Ghent
Trendy university town, medieval canals, cult Belgian student life.
Renting a kot in Ghent, step-by-step
Finding a kot in Ghent is settling into what many consider Belgium's most beautiful student city: medieval canals, Gravensteen, Korenmarkt, thriving cultural scene. With UGent (50,000 students — 3rd university in the country), HoGent and Arteveldehogeschool, Ghent hosts 75,000 students and radiates far beyond East Flanders: UGent ranks in the global top 100 (Shanghai). The median rent for a Ghent kot is €440/month including utilities. The city is flat, bikeable, festive without excess, with 10 days of Gentse Feesten each summer (Europe's largest free urban festival). UGent offers 80+ masters taught in English.
The campuses of Ghent
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Student life in Ghent
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Questions about housing in Ghent
What is the average price of a kot in Ghent? +
The median rent in Ghent is €440/month including utilities in 2026. Kots in Sint-Amandsberg or Ledeberg start at €350. The historic centre (Overpoort, Patershol) ranges between €450 and €600. Modern studios or student residences go up to €650. Ghent is 15% cheaper than Brussels and slightly cheaper than Leuven.
Is it difficult to study at UGent if you don't speak Dutch? +
Not if you choose an international programme. UGent offers 80+ masters taught in English (economics, engineering, bioscience, psychology, media & communication). Bachelors remain mostly in Dutch. For finding a kot, Ghent landlords are open to English-speaking applicants — just note that listings are often in Dutch. Google Translate does the job well.
Where to go out as a student in Ghent? +
Overpoortstraat is the epicentre: 30+ student bars over 300 m, open until 5am weekends. Kouter and Vrijdagmarkt for pubs. Techno clubs: Charlatan, Vooruit, Kompass. In July, Gentse Feesten (free 10-day festival, 1M+ visitors) transforms the city into a giant stage. Film Fest Gent (October) and I Love Techno (November) round out the calendar.
Is Ghent well-located in Belgium? +
Yes — Gent-Sint-Pieters is 30 min from Brussels-Midi by direct train (every 10 min). Antwerp is 40 min away, Bruges 25 min, Lille 1h15 via Tournai. Brussels-Zaventem airport is 45 min by train. Ghent also has an industrial port and a secondary station (Gent-Dampoort) closer to the medieval centre.