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KU Leuven

KU Leuven

KU Leuven

Introduction

KU Leuven, inspiring the outstanding

KU Leuven is an institution for research and education with international appeal. All programs at this University are based on the innovative research of its scientists and professors.

KU Leuven ranks among the best 50 universities worldwide!

From Renaissance philosophy to cutting-edge nanotechnology: as one of Europe’s oldest universities, KU Leuven boasts a long tradition of ground-breaking research and high-quality education.

Study

Prospective Students

As one of Europe’s leading research universities, KU Leuven offers a range of research-based programs of study. A degree from KU Leuven is highly valued around the world, giving you a competitive edge.

Current Students

No matter which campus you’re on, you have quite a few facilities available to you. Our services for students advise you on housing, studying, and scholarships. They also offer sports and cultural activities.

Why KU Leuven

KU Leuven is one of Europe’s highest-ranked and most renowned universities. It boasts a long tradition of pioneering research and high-quality education. But KU Leuven has quite a few other strengths as well.

Programs

KU Leuven offers various types of programs, including bachelor’s and (advanced) master’s programs, continuing education courses, and bridging programs.

Faculties

Education is organized by 15 faculties, divided into three groups: Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Engineering and Technology; and Biomedical Sciences. Several faculties offer programs in various locations in Flanders and Brussels.

Education

KU Leuven appeals to the student's idea of the future. The University contributes to the students’ personal development and to how they want to help shape society.

Organization

KU Leuven is dedicated to education and research in nearly all fields. Its fifteen faculties offer education, while research activities are organized by the departments and research groups. These faculties and departments, in turn, are clustered into three groups: Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), and Biomedical Sciences. Each of these groups has a doctoral school for its doctoral training programs.

KU Leuven boasts fourteen campuses, spread across 10 cities in Flanders.

KU Leuven organizes regular webinars

We offer webinars on a range of topics to aid you in the process of choosing a university, applying for a programme, searching for housing, obtaining a student visa and preparing your arrival. Join our webinars that address the aspects of university life

Why study at KU Leuven

What sets us apart as a university?

A highly-ranked university

KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.

Research-based education

Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.

Affordable tuition fees

Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.

International student life with respect for diversity

According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.

Learn more about why you should choose KU Leuven.

Statistics

KU Leuven: An international trendsetter

Founded in 1425, KU Leuven will celebrate its 600th anniversary in 2025, making it one of Europe’s oldest universities.

Our institution has the double honor of being the oldest university in the Low Countries and the oldest extant Catholic university in the world.

    Rankings

    KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.

    Admissions

    This step-by-step guide will take you through the entire process of applying to KU Leuven as a degree-seeking student.

    1. Check admission requirements

    Make sure to read the detailed admission requirements of the specific study programs available at the various KU Leuven campuses, to see if you are eligible. If you want to apply for a bachelor's program, you can check whether your secondary qualifications meet the minimum eligibility criteria.

    All applicants who have not obtained a previous diploma in a program taught in English in Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America must submit a certificate proving their proficiency in English.

    The English proficiency test scores accepted by KU Leuven are the TOEFL iBT certificate, IELTS Academic certificate, Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE) certificate, and the ITACE for Students C1 or C2 certificate. More information on English Proficiency tests.

    2. Check the application window for your program

    Our admissions process works on a rolling basis but applies in time to start in the following academic year. Some specific programs have strict deadlines. You can check the specific deadline of your program by using our application window tool.

    3. Check the tuition fees and scholarship options for your program

    You can check the tuition fee and scholarship options for your program for the current and next academic year using our tuition fee calculator and scholarships database.

    4. Collect the required documents

    The required documents depend on the program you applied for. Some programs request additional documents, if so, they are mentioned in the admission requirements.

    5. Start your application

    To start your application at KU Leuven, log in to the web app via your browser complete your data, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee. You will be notified by email when a decision about your application has been taken.

    Campus Features

    A timeless university town in the heart of Europe

    KU Leuven Campuses

    KU Leuven's main campus is situated in Leuven, about 30 kilometers from Brussels, the capital of Belgium and Europe. Studying in Belgium offers easy access to the best of European culture, with Paris, London, and Cologne all accessible by a two-hour train ride. Furthermore, the University has campuses in nine other Flemish cities, including Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges.

    Housing

    Most students choose to rent a room (‘not in Dutch) in a privately owned student house with shared common spaces and facilities. If you need any help with this, the KU Leuven Housing Service can offer assistance. The university owns and manages several student residences. A limited number of rooms in these residences is reserved for international students. You can also browse the Housing Service’s online database. Will you be studying at one of our other campuses? There are databases for housing in each of the KU Leuven campus cities.

      Campus Life & Facilities

      Whether as a student or researcher, you’ll discover in Belgium a country full of surprising contrasts. A country rich in art, history, and architecture. You’ll be treated to its local specialties in a friendly atmosphere. Belgian cities have so much to offer to students: a cosmopolitan lifestyle, great sports facilities, libraries, bookshops, restaurants, cafés, and a dynamic cultural scene

      As an international guest, you might find Belgians initially reserved – an impression that will only last until you share a round of beers at an outdoor café or make your first visit to a Belgian home, where you will be warmly welcomed and well fed. Belgium is also an ideal base for exploring the rest of Europe. London, Paris, Cologne, and Amsterdam are all a proverbial stone’s throw away. It is the headquarters of many international organizations and companies and the beating heart of the European Union.

      Why not take a virtual tour before you arrive?

      Visa Requirements

      As an internationally oriented university, we aim to support our international students the best we can. When coming to Belgium, you may need a visa or entry document. Which specific documents you need, and how to apply for them, depends on your situation. Once you are admitted to study at KU Leuven, you will receive specific information and guidance for your situation from our international expert services.

      Scholarships and Funding

      Alumni Statistics

      Accreditations

      EFMD Equis AccreditedAMBA AccreditedAACSB Accredited

      Program Admission Requirements

      Demonstrate your commitment and readiness to succeed in business school by taking the GMAT exam – the most widely used exam for admissions that measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills.

      Download the GMAT mini quiz to get a flavour of the questions you’ll find in the exam.

      Locations

      • Leuven

        Oude Markt 13 - bus 5005, 3000, Leuven

      • Ghent

        Ghent, Belgium

      • Brussels

        Brussels, Belgium

      • Antwerp

        Antwerp, Belgium

      • Geel

        Geel, Belgium

      • Bruges

        Bruges, Belgium

      • Zürich

        Zürich, Switzerland

      Chat with students

      Questions