ABOUT THIS WINTER SCHOOL
In this Winter University, you will work in multinational and multidisciplinary student teams to identify, elaborate on and formulate a possible strategy to deal with global challenges for a sustainable future. Experts from the KU Leuven faculties of Arts, Economics and Business, Social Sciences, and Theology and Religious Studies introduce and illustrate the broad theme of sustainability from the Humanities point of view, using several cases. Each student team delves into a self-chosen global challenge and formulate a possible evidence-based approach to a sustainable future.
Target audience
The Winter University is aimed at graduate (Master's) students in Human Sciences ( e.g. Arts, Economics and Business, Social Sciences, and Theology and Religious Sciences) or from other disciplines, and with an interest in sustainability. Undergraduate (Bachelor's) students in their final year are also welcome to apply.
The programme in detail
The provisional program for the on-site and online module will be posted soon.
Participants will receive all preparatory materials for a study load of 40 hours (readings, MOOCs and a preparatory assignment) at the latest two weeks before the start of the Winter University.
WHY CHOOSE KU LEUVEN?
KU Leuven is Europe’s most innovative university (Reuters) and ranks 42nd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. As Belgium's largest university, KU Leuven annually welcomes 60,000 students from over 140 countries. Its 7,000 researchers are active in a comprehensive range of disciplines. KU Leuven is a (founding) member of several international networks (LERU, Universitas 21 and Una Europa), and has a strong European and international orientation.
Sustainability at KU Leuven
"The past three weeks have been an extraordinary journey of learning and growth—both inside and outside the classroom. This sustainability-focused course, though not directly tied to my current field of study, has reshaped my perspective. I have come to realise that sustainability is not just a niche topic but a universal responsibility.
The course offered a rich variety of insights, from exploring linguistics, to examining its integration into video games and transition management. These diverse perspectives were both surprising and inspiring, pushing me to think in new and innovative ways.
This experience challenged me to step out of my comfort zone—not just academically, but also personally. Traveling on my own, navigating new environments, and forming unexpected friendships taught me more about myself. The people I met and the connections we built enriched my understanding of sustainability and different cultures.
The course content and interactions have given me a fresh outlook on the choices I make every day. I am more conscious of the impact my actions have on our planet and the importance of leading by example. While there is still so much to be done for a sustainable future, I am motivated to contribute meaningfully by making thoughtful changes and inspiring others to do the same." - Anika De Klerk, Stellenbosch University, South Africa (participant edition 2025)
Dates & location
In 2026, the Winter University will take place from Monday 12 January till Friday 30 January 2026. This year there will be an online and an on campus (on the main campus in Leuven, Belgium) module.
Students who wish to stay in the Irish College Leuven during this course, can stay from Sunday 11 January to Saturday 31 January 2026. KU Leuven has pre-booked duplex and twin rooms, although there are single rooms available as well. The registration form is available by clicking the button below.
Tuition fees
The winter university is fully booked and registrations are closed. It is not possible anymore to register.
Please note that there is a limited number of participants (50 participants). Once this number has been reached, registrations also will close. Otherwise registrations for the on-campus program will close on 1 november 2025 (midnight CET) for non-European students and on 1 December 2025 (midnight CET) for European students. Registrations for the online programme will close on 4 January 2026 (midnight CET).
Practical Information
Find some tips and tricks about your travel to and your stay in Leuven.
Contact
Faculty of Economics and Business: Vanessa Geers | +32 2 210 18 20
Credits
On-campus module: The study load of the course is 8 ECTS, meaning 175-210 study hours.
Online module: The study load of the course is 4 ECTS.
All participants who succesfully pass the final assignment will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Students who study at one of the partner institutions of the Faculty of Economics and Business can opt for the official KU Leuven Transcript of Records.
My time at the KU Leuven Winter University was truly memorable. This program provided an interdisciplinary perspective on sustainability, and I had the opportunity to learn about the EU Carbon Trading System—one of my favorite lectures. We also had a company visit that offered an insider’s perspective of European businesses. The knowledge I gained will be valuable for my future career, as I will soon start my role as an associate at a strategy consulting firm. With the growing demand for organizations to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly, having this background will be beneficial. Beyond the knowledge, the connections and friendships I formed during this experience were invaluable. By the end of the three weeks, I had made good friends and had lots of fun! - James Oen, University of Sydney, Australia (participant edition 2025)