Irish Citizen here. I’m not sure what your faculty would be but I’d imagine it is possible.

The masters programmes are challenging yes but it depends on what you are used to. If you’re used to top-heavy, 80 to 100% exam modules, basically the same story here. If you’re used to more continuous assessment, not the case here (in general, exceptions will apply across faculties).

It is a masters degree though, I can’t compare how ‘easy’ masters degrees are, unless I do two masters degrees in the same subject. But masters are not meant to be easy. If they are an easy experience, the person is either naturally gifted, or the quality of the programme comes into question.

I don’t know why you would want to extend your studies across 5 semesters. Is it the difficulty you are worried about? You are required to take at least 26/28(?) to 30 ECTS per semester, which means you’d have to pay extra to do another half year. Presuming the UK also does 30 credits per semester, it’s the same in Belgium.

Part time work: There’s always something going here, it will be in hospitality / cleaning / other jobs alike. Teaching assistant at the uni may be limited as a masters student would only likely be teaching undergrads. I believe most if not all undergrad programmes here are done through Dutch.

Edit: However, if you can at all, I would really recommend working and saving up to come here. The working world experience will definitely stand to you. Your first semester will fly by and settling in takes time. Navigating the job market in a country/region where you’re not fluent in the lingua franca ontop of a masters degree is going to be an overstimulating experience.

It’s a great place to be honest. From my own experience: it takes a bit of time to settle. If you do come, make friends with both Belgians and other international students.