sciences student, you pay next to nothing.
Cultural city Ghent
Ghent has a vibrant offer of visual arts, festivals, film, literature, music, dance, performing arts and artistic projects.
This City of Ghent page has many interesting links to cultural houses. Here you will find specific cultural initiatives for students in Ghent.
Other essential links
Culture tickets: 5 euros
As an Artevelde University College student, you can enjoy concerts, theatre and film screenings in the city for just five euros!
Interested in attending an event at one of these cultural venues: Democrazy, Sphinx Cinema, Handelsbeurs, Studio Skoop, CAMPO, VIERNULVIER , NTGent, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and de Centrale?
- Keep an eye on the Stuvo calendar and our Instagram page to stay updated on upcoming events.
- Sign up for the event of your choice via the event page and pay €5 right away. (Don’t wait too long – spots are limited!)
- A few days before the event, you’ll receive all practical details from cultuurtickets@arteveldehs.be.
- On the evening of the event, check in with the cultural reporter who’ll take attendance.
- Relax and enjoy, whether you’re going solo or with fellow students!
Culture on the student radio: TUMULT.FM
Ghent-based student radio Urgent.fm has its own culture platform, Tumult.fm. They go live on air every Wednesday between 11 am and 1 pm. They offer a quirky, rebellious take on art and culture, must-see and do's of the moment and a fascinating look at Ghent's creative underbelly.
The group consists of students from the following programmes: Journalism, Business and Event Management, Graphic and Digital Media, Dental Care, Social (Cultural) Work and Orthopedagogical Supervisor.
Artevelde UAS Cultural Reporters
A group of passionate students dive into Ghent’s cultural scene throughout the academic year. They share their experiences through text, photos and videos on the STUVO Instagram page.
Curious to know more or want to join in yourself?
For avid athletes
'Mens sana in corpore sano.' The ancient Romans already figured that out. Artevelde University of Applied Sciences not only nourishes your mind, but you also keep your body healthy thanks to our extensive sports offer.
Parks and green spaces
Strap on your running shoes and try the running routes in the Rozebroeken park, around the Watersportbaan and the Blaarmeersen or run some extra kilometres to the landscape park 'De Groene Velde'. Also, feel free to venture into one of Ghent's many green areas, such as the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, the Gentbrugse Meersen or the Parkbos.
Fit with Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
Sport is healthy and makes you happy. Both trained and novice athletes will find what they are looking for in the range of sports offered. Discover it all: badminton, rope skipping, yoga, volleyball, fitness...
Campus Watersportbaan
You'll find most of our sports facilities at the sports campus Watersportbaan. Changing rooms, showers, a large sports hall, a dance hall and a parquet hall with the necessary sports equipment are at your disposal!
Swimming pools
In Ghent, there are several swimming pools, such as Strop, Van Eyck, and Rooigem, among others. And did you know that swimming pool Rozebroeken has not only an Olympic pool but a true subtropical swimming paradise?
Bury your nose in books
The 'Krook' Library has grown into an exciting meeting place, but it's also an excellent spot for some quiet studying, as are the many libraries of Artevelde University of Applied Sciences.
Work
Would you like to earn some extra money as a student? Then register with Ghent University's Job Service.
If you work (as a student), there can be consequences for your social security contributions and for the taxes. You can find more information on Centen voor Studenten or Student at Work.