A comprehensive and independent university
The full breadth of intellectual discovery is to be found within our walls. KU Leuven is home to 15 faculties offering hundreds of degree programmes. No matter where our students' curiosity leads, KU Leuven reseachers are studying, analysing and pushing the boundaries of that field. All of which is conducted with the ethical rigour and financial resources necessary for true academic freedom.
Research is at the heart of our University
Groundbreaking discoveries in the field, the lab, and the library go straight into the classroom and define our educational offering. From Georges Lemaître's Big Bang theory to our revolutionary solar hydrogen panels, at KU Leuven curiosity is transformed into knowledge.
A timeless university town in the heart of Europe
KU Leuven's main campus is situated in Leuven, at about 30 kilometers from Brussels, the capital of Belgium and Europe. Furthermore, the University has campuses in nine other Flemish cities, including Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges.
Almost 600 years of history
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 honour of being the oldest university in the Low Countries and the oldest extant Catholic university in the world.
A pioneer in a changing society
KU Leuven continues to work on its position as a pioneer in scientific, educational, and social advancements. The University has therefore delineated four focal points and two transversal themes in its policy plan, specifying how it will continue to take on this role, today and in the future.
A powerful catalyst for change in industry and society
KU Leuven strives for the betterment of our students and society at large. Our students embody our University's moral precepts through service-learning, global development and volunteer programmes. Meanwhile, our research capabilities assist industry and community partners in the pursuit of their most challenging projects.
A unique Health Sciences Campus
The UZ hospital system demonstrates the power and possibility of a fully integrated educational, research and clinical practise. Our researchers have a dedicated home at the Health Sciences Campus, a fully state-of-the-art medical research facility. Breakthroughs from research are implemented at our UZ Leuven hospital first, offering patients world-class treatment whilst heralding improvements in the lives of countless others around the world.
A strong higher-education network
The KU Leuven Association is a network of six academic institutions committed to high quality, inclusive and future-proof education in Flanders and Brussels. Members pool resources and experiences in student mobility, joint research projects, continuing education and a collective vision of higher education across Flanders and Brussels.
Member of Una Europa
KU Leuven is an active member and host of several global university alliances, including LERU and Una Europa. Una Europa is an alliance of eleven leading research universities working together to create a cross-cultural and distinctively European inter-university environment. Our position in all these networks reflects our determination that future research and educational advances will be increasingly driven by national and international partnerships.
More about KU Leuven
KU Leuven in numbers
- #45th in THE World University Ranking
- 23,608 staff members
- 26,448 bachelor students
- 24,543 master students
- 7,077 PhD students
- 153 spin-offs
Mission, vision and values
Leadership and policy
Networks and partnerships
Community
Engagement and society
KU Leuven Global
- Going abroad
- Global development
- International networks & partnerships
- Focus on key regions
Offices and administration
Support our research
KU Leuven runs a wide range of research projects with a strong social impact. Through your contribution, you can help make the world a better place in all its aspects.