Introduction

The Diploma in Higher Education Studies is a one-year, full-time pre-university programme taught in English on our Brussels campus. It is for students who have finished secondary school and want to strengthen their academic English, mathematics and study skills before starting a bachelor’s degree, with a first taste of university-level study in business or computing.

Everyone takes three core units: English for Academic Purposes, Mathematics for University Study, and Research and Study Skills for University Study. In the second semester you follow one of two routes: the Business route (Introductory Accounting, Introductory Economics, International Business) or the Computing route (Introduction to Programming with Python, Further Mathematics, Introduction to Computer Science, Digital World). Students who start with a lower English level take a fourth core unit, Developing English Language Skills, in place of one route elective.

Why choose this programme?

A Level 3 bridge to university

A 120-credit diploma at RQF Level 3, the level of A-levels, built to prepare you for the first year of a bachelor’s degree.

One diploma, two routes

Choose the Business or the Computing route for your second semester; both lead to the same diploma.

English that grows with you

Academic English throughout the year, with an extra English unit for students who start below IELTS 5.5.

Progression

BCBT’s Level 4 diplomas in Business Management and Information Technology (see Qualifications).
Year 1 of a related bachelor’s degree. Each university makes its own admission decision, so we confirm recognition with your chosen university during your application.

What You'll Study

All students complete 120 credits across one academic year: 60 credits in Semester 1 and 60 credits in Semester 2. Your English level at entry decides your core units:

Entry at IELTS 5.5 or above

3 core units (60 credits) in Semester 1, then all the electives of your route (60 credits) in Semester 2.

Entry at IELTS 4.5–5.4

4 core units (80 credits), adding Developing English Language Skills, and a smaller set of route electives (40 credits), chosen with your academic adviser.

Full unit-by-unit detail, with every unit’s 16-week course plan, is in the Curricula tab.

Admission Criteria

Academic Requirements

Completed secondary education with five passes at GCSE/IGCSE grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), including Mathematics and English.
Applicants with a different secondary-school profile are assessed individually by the Admissions Office.

English Proficiency

IELTS Academic 4.5 or above, or a pass on the BCBT English placement test.
Applicants at IELTS 4.5–5.4 (or the placement-test equivalent) take Developing English Language Skills as a fourth core unit.

Age

Minimum age 17 at the start of the programme.

Assessment

Units are assessed through coursework (assignments, reports, projects and portfolio tasks) and, where a unit requires it, timed assessments. Each unit is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

How to apply

Apply online through the BCBT admissions page. The Admissions Office reviews your application and English level and tells you which core units and route electives you will take.

Your two semesters

The diploma takes one year: Semester 1 and Semester 2, in step with the BCBT academic calendar. February and September starters follow the same semesters and study side by side.

Intake	Semester 1	Semester 2
February 2027 apply by 12 February 2027	Spring semester 2027 22 February – 25 June 2027	Autumn semester 2027 27 September 2027 – 4 February 2028
September 2027 apply by 17 September 2027	Autumn semester 2027 27 September 2027 – 4 February 2028	Spring semester 2028 dates to be published

Each semester runs for 16 weeks: 14 teaching weeks, midterm assessments worth one week (spread across the teaching period) and a final exam week, with breaks for Belgian public holidays and the Flemish school holidays (see the academic calendar). There are no written examinations: the midterm assessments are formative reviews of draft coursework with tutor feedback, and the final exam week is used for final coursework submissions.

Semester 1 — Core units (60 credits)

Unit	Name	Credits	Category and route
HES 101	English for Academic Purposes	20	Core
HES 102	Mathematics for University Study	20	Core
HES 103	Research and Study Skills for University Study	20	Core
HES 104	Developing English Language Skills	20	Core for entry below IELTS 5.5

Students who start at IELTS 4.5–5.4 also take Developing English Language Skills (20 credits) and one fewer route elective.

Semester 2 — Business route (60 credits)

Unit	Name	Credits	Category and route
HES 201	Introductory Accounting	20	Business route elective
HES 202	Introductory Economics	20	Business route elective
HES 203	International Business	20	Business route elective

Semester 2 — Computing route (60 credits)

Unit	Name	Credits	Category and route
HES 211	Introduction to Programming with Python	20	Computing route elective
HES 212	Further Mathematics for University Study	20	Computing route elective
HES 213	Introduction to Computer Science	10	Computing route elective
HES 214	Digital World	10	Computing route elective

Each unit runs over a 16-week semester with a course plan for every week; open a unit for its weekly topics and the criteria it covers.

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Key Facts

Level: RQF Level 3 (pre-university)
Duration: 1 year full-time (2 semesters)
Credits: 120
Routes: Business or Computing
Language: English
Campus: Brussels

Academic calendar

Two 16-week semesters a year. Intakes in February and September.

View the calendar