Wel -come!
Hello there!
KU Leuven warmly welcomes international students and provides clear guidance on studying, living, and settling in Leuven. Whether you join a university-wide programme or the Faculty of Medicine, you’ll find practical support, academic information, and a strong international community to help you start your studies with confidence.
Welcome to Ku Leuven - What should you know?
Why KU Leuven?
- KU Leuven offers a wide variety of programmes across 15 faculties, many of them ranked among the top worldwide.
- There are several English-taught programmes, making KU Leuven accessible to international students whose previous education was not in Dutch.
- The university provides resources to help you settle in: housing, healthcare/insurance, immigration & residence, student services, support for international stu
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Admission, Application & Practical Info
- International applicants must apply via the official admissions channel and meet the requirements for their chosen programme.
- For English-taught master’s degrees (e.g. biomedical sciences), proof of English proficiency is typically required (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent) unless your previous degree was in English.
- After acceptance, there are practical steps to perform upon arrival: find accommodation, register at the city hall, activate student account, sort out health insurance, and finalise registration at KU Leuven.
- KU Leuven also offers a “welcome & support package” including orientation programmes, student-services, and a buddy programme to help newcomers.
Let's go
Orientation Days
Life as an International Student at KU Leuven
- You will have access to student services (housing, wellbeing, insurance, social security, support for partners/family, culture, sports, volunteering, etc.).
- KU Leuven fosters a strong international environment, with opportunities for extracurricular engagement: summer schools, international mobility, global / volunteer programmes, English-language courses, and more.
- The university promotes international mobility, including exchange programmes, internships, and collaborations if you want to study abroad or do research.
Our WhatsApp community!
Are you an international student studying Medicine or Biomedical Sciences? Join our WhatsApp community and stay up-to-date on all Medica events for international students.
Specific Info for Medical & Biomedical Students — Faculty of Medicine
If you choose to study at the Faculty of Medicine, there are additional specifics you should know:
Language & Programme Structure
- Many bachelor’s programmes at the Faculty of Medicine are taught in Dutch only. For these, a high level of Dutch is required (CEFR B2, plus a specific certificate) to participate.
- Some master’s programmes and advanced degrees, however, are offered in English — giving more flexibility to international students who do not speak Dutch.
- Medical education (to become a physician) typically involves a Bachelor’s + Master’s (each 180 ECTS = 3 years), followed by an Advanced Master’s + residency training — a structure required for full professional medical qualification under Belgian/EU regulations.
International Student Opportunities within Medicine / Biomedical Sciences
- International students can follow theoretical courses at the Faculty of Medicine.
- The faculty offers medical clerkships (clinical training) for English-speaking students under certain conditions.
- There are options for research stays, exchange programmes (e.g. via Erasmus+), summer schools, short courses and other international mobility opportunities.
Additional Support & Welcome Activities
- New students at the Faculty of Medicine benefit from welcome activities at the start of the academic year, including general orientation, social integration, and link to the wider KU Leuven student community.
- There is a student organisation specifically for (international) medical and biomedical students, Medica, that helps you connect with Belgian and international peers, and provides community, support and social events.
- For non-Dutch speaking international students: you can benefit from English-taught courses or electives and support services for integration.
What to Keep in Mind if You Want to Study Medicine in Leuven
- If you aim for the Dutch-taught Bachelor’s in Medicine, you must pass a mandatory entrance examination, held in Dutch. Therefore proficiency in Dutch is a requirement.
- For programmes in English (or for exchange/visiting students), ensure you meet language requirements and application/nomination procedures (often via your home institution, for exchange).
- If you come from abroad (non-EU), check visa/residence requirements, health insurance, and administrative steps early, as you’ll need to register at city hall, secure accommodation, and finalise residence status upon arrival. The general “Upon arrival” guide is a useful resource.
Medica's Events
At this point there are no events for international's, come back in the second semester! They always will be communicated via the website and out whatsapp community (see above).
Our Partners
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