Université Catholique de Louvain

About

Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) is a leading comprehensive university in Belgium, renowned for its research-intensive environment and multidisciplinary approach. Academically, it is particularly strong in fields such as Medicine, Engineering, Law, and Economics, offering a wide array of programs across its numerous faculties. For international students, UCLouvain provides a welcoming and supportive experience, with a dedicated International Affairs Office offering services like welcome days, a buddy system, and French language courses. The university boasts a significant number of English-taught Master's programs and participates extensively in international exchange initiatives like Erasmus+. A distinctive characteristic is its vibrant campus in Louvain-la-Neuve, a purpose-built university town that fosters a unique student community and a rich cultural life.

Background

UCLouvain (or Université catholique de Louvain [ynivɛʁsite katɔlik də luvɛ̃], French for Catholic University of Louvain, officially in English the University of Louvain) is Belgium's largest French-speaking university and one of the oldest in Europe (originally established in 1425). It is located in Louvain-la-Neuve, which was expressly built to house the university, and has smaller campuses in Brussels, Charleroi, Mons, Tournai and Namur. Since September 2018, the university uses the branding UCLouvain, replacing the acronym UCL, following a merger with Saint-Louis University, Brussels. The original University of Louvain (Universitas Lovaniensis) was founded at the centre of the historic town of Leuven (or Louvain) in 1425, making it the first university in Belgium and the Low Countries, and abolished by law in 1797. This university was the centre of Baianism, Jansenism and Febronianism in Europe. A new university, the State University of Louvain, was founded in 1817 and abolished by the law in 1835. A new catholic university...

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