FAQ

How can I submit my application?

Your application must be submitted via Mobility Online. No documents will be accepted via email. Please refer to our Factsheet for additional information.

I have been selected by my home university to do an exchange mobility at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles but I still have not received any information from you.

Have you checked your SPAM box? If our email is not in your SPAMS, we might not have received your nomination from your home university yet. Please see with them.

 

LIST OF COURSES AND LEARNING AGREEMENT:

What is the Learning Agreement?

This document lists the courses you wish to attend in our institution during your mobility with us. This document is essential to confirm your mobility.

Where can I find the Learning Agreement/how can I fill the Learning Agreement?

• For European students, please see with your home institution what they use (online Learning Agreement or PDF Learning Agreement). They will provide you with the necessary template or access.
• For non-European students, you should have received the template in the first email we sent you.

Should I send you the Learning Agreement before uploading it into Mobility Online to have the host institution’s signature or can I upload it without your signature?

Your signature and your coordinator’s signature must appear on the Learning Agreement you uploaded onto the platform. Once submitted, we will review it, sign it and send it back to you with all three signatures. In other words, you do not need our signature before the submission of the document.

What courses can I take?

Exchange students may take courses in all our faculties regardless of their field of study, as long as the home university allows it. Please make sure that the course is taught during your stay. See our catalog of courses.

Is it mandatory to take the ‘specific courses for exchange students’ ?

Those courses are not compulsory. However, they have been specifically designed for our exchange students to be more interactive. They often entail visits, simulations… They are worth considering.

I do not speak French; do I have to include courses in French in my Learning Agreement?

Including courses in French is not mandatory. Students can build their study program fully in English. Vice versa, students can also have a study program in French only.

What is the minimum number of credits I need to include in my Learning Agreement?

The requirements regarding the number of credits depend on the home institution. Students often build a program with 30 credits per semester. Please see with your home coordinator.

Will I be able to change my Learning Agreement after the start of the semester?

Students will have up to three weeks after the start of the semester to amend their Learning Agreement. This allows students to try out as many courses as they wish to and make any necessary modifications.

I do not see the timetables for the courses. How can I make sure I will not have overlapping courses?

Timetables might not have been set at the time of drafting the Learning Agreement. You will have plenty of time to adjust your list of courses and your timetable after your arrival. This is a common process.

 

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS & LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES:

What are the language requirements?

Students must be able to prove at least a B1 level (B2 for Law courses) in the language in which the class is delivered. If you select courses in both English and French, you need to submit both certifications.

I am a native French/English speaker. Do I need to prove my language skills?

Native speakers do not need to prove their proficiency in their mother tongue.

I do not speak French (or do not have a sufficient level). Can I still do my mobility at your institution?

If you have a sufficient level of English, you may build your program fully in English. Unfortunately, if the level does not match the requirement either in French or English, the application will be rejected.

I do match the requirements in French, but I am not certain I will be capable of attending the courses in French. What should I do?

We suggest that you try the course during one or two weeks after your arrival and switch to a course in English if you do not feel comfortable enough.

I do not match the requirements, but I intend to take intensive courses during the summer. May I still apply?

Unfortunately, your application will be denied if you do not have sufficient linguistic skills.
Your application will be put on hold until you are able to provide the correct certification. If, after your intensive courses, you still do not have the requirements, we will have to reject your application.

What type of certifications do I need to prove my level?

• OLS test results (for Erasmus students)
• Certificate issued by the home university
• Other official certifications such as TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, DALF…

In all cases, this certificate must be less than 3 years old.

TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDS:

What is a transcript of records? Why do you need it?

The transcript of records lists all the courses you have attended in your home university until now[MS3] . This document helps us guide you in your selection of courses.

I have not yet received my grades for this semester. Can I still submit the transcript with the grade I have received until now?

Yes, you can.

 

PASSPORT OR PIECE OF ID:

My passport/ID card is expired or will expire soon, and I am in the process of renewing it. What should I do?

You may upload your current piece of ID onto your Mobility Online to submit your application and upload the new one afterwards. Be careful if you need to apply for a student VISA. You need to anticipate.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE:

My European Health card is expired or will expire soon, and I am in the process of renewing it. What should I do?

You may upload your current card onto your Mobility Online to submit your application and upload the new one afterwards.

Is the European Health insurance card (EHIC) sufficient or do I need to purchase my own private insurance?

The European Health card is sufficient for us. Please note that the coverage is limited to ‘necessary care’ (see here for more information regarding the EHIC). It is up to you to see if you need complementary insurance.

Where can I purchase my own private health insurance?

It is up to the students to find a company that provides such insurance.

 

CIVIL LIABILITY INSURANCE:

What is a civil liability insurance?

If someone suffers loss or damage as a result of an error, carelessness or negligence on your part, then you are liable for this. In the event that someone files a claim for damages against you, then your insurer defends you against it. Should you be deemed liable, then your insurer will compensate the victim. For instance, if you scratch someone’s car unintentionally, the insurance will pay compensation to the owner.

Is the civil liability insurance compulsory?

It is not but we highly recommend that you be insured. Accidents happen fast.

Does the university’s civil liability cover me?

Incoming students are covered by the university’s insurance within the limits of our contract: incident occurring during academic activities. This means that any event occurring in our student residency wouldn’t be covered by our insurance. Please note that the home institution’s insurance must prevail.
Students are invited to purchase their own private civil liability insurance to cover them in case of an accident occurring in their private life.

How can I purchase my own private civil liability insurance?

It is up to the student to find a company that provides such insurance. Non-European students often purchase travel insurance that usually includes both health insurance and civil liability insurance.

The exam period at Saint-Louis is overlapping with the start of the course in my home university; can I anticipate my exams?

During the mobility, exchange students are considered as UCLouvain students and our exams must prevail over any other imperatives in their home university.
For VISA reasons, non-European students undergoing their mobility during the first semester may request to sit their January exams during an early session in December. Those arrangements are granted or not by the incoming mobility coordinator upon analysis. The request must be submitted directly by email to the International Relations Office before October 31^st.

What happens if I fail an exam?

If you were to fail one or more exams in January and/or June, you have the possibility to sit them again in August, during the retake exam session. As the host institution, we do not require you to retake an exam if credits earned are deemed sufficient by your home institution. Only exams with a grade inferior to 10/20 can be retaken.

Does your university have a doctor on campus?

Yes, we have a doctor on the campus and students can meet with them for free during duty period. See here for more information.

Do you provide mental health help?

Yes, the university has therapists on campus and students can have up to 4 free sessions with them. This service is available in French and English. See here for more information.