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Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven): Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements
- Private University
1 Campus- Estd. 1425
Last updated on 1 Nov '25KU LeuvenWhat's new?
For KU Leuven admissions, students are advised to apply within the application deadlines listed below:
- Bachelor's programs: Varies as per the choice of course
- Master's programs: Feb 1, 2026 (tentative)
- Doctoral programs: Rolling
About KU Leuven
Established in 1425, the Catholic University of Leuven is a Catholic research university located in the city of Leuven, Belgium. KU Leuven is the oldest university in Belgium as well as in the Low Countries. Also, it is the largest Dutch-language university in the world.
For KU Leuven admissions, international students must meet the English proficiency requirements as well as the entry requirements. Also, the KU Leuven acceptance rate stands at 34%, which indicates that securing admission to this university is challenging. While staying true to its reputation, the institute offers world-class programs to its international students.
Things to Know about KU Leuven
Here are some interesting facts that students must know about the university:
| Particulars | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate |
Around 34% |
| Shiksha Popularity Ranking |
|
| Top 5 Majors |
|
| Duration of Courses |
UG: 4 years PG: 1 - 2 years |
| Cost (PG courses) |
EUR 1.1K - 7.7K (INR 1.1 L - 7.5 L) |
| Diversity |
More than 65,000 students (approx.) International Students: 21% |
| Number of Campuses(7) |
|
| Top Recruiting Companies |
Conférence Olivaint Genootschap, European Commission, ING, Solidaris Vlaanderen, Ghent University |
| Top Industries |
Education, Business Development, Healthcare Services, Operations, Community & Social Services |
KU Leuven History
Founded with the papal bull ‘Sapientie immarcessibilis', the Catholic University of Leuven is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Initially, the university comprised four faculties: Humanities, Canon Law, Civil Law, and Medicine. In 1432, the Pope permitted to add theology to that list. In 2025, KU Leuven will celebrate its 600th anniversary.
Check out the below videos of the Catholic University of Leuven for more information:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
With an acceptance rate of merely 34% for international students, Catholic University of Leuven is a very competitive university to get into. This figure tells us that KU Leuven accepts approximately only 34 out of every 100 applicants on an average. However, students must not feel discouraged and fulfill all the KU Leuven admission requirements, ie; academic requirements, English language requirements & more in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in Catholic University of Leuven. Candidates must be aware of the application deadlines and apply to the university correctly, along with submitting all the relevant requirements.
Note: The data is derived from unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.
Yes, Catholic University of Leuven programs for international students are conducted in the English language, in a variety of leading fields. Students get to study courses such as Law, Business, Sciences, Software & IT, Arts, Humanities, Design, Journalism, Media, Sports, Environmental Studies and more on higher levels of education.
Catholic University of Leuven is one of the best universities in Belgium and students across the world desire to study here. Listed below are some helpful tips for students starting their first semester in Loyalist College:
- Join clubs and participate actively in co-curricular activities;
- Build a schedule and stay organized;
- Engage in part-time jobs on and off campus;
- Enjoy the beautiful city of Leuven;
- Do not procastinate studying; and
- Find out a way to de-stress and engage in fun activities/events.
Catholic University of Leuven Ranking 2025
Catholic University of Leuven is one of the best university and consistently ranks among the top universities in the world. As per Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Catholic University of Leuven ranking is #1 at the national level.
The university is also ranked by QS at #63 in 2025 for the World University Ranking category, showing a declined trend this year when compared with the previous year. In 2024, this ranking was recorded as #61.
The university programs are also well-recognized by various ranking bodies. Students planning to study at the university, can checkout the top-ranked Catholic University of Leuven programs, by Shiksha Popularity Ranking:
| Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| MIM | #1 |
| MS | #1 |
| Others PG | #1 |
| M.Arch | #1 |
| M.A. | #1 |
#40
#1
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Catholic University of Leuven is the topmost university in Belgium and students across the world desire to study here. When it comes to KU Leuven rankings, in QS World University rankings 2024, it has obtained the rank #61 in Best Global Universities. According to Times Higher Education (THE), KU Leuven has been ranked #45 in World University Rankings 2024. When it comes to the US News & World Report, Catholic University of Leuven has been awarded the rank #50 in Best Global Universities, #14 in Best Global Universities in Europe, and #1 in Best Global Universities in Belgium.
KU Leuven Programs
With three academic faculties in its ambit, the Catholic University of Leuven offers an extensive portfolio of nearly 100 degree programs on the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. As per the historical data of the university's alumni, some popular streams of study at KU Leuven include Law, Economics, Mathematics, Business Administration & Management, Psychology, European Studies/Civilization, and more.
Note: In the above pie chart, Others include International/Global Studies, Criminology, History, Business/Commerce, and Business/Managerial Economics.
Guided 16 students to Belgium universities.
Guided 16 students to Belgium universities.
Guided 16 students to Belgium universities.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Catholic University of Leuven offers a variety of courses for their overseas audience, where the medium of instruction is in English. Listed below are some of the most popular KU Leuven courses for international students:
| Engineering & Technology | Social Sciences | Natural Sciences & Mathematics |
| Business & Management | Humanities | Computer Science & IT |
| Medicine & Health | Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences | Law, Arts, Design & Architecture |
| Agriculture & Forestry | Applied Sciences & Professions | Journalism & Media |
| Education & Training | Hospitality, Leisure & Sports |
Many of the Catholic University of Leuven courses are ranked among the top programs in the world. Catholic University of Leuven is officially ranked at #57 in the world for its world-leading MS courses in various fields by QS. According to QS, the programs ranked among the top in the world are listed below:
Course Name | Rank 2023 |
|---|---|
MS (Engineering and Technology) | #57 |
LLM (QS - Law Rankings) | #38 |
MS (QS - Mathematics Rankings) | #51-100 |
MS Physics and Astronomy Rankings | #101-150 |
MS QS - Biological Sciences Rankings | #51-100 |
Catholic University of Leuven Admission 2026
To get admission to Catholic University of Leuven, Indian students should apply through Official Application Portal. Catholic University of Leuven admission requirements, which comprise previous scores, required GPA, standardised test scores, essays, resumes, SOPs and LORs must be submitted to complete the application process by all Indian applicants. Also, Indian students also have to submit scores of entrance or English language proficiency exams, such as TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT and GRE, must also be submitted by students.
- Application fees :Euro 75 - 90
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Catholic University of Leuven accepts international students through the Official Application Portal available on the university's website. Listed below are the KU Leuven application deadlines for international students:
| KU Leuven Course Level | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Varies as per the choice of course |
| Master's | Feb 1, 2026 |
| Predoctoral & Doctoral | Rolling |
No, applying for Catholic University of Leuven admissions is not free for international students. All overseas applicants are required to pay a sum of EUR 90 = INR 8,745* as the KU Leuven application fee. Additionally, applicants must also submit the proof of payment of application fee (bank transfer or credit card) while submitting their application. Apart from the application fee, candidates are also required to upload all their academic qualifications as well as the supporting documents.
*1 EUR = INR 97.17
As per the data derived from unofficial sources, only 34 out of every 100 overseas applicants get enrolled as a student at the Catholic University of Leuven. This makes it a competitive institution to get into, with the KU Leuven acceptance rate for international students of 34%. However, students must not feel discouraged and fulfill all KU Leuven admission requirements academic requirements, English language requirements & relevant documents in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in Catholic University of Leuven.
Note: The data is derived from unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.
KU LeuvenKU Leuven Scholarships 2025
Catholic University of Leuven offers a variety of generous scholarships for its international students. In order to avail financial aid, students are required to submit a scholarship application within the deadline. Listed below are some of the most popular KU Leuven scholarships for international students:
- Marc Vervenne Fund PhD Scholarship Program;
- Science@Leuven Scholarships;
- Wilfried Martens Scholarships;
- Roger Dillemans Fund;
- Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; and
- PhD Scholarships for Researchers from the South.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Yes, Catholic University of Leuven offers a variety of generous scholarships for their international students. In order to avail financial aid, students are required to submit a scholarship application within the deadline. Listed below are some of the most popular KU Leuven scholarships for international students:
- Marc Vervenne Fund PhD Scholarship Program;
- Science@Leuven Scholarships;
- Wilfried Martens Scholarships;
- Roger Dillemans Fund;
- Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; and
- PhD Scholarships for Researchers from the South.
KU Leuven Popular Courses
2 yearsKU Leuven Placements
Catholic University of Leuven placements are one of the major attractions for international students and offer a huge return on investment to graduates of the university. Also, the university has its Careers and Employability Centre that focuses on supporting students throughout their careers by providing advice and opportunities to them. Some of the services offered at the are as follows:
- Explore career options;
- Vacancies for part-time jobs and internships;
- Prepare CV, cover letter, and application forms;
- Prepare for interviews and assessments; and
- Develop a personal statement and elevator pitch.
KU Leuven Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
According to the data sourced from the web, the alumni of KU Leuven are currently working with some of the top organizations in the world across multiple industries. Listed below are the details:
- Catholic University of Leuven Belgium alumni members are working at the university campus and in organizations such as Conférence Olivaint Genootschap, European Commission, ING, Solidaris Vlaanderen, Ghent University, etc.
- Graduates are working in industries such as Education, Business Development, Healthcare Services, Operations, Community & Social Services, etc.
- Some of the courses preferred by the alumni are Law, Economics, Mathematics, Business Administration & Management, Psychology, European Studies/Civilization, etc.
A presentation of the sectors where the alumni of the Catholic University of Leuven are currently working is as follows:
Note: In the above pie chart, Others include Arts & Design, Consulting, Administrative, Information Technology, and Human Resources.
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Most of the Liverpool University Management School graduates get placed in industries such as Education, Business Development, Healthcare Services, Operations, Community & Social Services, and more, as per the historical data of the university's alumni. Given below is a graphical representation of the top industries in which the graduates work:
KU Leuven Fees
Catholic University of Leuven Fees for Indian Students: Studying at the college can be considered affordable for Indian students as the first-year KU Leuven fee for postgraduate courses is approximately EUR 1.1K - 7.7K (INR 1.1 L - 7.5 L).
KU Leuven Cost of Attendance
Based on the candidate's choice of accommodation and lifestyle, the cost of living varies. On average, the monthly Catholic University of Leuven cost of living for international students is around EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,350 (INR 97.1 K - 1.3 L). Note that this amount is inclusive of study materials, housing costs (rent, heating, water, electricity, etc.), food, clothing, laundry, medical & insurance costs, and other expenses (leisure, groceries, transport, etc.).
Listed below is the average monthly cost of living in Belgium for international students:
| Expenses | Monthly Cost of Living in Belgium | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 300 - EUR 1,000 | INR 29.1 K - 97.1 K |
| Food | EUR 300 - EUR 400 | INR 29.1 K - 38.8 K |
| Books & Study Material | EUR 400 - EUR 800 | INR 38.8 K - 77.7 K |
| Entertainment & Recreation | EUR 100 - EUR 140 | INR 9.7 K - 13.6 K |
| Miscellaneous | EUR 130 - EUR 290 | INR 12.6 K - 28.1 K |
Conversion Rate: 1 EUR = INR 97.17
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(5 courses) | INR 1 L - 8 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 90 - 94, GRE |
MEng(1 course) | INR 7 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL |
B.E. / B.Tech(1 course) | INR 6 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: SAT, IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 85 & Above |
M.Sc.(1 course) | INR 4 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL |
MBA/PGDM(1 course) | INR 4 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL |
M.Arch(1 course) | INR 8 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
In order to secure an admission, all the Indian students must fulfill the Catholic University of Leuven admission requirements listed below:
- Official academic transcripts (English translation);
- Proof of English language proficiency;
- Motivation letter
- Academic Resume/CV;
- Proof of payment of application fee;
- Copy of passport identity page; and
- An academic paper, proving that the applicant has a firm grasp of sociological theory, social scientific research methodology, and academic writing.
KU Leuven Notable Alumni
KU Leuven Belgium has remarkable alumni network of more than 320000 graduates from all over world which further adds to rising popularity. It has proved helpfulin launching the dreams of so many famous personalities. Some well known names are -
| Alumni Name | Profession/Designation | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Hosur Narayan Murthy | An Indian Clinical Psychologist, Writer, Philosopher, Sanskrit Scholar and Teacher |  |
| Otto von Habsburg |
The Last Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary from 1916 until the dissolution of the empire in November 1918 |
 |
| Simon Luc Hildebert Mignolet | A Belgian Professional Footballer |  |
|
Abdul Qadeer Khan (also known as A. Q. Khan) |
A Pakistani Nuclear Physicist and Metallurgical Engineer He is colloquially known as the "father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program" |
 |
| Selah Sue | A Belgian Musician and Songwriter |  |
| Herman Van Rompuy |
A Belgian Politician He served as the Prime Minister of Belgium from 2008 to 2009, and then as the First Permanent President of the European Council from 2009 to 2014 |
 |
| Gloria Álvarez Cross |
A Guatemalan Radio and Television Presenter, Author, and Libertarian Political Commentator |
 |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Some of the famous graduates from KU Leuven are mentioned below:
- Selah Sue
- Herman Van Rompuy
- Gloria Álvarez
- Mathias Cormann
- Paul Bulcke
- Frank Vandenbroucke
- Len Sassaman
KU Leuven consists of approximately 3,30,000 graduates. The university has built up an online platform where it can connect with present students and alumni from all around the world. The alumni can even enjoy various benefits such as free access to library and all the online lectures. There is an online platform known as Continue where more than 1000 academic and professional courses are available.
College comparison
Compare KU Leuven with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 1.03 L - 8.19 L | #46 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 5.34 L - 7.25 L | #115 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 15.18 L - 16.02 L | #101 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 8.19 L - 20.94 L | #114 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 12.28 L - 12.56 L | #301 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 22.89 L | #267 QS, 2026 |
CompareKU LeuvenStudying in Belgium
KU Leuven Campus Life
Located in the heart of the vibrant city of Leuven, Belgium, the Catholic University of Leuven Campus is one of the best campuses around the globe. With seven campuses in its spectrum, the university offers facilities such as clubs & organisations, housing, campus dining, health & wellness, fitness & recreation, civic engagement, arts & culture, athletics & e-sports, and more. KU Leuven is known for offering state-of-the-art facilities and providing its students with an experiential learning environment. Students get to study in a very safe, affordable and welcoming environment.
KU Leuven Campus Location
Catholic University of Leuven operates on seven campuses, namely the Leuven Campus, Ghent Campus, Brussels Campus, Antwerp Campus, Geel Campus, De Nayer Campus and Bruges Campus. Listed below are the details of the address:
| Campus | Address |
|---|---|
| Leuven Campus | Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium |
| Ghent Campus | Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Gent, Belgium |
| Brussels Campus | Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 26, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium |
| Antwerp Campus | Hendrik Conscienceplein 8, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium |
| Geel Campus | Kleinhoefstraat 4, 2440 Geel, Belgium |
| De Nayer Campus | Jan Pieter de Nayerlaan 5, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium |
| Bruges Campus | Spoorwegstraat 12, 8200 Brugge, Belgium |
KU Leuven FAQs
Catholic University of Leuven is the #1 University in Belgium and one of the top 50 global universities. Listed below are the KU Leuven rankings:
| Ranking Body, Category & Year | KU Leuven Rankings |
|---|---|
| Times Higher Education - World University Rankings 2025 | #43 |
| US News & World Report - Best Global Universities 2025 | #48 |
| US News & World Report - Best Global Universities in Europe 2025 | #12 |
| US News & World Report - Best Global Universities in Belgium 2025 | #1 |
QS World University Rankings - Best Global Universities 2025 | #63 |
KU Leuven
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 6 months ago
Catholic University of Leuven doesn't have a specific GPA requirements to be able to get into this university. However, most of the students receiving an offer letter have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. International students are advised to focus on the academic part of the application, but the extra-
V
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 months ago
Yes, in order to apply at Catholic University of Leuven, international students are supposed to pay a KU Leuven application fee of EUR 90 (INR 8.7 K) for master's courses. While applying for the same, international students are also required to submit the scanned copied of several admission document
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 months ago
According to Shiksha Popularity Rankings, Catholic University of Leuven ranks at #1 in Belgium and #39 in the world. International students are drawn to this university for its welcoming high academic standing, vibrant international community, and advantageous.
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 months ago
International students can go for two intakes in a year for Catholic University of Leuven which are Autumn semester (starting in late September/early October) and the Spring semester (starts in February). For some programs, the specific deadlines might vary and the students are suggested to check th
B
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 months ago
According to the data published on some of the unofficial websites, the academic year 2024/2025, the Catholic University of Leuven acceptance rate stands at 34% meaning out of every 100 applications, 34 applicants are rolled out an offer letter making it a difficult university to get into. Although
P
Contributor-Level 9
About the author
KU Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
KU LeuvenLocation
| University City | Leuven, Other - Belgium, Belgium |
KU LeuvenCampuses
Oude Markt, 13 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Visit official site
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