Licentiate
Also known as "Licenciate" or "Licenciaat" (Dutch.)
Definition
In Belgian universities, the licenciaat is the equivalent of a master's degree.
Students receive a Licentiate after 4 years of successful study.
The first two years are known as "kandidatuur" (i.e., candidacy), meaning students are qualifying themselves for study at the 'licenciate' level.
Study is very rigorous. Students in Belgian universities usually take more than 30 hours a week (as opposed to an average of 15 at American universities.) Thus, students are able to complete their degrees in 4 years as opposed to the usual 6 at American institutions.
Bologna Convention
In 2003, the EU organized the Bologna convention on higher education, in order to create uniform standards across the European Union in the field of higher education.
The resulting conclusions called for all European universities to change their degree programs to an Undergraduate degree and a Master's degree. These changes will be implemented in Belgian universities for students starting study in 2004-05.
