KU Leuven

Leuven, Belgium

KU Leuven, established in 1425, is Belgium’s oldest and largest university, renowned for its rich history and academic excellence. It is a Catholic research university located in Leuven, Belgium, and is the oldest university in the Low Countries.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at KU Leuven

Cost Of Living

€ 8000

Undergraduate Fees International Students

€ 922

Post Graduate Fees International Students

€ 6000

Distinguished Alumni of KU Leuven

Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at KU Leuven

    Secondary Education Diploma: Applicants must possess a secondary education diploma that grants access to university studies in their home country. Recognized qualifications include:

    •    European Baccalaureate

    •    International Baccalaureate (IB)

    •    Three A-levels with a minimum grade of C each

    •    U.S. High School Diploma with at least four Advanced Placement (AP) courses or equivalent advanced coursework

    •    Other country-specific diplomas as detailed on KU Leuven’s official eligibility criteria page.

    2.    Mathematics Proficiency: Certain programs, especially those in business and engineering, require proof of strong mathematical skills. For instance, applicants to the Bachelor of Business Administration must complete an online mathematics test developed by the faculty. 

    3.    English Language Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency through one of the following standardized tests:

    •    IELTS: Minimum overall band score of 6.5

    •    TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 79

    •    Other equivalent English language qualifications as specified by the university

    4.    Motivation Letter: A one-page letter in English outlining the applicant’s motivation for choosing the specific program and how it aligns with their career aspirations. 

    5.    Additional Requirements: Some programs may have specific prerequisites. For example, applicants to the Bachelor of European Studies are required to submit a reading and writing assignment as part of their application.

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KU Leuven Corporate Partnership

  • Una Europa Alliance : KU Leuven is a founding member of Una Europa, an alliance of eleven leading research universities. This partnership aims to create a truly European inter-university environment, facilitating outstanding research, transnational learning, and innovative thinking.
  • University of Zurich (UZH) : In May 2023, KU Leuven and UZH signed a strategic partnership agreement to deepen collaboration across various levels, including joint research projects and student mobility programs.
  • Imec : KU Leuven collaborates closely with Imec, a world-leading research center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, on various research and development initiatives.
  • VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) : This partnership focuses on advanced research in life sciences, combining KU Leuven’s academic expertise with VIB’s innovative biotechnology research.
  • Flanders Make : As a strategic research center for the manufacturing industry, Flanders Make collaborates with KU Leuven to drive technological advancements in vehicles, machines, and factories of the future.
  • City of Leuven : KU Leuven maintains a strong partnership with the City of Leuven, collaborating on various regional investment and networking activities to enhance local development.
  • KBC Group : As a proud partner, KBC collaborates with KU Leuven on initiatives that bridge academia and the financial industry, fostering innovation and practical applications.
  • KPMG : Through this partnership, KU Leuven and KPMG work together on projects that integrate academic research with practical applications in business consulting and advisory services.
  • Lotus Bakeries : Collaborating with KU Leuven, Lotus Bakeries engages in research to develop new products and improve manufacturing processes, benefiting from the university’s technological insights.
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Notable Achievements of KU Leuven

Achievements

01.
Leadership in Sustainability Education

KU Leuven ranked second worldwide in the ‘education impact’ category of the QS World Sustainability Rankings, highlighting the university’s dedication to addressing environmental, social, and governance challenges through education.

Year
2024
02.
Development of Solar Hydrogen Panels

Researchers at KU Leuven developed a groundbreaking solar hydrogen panel capable of directly converting 15% of sunlight into hydrogen gas, setting a world record and marking a significant advancement in sustainable energy technology.

Year
2019
03.
Europe’s Most Innovative University

KU Leuven was recognized as Europe’s most innovative university for four consecutive years by Reuters. This accolade reflects the university’s commitment to pioneering research and its effective technology transfer practices, including the establishment of over 124 spin-off companies across diverse industries.

Year
2016-19

Notable Innovation, Research & Development KU Leuven

Notable Innovation

01.
Rijndael Encryption Algorithm (Advanced Encryption Standard - AES)

Researchers Joan Daemen and Vincent Rijmen from KU Leuven’s COSIC research group developed the Rijndael encryption algorithm. In 2001, it was selected by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), becoming a global standard for securing electronic data and widely used in various security protocols and applications.

Year
2001
02.
Development of Recombinant t-PA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator)

Professor Désiré Collen and his team at KU Leuven purified and characterized tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a protein involved in the breakdown of blood clots. Collaborating with the American biotechnology company Genentech, they developed recombinant t-PA, marketed as Activase®, which became a groundbreaking treatment for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke, saving countless lives worldwide.

Year
1980
03.
Coal Gas Lighting

Natural scientist Jan Pieter Minckelers, affiliated with KU Leuven, produced a combustible gas derived from coal. He utilized this coal gas to light his Leuven auditorium in 1784, marking the first recorded instance of gas lighting. This innovation not only revolutionized indoor lighting but also found applications in hot-air ballooning due to the gas’s excellent lifting properties.

Year
1784

Explore Programs & Courses at KU Leuven

Program name
Tuition Fees
Deadlines
Bachelor of Philosophy 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
€11512
(Annual cost)
1st Mar
BA in Theology and Religious Studies 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
€11512
(Annual cost)
1st Mar
Bachelor of Criminological Sciences 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
€11512
(Annual cost)
1st Feb
Bachelor of Law 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
€11512
(Annual cost)
1st Feb

University Ranking of KU Leuven

60
45
78
48
81

Region: Europe

1
2
12
21
15
Economics
77
42
66
47
Psychology
18
15
28
31
Chemical Engineering
43
33
-
47
Civil Engineering
51-100
34
-
51-75

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