Language Learning

Belgium has 3 official languages: Dutch, French and German. About 60% of Belgians are Dutch speakers, about 40% are French speakers and only 1% are German speakers. All KU Leuven campuses (except for the Brussels campus) are located in Flanders, the northern part of the country in which Dutch is the official language. Brussels is bilingual French-Dutch, but our campus is organised with Dutch as the official administrative language.

KU Leuven Language Centres

ILT (Leuven Language Institute)

  • Leuven

ILT offers language courses within degree programmes, courses for staff and other people associated with KU Leuven, and language services (revision, translation, presentation coaching, etc.). The Dutch classes are also open to people not associated with KU Leuven. ILT also organises official language testing.

Read more about ILT

University Language Centre Brussels Campus

  • Brussels Campus

The Language Center offers students and staff a wide range of Dutch, French, English and Chinese classes. Some of them are open to people not associated with KU Leuven.

Read more about the University Language Centre

Language Centres Associated with KU Leuven

CLT Languages in Action

  • Leuven

CLT is a centre for adult education (CVO) which offers language courses in Dutch and a wide range of foreign languages. It is associated with KU Leuven but open to everyone.

Read more about CLT

Learning Dutch

As an international student, you do not need to speak Dutch to study at KU Leuven, as we have many courses and degree programs taught in English (as well as one in French and one in Spanish). In daily life you will easily be able to express yourself in English or French. However, if you are interested in learning Dutch there are several opportunities available at our language institutes. Understanding and speaking the local language can help you connect with local students. Belgian employers often require knowledge of Dutch or French. If you would like to work in Belgium after your studies, you can significantly increase your chances by learning Dutch or French during your studies. 

As an international employee, you might not feel the need to learn Dutch if you are doing research and are working in a very international environment. However, understanding and speaking the local language can help you connect with the local community. Lecturers who have to teach in Dutch, or professors aiming for a long term or permanent position at KU Leuven, have a legal requirement to become proficient in Dutch up to a certain level. More information on this requirement can be found on the ILT website. 

ILT is our KU Leuven Language Institute in Leuven, offering different types of courses, coaching and practice opportunities. There are also Dutch courses organised for staff in Brussels and Kortrijk. 

Learning other languages

For students, ILT organises curricula-related courses and courses for outgoing Erasmus students. Master's students, doctoral students and staff can follow several courses, mostly in English and French, to develop their professional and academic language skills (writing, presenting, etc.). 

CLT offers other general language courses which are open to everyone.

Practicing languages

In addition to the language courses, you might want to participate in more informal opportunities to practice your language skills. In Leuven, the KU Leuven intercultural meeting centre Pangaea offers several language practice activities, both for Dutch and foreign languages. Most KU Leuven campus cities offer city initiatives to help people practice their Dutch or other languages.

There are also various online tools that can help in language learning.

For Dutch, we recommend to check out Nedbox, developed by KU Leuven, and Nederlands Oefenen, which details Dutch practice opportunities in each Flemish province.