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ISIC
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About ISIC

A student in Ghent should be able to prove their status as easily in Tokyo as at home.

ISIC is the only student card recognised worldwide. It is issued under the supervision of the ISIC Association, a non-profit organisation, and has been supported by UNESCO since 1968.

ISIC worldwide
Two young travellers take a selfie on a mountain top at sunrise
130+
countries
150,000+
benefits
1968
recognised by UNESCO
2001
ISIC in Belgium

What we stand for

Making student life better, all over the world.

Every student, regardless of nationality, background, gender or faith, should be able to prove their student status worldwide with an official and affordable proof. That is why we focus on three things:

  1. 1

    Widening access to education.

  2. 2

    Promoting intercultural understanding and exchange.

  3. 3

    Connecting students of all nationalities with each other and with the academic world.

Our history

From student card to worldwide network

The ISIC card was first created in 1953, by students for students. From the start, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has been involved with ISIC. That led to official recognition in 1968: UNESCO recognised the ISIC card as the only internationally accepted proof of full-time student status and as a unique document that promotes cultural exchange and international understanding.

Today the ISIC card and the ISIC Association are supported by hundreds of governments, universities and student organisations. In Belgium, ISIC is represented by BYSS vzw.

  1. 1953

    By students, for students

    European student organisations create the first ISIC card.

    Four laughing students in front of a globe with the slogan #StudentsForABetterWorld

  2. 1968

    Recognised by UNESCO

    UNESCO recognises ISIC as international proof of student status.

    Students visiting the Parthenon in Athens

  3. 1990

    ITIC and IYTC

    With the ITIC for teachers and the IYTC for young people under 31, the range grows.

    Example of the ITIC card for teachersExample of the IYTC card for young people under 31

  4. 2001

    ISIC in Belgium

    BYSS vzw becomes the official representative of ISIC in Belgium.

    Heart in the colours of the Belgian flag

  5. 2015

    The digital card

    With the ISIC app you always have your student proof on you, together with benefits nearby.

    The ISIC app with the digital card, benefits and a map of benefits nearby

  6. Today

    One worldwide network

    More than 130 countries, more than 150,000 benefits and one community that connects students all over the world.

    World map with Ghent connected to New York, São Paulo, Cape Town, Mumbai, Tokyo and Sydney
Two young women rowing a boat on a lake between mountains

ISIC Belgium

Your student status, turned into benefits

ISIC Belgium issues the card in Belgium and works with educational institutions, student associations and hundreds of partners to turn your student status into real benefits. We also organise student trips and campus campaigns and support international mobility.

Together with GUIDO® we have been reaching pupils, students and recent graduates in Belgium for 35 years.

  • ISIC STUDENT · higher education
  • ISIC SCHOLAR · secondary education
  • ITIC · teachers
  • IYTC · young people under 31
Work with ISIC

Join the ISIC community.

Prove your status anywhere in the world and discover benefits in Belgium and beyond.

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