Leuven, Belgium

Katholieke Universiteit at Leuven (KU Leuven) is the world’s oldest Catholic university settled in the center of Leuven, just 20 miles outside of Belgium’s capitol of Brussels. The picturesque and historically rich university is one of the premier academic institutions in the Lowlands and has almost 45,000 students, almost 6,000 of whom are international students. Loyola students at KU Leuven benefit from PECS (Program in European Culture and Society) which offers courses designed specifically for study abroad students and features historically and culturally relevant trips to accompany classroom learning for deeper enrichment. 

Belgium has three official languages (Dutch, French, and German), though English is widely spoken. Leuven is a town of 100,000 people that is located 20 miles east of Brussels, in the Dutch-speaking Flanders region. It is less than three hours by train to Amsterdam, Cologne and London, and just one and a half hours from Paris. The large student population makes Leuven a dynamic and engaging community with a vibrant and energetic social scene. In Leuven, the campus is the city and vice versa The city boasts lively bars and restaurants, beautiful monuments and museums and the opportunity to connect with students from all over the world. With its cobblestone streets and impressive gothic architecture, it is a quaint and charming city that pulses with the life of the university.

Students have the option of studying in Leuven for either the fall or spring semester, or for the full academic year.

• The fall term runs from late August until late December . Fall semester students depart together and are back home for Christmas break.
• Spring semester students depart together in early February and return in early July.
• Year-long students take their Fall exams when they return to Leuven after the Christmas holiday.

• Students take two required courses while abroad:
  • Dutch as a Foreign Language (3 credits) 
  • ML102 European Culture & Civilization (1 credit) - taught by Loyola faculty
• Must have at least one free elective available to complete the Dutch language requirement.
• All courses (aside from ML 102) are made up of both international and Belgian students.
• While this program is open to students of all majors and offers both core requirements and free electives, it best accommodates humanities, social science, and certain business concentrations.

*Course information is subject to change

*All grades from abroad are transferred and calculated into your Loyola GPA; no courses can be taken as pass/fail.

• Tuition and registration fees.
• Living community with students from all over the world in Loyola's International Nachbahr Huis.
• Roundtrip airfare.
• Group meals upon arrival and over the holidays.
• A welcome reception at the Director's Home.
• Sponsored student activities.
• Multiple organized tours for Loyola students range from day excursions to week-long trips to places such as:
  • Italy
  • France
  • Belgium
  • The Netherlands

This program offers the unique benefit of having two on-site directors dedicated to the support of our Loyola students abroad. The on-site Director is a Loyola faculty member serving a two-year post in Leuven. The Director works with the students to ensure academic success, organizes and leads group trips throughout Belgium and Europe and supports students in their transitions to life abroad. 

The on-site Associate Director is a native Belgian who has worked with our Loyola students for 30 years. She coordinates the resident community and assists students with becoming immersed in Belgian culture and life in Leuven.

Nearly all courses are taught in English with the exception of language courses. Students can expect a much more independent learning style as compared to Loyola.

• Students live in Nachbahr Huis, a student residence building within walking distance of the university and the city center.
• Nachbahr Huis has an international community that is made up of Loyola students as well as Belgian and international students.
• Loyola students typically live in either double or triple style fully furnished rooms. 
• Each floor of Nachbahr Huis has a full kitchen with stove, refrigerator, and dining space.

Loyola financial aid applies and students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid except the Federal Work Study Program. Students studying abroad for either a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study assignment for the semester/s that they go abroad. If the student qualifies for federal work study, they can use the award for the semester they are on campus during their abroad year.

If you receive GI/Veterans benefits, please contact our Registrar’s office as soon as possible before you apply!!

Students/parents pay to Loyola the following charges:

• Loyola Tuition
• Loyola Housing
• Study Abroad Program fee
• International Insurance Premium

Students’ expenses in Belgium will vary depending on how much they travel, shop, and go out at night. Most students will take advantage of the proximity to other European countries and cheap airline tickets and travel, and that usually accounts for much of their spending.

Medical insurance is provided for all students during the program term by Loyola University Maryland through Chubb Insurance. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues. This insurance functions as a primary insurance while abroad.

Students are required to submit a copy of their U.S. health insurance card/policy. Please be sure not to cancel your US insurance policy while abroad since the provided insurances only function while on program and outside of the US.

We have advised students to contact their banks and credit card companies to inform them that they will be out of the country so that their accounts are not frozen once international activity occurs. While doing so, they should also check to see what international fees are incurred when using each of their cards i.e. ATM withdrawal fees, currency conversion fees, etc. We also advise that students are aware of the current exchange rate. If using a credit card, check to see if they have foreign transaction fees as this has the potential to save you money in the long run if you’re a frequent card user.

Under the guidance of the program director, Loyola students are responsible for obtaining the required documents so that the program director may facilitate the students’ visas. Students are required to attend a workshop during the semester that is specifically dedicated to preparing the paperwork for their visa. Students are responsible for all applicable visa fees; the current cost is $216 (subject to change without notice).

Loyola will arrange group travel to and from Belgium. While we encourage students to stay for the duration of the program, if necessary, students can change their return date upon completion of final exams, but it would be at their own cost. Loyola does not pay for any flight deviations or tickets changes.

Application Requirements 

Students must submit an online application AND a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year. 

• Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session.
• Declare a major before applying to the study abroad program.
• Discuss with your major advisor the possible courses you could take abroad and see if there are any potential problems, he/she sees with your plans to study abroad; Students cannot be on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

Criteria for Acceptance

• Minimum cumulative CQPA average of 3.00.
• Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.
• ROTC candidates can apply as freshman to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year. 
• An academic interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is required.