Welcome at UCLouvain

You're an international student and you want to attend UCLouvain? Welcome!

Étudiants internationaux - Accueil

Education

At UCLouvain, as in all Belgian universities, academic courses are organised into three degree levels in accordance with the so-called ‘Bologna’ system:

In addition, the advanced master’s (one year) is available to holders of a master’s degree.

The main language of instruction is French, and the university offers some programmes and classes in English. You can also take classes to get your French up to speed. With some exceptions, a doctorate can be pursued entirely in English.

Academic Year

The academic year begins in mid-September and ends at the end of June.

  • Full-time students (those pursuing a full year of study or a degree) must begin their studies in September.
  • Exchange students can begin in September or February.
  • Doctoral students at any time of year.

Tuition fees

Excepting certain programmes, tuition fees for the 2022-23 academic year consist of the base fee (€835) plus fees applicable to students from countries outside the European Union. Refugees, candidates refugee, stateless or beneficiaries from a subsidiary protection are assimiated to Belgians and pay only the base fee (€835). Specific fees apply to exchange and doctoral students.

Get informed

Before applying to the university, find the programme that is right for you by consulting our 'Course catalogue' pages, where you will find a comprehensive presentation of our programmes.

Also consult our frequently asked questions, where you can find answers to most of the questions posed by prospective international students like yourself. If you plan to pursue a doctorate, visit the UCLouvain PhD student page "Valodoc".

If you are a master’s or doctoral student, read our brochures ‘A Master's programme at UCLouvain or ‘A PhD programme at UCLouvain’, written specifically for international students.

A Master's programme at UCLouvain 

Enrolment

As an international student, you must complete the Enrolment Office online application form. If you are applying for a master’s programme, your dossier will be assessed by a faculty jury.

You must submit your application by the deadline. Online application opens in December.