UCLouvain: a university serving people
Founded in 1425 and proud of its tradition, UCLouvain is committed to the challenges of its time. It carries out its research and education missions in order to serve society.
UCLouvain is ranked in the top 1% of the world’s universities. From its location in the heart of Europe, it plays a leading role in European society. It brings together 35,000 students, over 6,000 staff, and a vast alumni network. With eight campuses in Brussels and Wallonia, it offers the dynamism of an international university while remaining accessible. As an active member of major international networks, UCLouvain offers a research and educational environment that enables everyone to be exposed to the world and achieve excellence. The special attention paid to individuals is reflected especially in its innovative teaching methods.
UCLouvain is deeply rooted in society, particularly through its two university hospitals. It has two science parks and four incubators. It interacts with 250 companies and has more than 70 spin-offs. It is developing a large number of international agreements and has a special tradition of cooperation with Africa and South America. UCLouvain works closely with its sister university, KU Leuven; together, they promote an intellectually demanding, humane, intercultural and pluralist approach. In this way, UCLouvain intends to pursue the mission it began six centuries ago.
Multidisciplinary approach
UCLouvain's structure includes:
- three sectors: Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Technology, Health Sciences;
- 14 faculties which, in close collaboration with community services, develop UCLouvain’s resources in terms of teaching, learning support, and personal development in an exceptional environment (learn more);
- 21 research institutes, as well as research centres, cutting-edge laboratories and spin-offs, stimulating innovation on a European scale (learn more).
Open to the world
UCLouvain has always been open to the world, reflected in the many partnerships established with international academic institutions, active participation in European and international networks (Erasmus Mundus, European Joint Doctorate, EUA, Coimbra, AUF, etc.) and a long tradition of cooperation with developing countries.
UCLouvain is particularly active in The Guild, a network of 21 European research universities, and the Circle U. alliance, nine universities (Aarhus University, University of Belgrade, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, King's College London, UCLouvain, University of Oslo, Université Paris Cité, University of Pisa, University of Vienna) within a consortium selected by the European Commission to be one of 50 alliances of European universities incorporating the European Universities initiative.
A stimulating environment
UCLouvain is:
- a major player in the transition to a sustainable society: it incorporates the challenges of the ecological crisis into its courses and is developing a number of local projects (university farm, sustainable campuses);
- a Digital University, involved in open science and education;
- a community of professors who use innovative teaching practices (Louvain Learning Lab);
- committed to a policy of equality, diversity and inclusion;
- a university of solidarity (link under construction);
- an institution that has developed a human resources management strategy to promote a favourable environment for research, education, and the careers of academics and researchers; it has been awarded the HR Excellence in Research label by the European Commission, which recognises the quality of the various action plans put in place to improve recruitment, working conditions, careers and services for researchers and academics.