Guide · Enrolment
Enrolment refusal in Belgium, the appeals in 2026.
By the Studacy team · Published on June 19, 2026
In short
An enrolment refusal in Belgian higher education is first challenged through an internal appeal to the institution, within the very short deadlines set by its study regulations, then, if that fails, through an annulment appeal before the Belgian Council of State (Conseil d'État) (within 60 days). The CEPERI, the former centralised complaints commission, was abolished by a decree of 16 July 2025 and has not existed since the 2025-2026 academic year. A student visa refusal, on the other hand, follows a separate route: the Council for Alien Law Litigation (Conseil du contentieux des étrangers), within 30 days.
What changed in 2025-2026: the end of the CEPERI
Until 2025, a student refused enrolment in higher education in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles could refer the matter to the CEPERI (the commission examining student complaints relating to an enrolment refusal), hosted by ARES. This commission was abolished by a decree of the French Community of 16 July 2025 (article 37), applicable from the 2025-2026 academic year. No new centralised administrative commission replaces it.
Warning: many pages still online describe the former CEPERI procedure. It is no longer valid. Relying on it can cause you to miss the only appeal actually open to you, which is internal to the institution and subject to very short deadlines.
What appeals after an enrolment refusal?
The appeal route depends on the exact ground for the refusal. Three situations must be distinguished, as they do not open the same procedure or the same body.
| Ground for refusal | First instance | Judicial appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolment refusal (art. 96 of the Décret Paysage): admission conditions, fundability, fraud, prior exclusion | Internal appeal to the academic authorities of the institution | Council of State (annulment, 60 days) |
| Inadmissibility of the application (art. 95) | Appeal to the Government commissioner or delegate attached to the institution | Council of State (annulment, 60 days) |
| Non-payment of enrolment fees (art. 102) | Appeal to the Government commissioner or delegate | Council of State (annulment, 60 days) |
In every case, the Council of State does not grant the enrolment in your place: it can only annul a decision tainted by irregularity, leaving the institution to re-examine the file. Hence the importance of getting the internal appeal right first.
What deadlines to react?
The deadlines for the internal appeal are set by each institution's study regulations, and they are short. As an example, here are the deadlines published by the University of Liège for 2026 (they vary from one institution to another, to be checked case by case).
| Situation (ULiège example, 2026) | Deadline | To whom |
|---|---|---|
| Refusal linked to admission conditions | 15 working days | Government commissioner attached to the University |
| Refusal for non-fundability | 8 working days (decision within 30 days max.) | Vice-Rector for Education |
| Subsequent judicial appeal | 60 days | Council of State (annulment appeal) |
These deadlines are often counted in working days from the notification of the refusal. A single day's delay can permanently close the appeal route. The golden rule: send us the decision as soon as you receive it.
Student visa refusal: a separate procedure
A long-stay visa refusal (type D, study purpose) has nothing to do with an academic enrolment refusal. It is challenged through an annulment appeal before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (Conseil du contentieux des étrangers, CCE), to be lodged within 30 days of the notification of the Immigration Office (Office des étrangers) decision (article 39/57 of the Law of 15 December 1980).
Crucial point: this appeal is not suspensive. The refusal decision remains enforceable and the procedure can last several months, at the risk of missing the start of the academic year. To try to suspend the effects of the decision, you must lodge, in addition to the annulment, a separate suspension request. Depending on the ground for refusal, it is sometimes more effective to file a new, better-substantiated application than to wait for the outcome of the appeal.
How we maximise your chances
An appeal that is poorly targeted or out of time is lost from the start. Our role is to identify the right route, meet every deadline and build the strongest argument, while preparing a fallback solution so you don't lose a year.
- Precise reading of the decision and qualification of the real ground for refusal
- Identification of the competent body and the deadline applicable to your institution
- Drafting of a reasoned appeal that answers point by point the grounds invoked
- Coordination with a lawyer when the procedure requires it (Council of State, CCE)
- Preparing a plan B in parallel (another institution, new application)
Official sources
Information verified against official Belgian sources. Procedures and amounts change every year, so always check the date before acting.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does the CEPERI still exist in 2026?
What is the deadline to challenge an enrolment refusal?
Does the appeal guarantee that I will be enrolled?
My student visa was refused: what is the appeal?
Do you need a lawyer to file an appeal?
The related service
Administrative follow-up and appeals
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