Covid-19 information: to find out about the measures currently applied at UCLouvain, please consult the COVID-19 info page for international students of our website.
Welcome to UCLouvain
A major international university in the heart of Europe
UCLouvain is the top-ranked Belgian university in the Times Higher Education ranking of the most international universities (and 47th in the world). UCLouvain’s partners in the Circle U. alliance also achieved excellent rankings. UCLouvain’s twofold objective: to make its students citizens of the world of today and tomorrow, and to develop collaborations with research teams around the world.
Good to know:
Who and how? Would you like to apply for a UCLouvain bachelor or master course? In this brief video Loïc explains the main admission requirements and the broad outlines of the application procedure.
Two key dates. Two application deadlines: 30 April for non-EU nationals not residing in Belgium and requiring a visa, and 31 August for EU nationals not requiring a visa. Certain international students can apply as late as 30 September. More details on theapplication calendar.
Online procedure. The application is made online at www.uclouvain.be/en/study/inscriptions. An Enrolment Office video explains how to complete the application form.
Secondary school equivalency. For secondary school diplomas issued outside the European Union, the application for admission to a bachelor course must include your diploma’s equivalency, which is issued by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (French Community of Belgium). The equivalency online application (www.equivalences.cfwb.be) must be submitted by 15 July. Applications for a master course do not require a diploma equivalency.
Contact the Enrolment Office. If you have any questions, please consult the Enrolment Office’s online list of frequently asked questions. You will also find the list of documents to submit with your application. You can also contact the office via a contact form.
An open university. For almost 600 years, UCLouvain has welcomed students from all over the world, regardless of their political or religious affiliation. It is deeply multicultural, multilingual, open and tolerant.
A complete university. From bachelor courses to PhDs, including master and advanced master courses, UCLouvain offers nearly 300 programmes in all disciplines of knowledge. Courses are mainly given in French, but some 30 master courses can be taken in English.
A renowned university. UCLouvain is one of the oldest universities in Europe, listed in the top 200 universities in the world according to the international rankings of Shanghai, QS and THE. It is also one of the 200 best performing universities in terms of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) according to the THE Impact Rankings. In 2022, UCLouvain is ranked in the top 50 most international universities by Times Higher Education.
One university on six campuses. Louvain-la-Neuve, Brussels Woluwe, Brussels Saint-Gilles, Mons, Tournai, Charleroi ... UCLouvain is present throughout Wallonia and Brussels with six campuses, each of different size and offering specific programmes.
A stimulating university. UCLouvain attaches great importance to life outside the classroom. It offers many opportunities for social, humanitarian, cultural and sporting involvement. It is also very attentive to the supervision of students and helping them succeed.
Three types of institutions. Higher education in Belgium takes place in three types of institutions: universities, which offer a more theory-based and scientific education; hautes écoles, which prepare students more directly for a profession; and écoles supérieures des arts (art colleges), which educate their students in the visual arts, theatre and the performing arts and music.
Three course levels. University studies are organised into three course levels, in accordance with the so-called “Bologna system”. The bachelor course is completed in three years. The master course can be completed in two years, and sometimes in one year. The PhD can be applied for after a two-year master course.
Direct application. With the exception of a few fields (civil engineering, medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, speech therapy, veterinary medicine), applicants do not need to complete a preparatory year or entrance or competitive exam. However, each programme has its own admission requirements.
Academic year start. The academic year starts in mid-September. Classes take place over two four-month terms. The fi`rst term runs from September to December and the second from February to May. There are three exam periods during the year: January, June, and, for resits, August.
Moderate cost of study. All subsidised universities in French-speaking Belgium charge the same tuition fee. Students coming from one of the 27 countries of the European Union pay €835 per year. Students from outside the EU pay fees that vary according to country.