Study format: what are you looking for?
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor’s programme is a basic study programme (a programme that leads to a first degree), that consists of 180 credits.
Master's degree
An initial master's programme follows an academic bachelor’s programme. This programme can consist of 60 or 120 credits.
Advanced master's degree
An advanced master's programme follows another master's programme and involves an in-depth specialisation or a broadening of the knowledge of a certain study field.
Postgraduate studies
A postgraduate course is a continuing education programme of at least 20 credits and serves to broaden or deepen your professional education, for which you can obtain a certificate.
Predoctoral or PhD degree
Are you passionate about science? Do you want to develop new knowledge while working in an inspiring environment? Doing a PhD may be the right thing for you!
You can start a PhD at KU Leuven either by applying for a vacant position or by finding a supervisor and writing your own research proposal.
A selection of specific courses
A credit contract is an option if you are interested in following specific courses that are offered at KU Leuven. This gives you the possibility to register for course units with the intention of obtaining a credit certificate instead of a full degree diploma.
Discover the courses in the programme overview
Exchange student
KU Leuven has a global network of partner universities. If your university has an exchange agreement with KU Leuven, you can join us for a short term stay.
Traineeship at KU Leuven: Erasmus+ supports traineeships (work placements, internships) abroad at any workplace for students currently enrolled in higher education institutions in Programme Countries at Bachelor and Master level as well as for doctoral candidates.
Preparatory programme
A preparatory programme is a study programme designed for students when the already obtained academic bachelor’s or master’s degree does not permit them to directly follow the consecutive programme.
Bridging programme
A bridging programme is a study programme for students who hold a Flemish professional bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and want to follow a master's programme. A bridging programme aims to equip students with academic skills.
- Research or study visit:
- Visiting scholars are invited by a KU Leuven staff member to come to KU Leuven for a short programme of maximum 90 days, of studies and research, independent of any employment contract.
- International scholars are admitted to study at KU Leuven either in preparation for a doctorate that they will obtain at their home university, or within the framework of another study programme at their home university. They may reside at KU Leuven for maximum 18 months.
- Programmes for professionals: with KU Leuven Continue, we offer an extensive range of courses and topics available for professionals who are looking for lifelong learning opportunities.
- Online courses: KU Leuven offers a range of high quality Massive Open Online Course or MOOCs open to anyone in the world
- Summer & winter schools: register for a short but intensive course during which attendents are generally offered an intensive education in certain subjects.
- Dutch Preparatory Language Year: KU Leuven organizes a Preparatory Language Year to give students the opportunity to obtain a sufficient level of Dutch proficiency over the period of one academic year. This is a very demanding programme with limited places, for which KU Leuven only accepts the best students.
- Guest students: Students from other Belgian institutions of higher education who conduct research at KU Leuven in the context of their Master’s thesis or dissertation may enrol as guest student on the condition that they have received permission to do so from their host faculty at KU Leuven.
- Interuniversity students: Students from other Belgian institutions of higher education in the KU Leuven Association can take elective courses at KU Leuven. You will need a permission letter from your own institution and a permission letter from the KU Leuven faculty at which you wish to take the courses. You can register online and upload all necessary documents there.
Need help?
Do you have questions or are you encountering any issues? Do not hesitate to reach out for help.