Université Catholique de Louvain
Please find useful information below about Université Catholique de Louvain as an exchange destination. Learn more about the location, the campus, courses and student life!
About
The Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), founded in 1425, is one of the oldest universities in Belgium and in Europe. With nearly 40,000 students in attendance across eight different sites in Brussels and Wallonia, its main academic site is located in Louvain-la-Neuve, a city with origins in the 1970s.
UCLouvain seeks to provide quality education for all, and promotes societal contribution, research opportunities, and develop students’ professional and academic skills to prepare them for the future. UCLouvain has an emphasis on international opportunities, with 25% of its teaching staff, 40% of its scientific staff, and 20% of its students being international.
UCLouvain’s many accolades include a nobel Prize and 21 Francqui Prizes. There are many opportunities for research and study, with over 400 projects funded by the European Framework Programmes, and an annual investment of almost €300 million in research.
Consult UCLouvain on QS World Rankings to learn more about their current world ranking and academic reputation in different subject areas.
Location
UCLouvain’s main hub is located in Louvain-la-Neuve (LLN), a city catered towards students studying at UCLouvain; this unique city is car free, compact, and one of the youngest cities in Europe, being only founded in 1970.
LLN is a vibrant and energetic city, bustling with students who go to UCLouvain. There are many different activities to partake in LLN, with many different cafes, The Hergé Museum, which is dedicated to the work of the Belgian cartoonist Georges Rem, green parks.
With its main campus located about an hour’s drive or bus ride from Brussels, it is a close destination for students wishing to explore Belgium’s capital and largest city. With rich history, incredible architecture, cuisine, museums and more, it is easy to get lost in its unique cultural and historical feel. Some great sights to see include the Grand Place, Parc du Cinquantenaire, St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral, and the Royal Palace of Brussels.
Level of competitiveness
This exchange is only open to students studying a Modern Language in the School of the Arts:
For competitiveness level, please enquire with the STA Year Abroad team.
Language of Instruction
French is the language of instruction for the majority of UCLouvain courses, and Modern Language students from Queen Mary follow modules in French as their target language. It is recommended that students have at least a B2 level in French, both for written and oral skills.
There are a few English friendly courses, designed for non-native speakers who can understand some French but may not grasp higher level academic content. It should be noted that “English friendly” does not mean that the course is entirely bilingual: French is still the main form of communication, but assistance can be provided in English.
Academic Calendar
The academic year is divided into two semesters.
- Autumn semester: September - January
- Spring semester: February - June
Courses
The course catalogue and information can be accessed using this link.
Credits
UCLouvain uses the ECTS credit system. Each semester is 30 ECTS, or 60 for the full year. More information about this here.
Students must enrol on a full courseload: 30 ECTS per semester / 60 ECTS for the full academic year (equivalent to 60 Queen Mary credits per semester / 120 Queen Mary credits for the full academic year).
Find out more about Queen Mary's credit transfer and grade conversion process.
Accommodation
There are three main types of accommodation for UCLouvain:
- UCLouvain Housing
- Real estate agents’ housing
- Private owners
Check this link for the full details on housing, costs, and more.
Private accommodation: Queen Mary students who intend to look for private accommodation are advised to follow the partner’s guidance as soon as possible to begin their accommodation search safely.
Cost of living
UCLouvain provides some estimations for living in LLN as a student here. Further information regarding the cost of living in LLN can be found here.
Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
Activities and Societies
There are many different outlets for student life at UCLouvain, including a great fitness and sports scene, a multitude of dining options, sustainability focuses, and the arts. Use this link for a comprehensive overview of student life information.
Sports at UCLouvain include a multitude of options which include martial arts, dances, water sports, team sports, individual sports, and racquet sports. Sports, gyms, and other athletics information can be found here.
Cultural and arts organisations include orchestra, choir, and creative workshops. There are exhibition spaces such as the Forum des Halles, and the Arte-Fac Space in which students can appreciate and partake in artistic showcases. More information here.