Introduction

The Bachelor of Science in Business Engineering in Brussels is a joint English-taught programme organised by the Faculty of Economics and Business of KU Leuven and the Faculty of Economics, Social and Political Sciences and Communication of the UCLouvain Saint-Louis – Bruxelles. Both institutions are situated in the heart of the city, near Brussels Central Station. Students will attend courses and take exams at both institutions and obtain a joint degree.

Companies and organizations today operate in a highly complex and interconnected world, where they must navigate rapid technological changes, global competition, and evolving consumer expectations. To thrive in this environment, they make critical decisions that affect every aspect of their operations, from financial planning to marketing strategies, production efficiency and human resource management.

The Business Engineering programme equips students with the skills and knowledge to understand and optimize these decisions. The approach is multidisciplinary and includes a thorough study of all major business domains such as finance, accounting, marketing, logistics and human resources, as well as the economic, legal and social landscape in which businesses operate. Additionally, the programme emphasizes the development of strong analytical skills. Students learn how to use data analysis, mathematical modeling and IT tools to make informed decisions, optimize business processes, predict outcomes and assess risks.

Since analytical skills are a core part of the Business Engineering programme, students are expected to come with a solid background in mathematics. They will also need to anticipate working in multiple languages, a natural extension of living and studying in multi-lingual Belgium and Brussels. Students refine their abilities in English through courses and workshops whilst studying at least one other language to encourage familiarity with today’s polyglot business environment.

Mathematics and Statistics: crucial building blocks

Today’s business engineers often use mathematical and statistical models to describe reality in a logical way. The language of mathematics and statistics is a powerful tool to describe and explore those models. By learning this language you develop your skills in recognising structures, systematic problem-solving, and checking the plausibility of the obtained result. You will also refine and apply your knowledge of mathematics and statistics in various courses, including linear optimisation, operations research, econometrics, accounting, finance, sciences and technologies.

Learn more on what prior knowledge is required       

Two institutions, one programme, one degree

The Faculty of Economics and Business of KU Leuven and the Faculty of Economics, Social and Political Sciences and Communication of the Université Saint-Louis – Bruxelles jointly organise the English-language Bachelor programme in Business Engineering.

KULeuven
Founded in 1425, KULeuven has been an acclaimed centre for learning and teaching for almost six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's highest-ranked university as well as one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe.
As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven has a wide variety of programmes in English on offer, supported by high-quality interdisciplinary research. Boasting an outstanding central location in the heart of Europe, KU Leuven provides students with a truly international experience, high-quality education, world-class research and cutting-edge innovation.

Site Saint-Louis - Bruxelles
Established in 1858, Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles specialises in human and social sciences. In 2007, the Institute for European Studies was created within USL-B. It has since gained an excellent reputation for multilingual education. Conveniently located in the capital's centre, it is just a five-minute walk away from KU Leuven Brussels campus.

Your profile

If you would like to:

• gain insight into the roles various business domains play in organisations and into the economic world surrounding organisations,
• master the necessary mathematical and statistical techniques to analyse and solve business problems,
• acquire a solid background in ICT and information management,
• and if you are also fascinated by the international and intercultural dimensions of business,

then this programme is a great fit.

Your future job

A degree in Business Engineering opens many doors in a wide range of sectors. Generally speaking, business engineers take up managerial functions in various business domains, including, but not limited to, marketing and finance. They usually start their careers taking on expert positions within companies (e.g. banking and insurance, ICT, telecom, logistics), in research or in consulting services, and move up to executive functions.

Clearly, with a degree in Business Engineering, you are  well-prepared for management roles in any department of a company or organisation. Moreover, a business engineer’s unique profile is highly appreciated by companies in both Belgium and abroad. Thanks to language courses and many opportunities to train partly at a foreign partner institution, you will be prepared to embark on an international career.

Through assignments and projects, in close contact with organizations (e.g. management projects, bachelor's thesis and career development courses), you develop general and specific management competencies, career and research skills and a sense of entrepreneurship.

Discover how this programme prepares you for the job market

Your programme

Duration: 3 years (full-time), 180 ECTS

EEA nationals and Non-EEA nationals who reside in Belgium under a valid residence permit can follow less than 60 ECTS per academic year and accordingly spread their studies in several years. This possibility needs to be discussed with a study career consultant. Note that there are no part-time, evening or weekend courses organized for this category of students.

Academic calendar

• 1st semester: 3rd week of September - end of January (exams in January) (In the build-up to the beginning of the academic year: Mathematics refreshers course and assessment)
• 2nd semester: 2nd week of February - end of June (exams in June)

*Note: The academic year at UCLouvain - Saint-Louis - Bruxelles starts a week earlier so the courses they organise start the week before the regular academic year at KU Leuven.