1Studying in Leuven2010-2011

International students and scholars at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Belgium

Welcome to Leuven!

A heartfelt welcome to one of the oldest centres of knowledge and learning in Europe!

As a new student from abroad intending to come and study at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, naturally you may have

a number of practical questions in mind. Being a university that continues to open wide its doors to a growing international

community of students and researchers, we try to anticipate your concerns and present you with some important information

via this brochure for international students and scholars at K.U.Leuven.

In this brochure, you will find a concise introduction to the academic system of K.U.Leuven and the range of study options

available to international students. If and when you have a more concrete idea of the kind of academic training you would like

to pursue within our walls, you will find in a next part an explanation of the requirements for admission and, where applicable,

the language requirements for particular courses. To help you finalise your plans for study, we include concrete financial information

that covers matters from registration fees to study grants and a basic idea of the living expenses in the city of Leuven.

This booklet forms part of a group of brochures that are meant to assist international students in planning efficiently and

conveniently for their academic sojourn with K.U.Leuven. These other brochures are listed and described briefly in this booklet

as well. We hope this brochure will be helpful to you and we wish you every success in your academic endeavours.

Professor Marc Waer

Rector

Visit our website at: www.kuleuven.be/english

2Welcome to Leuven! 1

Getting to know the university of Leuven (K.U.Leuven) 4

WE TAKE A GLIMPSE AT THE PAST 4TO UNDERSTAND THE PRESENT AND FACE FUTURE 4

How is academic training organised at K.U.Leuven? 6

HOW ARE THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES CATEGORISED? 6Bachelors [BA] and Initial Masters [IMA] Programmes (some taught in English) 6Advanced Masters Programmes [MAS] (taught in English,Dutch and other languages) 6Programmes and Specialisations in Medicine and Dentistry 7Doctoral Education Programmes and the Doctorate 7

K.U.Leuven Doctoral Schools 7Requirements 7Promoter - Supervisor 8Topics 8Doctoral Education Programme 8Doctoral process 8Doctoral Defence 8

University Continuing Education 9WHAT WOULD MY STATUS BE AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OR FELLOW? 9

Description 9Statuses for Students and Scholars 9

Exchange Students 9Bachelors and Masters [IMA & MAS] Students 10Predoctoral Students 10Doctoral Students 10International Scholars 10Specialisation Students 10Visiting Scholars 11Postdoctoral Researchers 11Visiting Professors 11Important 11

Study Contracts for Students 11Important 11

Table: Statuses of International Students, Scholars and Professors at K.U.Leuven 12

HOW IS RESEARCH CO-ORDINATED AT K.U.LEUVEN? 14K.U.Leuven Research Co-ordination 14K.U.Leuven Research and Development 14

HOW IS THE ACADEMIC YEAR STRUCTURED? 14HOW ARE THE EXAMINATIONS ORGANISED? 15

Important 16IS STUDY GUIDANCE AVAILABLE FOR NEW, FIRST YEAR BACHELOR STUDENTS? 16IS A K.U.LEUVEN DIPLOMA RECOGNISED ABROAD? 16

What are the admission and language requirements? 17

WHAT IS THE K.U.LEUVEN ADMISSION POLICY? 17Diploma requirements for the Bachelors Programmes 17Diploma requirements for the Masters Programmes 17Diploma requirements for the Specialisation Programmes in Medicine and Dentistry 18

For new applicants for the Bachelors programme with a secondary education diploma: 18For applicants for the Bachelors/Masters programmes with a partial diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from an EEA university: 18For applicants for the Bachelors/Masters programmes with a partial diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from a non-EEA university: 18For applicants for the specialisation programmes with a full diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from an EEA university: 18For applicants for the specialisation programmes with a full diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from a non-EEA university: 18

WHAT ARE THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS? 19For the Bachelors Programmes taught in Dutch 19For the Masters Programmes taught in English 19Language Courses in Dutch at K.U.Leuven 20

Instituut voor Levende Talen (ILT) 20Crash Course in General English and Academic English 20Other Language Courses at K.U.Leuven 21

Centrum voor Levende Talen (CLT) 21

What can I study at K.U.Leuven? 22

SURVEY OF THE BACHELORS PROGRAMMES 22SURVEY OF THE MASTERS PROGRAMMES TAUGHT IN DUTCH 24SURVEY OF THE MASTERS PROGRAMMES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH 27

How much are the costs and what are the possibilities for scholarships? 41

HOW MUCH IS THE TUITION FEE? 41Bachelors and masters programmes 41Doctoral students 41Special tuition fees for advanced master's programmes 41Special Registration Categories: Overview for the 2009-2010 academic year 42

HOW MUCH IS A MONTHLY/YEARLY BUDGET IN LEUVEN? 42HEALTH INSURANCE FEES PARTICULARLY FOR NON-EEA STUDENTS 43IMPORTANT! 43HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS? 44

In the framework of research projects within K.U.Leuven 44Research projects posted in the Doctoral Schools 44Research projects of individual professors 44University Hospitals and the Rega Institute 44Leuven Research and Development 44IMEC 44

Table of contents

In the framework of development co-operation 44Interfaculty Council for Development Co-operation (IRO, Interfacultaire Raad voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking) of K.U.Leuven 44Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR, Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad) 45Belgian Technical Co-operation (BTC, Belgische Technische Coperatie) (formerly ABOS) 46Flemish Office for Development Co-operation and Technical Assistance (VVOB, Vlaamse Vereniging voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking en Technische Bijstand) 47Non-governmental Organisations 47

In the framework of the Research Council of K.U.Leuven 47In the framework of Bilateral Agreements between K.U.Leuven and other universities in Africa, America, Asia and Europe 47In the framework of the Scholarships for Excellence Programme, signed by the China Scholarship Council and K.U.Leuven 47Other possibilities outside of K.U.Leuven 48

Belgian Organisations 48European Organisations 48American Organisations 48International Organisations 48

In the framework of the LLP/ERASMUS programme 48LIST OF COUNTRIES AND CORRESPONDING ADMISSION POSSIBILITIES, REQUIRED VISAS AND TUITION FEES 49

How do I apply for admission? 54

ONLINE APPLICATION 54CORE DOCUMENTS TO BE UPLOADED 54ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS TO BE UPLOADED 54HARD COPY DOCUMENTS TO BE MAILED 55REQUESTED APPLICATION FEE 55DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS 55

Are there any other practicalities I should know? 56

WHAT ARE THE RELEVANT UNIVERSITY SERVICES? 56International Office 56

International Admissions and Mobility Unit 56International Policy Unit 56Development Co-operation Unit 56

Study Advisory Centre 56International Housing Service 56Social Service for International Students 57Pangaea 57LOKO International 57What are other information sources about K.U.Leuven? 57

WHOS WHO AND WHERE? 58

3

Getting to know the university of Leuven (K.U.Leuven)

4

We take a glimpse at the past

Situated in the heart of Western Europe, the Katholieke

Universiteit Leuven has been a centre of knowledge for

almost six centuries. Founded in 1425 by Pope Martin V,

K.U.Leuven bears the honour of being the oldest Catholic

university in the world still in existence and the oldest

university in the Low Countries.

In its early days this University was modelled on the universities

of Paris, Cologne and Vienna. In a short time it grew into

one of the largest and most renowned universities in

Europe. Its academic fame attracted scientists who have

made valuable contributions to European culture. Let us

enumerate a few renowned names. In the 16th century

the humanist, Desiderius Erasmus, lectured here. He founded

the Collegium Trilingue in 1517 for the study of Hebrew,

Latin and Greek - the first of its kind. The tutor of the young

emperor Charles V, Adriaan Cardinal Florensz of Utrecht,

was a professor here before being elected in 1522 as

the last non-Italian Pope before Pope John Paul II.

The philologist, legal scholar and historian, Justus Lipsius,

taught here for years. The mathematician, Gemma Frisius,

helped build the foundations of modern science and tutored

many famous scientists: the cartographer, Gerard Mercator,

whose map-projection is still in current use; the botanist,

Rembert Dodoens; and the father of modern anatomy,

Andreas Vesalius. In a later period, the theses of the Leuven

theologian, Cornelius Jansenius, caused huge controversy

both inside and outside the Church. In the 17th and 18th

centuries, K.U.Leuven was an important training centre

for Roman Catholic intellectuals from Protestant countries.

At the end of the Age of Enlightenment, in 1783, the physico -

chemist, Pieter Jan Minckelers, discovered the suitability

of coal gas for lighting. In the 19th century, at the instigation

of Pope Leo XIII, K.U.Leuven became an important centre

of Neo-Thomist philosophy.

Not all has been trouble-free, though, in the Universitys long

history. It has had its share of difficulties during the various

social and political upheavals in this region from the 16th to

the 19th centuries. Of late, the two World Wars of the 20th

century deeply scarred the University. In 1914, the University

Hall with its precious library was set to flames by German

troops and 300,000 books were reduced to ashes.

Afterwards, an international solidarity campaign with a major

American contribution helped construct a new library on

the present Msgr. Ladeuzeplein in 1928. Unfortunately this

library was burned down in 1940 during the war and this

time only 15,000 of its 900,000 volumes were saved.

Since then, the University library, and in fact the entire

University, has undergone a thorough reconstruction.

The University is located in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking

(northern) part of Belgium. With the steady rise to renewed

prominence of the Dutch language, the University was

eventually split in 1968 into two new universities.

The French-speaking Universit Catholique de Louvain

moved to the newly built campus in Louvain-la-Neuve

in Wallonia, Belgium. The Dutch-speaking Katholieke

Universiteit Leuven remained in the historic town of Leuven.

to understand the present and face future

Such rich past of almost six hundred years has provided

K.U.Leuven through the centuries with its own, dynamic

international dimension. Today international co-operation

is regarded as essential for a modern university. Top-level

research is judged according to international standards

and implies interaction, co-operation and exchange, both

of researchers and results. One European survey ranks

K.U.Leuven among the top ten European universities

in terms of its scientific output. Likewise with regard to

education, several quality surveys demonstrate that

the University of Leuven stands at par with internationally

respected institutions in a large number of fields of study.

This academic reputation attracts students from all over

the world. K.U.Leuven has been involved in the Erasmus

student exchange programme since its launch in Europe

in the late eighties; the growing success of the Erasmus

programme later on led to the launch of the Socrates

programme, and today the University of Leuven has over

300 contracts under this programme. Each year around

600 international Erasmus students spend part of their

study programme in Leuven, while more than 500 of our

students share the same European experience at another

university. The TEMPUS-PHARE programme was set up

for students and researchers from Eastern Europe, while

contacts with universities in the former Soviet Union are

being built up through the TEMPUS-TACIS programme.

The co-operation with universities in Latin America falls

within the scope of the ALFA programme.

Besides these exchange programmes, the University has

set up a number of international academic programmes

aimed both at Belgian and international students. Unlike

the regular Dutch-language programmes, the international

academic programmes are taught in English. Most of these

programmes confer Masters degrees: full Bachelors

programmes in English are offered only in the fields of

Theology and Philosophy.

As of the present, K.U.Leuven caters to more than 31,000

students around 12 % of whom are international students

(from more than 120 nations). In terms of its personnel,

there are 5,287 members in the academic staff, 2,730 in

the administrative and technical staff, 8,172 university hospital

staff. With regard to its physical facilities, the University

occupies a total area of 1,058,445 square metres and it

has a total of 26,606 rooms. On the academic side,

the University is composed of 14 faculties, 50 departments

and about 240 sub-departments. Further, its network

of 30 auxiliary libraries now houses a total of 4.3 million

volumes, 14,500 magazines and journals, and 7,492 full text

electronic magazines. And more specifically on its medical

facilities, K.U.Leuven supports 5 hospitals, 3 affiliated hospitals,

with a total of 2,057 hospital beds for the acutely ill.

Hopefully, all this has given you a more vivid picture of our

university. K.U.Leuvens rich history can be read not only

from the citys street names, but also from the dozens of

historical University buildings. The medieval Cloth Hall, near

the famous Gothic City Hall, is the Universitys administrative

centre. The beautifully restored Main Beguinage houses

students and visiting professors. And other numerous old

colleges and residence halls give Leuven its stylish face

of a university town with a tradition. Where else can you

find a university within a town, and indeed a town within

a university, so dynamically integrated? Its rich historical

tradition has served as a solid foundation on which its

top-level research and centres of academic excellence

have been constructed. In addition, K.U.Leuven thrives as

a bustling student-town, with a strong international allure,

where various cultures meet and experiences are

exchanged and enriched. While it thrives at the heart of

Europe, K.U.Leuven opens its doors and looks forward to

more years of academic and scientific service from within

Flanders, Belgium to the wider international community.

5

How are the academic programmes categorised?

Although K.U.Leuven is an independent and privately

run institution, the academic programmes and diplomas

are fully accredited by the Flemish Government.

Consequently, the structure of academic training

is stipulated by the government authorities.

In 1999, 29 countries from across Europe signed the so-called

'Bologna Declaration'. As a result, many national systems of

higher education in Europe have been reformed with a view

to increasing transparency, facilitating mutual recognition

of qualifications and broadening the international mobility

of students and staff. At K.U.Leuven, the main outcome of

these reforms is the introduction of a two-fold programme

structure and two new degree titles: the bachelor's degree

and the master's degree. PhD programmes are unaffected

by the reforms in European higher education.

Aside from formulating the principles underlying the generalized

introduction of the bachelor-master system, the Bologna

Declaration also contained a plea for the gradual introduction

of a credit system, based on the ECTS (European Credit

Transfer System), as a means of promoting the mobility

of students through programmes and institutions. Students

should have the possibility of using credits acquired via

formal and non-formal learning towards the acquisition of

diplomas in their home country and abroad.

Flanders implemented this part of the Bologna Declaration

via the Decree on the Flexibility of Higher Education issued

by the Ministry of Education on April 30, 2004. The corner-

stone of the decree is the abandonment of a year system

of higher education in favour of a credit system: a curriculum

is henceforth conceived as an ordered set of courses (each

with ECTS points) and no longer as the sum of a number

of (independent) study years. Beyond this principle and

a minimal number of mandatory elements, the Decree left

all further specific regulatory activities up to the individual

institutions of higher education. Universities had to implement

the Decree by the start of the academic year 2005-2006.

Starting in the 2009-2010 academic year, the K.U.Leuven

transferred all of its education programmes to a so-called

credit accumulation system or educational model.

The implementation of the entire concept will take

two academic years (2009-2010 and 2010-2011).

The credit accumulation system or educational model

is a new way of structuring and organising the academic

offering. Instead of deliberating each academic year,

deliberations will only be held at the end of a degree

programme. Thus, deliberations concerning one programme

year will cease in this structure. However, the programmes

will still be composed of various educational stages.

Likewise, a new tolerance regulation will replace the current

deliberation criteria.

At K.U.Leuven there are six different kinds of study

programmes: Bachelor's programmes [BA], Initial Master's

programmes [IMA], Advanced Masters programmes [MAS],

Teacher-Training programmes, Doctoral programmes and

Continuing Education.

BACHELORS [BA] AND INITIAL MASTERS [IMA]

PROGRAMMES (SOME TAUGHT IN ENGLISH)

These academic programmes constitute the basic level of

university education after completing secondary education.

In the spirit of the Bologna Declaration, all the faculties

at K.U.Leuven have provided a new orientation to their

programmes, revising and restructuring them into Bachelor's

Programmes [BA] of three years and Initial Master's

Programmes [IMA] of one or two years (or four years for

Medicine). As one of the main features of the Bologna

Declaration, the programmes include more international

mobility for students and international co-operation with

regard to curricula. In effect, K.U.Leuven aims at making

these programmes even more attractive and competitive

for international students, especially in terms of quality and

academic standards. These programmes are mostly taught

in Dutch, some in English.

How is academic training organised at K.U.Leuven?

6

ADVANCED MASTERS PROGRAMMES [MAS]

(TAUGHT IN ENGLISH, DUTCH AND OTHER LANGUAGES)

These academic programmes provide training at an advanced

level. They are aimed at students who already possess a

basic academic (initial masters) degree, or a foreign masters

diploma. Generally, they aim at providing a wider scope by

offering subjects from other academic disciplines and by

analysing academic subjects in depth. These programmes

usually take one year of study, but some may take two years.

The international academic programmes that are taught

in English fall under this category.

In the framework of the Bologna Declaration, these international

programmes will lead to (advanced) Master's degrees.

Moreover, K.U.Leuven faculties stress even more the

international character of these programmes by arranging,

among others, that they can be taught in another foreign

language (e.g. Spanish). Likewise, the programmes will be

strongly linked to the top research areas of K.U.Leuven.

PROGRAMMES AND SPECIALISATIONS IN MEDICINE

AND DENTISTRY

The Faculty of Medicine offers complete Bachelors and

Masters programmes taught entirely in Dutch. Likewise,

it is possible to do further specialisations in almost all fields

of medicine and dentistry. These specialisation programmes

are organised in the form of on-the-job-training, by combining

a post as a medical assistant in one of the University hospitals

with a further training in the chosen domain. An important

distinction is made, however, between specialisation

programmes that provide training for clinical practice,

and specialisation programmes that are mainly academic

in nature and do not lead to clinical practice. These

Academic Specialisation Programmes lead to masters

and doctoral degrees in Medical Sciences and Dentistry.

Note that there are special admission requirements for

these specialisation programmes. See Part 2: What are

the Admission and Language Requirements?.

DOCTORAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

AND THE DOCTORATE

Pursuing a doctorate at K.U.Leuven provides you with

the opportunity to conduct intensive research during a number

of years within an internationally competitive environment.

In an independent way, you deal with fundamental or con-

crete questions within your academic field, with the intention

of offering an original contribution to the discipline. Through

this process, you will be able to publish certain results of

your research and ultimately defend your findings before

an academic jury.

K.U.Leuven Doctoral Schools

K.U.Leuven has three doctoral schools: the Arenberg

Doctoral School for Science, Engineering and Technology;

the Doctoral School for Biomedical Sciences; and the

Doctoral School for Humanities and Arts. The responsibilities

of the doctoral schools include recruiting Ph.D. students on

the national and international levels; organising the doctoral

education programme at the respective faculties; and helping

develop the competences of Ph.D. students for their academic

or non-academic careers. The doctoral schools stand for

openness and versatility. K.U.Leuven forms young scholars

with an open view upon the world and its societies, within

which they can take up their responsibility. Such broad-thinking

scholars are undoubtedly an added value for society.

They may settle into different sectors, such as education,

science, health care, welfare, industry, economics, culture,

justice, security, mobility, and so on. More information on

the doctoral schools can be found in www.kuleuven.be/phd/.

Requirements

The admission requirements are stipulated in the Decree

on Flexibility of Higher Education in Flanders. In order to

be admitted to a doctoral programme, students should

fulfil one of the following requirements:

a) hold a Belgian Master's degree or an equivalent

Belgian or foreign degree (enrolment may be subject

to an additional aptitude check)

b) holders of Belgian or foreign degrees (e.g. Bachelor's

degrees) that are not formally equivalent to a Belgian

Master's degree can be exceptionally admitted after

having succeeded in a formal aptitude check or having

succeeded in an examination concerning established

subject matters.

Furthermore, candidate doctoral students are expected to have

excelled in their previous studies. What this means concretely

in terms of grades or results differs from faculty to faculty.

In this regard please consult the regulations for the doctoral

education programme of the respective Graduate School or

faculty. Depending on your academic background, a preparatory

/predoctoral period may be considered necessary.

A good command of English, both spoken and written, is also

needed. Applicants are required to demonstrate their proficiency

in English, either by proving that some of their previous

studies were successfully completed in English, or by submitting

the results of a recognized language proficiency test, such

as the TOEFL (minimum score: 550 pt. on the Paper-based

test or 79 -80 pt. on the Internet-based test or 213 on the

Computer-based TOEFL test) or the IELTS or another equivalent

English test. In some cases, the applicant may be asked to

provide a writing sample such as a paper, a thesis or some

publications. Note that sometimes a higher level of English

proficiency may be required.

7

Promoter - Supervisor

During your doctoral studies, you are guided by a supervisor

or a promoter, as this professor is commonly called here.

The promoter plays a central role in supervising your

research and the choice of a good promoter is then of

utmost importance. It is to your advantage to find a promoter

who will support your research, motivate you during your

work, provide you with the necessary logistics and with

whom you can discuss your findings. By accepting to be

your promoter, the professor concerned commits herself or

himself to see to the proficient progress and culmination of

your doctoral studies, just as you commit yourself to bring

your doctoral research to completion with the right motivation.

In practice, right after your masters studies you may be

approached by a professor to undertake a particular line

of research with her or him. Or, you may directly consult

a professor to request for help in deciding upon research

possibilities. If convenient, you may consult a number of

prospective promoters if you havent decided yet on a

suitable topic and/or promoter. You may also check the

research vacancies that are published in any of the three

Doctoral Schools.

Admission into a doctoral programme at K.U.Leuven for

international applicants presupposes that the candidate has

already had previous contact with and the initial approval

of a professor at K.U.Leuven who is willing to act as his or

her promoter. Consult the page Research

(www.kuleuven.be/research/) on the K.U.Leuven website

and the research pages on the three Doctoral Schools

websites (www.kuleuven.be/phd/) for an overview of the

expertise of the professors.

Topics

Choose the topic of your doctoral research wisely: you will

be working on it for the coming years and possibly even

during your career.

Your topic can be related to that of your masters thesis,

but this is not a must. Choose your topic in close co-ordination

with your promoter. You may be allowed to select a topic

that fits in with the actual research activities of a research

group in a department, or your promoter may propose

a number of themes from which you can choose.

There are two other methods of selecting a doctoral research

topic at K.U.Leuven: via the list of doctoral projects announced

in the websites of the doctoral schools (www.kuleuven.be/phd/);

or via the Research Database of K.U.Leuven (www.kuleuven.be/

research/researchdatabase/). You can search various research

topics, consult a current list of topics by doctoral students per

faculty, or consult the research expertise of K.U.Leuven professors.

Doctoral Education Programme

To earn a doctoral degree at K.U.Leuven, you are required

in principle to participate in the doctoral education programme.

This programme is now organised and managed by the

Doctoral Schools.

The doctoral programmes first goal is to broaden and deepen

your knowledge within your research field. Second, it aims

at ensuring the efficient progress of your doctoral research

by means of better guidance and follow-up. Additionally,

the doctoral programme can also serve as a preparation

for your later professional career. Finally, it further stimulates

the dynamics of research and contributes to a tradition of

doctoral training.

The regulations for doctoral programmes stipulate certain

fundamental elements, i.e. what is expected of a good

doctoral student: an international publication, presenting

and attending doctoral seminars, active participation in

international congresses, regular report and explanation

of the progress of ones doctoral research.

Doctoral process

Your doctoral research will take on a number of years

and thus one can speak of a process of doctoral studies.

The period of your doctoral studies will consist of different

phases: a planning stage, an execution stage (literature

study, data gathering, setting up tests and experiments),

and a writing/reporting stage. Usually these phases are not

chronological, but are interwoven with each other.

There will be moments of difficulty and challenge. Each doctoral

candidate will at some point no longer see the forest for

the trees. It is therefore important to discuss regularly your

doctoral research with your colleague-researchers and with your

promoter. Such contacts or discussions can be very motivating.

The support of your family and friends, who will inevitably

be confronted at varying degrees with your doctoral

research, is likewise indispensable.

Doctoral Defence

The results of your research are brought together in a doctoral

thesis: an extensive scientific report of your research and

your results. The form of your thesis and the procedures

for the doctoral defence can differ from faculty to faculty.

Again, do consult the facultys Regulations for the Doctoral

Education Programme on this matter.

8

You may be allowed to present your doctoral thesis in one

thesis form or as a collection of published articles. The thesis

is submitted to be read and evaluated by the members of your

examination commission. In some faculties the members of

the examination commission provide an extensive report of

their evaluation to the chairperson of the commission, in other

faculties you are required to take a preliminary examination.

The chairperson then examines whether certain members

have any fundamental objections that may jeopardise the

positive result of the public defence. If this is not the case,

the public defence can then be organised. In the meantime,

you prepare your thesis in its definitive form, taking into account

the requirements as to form and lay-out prescribed by the faculty.

During the public defence itself you give a presentation on

your doctoral research after which you are questioned by

the members of the examination commission. The public

defence is a unique occasion to present the result of many

years of work not only to the jury, but also to a broader

public composed of your family, friends and colleagues.

In some faculties, the chairperson may also provide

the public the opportunity to pose questions.

After the examination, the examination commission withdraws

for deliberation. After listening to the advice of the different

members, the chairperson decides whether you can be

proclaimed doctor and be awarded the doctoral degree.

For complementary information on the doctoral education

programmes and the doctorate, please consult the website:

www.kuleuven.be/phd/

UNIVERSITY CONTINUING EDUCATION

Various institutes and departments of the University organise

lectures, seminars, congresses and summer schools within

the concept of lifelong learning. Because the topics of these

continuing education programmes differ from one year to another,

and because these programmes are organised in a more flexible

way, it is not really possible to give a concrete list of activities.

For more information about these programmes, please contact

the University Continuing Education Office. Information is

also available on their website: http://dpv.kuleuven.be/

What would my status be as an international student or fellow?

DESCRIPTION

The status of international students who are accepted to

study at K.U.Leuven and admitted to reside within Belgium

for a certain period of time is determined and governed

by Belgian law.

A first and most important distinction involves citizens of

European Economic Area nations and citizens of other

nations. EEA citizens are those who have the nationality

and the passport of a country that is part of the European

Economic Area (EU nations + Iceland, Liechtenstein,

Norway; special arrangements apply for Switzerland and

Monaco). Within the EEA, there is free movement of persons,

thus also of students. This means that EEA citizens are free

to travel in the different Member States and that the right to

reside is subject to only minimal conditions. Non-EEA citizens,

however, do not have this right of free movement and are

required to obtain specific visas depending on the type or

length of their stay.

The first of such visa is the so-called Schengen Visa.

Within the EEA, a number of Member States (Austria,

Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,

Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway,

Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) have signed

the Schengen Agreement. The most important consequence

concerning residence rights is that non-EU citizens, who

want to travel to Belgium, for a stay of three months' time

at the most, no longer need to apply for a visa for Belgium,

but for a Schengen Visa. This Schengen Visa grants automatic

right of access to the other Schengen countries, unless

otherwise stated in the visa. The Schengen Visa is subject

to more stringent conditions than the former tourist visa.

The second type is an Authorisation for Provisional Sojourn.

This authorisation is a sort of visa which is issued by

the Belgian Ministry of Internal Affairs through its diplomatic

stations abroad to those who want to come to Belgium for

study or research purposes, meaning to say for a period

longer than three months time.

Please consult the tables listing the different countries

comprising the European Economic Area, the European Higher

Education Area and developing countries provided in Part 4.

STATUSES FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS

Exchange Students

The status of Exchange Student is a special category granted

to students who take part in the European educational

programmes of Lifelong Learning Programme - Erasmus,

TEMPUS, ALFA and others. Or, these are students who

come to Leuven in the framework of a faculty exchange

agreement between their university and K.U.Leuven.

9

Lifelong Learning Programme - Erasmus is the action programme of theEuropean Commission that promotes co-operation in the area of highereducation. All European Union member states are eligible to participate in the LLP-Erasmus, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Romania,Bulgaria and Turkey.

TEMPUS (Trans-European co-operation scheme for higher education)forms part of the overall EU programmes for the economic and socialreconstruction of Central and Eastern European countries (CARDS programme) and for economic reform and recovery in the former SovietRepublics (TACIS programme) and in the Mediterranean area (MEDA programme). TEMPUS has been created as a response to the needs ofhigher education and training in the countries concerned. Priority areasare redefined yearly by each partner state, in accordance with the overallpriorities for national reform.

Students from the following countries may, in order to study at K.U.Leuven,apply for a TEMPUS grant at their home university:

TEMPUS Cards: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia & Montenegro,Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Croatia.

TEMPUS Tacis: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan,Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

TEMPUS Meda: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco,Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.

Students interested in studying at K.U.Leuven in

the framework of a European Educational Programme

(LLP-Erasmus, TEMPUS, ALFA) or in the framework of

a bilateral exchange agreement between their home

university and K.U.Leuven, should contact the particular

office in their home university for more information.

Practical information for exchange students is provided by

the following website: www.kuleuven.be/english/interrelations

Further information on the programmes themselves can

be found in the official publications of the European Union.

You may also consult the following website:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/index_en.html

(LLP-Erasmus)

http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/tempus/

index_en.html (TEMPUS)

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/latin-america/

regional-cooperation/alfa/index_en.htm (ALFA)

Bachelors and Masters [IMA & MAS] Students

These are EEA citizens and non-EEA citizens who are

admitted to study at K.U.Leuven in a Bachelors programme,

an Initial Masters programme [IMA] most of which are

taught in Dutch or English, or in an Advanced Masters

programme [MAS] that is taught in English. They must be

academically admitted into a particular programme and

comply with the language requirements for that programme.

Predoctoral Students

These are EEA citizens and non-EEA citizens who are

admitted to study at K.U.Leuven in a predoctoral programme,

either with a scholarship or as self-supporting students.

Predoctoral students participate in a one-year or two-year

programme of studies and research, the purpose of which

is to evaluate the students research competence in view of

the doctorate. At the end of the programme, a permanent

evaluation of the students will determine whether or not they

are admitted to the doctoral programme. In view of their

residence permits, the Foreigners Office at Leuven City Hall

has agreed that these predoctoral students do not necessarily

participate in the ordinary examination sessions.

Doctoral Students

These are EEA citizens and non-EEA citizens who are

admitted to study and conduct research at K.U.Leuven

in a doctoral education programme, with a scholarship

or as self-supporting students. If they hold a scholarship,

the terms must comply with the Regulations for Doctoral

Scholars at K.U.Leuven. A tax-exempt scholarship may be

granted for a maximum period of four years for independent

doctoral research. Depending on the source of the scholarship,

the grant must amount to at least 75 %, or at most 100 %,

of the salary after taxes of a research assistant at K.U.Leuven.

Likewise, all doctoral scholarships are subjected to partial

(for most non-EEA citizens) or full (for EEA citizens) social-

security contributions, in compliance with the Belgian

legislation. In return, they enjoy certain benefits like child

allowance, occupational hazard and occupational illness

insurances.

International Scholars

These are EEA citizens and non-EEA citizens who are admitted

to conduct studies at K.U.Leuven either in preparation for

a doctorate, which they will obtain in their home university,

or in the framework of research or studies conducted in their

home university. Hence, these inter national scholars are still

officially affiliated to their home university. Mostly, they come

to K.U.Leuven with a scholarship in the framework of an

agreement or in the context of an exchange programme.

They may reside at K.U.Leuven for a longer period, i.e.

for more than three months but not exceeding 18 months.

Specialisation Students

These are EEA and non-EEA citizens who are admitted to

come to K.U.Leuven, with a scholarship or as self-supporting

students, in order to participate in a specialisation programme.

In the Faculty of Medicine, they are also referred to as clinical

observers.

10

Mostly, they come to K.U.Leuven in the framework of an

agreement or in the context of an exchange programme.

They may reside at K.U.Leuven for a longer period, i.e. for

more than three months but not exceeding 24 months.

Visiting Scholars

These are EEA citizens and non-EEA citizens who are

admitted to come to K.U.Leuven, with a scholarship or

as self-supporting scholars, for a short-term programme,

usually three months at the most, of studies and research,

independent of any employment contract. Usually, such

research is conducted within the context of the Universitys

bilateral agreements with other universities. Their status

in K.U.Leuven is analogous to that of Guest and they

must register as Visiting Scholar.

Non-EEA citizens must apply for a Schengen-visa if a visa

is required for citizens of their country; citizens of other

countries that are exempted from a visa for a visit of three

months at most need only present their valid passport.

With a Schengen-visa, Visiting Scholars may travel to

the other Schengen-countries, within the total period of

three months. Upon arrival, they notify Leuven City Hall

and receive a declaration of arrival.

Postdoctoral Researchers

These are EEA citizens and non-EEA citizens with high qualifi-

cations (a doctorate or equivalent qualifications) who are admitted

to conduct independent, fundamental scientific research at

K.U.Leuven, for a total period of three years at most. They

receive a scholarship, in the framework of international mobility

limited to a period of three years, which is equal to the salary

after taxes of a research assistant and subjected to social-

security contributions, in compliance with Belgian legislation.

Otherwise, they should receive a salary which is at least equal

to the salary of a research assistant at the University.

Visiting Professors

These are EEA citizens or non-EEA citizens with high

qualifications (a doctorate or equivalent qualifications) who are

appointed by K.U.Leuven as Visiting Professor on a part-time

or full-time basis, for teaching or research at the University.

For non-EEA citizens, the appointment is limited to a period

of four years. They should receive a salary that corresponds

to their appointment. This salary is not required if they

continue to receive income from their home university.

In such cases, a per diem allowance may be awarded as

unsalaried Visiting Professors. They are registered at the

Human Resources Department as Visiting Professor.

Important

For more detailed information regarding these different

categories, please refer to the following website:

www.kuleuven.be/english/admission/index.htm

STUDY CONTRACTS FOR STUDENTS

The following information concerns those with the status of

student at K.U.Leuven. On the basis of the Decree on the

Flexibility of Higher Education and the new credit system,

the student chooses one of three types of study contracts

when registering:

a diploma contract towards obtaining a bachelors or

a masters diploma;

a credit contract towards obtaining credits for one

or more individual courses;

an exam contract towards obtaining a diploma or

independent credits, based exclusively on exams

(without participation in class activities).

Within a diploma contract, the student can choose between

one of several model study trajectories (full time, half time

and/or in some cases other part time variants) and an

individual study trajectory (adjusted to an individual students

needs, following an assessment of his or her case).

Important notice for international students: students from

countries not belonging to the European Economic Area, i.e.

students coming from countries other than the European Union

countries, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, can only register

for a full time diploma contract. They will not be granted a resi-

dence permit by the City Hall upon attempting to obtain any

other type of registration (a part time or individual trajectory

diploma contract, a credit contract, or an exam contract).

Important

For more detailed information regarding the study contracts,

please refer to the following website:

www.kuleuven.be/english/teaching/index.htm

11

12

Table: Statuses of International Students, Scholars and Professors at K.U.Leuven

In summary, the different official statuses for international students, scholars and professors at K.U.Leuven are presented

in the table below. The first two columns list the titles and official statuses. These are further elaborated in the next columns

according to the corresponding type of financing based on the type of research or programme, according to their subjection

to social security and taxes based on nationality, and according to the coordinating office at K.U.Leuven that is responsible for

the administration of their respective files.

TITLES

Exchange Students

Visiting Scholar/Fellow

Bachelors/Masters Student

International Scholar

Specialisation Student

Predoctoral Student

Doctoral Student

Researcher

Visiting Professor

STATUS IN BELGIUM AND IN K.U.LEUVEN

Student

Visiting Scholar/FellowShort term: max. 3 months(EEA: 6 months)

Student

Student

Student

Student

Student

Scientific Collaborator

Postdoctoral Fellow in international mobility

Research Associate

Self-Supporting Researcher or Free Associate

Visiting Lecturer or VisitingProfessor

Unsalaried Visiting Lecturer orVisiting Professor

RESEARCH

Exchange programme

A

Academic programme

A

Specialisation and clinicalobservers programme

A

A

B

A

B

A&B

Research and/or Teaching

Research and/or Teaching

SCALE

Usually determined by exchangeprogramme

None

Min. 750

Min. 750

Min. 750

Min. 750

EEA: 100%Non-EEA: min. 75 %,or 90 % or 95 % ormax.100 %1

Min. scale Assistant

Min. 100 % net salary Assistant

Min. scale of Assistant

EEA: NoneNon-EEA: Min. 100 % net salaryAssistant

Ordinary professor scales

None

FINANCING

Scholarship

Scholarship or daily allowancepossible

Scholarship possible

Scholarship possible

Scholarship possible

Scholarship possible

Doctoral scholarship possible

Salary mandatory

Postdoctoral grant in international mobility

Salary

Grant or salary from home university or elsewhere, but not from K.U.Leuven

Salary

Possible daily allowance andcontinued salary by institution

TYPE OF RESEARCHA = INDEPENDENT, FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH (TYPE BOF, IUAP, FWO)

B = PROJECT ORIENTED RESEARCH UNDER SUPERVISION (TYPE INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS IWT AND EU)

1 In conformity with the regulations on the doctorate: minimum 90 % net salary of an Assistant; maximum 100 % net salary of an Assistant.2 Reduced social security contributions are paid if no social security agreement exists with the country of origin. This applies to almost

all non-EEA scholarship holders.

13

EEA= EU + LIECHTENSTEIN, NORWAY, ICELAND

NON-EEA= FROM OTHER COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EEA WITH ONLY A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT IN BELGIUM

COORDINATING OFFICE

International Office

International Office

International Office

International Office

International Office

International Office

EEA:Human ResourcesDepartment

Non-EEA:International Office

Human ResourcesDepartment

Human ResourcesDepartment

Human ResourcesDepartment

Human ResourcesDepartment

Human ResourcesDepartment

Human ResourcesDepartment

SOCIAL SECURITY

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

NA

Yes

Not applicable

TAXES

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted for a max. of 4 years

Yes

Exempted in Belgium

Yes

NA

Yes

Not applicable

WORK PERMIT

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No, except for citizens from newestEU countries

No

No, except for citizens from newestEU countries

No, except for citizens from newestEU countries

No, except for citizens from newestEU countries

No, except for citizens from newestEU countries

SOCIAL SECURITY

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Subjected to Social Security2

Yes

Subjected to SocialSecurity2

Yes

NA

Yes

Not applicable

TAXES

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted

Exempted for a max. of 4 years

Yes

Exempted in Belgium

Yes

NA

Yes

Not applicable

WORK PERMIT

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

No, since Belgianlaw of 27/02/03; viaHosting Agreement

No, since Belgianlaw of 27/02/03; viaHosting Agreement

Yes

Yes

Yes

How is research co-ordinated atK.U.Leuven?

At K.U.Leuven, both basic and pre-competitive research

is conducted in all academic and scientific disciplines.

In the past few years in particular, K.U.Leuvens research

effort and output have increased considerably, both

quantitatively and qualitatively, thus positioning itself

at the level of other leading European universities.

Research at this University is characterised by originality and

innovation, successful application, and virtual disappearance

of interdisciplinary boundaries. Its basic orientation has always

been and will remain fundamental research, in accordance

with the Universitys mission. At the same time, however,

our University should remain open to contemporary cultural,

economic, and industrial realities, or to the communitys

corresponding needs and expectations. For obvious reasons,

the community referred to is in the first place our own, but

competitive research at this University is to a large extent

internationalised and geared towards the whole world.

K.U.Leuven is ready to face the continuing challenge from

European and world-wide Research and Development.

K.U.LEUVEN RESEARCH CO-ORDINATION

The Research Co-ordination Office (RCO) is a central office

of K.U.Leuven. The RCO carries out various advisory and

supportive tasks with regard to the policy and the functioning

of scientific research in its national and international dimensions.

This includes the evaluation of this research, and the entire

responsibility covering inventory, administration, information

and support that goes hand in hand with research

in K.U.Leuven. This task is carried out on behalf of

the Academic Administration, but likewise in service

of all scholars at K.U.Leuven.

More specifically, its mission involves:

The preparation and elaboration of the K.U.Leuven

research policy

The optimisation of the research potential

The promotion and the use of research results for

the greater benefit of society, economy and industry

Supporting the K.U.Leuven Research Council, which

advises the Academic Council on research policy and

on the allocation of the Universitys own research funds

Follow-up of all research projects and contracts;

projects with industry are managed in collaboration

with K.U.Leuven Research and Development

To provide the K.U.Leuven research community

with information and practical help about research

programmes, academic prizes, new initiatives, etc.

For more information, please refer to the website:

www.kuleuven.be/english/research/

K.U.LEUVEN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

In 1970, K.U.Leuven Board of Governors founded the Leuven

Research and Development, Inc., a non-profit organisation

providing services to the industrial and commercial

operation and development of University research.

For further information, please refer to their website:

www.kuleuven.be/lrd/about/mission.html

How is the academic year structured?

K.U.Leuven adopts a semester structure for its academic

year. Basically, the academic year is divided into two semesters.

Each semester comprises 13 weeks of class lectures,

followed by a review period of one or two weeks, and then

an examination period. The examination period of the First

Semester is composed of three weeks. The examination

period of the Second Semester is composed of three to four

14

weeks, depending on the needs of the faculty. A remedial

examination period is also provided from mid-August

through begin-September.

After the First Semester examination period, students get

a semester break of one week. After the Second Semester

examination period and the deliberations, summer vacation

begins.

During the First Semester, students get a two-week break

for Christmas and New Year. During the Second Semester,

a two-week break for Easter is provided.

For the new students, Orientation Days are organised by

the International Office in co-ordination with the social and

central services of the University (visit the website:

www.kuleuven.be/orientation/). Two Orientation Days sessions

are offered yearly: during the week before the beginning

of the First Semester in September and before the beginning

of the Second Semester in February. The academic year

formally opens on the last Monday of September.

How are the examinations organised?

Starting in 2010-2011, with the implementation of the

credit accumulation system, the examination schedule will

be made available at the beginning of the academic year.

New measures will be introduced concerning the monitoring

of study progress and limiting the period of study.

After each examination period, students will receive clear

information concerning the level of their individual results.

The criteria for obtaining a degree, including the new

tolerance regulation, will also be communicated to

the students in a comprehensible manner.

There are two ordinary examination periods per academic

year. The first is held in January, after the First Semester.

The second is held in June, after the Second Semester.

Students who do not pass in the January or June examination

periods may re-take their examinations during the make-up

examination period starting from mid-August until the

beginning of September. Furthermore, students are not

allowed to sit the same examination or part of the examination

more than twice in the course of one academic year.

On the basis of a students examination results after the first

and second semesters (including the September examination

session), the respective faculties will then determine the

courses and corresponding credits to be taken during the next

academic year. To pass a specific programme, the student

must obtain all the 180 credits for Bachelors programmes,

or 120 credits for a two-year Masters programme or

60 credits for a one-year Masters programme.

The examinations are administered orally (with an opportunity

for a written preparation) or in writing. The dates and times

of the examinations are set by the respective faculties,

within the specified examination periods during the academic

year. The examinations for each course are graded on

a scale of 20 points. At least 10 points must be obtained

to pass.

A student obtaining the degree of Bachelor or Master shall

be the awarded with the following levels of achievement:

distinction (cum laude), on condition that 68 % of

the marks have been obtained;

great distinction (magna cum laude), on condition

that 77 % of the marks have been obtained;

greatest distinction (summa cum laude), on condition

that 85 % of the marks have been obtained;

greatest distinction (summa cum laude) with the con-

gratulations of examination committee, on condition

that 90 % of the marks have been obtained.

The semester examinations are obligatory and final.

If a student does not participate in the January session,

he/she cannot (unless in case of illness) take the exams

you missed in the June session.

The results will be communicated to the student after

the course of the examination sessions.

If the results of a students examinations after the first

semester are not so good, then during the second semester

he/she can avail of guidance to develop more efficient

study habits.

A student obtains the degree that he/she is enrolled for

in the event that he/she has obtained a passing result

(10/20 or above) or an exemption for every course in

the curriculum. However, tolerances are possible.

Students decide themselves which tolerances they apply

and which they do not, within the boundaries of the

tolerance conditions specified in the official examination

regulations.

15

Important

This brief description merely acts as an illustration of the way

examinations are administered. The full text of the K.U.Leuven

Examination Regulations can be read at the following

website: www.kuleuven.be/english/teaching/index.htm

Is study guidance available for new, first year bachelor students?

Yes, your faculty is prepared to help you if you are not

so sure if you would have sufficient knowledge to begin

a certain academic programme. For each course,

a didactic team is set up. This team consists of the lecturer,

the collaborator(s), and a monitor. Each team is prepared

to help with guidance over the learning process, over

psycho-social matters, and with the study direction.

During the first year of a bachelors programme, the didactic

teams help you in assimilating the course material. By so

doing, you would also be prepared for the examinations.

The results of your study tests and of your January

examinations can be discussed with the didactic team.

In this way you can know early on whether you are on

the right track. If not, then the teams can help you with

certain study difficulties.

If you are not certain how you should assimilate the course

material, if you find the study programme too heavy, if you

become too anxious because of the examinations, or if you

are having difficulties balancing your studies and relaxation,

then you can also pass by the Study Advisory Centre

where they offer guidance. Along with a psychologist or

pedagogist, you will be helped in assessing your academic

capabilities and prospects for the future.

Is a K.U.Leuven diploma recognised abroad?

Since Belgium is a member state of the European Union,

the EU directives on the recognition of academic degrees

are applicable.

In addition, some of the Council of Europe treaties relate

to the equivalence of university diplomas. However, as

equivalence is a very difficult and complex matter, you should

seek advice from the authorities in the country where you want

to use your diploma. The most appropriate bodies are the

information centres on recognition of the National Academic

Recognition Information Centres (NARIC) network and the

European Network of Information Centres (ENIC).

Please consult the following websites:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/

index_en.html

www.enic-naric.net/

16

What is the K.U.Leuven admission policy?

The Flemish Government upholds a democratic admission

policy that guarantees easy access to university education

for qualified Flemish students. It goes without saying that

K.U.Leuven must comply with Flemish Government legislation

regarding admission in order to guarantee the legality of its

diplomas. While upholding a long tradition of welcoming

international students, both from Europe and from other

continents, the University has set up a number of provisions

regulating the admission of international students,

with a view to maximising their chances of success.

DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE BACHELORS PROGRAMMES

International students who hold a Belgian secondary-school

diploma are legally eligible to register directly for a bachelor's

programme in K.U.Leuven, even without previous application.

However, most international students will hold a foreign

diploma or certificate, and these must be officially recog-

nized as equivalent to the Flemish diploma by law, decree,

European directive or international agreement.

If a student's foreign diploma is not officially recognized,

K.U.Leuven may still grant admission to a bachelor's

programme if the diploma of secondary education gives

access to university studies in ones home country.

Council of Europe: Citizens from member states of

the Council of Europe should be able to prove that they

can be admitted to an equal university programme in

their home country (e.g. they are allowed to participate

in entrance examinations or be added to waiting lists)

and thus have the right to admission.

Non-Council of Europe: Citizens not from member states

of the Council of Europe must be able to prove that their

secondary-school diploma gives access to university

studies in their home country.

Legal Residents: Non-EEA citizens with a permanent residence

permit in Belgium (e.g. through marriage) remain non-EEA

citizens, and in terms of admission to higher education they

are considered as non-EEA citizens when they obtained their

secondary-school diploma in their home country. If this

diploma was obtained in Belgium, then they definitely can

be granted admission.

In addition, there are entrance examinations organised by

Belgian law for the programmes in medicine and dentistry.

When admitted to the Bachelors programme, a preparatory

year is likewise granted to learn the Dutch language.

DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE MASTERS PROGRAMMES

Initial Masters Programmes [IMA] will require a previous

Bachelors degree in the same field of study or, where

indicated by the specific programme, in a related field

of study. Candidates applying for admission should also

consult the academic prerequisites for details.

The Advanced Masters Programmes [MAS], however,

are intended for students who already possess a master's

degree. Further, most programmes require one year of

full-time study, while others take two years full-time.

Candidates applying for admission into the advanced

programmes should consult the academic prerequisites

for details. Under these advanced programmes, some may

require general aptitude evaluations, tests and, in some

cases, a limit to the number of candidates accepted in

a particular programme. All of these provisions may be

cumulative: even if an applicant is eligible e.g. from a strictly

legal point of view, admission may still be denied for

academic or other reasons. Together, these provisions

make admission for international students quite competitive

and, for some advanced programmes, rather strictly selective.

In these cases, the University will decide on each application

individually, taking into account the academic qualifications

of the candidate.

What are the admission and language requirements?

17

DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SPECIALISATION

PROGRAMMES IN MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY

Note that Belgian law and K.U.Leuven make an important

distinction between specialisation programmes in Medicine

and Dentistry that provide training for clinical practice,

and specialisation programmes that are mainly academic in

nature and do not lead to clinical practice. These academic

specialisation programmes lead to Masters and Ph.D.

degrees in Medical Sciences and Dentistry.

For new applicants for the Bachelors programme

with a secondary education diploma:

EEA and non-EEA citizens who have a valid secondary

education diploma and wish to enrol in the Bachelors

programmes in Medicine/Dentistry, may do so on condition

that they master the Dutch language and pass the entrance

examinations. When admitted to the Bachelors programme,

a preparatory year is likewise granted to learn the Dutch

language.

For applicants for the Bachelors/Masters programmes

with a partial diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from

an EEA university:

Students with a partial diploma who wish to continue in our

Bachelors or Masters programmes will have to be assessed

by the Faculty as to which particular year the students may

begin. They must have mastered the Dutch language and

passed the entrance examinations (except when they can

provide proof that they have successfully finished one year

of Medicine/Dentistry before the academic year 1997-1998).

On successful completion of the programme, they are

permitted to practise their profession in any EEA country.

If they wish to enrol in a Clinical Specialisation Programme

or an Academic Specialisation Programme (MA or Ph.D.),

they automatically qualify for the selection procedure like

EEA citizens.

For applicants for the Bachelors/Masters programmes

with a partial diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from

a non-EEA university:

Students with a partial diploma who wish to continue in

our Bachelors or Masters programmes will have to be

evaluated by the Flemish Inter-University Council (VLIR,

Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad) by means of theoretical

and practical tests. These tests will assess in which particular

year the students may begin.

They must have mastered the Dutch language and passed

the entrance examinations (except when they can provide

proof that they have successfully finished one year of

Medicine/Dentistry before the academic year 1997-1998).

Upon successful completion of their programme, they are

permitted to practise their profession on condition that at

least half of their academic training was taken in an EEA

university. If they wish to enrol in a Clinical Specialisation

Programme or an Academic Specialisation Programme

(MA or Ph.D.), they automatically qualify for the selection

procedure like EEA citizens.

For applicants for the specialisation programmes with a

full diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from an EEA university:

Graduates with a full diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from

an EEA university, in order to practise their profession in

Belgium, need to apply first for a permit from the Provincial

Commission for Medicine and then for the approval of

the Provincial Order of Medical Doctors.

Those who wish to begin a Clinical Specialisation Programme

must have mastered the Dutch language and undergo

the selection procedure by the Faculty.

Those who wish to begin an Academic Specialisation

Programme must undergo the selection procedure by the

Doctoral Commission of the Faculty. However, they cannot

perform clinical practice.

For applicants for the specialisation programmes with a full

diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from a non-EEA university:

Graduates with a full diploma in Medicine/Dentistry from

a non-EEA university who wish to practise their profession

in Belgium must have the permission of the Provincial

Commission for Medicine. However, applying for this

permission is most difficult and applicants are generally

required to follow nonetheless a certain part of the Bachelors/

Masters programme (see above, the applicants for

the Bachelors/Masters programmes with a partial diploma).

Those who wish to have their diploma evaluated as to

its academic equivalence with Flemish diplomas need to

contact the Ministry of Education.

Those who wish to begin a Clinical Specialisation Programme

can do so on condition that they have mastered the Dutch

language, that they undergo the selection procedure by the

Faculty, and that their diploma is recognised as fully equivalent

to the Flemish diploma by the Ministry of Education.

18

There are two exemptions to this condition on diploma

equivalency:

1. Doctors/Dentists who come to perform clinical practise

in the framework of joint co-operations or projects

approved by the Commission on Appointments for

International Doctors of the University Hospital and

the Royal Academy for Medicine are allowed to perform

clinical practise for a temporary period in a specified

place.

2. Doctors/Dentists with a diploma from a South African

university do not need the permission from the Royal

Academy for Medicine, but must submit an application

at the Ministry of Public Health and Environment;

they are allowed to perform clinical practice in Belgium.

Those who wish to begin an Academic Specialisation

Programme must undergo the selection procedure by

the Doctoral Commission of the Faculty. However,

they cannot perform clinical practice and are recognised

as Clinical Observers. Applicants for the programme

on Clinical Observation (which does not include any

clinical practice) may send their applications to or apply

at the International Office.

What are the language requirements?

FOR THE BACHELORS PROGRAMMES TAUGHT IN DUTCH

The University offers complete bachelors programmes

in Dutch in practically all of the traditional and recently

developed areas of education and research. The high

quality of the programmes requires a good command

of the Dutch language, both spoken and written.

Applicants for these bachelors programmes should therefore

be aware that a superficial knowledge of Dutch is certainly

not sufficient for attending lectures or taking examinations.

It is also an illusion to think that one can acquire the necessary

skills overnight or by just going to the lectures. In order to

avoid disappointment in this respect, the University further

requires those who have been admitted academically into

a bachelors programme, but are non-Dutch speakers,

to prove their proficiency in the Dutch language by passing

a Proficiency Test, administered by the Instituut voor Levende

Talen (Institute for Modern Languages) at K.U.Leuven.

After one full year of studying Dutch, all candidates are

required to pass Level 5.

Candidates who have no background at all in Dutch must

therefore take the one-year preparatory course at the

Institute for Modern Languages. In order to participate

in this course, candidates must also present a certificate

or proof that they master at least one Western language,

e.g. English, French, Spanish, German. In this regard,

the Belgian Government has stipulated that non-EEA citizens

who will participate in this preparatory course may obtain

the student visa (Authorisation for Provisional Sojourn) from

the Belgian Embassy and a one-year residence permit from

the City Hall of Leuven to master the Dutch language.

To summarise: international candidates must first apply for and

be admitted academically to a bachelors programme taught in

Dutch before they can participate in the one-year preparatory

Dutch language course. After passing the Level 5 Proficiency

Test, they can enrol for the bachelors programme. International

candidates cannot apply directly for the one-year Dutch

language course, in order to obtain a Student Visa or

Authorisation for Temporary Residence in Belgium.

FOR THE MASTERS PROGRAMMES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH

For its international students, K.U.Leuven has established

a substantial number of programmes in English. Practically

all faculties accept English-speaking international students

into their programmes.

It is clear that only students who have a good command of

the English language, both spoken and written, have a chance

of completing the academic requirements successfully.

Candidates are therefore required to demonstrate their

proficiency, either by proving that at least part of their

previous studies were successfully taken in English,

or by submitting the results of international proficiency tests.

One such test is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign

Language) where the required minimum score is 550 pt.

on the Paper-based test or 79 to 80 pt. on the Internet-

based test or 213 pt. on the Computer-based test.

Candidates are thus required to request TOEFL to send

their official test scores to the International Office, International

Admissions and Mobility Unit, Atrechtcollege, Naamsestraat 63,

3000 LEUVEN. Our TOEFL Institution Code is 0749.

K.U.Leuven will not accept any TOEFL scores legalised

photocopies or originals sent by the candidates themselves.

19

Another test is the IELTS (International English Language

Testing System) where the required minimum band score

ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 pt. Candidates are thus required

to request IELTS to send their official test scores

to the International Admissions and Mobility Unit,

Atrechtcollege, Naamsestraat 63, 3000 LEUVEN.

K.U.Leuven will not accept any IELTS scores legalised

photocopies or originals sent by the candidates themselves.

Other programmes may require materials written by

the candidate such as papers, a thesis or publications.

Note that some programmes may require an even higher

level of English proficiency in order to be admitted.

Other programmes may also require students to follow

the special Crash Course in English and/or the Course

in Academic English offered at the Instituut voor Levende

Talen (Interfaculty Institute for Modern Languages) as

a condition for admission.

LANGUAGE COURSES IN DUTCH AT K.U.LEUVEN

Instituut voor Levende Talen (ILT)

The ILT mainly organises language courses in Dutch

for international students. In order to be admitted to any

of the basic academic programmes at K.U.Leuven which

are taught only in Dutch, they need to pass Level 5 of

the Dutch language course. The ILT organises language

courses throughout the academic year, and during

the summer month of August.

For further information on the language courses and

for the registration, please visit their website:

www.kuleuven.be/ilt/

Language courses during the academic year:

In the ILTs programme Dutch as a Foreign Language, five

basic levels of Dutch are taught. Each basic level consists

of a module of 80 contact hours. These modules can be

followed either intensively (12 hours/week) or in a regular

way (6 hours/week). Intensive courses are held during

the morning, whilst regular courses can be followed

either in the afternoon or in the evening.

Registration: Online registrations and regular registrations are

possible. See the ILT website for exact dates of enrolment.

Registration fees: The ordinary courses all cost 60 per

module (textbooks not included).

Summer Course Joos Florquin:

Dutch Language and Culture

Each year in August, the ILT organises Dutch courses for

international students. All the levels (1 to 5) are offered

during this summer course. Students with an elementary

knowledge will be given the possibility of improving their

Dutch. Lectures are given 20 hours a week from Monday

to Thursday.

Registration: See the ILT website for the deadline.

Registration fee: 300 (not including textbook).

Cancellation of enrolment is possible only until a specified

date. The administration costs for such cancellation is 25.

After a certain date, no more refunds of the enrolment fee

will be made. See the ILT website for payment instructions.

Proficiency Test in Dutch

For those who have already studied Dutch elsewhere

before coming to Leuven, the ILT likewise organises

a Proficiency Test. Passing this test would mean that

ones knowledge of Dutch is equivalent to the ILTs level 5

requirements. This Proficiency Test is organised during

the third Monday of September (1) and on the third

Monday of January (2) from 9-11 am.

Registration:

ILT Secretariat

before the second week of September (1)

before the second week of January (2)

Registration fee: 60

CRASH COURSE IN GENERAL ENGLISH AND

ACADEMIC ENGLISH

International students enrolling for a programme taught in

English at K.U.Leuven are now given the opportunity to

upgrade their English language skills. From September until

December and from February until May, two complementary

courses are offered by the Instituut voor levende talen,

ILT (Interfaculty Institute of Modern Languages). These aim

at improving the students knowledge of general as well

as academic English. They are a useful preparation to

a successful academic career.

Registration: See the ILT website for the deadline

Registration fee: 235 (General English) and 215

(Academic English). See the ILT website for payment

instructions.

20

Your registration will only be accepted after payment.

In case of cancellation, 10 % of the fee will be charged for

administration costs. The registration fee is only refundable

until the first week after the start of the course.

For further information concerning the courses, send an

e-mail to: info@ilt.kuleuven.be or you may call

tel. + 32 16 32 56 60.

OTHER LANGUAGE COURSES AT K.U.LEUVEN

For those who have already been accepted for enrolment

and have arrived in Leuven, the University also provides

the opportunity to study other modern languages for

the students own personal enrichment.

Centrum voor Levende Talen (CLT)

The CLT (Centre for Modern Languages) is an institution

for adult education that operates in connection with the

K.U.Leuven. The CLT is by and large an evening school

and during the course of the academic year it organises

language classes in English, French, German, Italian,

Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Portuguese, Russian,

Arabic, Turkish and Swedish.

Registration:

During the third week of September

From the last week of September through October,

during regular Office hours

Once the quota available for a class has been reached,

no further enrolment for that class will be accepted.

Registration fee: The fee varies between 135 and 150

depending on the language and the level.

For further information as to the organisation of the language

courses, please refer to the following website: www.clt.be

Or you may write to the CLT Secretariat.

21

K.U.Leuven uses Dutch as its main language of instruction. Consequently, most of the Bachelors [BA] and Initial Masters

programmes [IMA] are organised only in Dutch, with some exceptions. For example, the Faculty of Theology and the Institute

of Philosophy have full Bachelors programmes taught in English. Aside from these programmes taught in Dutch, the University

has set up a number of Advanced Masters programmes [MAS] aimed at both Belgian as well as international students.

These programmes are taught in English, Dutch or in another language.

Survey of the Bachelors Programmes

FACULTY (FACULTEIT) CREDITS LANGUAGE

FACULTY OF THEOLOGY (FACULTEIT GODGELEERDHEID)

Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies (Bachelor in de Godgeleerdheid en Godsdienstwetenschappen) 180 D & E

INSTITUTE OF PHILOSOPHY (HOGER INSTITUUT VOOR WIJSBEGEERTE)

Bachelor of Philosophy (Bachelor in de Filosofie) 180 D & E

FACULTY OF CANON LAW (FACULTEIT KERKELIJK RECHT)

FACULTY OF LAW (FACULTEIT RECHTSGELEERDHEID)

Bachelor of Laws (Bachelor in de Rechten) 180 D

Bachelor of Criminology (Bachelor in de Criminologie) 180 D

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND APPLIED ECONOMICS (FACULTEIT ECONOMIE EN BEDRIJFSWETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Economics (Bachelor in de Economie) 180 D

Bachelor of Business Economics (Bachelor in de Bedrijfseconomie) 180 D

Bachelor of Business Economics: Information Systems Engineering

(Bachelor in de Toegepaste Economische Wetenschappen: Handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica) 180 D

Bachelor of Business Economics: Business Engineering

(Bachelor in de Toegepaste Economische Wetenschappen: Handelsingenieur) 180 D

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (FACULTEIT SOCIALE WETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Communication Sciences (Bachelor in de Communicatiewetenschappen) 180 D

Bachelor of Political and Social Sciences (Bachelor in de Politieke en Sociale Wetenschappen) 180 D

FACULTY OF ARTS (FACULTEIT LETTEREN)

Bachelor of Linguistics and Literature (Dutch, French, English, Latin, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish)

(Bachelor in Taal- en Letterkunde: Nederlands, Frans, Engels, Latijn, Duits, Grieks, Italiaans, Spaans) 180 D

Bachelor of Language and Area Studies: Ancient Near East East (Bachelor in de Taal- en Regiostudies:

Oude Nabije Oosten) 180 D

Bachelor of Language and Area Studies: Arab and Islamic Studies (Bachelor in de Taal- en Regiostudies:

Arabistiek en Islamkunde) 180 D

Bachelor of Language and Area Studies: Sinology (Bachelor in de Taal- en Regiostudies: Sinologie) 180 D

Bachelor of Language and Area Studies: Japanology (Bachelor in de Taal- en Regiostudies: Japanologie) 180 D

What can I study at K.U.Leuven?

22

Bachelor of Language and Area Studies: Slavic and East European Studies

(Bachelor in de Taal- en Regiostudies: Slavistiek en Oost-Europakunde) 180 D

Bachelor of History (Bachelor in de Geschiedenis) 180 D

Bachelor of Archaeology (Bachelor in de Archeologie) 180 D

Bachelor of Art Studies (Bachelor in de Kunstwetenschappen) 180 D

Bachelor of Musicology (Bachelor in de Musicologie) 180 D

FACULTY OF PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES (FACULTEIT PSYCHOLOGIE EN PEDAGOGISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Psychology (Bachelor in de Psychologie) 180 D

Bachelor of Educational Sciences (Bachelor in de Pedagogische Wetenschappen) 180 D

Bachelor of Educational Studies (Kortrijk) (Bachelor in de Onderwijskunde) 180 D

FACULTY OF SCIENCE (FACULTEIT WETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Mathematics (Bachelor in de Wiskunde) 180 D

Bachelor of Physics (Bachelor in de Fysica) 180 D

Bachelor of Informatics (Bachelor in de Informatica) 180 D

Bachelor of Chemistry (Bachelor in de Chemie) 180 D

Bachelor of Biology (Bachelor in de Biologie) 180 D

Bachelor of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Bachelor in de Biochemie en Biotechnologie) 180 D

Bachelor of Geology (Bachelor in de Geologie) 180 D

Bachelor of Geography (Bachelor in de Geografie) 180 D

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING (FACULTEIT INGENIEURSWETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Applied Sciences and Engineering: (Bachelor in de Toegepaste Wetenschappen

en Ingenieurswetenschappen)

- Civil Engineering (Bouwkunde) 180 D

- Mechanical Engineering (Werktuigkunde) 180 D

- Electrical Engineering (Elektrotechniek) 180 D

- Geotechnical and Mining Engineering (Geotechniek en Mijnbouwkunde) 180 D

- Computer Science (Computerwetenschappen) 180 D

- Chemical Engineering (Chemische Technologie) 180 D

- Materials Engineering (Materiaalkunde) 180 D

- Architecture (Architectuur) 180 D

FACULTY OF BIOSCIENCE ENGINEERING (FACULTEIT BIO-INGENIEURSWETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Bioscience Engineering (Bachelor in de Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen) 180 D

FACULTY OF MEDICINE (FACULTEIT GENEESKUNDE)

Bachelor of Medicine (Bachelor in de Geneeskunde) 180 D

Bachelor of Dentistry (Bachelor in de Tandheelkunde) 180 D

Bachelor of Speech Therapy and Audiology Sciences (Bachelor in de Logopedische en

Audiologische Wetenschappen) 180 D

Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Bachelor in de Bio-medische Wetenschappen) 180 D

FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (FACULTEIT FARMACEUTISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Bachelor in de Farmaceutische Wetenschappen) 180 D

FACULTY OF KINESIOLOGY AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES (FACULTEIT BEWEGINGS- EN REVALIDATIEWETENSCHAPPEN)

Bachelor of Physical Education and Kinesiology (Bachelor in de Lichamelijke Opvoeding

en Bewegingswetenschappen) 180 D

Bachelor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (Bachelor in de Revalidatiewetenschappen

en Kinesitherapie) 180 D

23

Survey of the Masters Programmes taught in Dutch

FACULTY (FACULTEIT) CREDITS LANGUAGE TYPE

FACULTY OF THEOLOGY (FACULTEIT GODGELEERDHEID)

Master of Theology and Religious Studies (Master in de Godgeleerdheid en

de Godsdienstwetenschappen) 60 D & E IMA

Mas