Top 10 reasons to study at Louvain University

About Louvain University (UCLouvain)

Louvain University has 33,500 students across seven campuses in Brussels and Wallonia. Its primary campus is in Louvain-la-Neuve, a pedestrianized city. It is a pioneer in developing massive open online courses (MOOCs) and Europe’s first French-speaking institution to offer online courses on the edX platform (36 courses available in 2021). 

Louvain University’s ranking

QS World University Rankings	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Ranks	195	188	189	167	165

Education and research

With a Nobel Prize, 21 Prix Francqui (the “Belgian Nobel”), and numerous other honors, UCLouvain provides a research-based education. The university’s commitment to innovation is clear. It invests €273 million in yearly research. It has 356 projects supported by European framework programs (as of 2021) and close ties with the commercial world. The university pays special attention to the 275 companies in its two science parks. Meanwhile, UCLouvain’s research development initiatives have resulted in 66 active spin-offs.

Open to the world

UCLouvain has been open to the world since its inception. It has reached out to the world and invited students and employees worldwide. 22% of its staff and 19% of its student population are international. This openness reflects in its numerous exchange partnerships with universities around the globe, active participation in global networks, and long-standing tradition of cooperation with developing nations.

Top ranks

UCLouvain ranks first among Belgian francophone universities, ranking 158th in the world’s universities by Times Higher Education in 2022. It is also one of Europe’s oldest universities, established in 1425. Erasmus, Gerardus Mercator, and Andreas Vesalius are among the legendary alumni of the university. It’s where Georges Lemaître developed his Big Bang theory, and Christian de Duve did research that earned him the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1974.

Why study at Louvain University?

The primary aim is to help students develop into problem solvers and open-minded global citizens in preparation for their future careers.

1. Up-to-date, open courses and options- You have attractive, constantly updated training offerings. You may prefer specialist, multidisciplinary, or flexible teaching, depending on your professional goals.

2. Student life includes activities outside the classroom- You can access student societies, clubs, regional activities, and themed shared apartments. Discover the wealth of a vibrant university metropolis.

3. Staff readily available- Your teaching team is available in their offices or via email. They offer dynamic teaching.

4. Louvain-la-Neuve triumphs in Wallonia- For 45 years, Louvain-la-Neuve has been a unique city and Wallonia’s brightest achievement. An industrial park that ultimately interacts with the school’s laboratories.

5. Starting with projects, models, and authentic experience- Beginning with the first term, you will be immersed in reality, requiring your creativity and team spirit to create models and projects you will show and defend publicly.

6. All fields in one location- UCLouvain is a full-service institution. Experts in their field always present humanities courses at EPL.

7. International exchanges to expand one’s perspective- One in every two EPL students at UCLouvain spends time (often a complete year) at a Flemish or foreign university.

8. Teachers with hands-on experience- Your teachers are engineers who manage research laboratories with nearly 600 people who are constantly in touch with the business world.

9. A globally recognized degree- It collaborates with elite European engineering schools and alumni working for big corporations.

10. A professional organization close to the lecture theatres- The organization provides contacts, conferences, placements, and assistance in climbing the professional ladder.

Study at UCLouvain

Professors at UCLouvain incorporate innovative techniques into their teaching methods. Some highlights of the study programs are as follows-

• Continuing education- 275
• Graduates- 45
• Master 120- 101
• Specialized master- 67
• Aggregations- 23
• Doctorates- 23

The option to select a minor is a distinguishing trait of UCLouvain bachelor’s programs. Four kinds of minors allow students to approach the curriculum from illuminating, distinct perspectives.

Another benefit of UCLouvain is the emphasis on language learning throughout the bachelor’s course, enabling students to achieve genuine multicultural and professional integration. 

Meanwhile, throughout the academic year, UCLouvain makes every effort to support its students by providing high-quality teaching and learning support and assistance in social, psychological, and other aspects contributing to success. Several types of support are available at the university, faculty, and program levels during the first year of the bachelor’s degree.

International mobility and exposure to different academic settings are essential to a UCLouvain education. Specific bachelor programs allow students to acquire international experience.

Campus

UCLouvain is a multi-campus institution! It has eight campuses where it provides instruction to students and is busy developing basic and applied research. That is where it connects with the socioeconomic world to achieve higher excellence. It invites Belgian and international students and artisans of tomorrow to the campuses. The campuses are as follows-

• Louvain-la-Neuve
• Brussels Saint-Louis
• Brussels Woluwe
• Brussels Saint-Gilles
• Mons
• Tournai
• Namur
• Charleroi

Key takeaways

• Founded in 1425, Louvain University is a comprehensive institution of the French Community of Belgium. The university has over 30,000 students, 14 faculties, and 23 doctoral schools, which give degrees and research opportunities.
• With its primary campus in Wallonia’s most economically dynamic province and six additional locations in Wallonia and Brussels, UCLouvain boasts an ideal location in the heart of Europe.
• UCLouvain is a varied and welcoming campus community. One-third of its teachers are women, with a similar proportion being international. One-fifth of its students are international, representing more than 120 countries. UCLouvain collaborates with higher education institutions all over the globe.

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FAQs

Q1. What is Louvain University’s acceptance rate?

Answer- Louvain University has an acceptance rate of 63%. You will require the necessary scores and documentation to get admission to the university.

Q2. What is the necessary GPA for admission to the Catholic University of Louvain la Neuve?

Answer- Students must keep a minimum GPA of 2.5 for admission to Louvain University.

Q3. Is Belgium a good place to live?

Answer- Expat living in Belgium can be fantastic. The public facilities and living conditions are excellent. Crime rates are ‌minimal, particularly outside of Brussels and Antwerp. The nation’s perfect healthcare system has low private healthcare costs.