A COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITY
With its comprehensive approach to knowledge, KU Leuven offers a truly complete education. The university excels in a wide range of disciplines, organised across 15 faculties. The fact that every one of these subjects ranks in the top 100 of their field, with half of them in the top 50 worldwide, is truly a mark of honour.
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY
The most widely used anti-HIV drug and the international standard for online encryption are just two of the highly impactful breakthroughs to come out of our university’s research. Our discoveries tackle real-world problems, making a change for the better in people’s lives both in Europe and around the world.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE IN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS LEUVEN
KU Leuven’s approach to clinical research is built on the exemplary collaboration between KU Leuven researchers and doctors from University Hospitals Leuven. The clinical researchers conduct their experiments on site, meaning physicians benefit from early access to unique care options. This allows them to implement new treatments and technologies, while simultaneously contributing to research outcomes and the development of new technologies.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND FUNDS
The University Fund is the central office within the university that brings donors and projects together. Donations support scientific breakthroughs, scholarships, international cooperation, restorations and many other ambitious projects. Two good examples of this are the Roger Dillemans Fund, which awards Excellence Scholarships to master’s students, and the ATLAS COPCO Research Chair in Management Tools, which allows industrial companies to further develop their service goals.
LEUVEN, AN INNOVATION HUB
The university’s main campus is situated in the vibrant city of Leuven. A true hub of innovation and technical entrepreneurship, Leuven has a long tradition as one of Europe’s leading tech ecosystems. Not only is the city home to the university, it is also fast becoming a destination for the knowledge economy. Imec, VIB and the University Hospitals ail have their head office in Leuven, allowing them to harness the city’s potential and contribute to it. Taken together, the tech industries, significant investment capital, highly educated employees, technology platforms, research parks and research networks all make Leuven a unique and progressive hub for innovation.
KU LEUVEN IN NUMBERS
- Founded in 1425
- 14 campuses in 10 cities across Flanders
- 15 faculties
- 57,535 students
- 21,294 staff members
RESEARCH
- 7,430 researchers
- 476 million Euros in research expenses
- 6,084 PhD researchers
- 128 spin-off companies
A HIGHLY RANKED UNIVERSITY
#1 in the ReutersWorld Ranking of Most Innovative Universities in Europe (2019)
#48 in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking (2019)
#80 in the QS World University Ranking (2020)
A RESEARCH- DRIVEN UNIVERSITY
#4 in the European Commission’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme (HEI only)
#4 in the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme (HEI only)
#18 in the ERC grants programme (HEI only)
A COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITY
- 49 different bachelor’s programmes (49 taught in Dutch, 4 in English)
- 136 different master’s programmes (123 taught in Dutch, 68 in English, 1 in French)
- 41 different advanced master’s programmes (19 taught in Dutch, 22 in English, 1 in Spanish)