Application strategy
The undergraduate (bachelor) core is Dutch-medium, so the main international route is one of KU Leuven's 75 English-taught master's programmes — apply through the central English admissions portal with strong academic records (IB, A-Levels and AP are accepted) and program-specific prerequisites. Deep-tech and engineering applicants should highlight research fit with imec-linked labs. Look into KU Leuven and Flemish/Erasmus Mundus scholarships, as EEA tuition is already very low while non-EEA fees vary sharply by program.
Who fits
- International master's and PhD students seeking world-class research at EU-low fees
- Deep-tech, nanoelectronics, AI, engineering and biomedical students who want proximity to imec and a strong spin-off ecosystem
- Students in theology, philosophy, classics or law drawn to one of the world's oldest and most respected faculties
- Researchers chasing EU funding leadership (Horizon Europe, MSCA, ERC) and strong publication output
- Dutch-speaking (or Dutch-learning) undergraduates wanting Belgium's top university
Who should think twice
- International undergraduates who do not speak Dutch and want an English-taught bachelor's
- Students prioritising a globally famous brand name over genuine research quality
- Those wanting a big-city campus and nightlife rather than a historic university town
- Learners seeking small-class, tutorial-style teaching rather than a large research university
- Students wanting low cost of living — Leuven runs ~€1,050–€1,400/month, mid-range for Europe
Visa and application system in Belgium
- Student visa / post-study work: Student residence permit; 12-month 'search year' (zoekjaar / année de recherche) post-study job-seeking permit for non-EU graduates
- Application system: Direct to each university; Dutch-medium (Flanders) or French-medium (Wallonia/Brussels) bachelor's, with English-taught master's the main international route