International Programmes - KU Leuven

THE UNIVERSITY OF LEUVEN 

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES 2012 

www.kuleuven.be/english 

Tradition in excellence in the heart of Europe 

The University of Leuven 

As a leading European research university, K.U.Leuven offers a wide variety 

of academic programmes in Dutch and English, supported by high-quality 

interdisciplinary research both at the university and at its internationally 

acclaimed hospitals. More than 6,000 researchers from over 120 countries 

participate in curiosity-driven and strategic frontier research, as well as targeted 

and demand-driven research. The university also interacts and cooperates 

intensely with a broad array of external partners. 

K.U.Leuven is a multidisciplinary university, with three-year Bachelor's and oneor 

two-year Master's programmes in almost every field. The Leuven 'doctoral 

schools' organise the international PhD programmes of over 4,000 students. 

K.U.Leuven is Belgium's largest and highest-ranked university and one of 

the oldest universities in Europe. Boasting an outstanding central location, 

it offers a truly international experience, high-quality education, top-level 

research facilities and cutting-edge innovation at a reasonable cost. 

K.U.Leuven is co-founder of the League 

of European Research Universities(LERU), 

a select group of renowned research-intensive 

universities. It has been very successful 

in securing funds from and participating in 

the highly competitive European Framework 

Programme for research and technological 

development. K.U.Leuven positions itself 

in the top bracket of the European lists in 

terms of obtaining prestigious European 

Research Grants (ERC), and in terms of 

publication output. It finds itself consistently 

among the best scoring European universities 

in all major global university rankings and 

hence has its mind clearly set on a quality 

driven, internationally relevant future. 

www.youtube.com/user/kuleuven www.facebook.com/LeuvenUniversity www.twitter.com/KU_Leuven

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

PhD 

Initial Master 

Bachelor 

Flanders is one of the original signatories of the Bologna Declaration 

in 1999. The Bologna process that followed gradually introduced 

the Bachelor’s-Master’s (abbreviated as “BaMa”) structure that we 

Advanced- 

Master 

know today. In this structure, a Bachelor’s degree can be 

obtained after 180 credits (normally three years). A Master’s 

degree requires an additional sixty credits (mostly the case 

in Humanities and Social Sciences) or 120 credits (SE&T and 

Biomedical Sciences). Advanced Master’s programmes 

generally require a previous (initial) Master’s degree for 

entry. A Master’s degree is also a prerequisite for PhD or 

doctoral studies at K.U.Leuven. 

Undergraduates 

All programmes described in this brochure are subject to change 

without notice. All Bachelor’s programmes are taught in Dutch, 

with the exception of the following, which are also taught in English: 

BA in Philosophy 

(180 ECTS) 

What might you have in common with Herman Van Rompuy, 

first and current President of the European Council? 

A Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Leuven, in the heart 

of Europe! An ideal basis for further studies in philosophy 

at Leuven or further afield, or a launching pad for an exciting 

professional career in fields such as law, economics and 

medicine, a BA in Philosophy will do much more than 

introduce you to the highly sought-after skills of logic, 

critical thinking and close reading. Structuring your own 

quest for meaning, a BA in philosophy will help you to make 

sense of the world and your own place in it. Come to Leuven 

and get to know yourself! 

www.kuleuven.be/ba/BAPhil 

BA in Theology and 

Religious Studies 

(180 ECTS) 

The K.U.Leuven Association 

Together with institutions of higher education located across Flanders, K.U.Leuven formed the K.U.Leuven 

Association, an open and dynamic network with a strong and influential position in Flanders. With more 

than 85,000 students, the K.U.Leuven Association accounts for over 43% of the entire student population 

in Flemish higher education. K.U.Leuven’s partner institutions award professional or vocational Bachelor’s 

degrees that tie in closely with the labour market, as well as academic, research-based Bachelor’s and 

Master’s degrees. The K.U.Leuven Association aims to increase the research orientation and capacity of 

the academic programmes of its member institutions and to provide a varied range of study programmes, 

including transition possibilities. The members of the K.U.Leuven Association also strive to integrate their 

policies, to pool their resources, and to share their various areas of expertise. Through intensive co-operation, 

they improve the quality of their education and research. 

LIST OF K.U.LEUVEN ASSOCIATION MEMBERS 

LEUVEN - DIEST: Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven www.khleuven.be 

LEUVEN: Groep T – Internationale Hogeschool Leuven www.groept.be 

BRUSSELS - GHENT - LEUVEN: Hogeschool voor Wetenschap & Kunst www.wenk.be 

BRUSSELS: Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel www.hubrussel.be 

GEEL - LIER - TURNHOUT - VORSELAAR: Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen www.khk.be 

DIEPENBEEK - HASSELT - GENK: Katholieke Hogeschool Limburg www.khlim.be 

GHENT - SINT-NIKLAAS - AALST: Katholieke Hogeschool Sint-Lieven www.kahosl.be 

BRUGES - OSTEND: Katholieke Hogeschool Brugge-Oostende www.khbo.be 

KORTRIJK - TORHOUT - TIELT - ROESELARE: Katholieke Hogeschool Zuid-West-Vlaanderen www.katho.be 

ANTWERP - MECHELEN: Lessius www.lessius.eu 

Are you aware of the importance of religion in your culture’s 

history and do you have an interest in religious attitudes, 

customs and traditions? Do religious buildings mean anything 

to you? Do the rituals they house awaken you to greater 

mysteries? And what about religious traditions besides your 

own – do they too inspire your wonder? if so, consider the 

BA in Theology and Religious Studies. This programme will 

take your initial familiarity with the Christian tradition and 

the history of the Church and help to deepen your understanding 

of the diverse facts of Christianity. The programme’s 

requirements in modern and Biblical languages, not to 

mention philosophy and other human sciences, will also 

help you to question what you take for granted. Discover how 

this programme and its international renown will challenge 

your faith and help it to develop into something even greater. 

www.kuleuven.be/ba/THEOLOGY 

Study Abroad 

Programme in 

European Culture 

and Society (P.E.C.S.) 

Are you currently a Bachelor’s student anywhere in the world 

and longing for something out of the ordinary? If so, consider 

completing the third or fourth year of your Bachelor’s 

programme in Leuven, which is only a short train journey 

from Brussels, the capital of the European Union and home 

of NATO headquarters. The Study Abroad Programme in 

European Culture and Society at the Faculty of Arts is a 

non-degree programme. This means that after its completion, 

you’ll return to your home university for graduation, 

but you’ll do so stimulated by invaluable experiences with 

Belgian and other international students. P.E.C.S. features 

courses from a wide range of fields within the humanities 

including theology, philosophy, literature and linguistics, 

political and social sciences, business and economics, 

law, psychology and anthropology. And don’t forget the 

programme’s broad package of extra-curricular activities, 

which extend your experience of European Culture and 

society far beyond the classroom. In Leuven, Europe 

becomes a part of your daily life, an experience that is 

yours for taking. The international friendships you’ll 

cultivate are yours forever. Please contact the study 

abroad office at your home university to secure institutional 

support for your application. 

www.kuleuven.be/ba/PECS 

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Bachelor of Arts = BA 

Master of Arts = MA 

Master of Science = MSc

Science, Engineering 

and Technology 

MSc in Chemistry (120 ECTS) 

MSc in Geology (120 ECTS) 

If you are looking for a two-year advanced study programme offering both general 

and specialised training in geology, then consider the interuniversity MSc in Geology 

offerd by K.U.Leuven and the University of Ghent, imparting the social attitudes and 

interdisciplinary skills necessary for the best possible solutions for specific geological 

problems, the programme will prepare you for the wealth of careers in geology. 

Perhaps your future involves developmental tasks, research or management. 

Then there’s consultancy in environmental geology, hydrogeology or geotechnology. 

Industry offers exploration and treatment of natural resources, while governmental 

agencies are interested in the inventory and management of the subsurface and 

various environmental issues. 

Are you looking for a career as an academic or industrial chemist? If so, your search 

stops here. Aiming to train the next generation of researchers, K.U.Leuven’s MSc 

in Chemistry puts the globally recognised expertise and authority of its twenty-nine 

professors and their four research divisions at your disposal. Beyond course and 

lab work, your Master’s thesis will develop your skills in formulating a research question, 

placing it in its correct chemical and social perspective, and answering it. Depending 

on your choice of academic or industrial career, K.U.Leuven will teach you to be 

productive through competition-driven valorisation or peer-driven specialisation. 

Collaborating worldwide with other universities, research institutes and companies, 

the department provides an excellent platform for you to launch your own career. 

Whatever you choose, be sure to join the ranks of our alumni and help them to 

define the academic and industrial worlds of chemistry. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMACHEM 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMAGEOL 

MSc in Biology (120 ECTS) 

The MSc in Biology is a specialised yet flexible programme that ranges from molecular 

and cellular biology to functional and evolutionary biology and on to population and 

community ecology. It emphasises problem-solving, independent thinking and communication. 

You’ll be trained in the theory and techniques of fundamental and 

applied research in one of two areas of specialisation: ecological and evolutionary 

biology or molecular and physiological biology. The programme offers the fruits of 

the department’s internationally renowned research, which is embedded in established 

collaboration with other universities, research institutes and biotech companies 

worldwide. Our alumni pursue careers as researchers in academic, commercial or 

non-profit organisations, as scientific advisers and policy officers in government or 

private administrations, as science communication officers and journalists, or as science 

teachers. Where do your interests lie? 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMABIOL 

MSc in Molecular 

Biology (120 ECTS) 

Young scientists from developing countries: this programme is for you! Jointly organised 

by K.U.Leuven, the University from Antwerp and the Free University of Brussels, 

the MSc in Molecular Biology aims at strengthening and updating your theoretical 

and practical skills. In this two-year programme, you’ll choose from among three 

specialisations: plant production, animal production and human health. Your first 

year is dedicated to common core courses, while the second is devoted to preparing 

your MA thesis in the lab – completed at its public defense. Looking beyond the 

mere transfer of technology, the MSc in Molecular Biology paves the way to a future 

in which you can be a leader in your home country, making valuable contributions 

as a researcher, lecturer, or consultant to local universities, hospitals, private research 

laboratories, and governments. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/IPMB 

INTERNATIONAL 

COURSE 

PROGRAMME (ICP) 

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MSc in Physics 

(120 ECTS) 

“I cherish the years 

I spent studying at 

K.U.Leuven. They helped 

open the doors to my 

political career.” 

Herman Van Rompuy, 

President of the European 

Council of Ministers 

With the employment rate of our young graduates, a MSc in Physics from K.U.Leuven 

is practically money in the bank! Training future scientist to be productive in research 

institutes or corporate environments, this elite Master’s programme offers not only 

thorough and specialised knowledge of physics, but also a wealth of transferable 

skills. By honing your skills in judgement, critical insight, problem analysis and solving, 

experimental or theoretical methodology, report writing, team work and understanding 

the social role of science, our programme will form you into a responsible physicist 

who is able to contribute equally to science and society. A research-based institute 

that generates substantial funding, the Department of Physics and Astronomy at 

K.U.Leuven is able to offer many research positions and more than half the students 

who obtain a Master’s degree in physics eventually start a PhD programme in one 

of the department’s laboratories. See if there’s something here for you! 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMAPHYS 

3

Science, Engineering and Technology 

MSc in Astronomy 

and Astrophysics (120 ECTS) 

MSc in Mathematics (120 ECTS) 

As a mathematician, you are in absolute command of accuracy. Your analytical skills 

are second to none and your facility with modelling and abstraction knows no peer. 

Your professional versatility: outstanding. And why? K.U.Leuven’s MSc in Mathematics 

programme. You’ll be taught to explore mathematical and quantitative problems 

based on scientific analysis, to devise solution, and to supervise their implementation. 

You’ll learn to communicate not only with fellow mathematicians, but also with nonspecialists. 

And your presentation skills will be sharpened to the finest point, not to 

mention your fluency with the modern possibilities offered by ICT. K.U.Leuven and 

its expert staff offer a research environment able to foster and nurture your talents 

and to polish you as a fully qualified mathematician, whether in pure or applied 

mathematics. And then you can explore IT, banking, or insurance sectors. Or perhaps 

pursue a PhD in mathematics, mathematical physics, astrophysics, engineering, 

or other related fields. 

Want to participate in a globally thriving discipline constantly enjoying new technological 

developments? Taking advantage of a new generation of terrestrial and space-based 

instruments, the MSc in Astronomy and Astrophysics digests new discoveries 

concerning the origin, structure, and evolution of planets, stars, star systems, and the 

universe, and uses them as your textbooks. This programme pays special attention 

to both the analysis and astrophysical interpretation of data and to the technological 

side of astronomical research, and thus prepares you to be a competitive candidate 

in the international PhD circuit. Since astronomy and astrophysics are certain to 

occupy a prominent place in international fundamental research in the coming decades, 

why not investigate K.U.Leuven’s broad range of courses on astronomical subdisciplines 

and makes this future yours as well? With astronomy, the sky is not the limit. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMAASTR 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMAMATH 

MSc in Geography (120 ECTS) 

Seeking to train you as a geographer eager to play an active role in today’s society 

the two-year advanced MSc in Geography provides comprehensive training in 

social-geographical and/or geographical phenomena. Jointly organised and 

awarded by K.U.Leuven and the Free University of Brussels, the degree offers 

specialisation in either Environmental Change, or Space and Society. You’ll conduct 

your own research in close relation with on-going, innovative and internationally 

recognised research projects – you can’t be better placed to learn and develop 

scientific skills! What’s more, our students often spend time abroad for fieldwork 

and data collection. Your skills will be rewarded by the growing demand for 

competent geoscience professionals. Surveying companies, mapping agencies, 

service and utility providers, public entities and international and national land-use, 

disaster management and conservation administrations are always looking for 

highly-trained graduates. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMAGEOGR 

Erasmus Mundus 

Master in Sustainable 

Territorial Development (120 ECTS) 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

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Do you seek expertise in spatial management and sustainable development at the 

regional and local level (cities, rural areas, industrial districts, etc.)? Do you want to 

support policies that integrate economic, environmental, international, intercultural, 

territorial and context-driven dimensions? Are you fascinated by systems of governance 

and the importance of stakeholder participation? In this interuniversity programme, 

both European and non-European students study together for one semester each 

at first the Università degli Studi di Padova (30ECTS), then at K.U.Leuven (30ECTS) 

and finally at the Université Paris 1 Panthéon – Sorbonne (30ECTS). The fourth semester 

is dedicated to an internship and Master’s thesis (30ECTS) written at the student’s 

choice from among the three aforementioned universities plus the Universidade 

Catolica Don Bosco in Brazil. The extensive experience, international collaboration 

and multidisciplinarity you’ll gain from the Erasmus Mundus Master in Sustainable 

Territorial Development will open up new perspectives on the sustainability of territorial 

use and organisation while introducing you to various policy tools and management 

strategies in divergent territorial contexts. A Bachelor’s degree in the humanities, 

environmental sciences or engineering is required, as is knowledge of French and 

English; basic knowledge of economics is also helpful. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMMSTEDE 

MSc in Molecular 

and Cellular Biophysics (120 ECTS) 

With its three research options – theoretical, molecular, and cellular biophysics – 

the versatility of the MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biophysics at K.U.Leuven is both 

obvious and unique. The programme features expert multidisciplinary training in 

biophysics, particularly those sub-areas in which K.U.Leuven is internationally 

recognised: determination of molecular structures, molecular and supramolecular 

modelling, spectroscopy of biomolecules, physical modelling of complex systems, 

transport through ion channels in membranes, and the study of molecular interactions 

and their physical principles. With the increasing social importance of this field, 

demand for biophysicists is on track to outstrip supply: not only the pharmaceutical 

and bioindustries, but also medical research and universities are in great need of 

qualified people. What’s more: most of our graduates go on to earn a PhD. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMABIOPH 

4

MSc in Statistics (120 ECTS) 

Looking for high-quality training in statistics for research or for professional life? 

If so, consider K.U.Leuven’s MSc in Statistics, an interdisciplinary programme 

whose teaching is grounded in internationally-recognised research. Choose from 

among a number of approaches: biometrics, social behavioural and educational 

statistics, business statistics, industrial statistics, general statistical methodology, 

or an all-round statistics profile. As statistician, you’ll be recruited by industry, banks 

or government institutions. You may find yourself designing clinical trials and 

supporting the biomedical sector, coaching research for new medicines, setting up 

and analysing psychological tests and surveys, performing financial risk analyses, 

statistically managing R&D projects and quality controls, or developing statistical 

software, And don’t forget the academic world. The applications of statistics are 

very diverse, just like your professional options! This programme is offered in 

collaboration with the MSc in Statistics at Hasselt University. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMASTAT 

MSc in Artificial Intelligence (60 ECTS) 

(advanced Master’s*) 

Can we build an intelligent robot, one that perceives and communicates through 

natural language, vision, sensors and movement – in short, one that performs typically 

human tasks? Fuelled by this challenge, the advanced MSc in Artificial Intelligence 

programme trains a broad range of students – including engineers, exact scientists, 

economists, managers, psychologists, and linguists – in the full range of knowledgebased 

technology and cognitive science. The joint effort of many internationallyleading 

research units from seven different faculties, this one-year programme allows 

you to focus on engineering and computer science, cognitive science, or speech and 

language technology. It will prepare you for a career in information technology, 

data mining, speech and language technology, intelligent systems, diagnosis and 

quality control, fraud detection, biometrics, banking, etc. Or start a PhD programme. 

Your options are practically endless. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MAI 

MSc in Nanoscience 

and Nanotechnology (120 ECTS) 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

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“I have the feeling that 

I’m learning a lot more than 

I did in Germany. Leuven is 

a really nice city and the 

facilities are just beautiful.” 

Dennis, student from 

Germany, anonymous 

survey 

Do you seek the greatest challenge on the smallest scale, crave cutting-edge 

physics, biology, electronics, and chemistry or desire the multidisciplinarity and 

technological convergence at the heart of tomorrow’s science – today? If so, kickstart 

your career with the MSc in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at K.U.Leuven, 

Belgium’s proven world-leader in this young and vital field. Guided by our renowned 

faculty and associated spin-off corporations, you’ll develop your analytical, synthetic 

and interpretive skills within state-of-the-art facilities, providing the hands-on technology 

necessary for the theory, design and manufacture of machines and materials at the 

atomic and molecular level. Build on your undergraduate training in mathematics, 

physics, chemistry, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular and atomic architecture, 

material science, electronics, and electromechanics – let K.U.Leuven help you 

to ensure your future in industry, research, enterprise, or policy. Dreaming big 

and building small: nanotechnology at Leuven. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MNANO 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMMNANO 

MSc in Safety Engineering (60 ECTS) 


MSc in Space Studies (60 ECTS) 


Join a sector driving important scientific, technological and societal innovation while 

enjoying serious government support and recognition. We’re looking for candidates 

already in possession of a successful master’s degree relevant to space studies. 

Our students are, not only able to broaden their education into other relevant 

disciplines but are also able to present a convincing case for the importance of the 

programme to their professional expectations. Is this you? If so, the MSc in Space 

Studies offers you an unlimited frontier – don’t be afraid to explore its future, 

and yours! 

You demand safety, but what lies behind it? Quality, reliability, efficiency, and technical 

and regulatory constraints: the many demands on industrial process operations are 

making its management increasingly more complex. At the same time, safety concerns 

stemming from traffic and transport, logistics, the environment, consumer products, 

etc., are intensifying, as are the growing number of European health and safety rules 

and regulations. The MSc in Safety Engineering will prepare you to improve and 

realise safety in many different areas. The programme trains you in prevention policy 

and safety management systems, the safety of products, processes, and installations, 

qualitative risk analysis techniques, and fire and explosion safety. You’ll obtain 

detailed knowledge of technical and managerial process safety concepts with regard 

to the whole life cycle of a production plant, and risk evaluations based on qualitative 

and quantitative methods. And then with your ability in research, analysis, inspection, 

monitoring and certification, you’re on your way to a career in industry, or private 

and/or governmental organisations. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MSAFETYENG 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMASPACE 

* Master’s degree required 5


MSc in Materials Engineering (120 ECTS) 

Want to play an active role in designing the materials of the future? Interested in 

addressing concerns of sustainable development and the intelligent use of resources? 

If so, consider, K.U.Leuven’s two-year MSc in Materials Engineering. The Department 

of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering is involved in several strategic fields of 

materials research and development, and is also the driving force of the Leuven 

Materials Research Centre. Based on its research experience, the department offers 

three options – Metals and Ceramics, Polymers and Composites, and Materials for 

Nanotechnology – which are integrated within a pool of general and core courses. 

Case studies, mini-projects and a master’s thesis will develop your broad analytical 

skills and problem-solving abilities. As a Master in Materials Engineering you’ll have 

access to the materials production, metallurgical, automotive, aerospace, energy, 

recycling, microelectronics and chemical industries, as well as the emerging sectors 

of nanotechnology and biomaterials. Master’s graduates with an interest in research 

can apply for a R&D position or start a PhD. A number of our alumni have started 

their own companies. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MME 

MSc in Biomedical Engineering 

(120 ECTS) 

As a MSc in Biomedical Engineering graduate, you’ll play a role in the design and 

production of state-of-the-art biomedical devices and/or medical information 

technology processes and procedures. You’ll complete the programme with knowledge 

of anatomy, physiology and human biotechnology and mastery of biomedical technology 

in areas such as biomechanics, biomaterials, tissue engineering, bio-instrumentation 

and medical information systems. The programme will help strengthen your creativity, 

prepare you for life-long learning, and train you how to formalise your knowledge 

for efficient re-use. Careers await you in the medical device industry R&D engineering, 

or as a production or certification specialist. Perhaps you’ll end up with a hospital 

career (technical department), or one in government. Or you can continue your 

education by pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering; each year, several places 

are available thanks to the rapid innovation taking place in biomedical engineering 

and the increasing portfolio of approved research projects in universities worldwide. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MBIOMENG 

MSc in Nuclear Engineering 

(60 ECTS) 


Power plants, nuclear fuel production, radioelement production, 

engineering companies, accelerator design and fabrication, waste 

management, safety management, nuclear medicine, research, 

and higher education: Belgium’s experience with nuclear engineering 

is definitive. Combining the expertise of the Belgian nuclear research 

centre SCK-CEN and six major Belgian universities, including 

K.U.Leuven, the Belgian Nuclear Higher Education Network organises 

the MSc in Nuclear Engineering. Based on your solid background in 

engineering, mathematics and physics you’ll master nuclear physical processes, 

the procedures and techniques necessary to control nuclear processes, nuclear 

safety, reliability procedures, and nuclear waste treatment. Along with competence 

in the design and maintenance of structures controlling nuclear processes, you’ll 

also learn nuclear research and communicative skills. The programme stresses 

internships and mobility. The lectures are held at SCK-CEN. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MNUCLEAR 

“The K.U.Leuven 

honorary doctorate is 

the first such degree I have 

ever accepted, because of my 

sympathy for K.U.Leuven and 

its architecture department 

in particular.” 

Rem Koolhaas, Pritzker 

Prize-winning architect 

MSc in Chemical 

Engineering (Engineering 

Rheology) (120 ECTS) 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

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Interested in the flow of things, literally? If so, the interdisciplinary science of rheology, 

which investigates processing problems encountered with complex industrial fluids 

such as plastics, food products, coatings, and industrial slurries, is for you. Offering 

advanced training in rheology and its applications in different areas of engineering, 

the European MSc in Engineering Rheology (EURHEO) links together fields such as 

mathematics, physics, chemistry, molecular biology, chemical and mechanical 

engineering, textiles, and food technology. Its syllabus delivers the necessary skills 

to understand the relevance of rheology in materials science and engineering and 

to solve practical engineering problems both autonomously and as members of 

multidisciplinary research teams. With a study programme tailored to the individual 

needs of each student, EURHEO combines the rheological expertise of seven leading 

European universities, and is closely linked to the MSc in Chemical Engineering at 

the K.U.Leuven. Each EURHEO student has to study in at least two universities in 

two countries. As a graduate, you’ll receive multiple degrees from the universities 

at which you have been trained. Heavy demand for experts, and their limited supply, 

certainly guarantees an exciting career in this increasingly important field. Don’t go 

with the flow – control it! 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMMEURHEO 

MSc in Electrical Engineering (120 ECTS) 

K.U.Leuven is already preparing the next generation of integrated systems – 

will you be involved? The Electrical Engineering Department (ESAT) is the largest 

department within the university and was the starting point of IMEC and many 

spin-off companies. With such an excellent reputation within an innovative industry, 

the programme exemplifies the link between education, research and valorisation. 

The MSc in Electrical Engineering programme gives you in-depth training in the 

software and hardware design of electronic systems, with an emphasis either on 

circuit design or the design of applications. In the option `Electronics and Integrated 

Circuits’, you will learn how to design and create electronic and integrated circuits 

for a wide range of electronic systems in telecommunications, audio- and sensor 

applications, biomedical systems and power electronics. In the option `Embedded 

Systems and Multimedia’, the focus lies on the design of novel applications. 

This encompasses the processing, transmission and security aspects of digital signals 

(with emphasis on multimedia) and their implementation in embedded systems. 

Your Master’s thesis, carried out in close co-operation with the department’s on-going 

research, will expose you to cutting-edge research. With the demand for qualified 

electrical engineers as high as it is, as a graduate of the programme, your prospects 

of employment throughout the world are enviable. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MEE 

6

MSc in Human 

Settlements (60 ECTS) 


INTERNATIONAL 

COURSE 


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Addressing rapid developing-world urbanisation and contemporary urban trans - 

formations and aiming at sustainable development, the MSc in Human Settlements 

consists of a common platform (key courses on human settlements and sustainable 

development, design studio, and study trips) complemented by a core of courses 

from the disciplines of ‘Architecture and Urban Studies’, ‘Rational Design and 

Constructions’ and ‘Urbanism (including urban design) and Strategic Planning’. 

With numerous guest lecturers and seminars, the programme benefits from its 

organisers’ worldwide contacts. Study trips to France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, 

Germany and other places of interest in Belgium confront students with current 

trends in urban transformation. Moreover, non-Western study and field trips have 

included India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Join our many alumni in leadership 

and policy positions in regional, national, and international human settlement 

institutions. Or begin a career as an independent professional in urban design. 

Or go for the PhD! The choice is yours. 

MSc in Chemical Engineering (120 ECTS) 

Looking for a chemical techology programme that is more than just a classical chemical 

engineering programme? Our MSc in Chemical Engineering is definitely something for 

you. With a focus on process, product and planet engineering, the programme does not 

only guarantee a solid chemical engineering background, it also focuses on process and 

product intensification, energy efficient processing routes, biochemical processes and 

product-based thinking rather than on the classical process approach. The programme 

itself consists of an important core curriculum that covers the foundations of chemical 

engineering. In this part of the programme, you will concentrate on both the classical 

and the emerging trends in chemical engineering. In addition, you have the opportunity 

to choose between three options: product, process and planet engineering, providing 

you with the opportunity to specialise to a certain extent. Since the emerging areas 

covered in the programme are considered to be the major challenges within the 

chemical and related industries, graduating in Leuven as a chemical engineer will 

give you a serious advantage over your European colleagues since you will be able 

to integrate new technologies within existing production processes. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MCHEMT 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MAHS 

MSc in Engineering: 

Energy (120 ECTS) 

EIT-KIC 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

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“Leuven is a very 

inter nationally oriented 

city with an open spirit. 

The city is always alive, 

a real student town.” 

Dennis, doctoral student 

electrical engineering 

from Taiwan 

If you are fascinated by technology but can’t ignore environmental and socio-economic 

factors, then consider the international MSc in Engineering: Energy. In collaboration 

within the framework of Erasmus Mundus and EIT-KIC InnoEnergy, the master consists 

of three options: 

• MSc in Engineering: Energy: a two-year programme at K.U.Leuven, in Dutch 

or in English. The first year includes electrical and mechanical engineering 

courses, as well as more general socio-economic energy-related subjects and 

an integrated project. In the second year, you’ll continue your specialisation with 

a Master’s thesis on a subject related to electrical energy, thermo-mechanical 

energy, or more general technical-economic aspects. An international exchange 

or internship is also possible. 

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Economics and Management of Network 

Industries: the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Economics and Management 

of Network Industries, newly offered by K.U.Leuven and co-ordinated by U.P. 

Comillas in 2011 – 2012, is a second-year technical specialisation track that 

will help you develop a comprehensive view on energy networks informed both 

by economics and technology. 

• EIT-KIC MSc in Energy: newly organised for 2011 – 2012 within the EIT-KIC 

InnoEnergy partner network, which includes the technical universities of Eindhoven, 

Stockholm, Barcelona, Lisbon and Grenoble, this programme encourages 

industrial collaboration and entrepreneurship in the energy domain. Training you 

in the true multidisciplinarity, the programme will prepare you for a career in 

research, industry or policy related to energy. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MENERGY 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMMEMIN 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EITKICMENERGY 

MSc in Conservation 

of Monuments and Sites (120 ECTS) 


Want a programme with true pedigree? Try the MSc in Conservation of Monuments 

and Sites, run by the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation. 

Prof. Lemaire (an author of the Charter of Venice) originally founded the centre at 

the behest of the International Council of Monuments and the elite College of Europe. 

Now run by Minja Yang, a renowned cultural heritage management consultant and 

former director of the UNESCO Office in New Delhi, the Centre continues its highprofile 

collaborations with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, World Monument 

Fund, and the Getty Conservation Institute. This two-year programme is organised 

jointly by the Department of Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, and the 

Department of Civil Engineering, and is divided into two parts: the first year in 

classes and seminars, and the second in personal research anywhere in the world, 

culminating in your thesis. With the programme’s background and rigorous training, 

it’s no wonder our alumni are spread throughout the world as professionals in 

conservation and restoration of architectural heritage. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MCMS 

MSc in Urbanism 

and Strategic Planning (120 ECTS) 


Aiming to cultivate innovative urban design, the Department of Architecture, Urbanism, 

and Planning offers the MSc in Urbanism and Strategic Planning. European and designoriented, 

it prepares students for leadership roles in urban design, urban development 

and management, and strategic planning. As part of the European Postgraduate Master’s 

in Urbanism, its students can apply to attend one or two semesters at one of the partner 

universities – UPC Barcelona, TU Delft, or IUAV Venezia – to obtain the additional 

European Postgraduate Certificate of Urbanism. Guest lectures, design studios, 

and a written or design-project thesis give shape to the programme. Study trips within 

Belgium and throughout Europe, as well as annual design workshops offered by 

K.U.Leuven and its partner universities, also feature prominently. Our graduates have 

long provided professional architectural and urban-design experience to design offices, 

consultancy firms, or governments. Contribute to this legacy! 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MAUSP 

7 

* Master’s degree required


MSc in Water Resources 

Engineering (120 ECTS) 

Are you involved in the design, operation, or day-to-day management of water 

resources? Would you like to be an expert in this field? The MSc in Water Resources 

Engineering trains engineers and scientists from developing and industrialised countries 

in specific disciplines of water resources, but also integrates technical multidisciplinary 

teams under the efficient co-ordination of management generalists. Based on the 

research and expertise of the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Bioscience 

Engineering, you’ll become well versed in the necessary mathematics, civil engineering, 

hydrology, agriculture, biology and domain-specific information communications 

technology. You’ll gain expertise in GIS and remote sensing, surface and groundwater 

hydrology, river and urban hydraulics, irrigation design and management, 

water monitoring and treatment, system approaches to water management, and the 

social, political, environmental, and institutional aspects of water resources. As an 

expert, you’ll contribute a critical attitude and understanding of the research processes 

vital to the field. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/IUPWARE 

INTERNATIONAL 

COURSE 


PAGE 20 

MSc in Bioinformatics (120 ECTS) 

Interested in the recent major scientific and technological breakthroughs that have 

drastically changed the way we think about bioscience research and biotechnology? 

If so, join us as we explore this new era of bioinformatics and systems biology! 

The MSc in Bioinformatics aims to train specialists able to combine biological insight 

with mathematical engineering, IT, and statistical analysis to design, manage, 

analyse, and interpret high-throughput molecular biology experiments. First, your 

background in biology, biotechnology, data mining, statistics, and current programming 

languages such as JAVA and Perl will be individually reoriented to ensure 

you meet the programme’s prerequisites. Then core courses will ensure general 

competence and finally, a research project at the university or a company will 

culminate in the presentation of your expertise in a research thesis. You can then 

explore your exciting career in fundamental and applied biomedical research! 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/BIOINF 

MSc in Food 

Technology (120 ECTS) 

Want to make a difference in an age anxious about food security and quality? Jointly 

organised by K.U.Leuven and the University of Ghent, the interuniversity programme 

MSc in Food Technology aims to provide multidisciplinary and specialised training 

in food technology. After an initial year establishing a common knowledge base 

among students with different backgrounds, you’ll spend the second year specialising 

either in: ‘Post-harvest and Food Preservation Engineering’ or ‘Food Science and 

Technology’. Combined with your research thesis you’ll build your own tailor-made 

curriculum based on the internationally-recognised applied-bioscience research in 

food science, agriculture, and biotechnology at K.U.Leuven and the University of 

Ghent. Graduates consistently find rewarding international work within university 

education and research, research institutes, the food industry, non-governmental 

and governmental institutes, and food authorities. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/IUPFOOD 

INTERNATIONAL 

COURSE 


PAGE 20 

MSc in Earth Observation (120 ECTS) 

Are you concerned with the sustainable use and management of the Earth’s 

resources? Do you have a solid background in calculus, earth science and GIS, 

environmental science, and ecology? If so, consider the MSc in Earth Observation. 

Collecting, processing, combining, and applying remotely sensed Earth observation 

data, this growing field addresses soil, water, vegetated, and urban systems, as well 

as their development and options for management. The programme allows students 

either to specialise further within the thematic geospatial domain, including hydrologic 

and atmospheric aspects, or to strengthen engineering aspects of geospatial technologies. 

The programme features international collaboration within the framework 

of the European Erasmus scheme. Graduates from the MSc in Earth Observation 

are recruited by governments, service providers, utility companies, space agencies, 

research and/or educational institutes, and national and international organisations 

concerned with sustainable development in rural and urban regions; food security, 

disaster relief, energy supply, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and nature 

conservation. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EO 

“I think Leuven is 

heaven on earth for 

students. Everybody is 

friendly, the town is full of all 

kinds of students and I can 

safely walk the streets alone at 

two o’clock in the morning.” 

Chun Gong, PhD student 

from China at IMEC 

8

Erasmus Mundus Master 

of Theoretical Chemistry and 

Computational Modelling (120 ECTS) 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

PAGE 20 

Get in at the bleeding edge of contemporary chemistry! Theoretical and computational 

chemistry are marking the new era that lies ahead in the molecular sciences. 

The Erasmus Mundus Master of Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling 

is a joint initiative of seven European Universities, including K.U.Leuven. A two-year 

Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme co-ordinated by the Universidad Autónoma 

de Madrid. It will train you to master a wide range of theoretical and computational 

tools. The first year brings all participants to a common level of excellence. The second 

year starts with a four-week intensive course taking place in the summer between 

the two years. It welcomes several international experts as lecturers and is organised 

by one of the participating universities (Valencia in September 2011). The remainder 

of the second year is devoted to tutorials on the material of the intensive course 

and to a thesis project, carried out in part at one of the other universities in the consortium. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/TCCM 

MSc in Tropical Natural 

Resources Management (120 ECTS) 

Do you agree that alleviating poverty and food insecurity in the tropics while preserving 

the natural-resource base is one of the major challenges to humankind? Do you 

want to become an expert in maintaining biodiversity and solid productivity in the 

tropics and in the economics and policymaking of natural resources? Building on 

your broad interest in the natural, agricultural, or economic sciences, the Msc in 

Tropical Natural Resources Management provides in-depth coverage of three key 

intervention areas: the conservation and management of tropical agro-biodiversity, 

the economic and policy aspects of natural resource use, and soil and water 

conservation. You’ll learn how to manage biodiversity, and how to use it to improve 

biological production systems. You’ll learn to optimise decisions at the micro 

(management) and macro (policy) level. You’ll also acquire a better understanding 

of the potential and management of tropical soils and of soil degradation and 

rehabilitation. In short: a challenging career awaits you in translating your knowledge 

into public or private sector projects, innovations, and policies for the sustainable 

management of natural resources. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/TROPNRM 

Postgraduate Programme 

in Biomedical Engineering (39 ECTS) 

Biomechanics, biomaterials, and medical information technology all form an exciting 

wave in the future of medicine. Are you ready to catch it? Expanding upon your 

previously obtained MSc in Engineering, MSc in Bioengineering or four-year Bachelor 

of Engineering, K.U.Leuven’s Postgraduate Programme in Biomedical Engineering 

offers an advanced research-based curriculum. Beyond foundational courses in 

human biotechnology and physiology, the programme also provides cutting-edge 

offerings in musculoskeletal biomechanics, biofluid biomechanics, biomedical 

measurements and stimulation, biomedical data processing, and medical imaging 

and analysis. Capping these is a design project providing hands-on practice in medical 

device design or medical software design. You can participate in this programme 

as part of a predoctoral examination or as the next step towards a successful career 

in the medical device industry, health care or government. The choice is yours – 

and so is the future. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/PGBIOMENG 

ARENBERG DOCTORAL 

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, 

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 

The Arenberg Doctoral School of Science, Engineering & Technology 

is located in the old Celestine Convent in the heart of the Arenberg 

Campus in Heverlee. It functions as a hub for doctoral researchers in 

the Sciences, Engineering Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences and 

is an ideal setting to conduct research in the different disciplines of the 

Science, Engineering & Technology Group. The Arenberg Doctoral School 

stimulates and supports researchers in their endeavour to acquire 

knowledge and use it to enhance our world. 

Research in the Science, Engineering, and Technology Group is organised 

into thematic centres cutting across the traditional disciplinary boundaries. 

These research centres are structured around four themes: Information, 

Matter, Life and Habitat. From infinity to atoms and from cells to people 

and man-made systems, the main research topics can be found in life 

sciences, computing and information science, environmental sustainability, 

human settlements, agriculture, food research, genomics and biomaterials, 

nanoscience and nanofabrication, advanced materials, energy and 

optimisation in engineering. 

In addition to the research-based scientific training, organised by the 

research centres, the Arenberg Doctoral School offers transferable 

skills and competencies which go beyond the specific research topic 

of the doctorate and which prepare doctoral researchers for a professional 

career inside or outside the university. 

Our doctoral researchers have the confidence and pride of professionals 

who advance the frontier of knowledge and combine their scientific 

endeavours with unique professional experience. The Arenberg Doctoral 

School offers great opportunities to fulfil your aspirations and pursue 

your goals. We challenge you to join us with your ambitions. 

set.kuleuven.be/phd/ 

Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Programmes provide an international 

environment for PhD research and training with scholarships of the 

European Commission in multi-site partnerships and mobility between 

European universities and research institutes. K.U.Leuven is partner in 

the ERASMUS MUNDUS DOCTORATE IN MEMBRAME ENGINEERING. 

http://eudime.unical/it/ 

9

Humanities and Social Scien 

MA in Theology 

and Religious Studies (60 ECTS) 

Looking to build upon your Bachelor’s degree in Theology or Religious Studies? 

Or perhaps you are engaged in pastoral work and seeking to deepen your theoretical 

insights? Where better than at K.U.Leuven, where theology has been taught and 

practised for over 700 years? K.U.Leuven’s Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies 

has always acted as a think tank within the Catholic community. We offer a history 

of critical dialogue conversant with tradition, but situated in the present and yet ever 

conscious of the future – why not make this openness your own? Leuven’s famed 

theology professors will put you in a great position to determine your own future, 

whether it is in pastoral work, at NGOs throughout the world, in the media, or in 

politics. The choices are endless. But with Leuven’s MA in Theology and Religious 

Studies, they become meaningful. 

MA in Philosophy (60 ECTS) 

What is the meaning of existence? Explore your own perplexity at Leuven’s renowned 

Institute of Philosophy. Its MA in Philosophy programme crosses the boundaries of 

all philosophical disciplines, traditions, and approaches to help you form your own 

well-rounded view. Long a leading centre of philosophical thought, embodied by 

such centres as the famed Husserl-Archives and the De Wulf-Mansion Centre for 

Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Philosophy, the Institute offers you unparalleled 

opportunities to further your own research. And with its impressive library, expert 

faculty, and central location in Belgium, the Institute offers the most attractive opportunity 

for studying philosophy in Europe. Let this one-year programme open doors for 

your further research at other universities, or introduce you to our predoctoral programme, 

the advanced MPhil programme. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MAPhil 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MTHEOLOGY 

MA in Advanced Studies 

in Theology and Religion (60 ECTS) 

(predoctoral programme) 


As a researcher, you value independence above all. You need a predoctoral programme 

that respects this freedom, and yet keeps it focused. Let Leuven’s MA in Advanced 

Studies in Theology and Religion take your previously earned Master’s degree to a 

higher level. Guided by our world- renowned professors, whose individual areas of 

expertise span the breadth and depth of theology, you’ll learn to give shape to your 

own independence, and transform it into a project with the potential to lead into 

doctoral studies. And rest assured: research at Leuven is second to none. Just ask 

Jansenius, Erasmus, or Louis Janssens – names from Leuven’s rich and on-going 

history that spring to life in the faculty’s peerless library, containing countless priceless 

volumes and ancient manuscripts. At Leuven, your research is sharpened by the 

newest digital tools, and bolstered by subscriptions to a rich variety of international 

journals, ranging from the mainstream to the cutting edge of today’s theology. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MASTHEOLOGY 

“The true 

inheritance that 

I received from Leuven is 

a profoundly spiritual 

outlook on life.” 

alumna Martha Sañudo 

Velásquez (philosophy 

and theology) from 

Mexico 

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) (60 ECTS) 

(predoctoral programme) 


Looking for a predoctoral programme with a tradition? Philosophy has played a 

leading role in Leuven since 1425. And students still come from all around the world 

to study at the Institute of Philosophy. Why? Because the Institute offers world-leading 

programmes in ancient and medieval philosophy; phenomenology and contemporary 

continental philosophy; metaphysics and philosophy of culture; ethics, social and 

political philosophy; and analytical philosophy. Functioning as a qualification for formal 

acceptance to doctoral studies, the MPhil allows each student to concentrate on a 

particular field of study, supplemented by courses, seminars, and the oral defence 

of a research-based Master’s thesis. Established to promote the cosmopolitan character 

of philosophical studies at the Institute, the International Programme in Philosophy 

has in turn underscored the institute’s success by sending out its new doctors to teach 

at leading schools throughout the world. Do you want to be counted among them? 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MPhil 

MA in Canon Law (120 ECTS) 


For nearly 600 years, the Faculty of Canon Law at K.U.Leuven has been recognised 

for its excellence of scholarship and teaching. This tradition continues today with 

teaching staff made up of internationally recognised scholars. Your Bachelor’s degree 

in law, theology, or religious studies opens the door for you to study for a MA in Canon 

Law over two years. The canonical degree of Iuris Canonici Licentiatus is obtained 

on completion of the master programme. Success in the Master’s programme can 

provide entry into the doctoral programme where successfully completed specialised 

study will see you awarded the degree of Doctor of Canon Law and the canonical 

degree of Iuris Canonici Doctor. With these degrees comes the opportunity to serve 

the People of God in a unique way as a canon lawyer. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MCL 

10

ces 

Master of Laws (120 ECTS) 

The spirit of Bologna thrives at K.U.Leuven’s Faculty of Law! After studying your 

own national law at the LL.B. level at your home university, obtain your Master’s 

degree at one of the most established and yet innovative law faculties in Europe. 

You’ll graduate as a truly global lawyer in a genuinely European environment, as did 

the first permanent President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, 

a graduate of the Leuven Law Faculty. The two-year programme will set you on an 

ideal course to work for an internationally-oriented law firm, a multinational company, 

or international organisations. Our faculty takes particular pride in putting its students 

in touch with these future employers. Focussing on European and International Law, 

the programme offers a wide range of specialisations. Students may obtain credit 

waivers on the basis of previously obtained credits (e.g., in the framework of an 

Erasmus programme). Leuven can become your stepping stone to an interesting legal 

career - an opportunity not to be missed. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MLAW 

“Leuven is the first 

non-Anglo-Saxon university 

to recognise my contribution 

to human rights. It is a 

great privilege.” 

Radhika Coomaraswamy, 

UN Under-Secretary- 

General and K.U.Leuven 

Honorary Doctor 

Master of Laws (LL.M.) (60 ECTS) 


The graduate Master of Laws programme at K.U.Leuven may be taken either full-time 

residential, or part-time spread over two years (which allows you to study while continuing 

your career). The degree gives you a thorough legal education in close proximity to 

Europe’s legal institutions. The programme mixes foundation courses in slightly 

larger groups with exclusive courses in small groups in your two chosen areas of 

specialisation (economic law, banking and finance, human rights, social law, 

intellectual property, external relations, and diplomacy). The specialised knowledge 

you’ll acquire in these areas will be crowned with clinics in small groups, led by 

senior lawyers and officials from the Brussels European scene. Designed to foster 

independent study and research, the programme also takes you on a tour of the 

most important European institutions, including the European Parliament, the Court 

of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. Our students are from every 

region of the globe, and our alumni routinely hold prominent positions in the European 

and international community, in national and local governments, and in the specialised 

legal community. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/LLM 

MA in Society, Law and Religion 

(60 ECTS) 

MSc in Criminology 60 ECTS) 

Looking for somewhere to explore your interest in law, society, and crime? Offering a 

research-based, specialised, European, and internationally-oriented study of crime, 

the programme emphasises different approaches to crime and the processes of 

(de)criminalisation. With its strong link between education and research, the programme’s 

explicitly international orientation and comparative approach permits you to specialise 

in one of three research areas: criminality and security, person-oriented and communityoriented 

criminology, or law enforcement. Your research-based thesis optimises your 

critical reflective methodological skills and attitudes, enabling autonomous, constructive, 

and high-quality contributions to the field. Boasting close co-operation between 

the students and teaching staff, whose expertise spans a wide range of topics, 

the programme focuses on the increasing cross-border character of criminality. 

Based on vocational developments within the field, it opens up many prospects for 

you as a criminologist in the European Union, and in many international or trans - 

national institutions. 

Rapid development is facing the global community in all areas of life. Civil and religious 

authorities are constantly confronted with new and more complex questions that 

touch the very core of the fundamental liberties of the human person and the good 

of society. Both State and Church have, or claim, competence and responsibilities 

for many of these questions. The MA in Society, Law and Religion at K.U.Leuven 

invites you to explore the interface between Church and State in the atmosphere of 

a truly international student body, guided by world-renowned professors and internationally-recognised 

guest speakers. With its emphasis on Church (Canon) Law, 

this interdisciplinary Master’s programme builds on your degree in Law and/or Theology 

and provides the perfect basis for further study in the two-year advanced degree 

of Master of Canon Law. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MSLR 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MCRIMY 

* Master’s degree required 

11

Humanities and Social Sciences 

Master of Laws in European 

and International Taxation (60 ECTS) 


MSc in European Politics 

and Policies (60 ECTS) 


The European Tax College offers the advanced Master of Laws in European and 

International Taxation, providing you with an intensive education in European, international, 

and comparative taxation, plus with a general introduction to the five major 

tax systems in Europe and the US. Requiring no previous professional experience 

in taxation, the programme’s courses stress discussion and writing in small groups 

of not more than ten students under the direction of a course leader, alongside a 

moot court exercise and a research-based Master’s thesis. Truly international, 

the European Tax College is a joint venture between K.U.Leuven and Tilburg 

University. Tilburg hosts the first semester of the programme, Leuven the second. 

Both cities are situated in the heart of Europe, enabling students to enjoy the proximity 

of both Amsterdam (a one-hour drive from Tilburg) and Brussels (a twenty-minute 

drive from Leuven). 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MEIT 

Looking for a career in the ever-growing field of European public administration and 

European organisations? The MSc in European Politics and Policies (MEPP) programme 

is your entrance ticket. You have taken the first step with your four-year degree in 

the humanities or the social sciences, or your professional experience in the public 

or European sector. The MEPP programme is designed to complement and expand 

your background in the institutional developments and political processes of your 

home country and the European Union. It will harness the diversity of the European 

experience and solidify your professional and research prospects. Elective courses 

address your areas of specialisation and interest, be they specific policy issues, 

politics, economics, or law. And as part of the European Master of Public Administration 

Network (EMPA), the MEPP programme offers a semester of study abroad, with 

destinations including Geneva, Budapest, Paris, and Milan. But your journey, and 

future, starts in Leuven – only twenty minutes from the European institutions in Brussels. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MEPP 

Postgraduate Studies 

in ICT & Media Law (45 ECTS) 

“In Leuven, 

the world 

opened up to me.” 

Annemie Turtelboom, 

first female Interior Minister 

of Belgium and 

K.U.Leuven alumna 

Are you interested in the legal interplay of today’s communication technology, 

intellectual property, and social and cultural developments? The Postgraduate Studies 

in ICT & Media Law programme, organised by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Law 

& ICT (ICRI), provides a one-year comprehensive and in-depth study of European 

ICT and media law for graduate students and professionals who have obtained a 

law degree that gives access to legal practice in the participant’s jurisdiction (or with 

equivalent relevant expertise). It is distinguished from other programmes through 

its interdisciplinary perspective (ranging from technological and economic studies 

to socio-political, cultural, and media studies) and its focus on problem-oriented 

learning and practical skills training (offering an internship as well as a specific skills 

course module). Its highly individualised approach makes this postgraduate 

programme unique in Europe and beyond: students are appointed a personal tutor 

for preparing tasks and papers. Participants may choose a professional stream, 

including a field internship, with the emphasis on acquiring up-to-date knowledge 

and professional legal skills. Or, those wishing to acquire fundamental insights in 

the field of ICT & media law research may prefer a research stream with a researchoriented 

internship. 

www.kuleuven.be/pg/PGICTMEDIALAW 

Master of Laws 

in European Social Security (60 ECTS) 


Building upon your academic or professional knowledge of your own national social 

security system, the Master of Laws in European Social Security offers a specialised, 

research-based programme that combines teaching with distance learning at home. 

With its in-depth legal, socio-economic, administrative, and philosophical study of 

social protection, the programme initiates you into an international network of social 

security experts. The programme’s internationally recognised professors work 

closely with the strongly international student population. Distinctly comparative and 

multinational, this multidisciplinary programme focuses on the provision of social 

protection for people moving across Europe. Participants will learn many different 

European approaches to social security, thus acquiring a better understanding of 

their own local system. The programme also carefully studies the role of international 

bodies such as the European Union. 

Master of Laws in Energy 

and Environmental Law (60 ECTS) 


The Master of Laws in Energy and Environmental Law offers students a thorough and 

topical programme divided into three sections – international, European, and comparative 

energy and environmental law. Ranging from sector-specific environmental and energy 

law to the impact of EC and international economic business law, the programme 

hosts a truly global constituency of students, carefully selected to study in this highly 

research-oriented programme. Attracting a successful mix of recent graduates and 

professionals, the programme’s four pillars consist of courses, an internship, special 

seminars, and a research-based Master’s thesis. Graduates of the programme work 

in European institutions, law firms, consultancies, academic institutions, and companies, 

and also for various national governments. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MEEL 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MESS 

12

“I am happy 

that I got my 

Business and 

Economics degree 

in Leuven.” 

Paul Bulcke, 

CEO Nestlé 

MSc in Advanced 

Business Studies (60 ECTS) 


Offering students an advanced curriculum in business research methodology, 

the MSc in Advanced Business Studies will familiarise you with current research 

practices in business and management studies. The programme is not only the ideal 

preparation for the PhD in Applied Economics, it is also perfect for students seeking 

research-oriented positions outside the university. The faculty’s vast national and 

international network maintains strong links with the business and financial community 

by organising regular workshops with captains of industry and the European Commission, 

situated only twenty minutes from our campus. And don’t forget our broad network 

of international student exchange programmes, ranging from the Wharton School 

in the US to Singapore Management University, not to mention sixty-five universities 

throughout Europe. Join the ranks of our alumni, who typically work at European 

institutions or advise various European bodies and international companies. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MABS 

MSc in Economics (60 ECTS) 

Interested in conducting in-depth economic research, addressing economic challenges, 

and interpreting existing research results – all from a global perspective? Why not 

hone your skills as a critical and creative thinker in K.U.Leuven’s MSc in Economics? 

Through two programme units and a Master’s thesis, you’ll come to grips with the 

economic forces at work within our shrinking globe, and their wider social and legal 

framework. Your choice of major (General Economics, Research in Economics, 

or Financial Economics) will prepare you for further studies in one of our advanced 

Master’s programmes, or help to launch your successful career in policy development, 

management, education, research, journalism or public relations. As one of only 

two Flemish universities with an economics programme, K.U.Leuven is well placed 

on the international scene. Not only do we participate extensively in the Erasmus 

programme, we also have numerous agreements with leading universities outside 

the EU, and with sixty-five universities throughout Europe. See what our degree can 

do for you – on the world stage. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/ME 

MSc in Advanced Studies 

in Economics (60 ECTS) 


MSc in Business Economics (60 ECTS) 

K.U.Leuven’s MSc in Business Economics offers you the world – the business 

world. This Master’s programme in the applied economic sciences will develop your 

successful undergraduate education into real-world corporate skills. Ideal for those 

of an entrepreneurial bent seeking a management career, the programme prepares 

tomorrow’s business leaders to tackle such burning issues as managerial economics, 

business strategy, and corporate innovation. With its roots in the heart of Europe 

and boasting broad-based international partnerships, your degree in Leuven will 

open the right doors, globally. What’s more, the wide-spread local chapters of our 

active alumni association can help you find the inside track, wherever you begin 

your career. 

Join an intimate group of around thirty-five other international students in the MSc 

in Advanced Studies in Economics, an elite programme that is as much an ideal 

preparation for the PhD in economics as a springboard for research-oriented positions 

outside the university. The faculty’s vast national and international network maintains 

strong links with the business and financial community by organising regular workshops 

with captains of industry and the European Commission, situated only twenty minutes 

from our campus. And don’t forget our broad network of international student 

exchange programmes, ranging from the Wharton School in the US to Singapore 

Management University, not to mention sixty-five universities throughout Europe. 

Our alumni are found in leading positions in staff or research positions in business, 

national and international institutions and universities – why not join them? 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MASE 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MBE 


13


MSc in Financial Economics (60 ECTS) 


Do you have a Master’s degree with a background in economics, finance and statistics 

and are you looking for deeper financial-economic knowledge and the relevant 

analytical tools? Then look no further than K.U.Leuven’s MSc in Financial Economics. 

Incorporating macroeconomics and specific financial business situations, the programme 

offers scientific insights into international monetary and macroeconomic problems, 

and stresses the analysis of business case studies. Small interactive groups, class 

presentations, teamwork exercises, case studies, class discussions, paper-writing 

assignments, and a Master’s thesis characterise this hands-on programme. Covering 

the entire field of financial economics, the programme features academic and guest 

lectures by business leaders and policy makers. Take advantage of our extensive 

academic network: our alumni are found in leading positions in large financial institutions 

and in consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, corporations like Electrabel, and inter - 

national organisations like the European Commission. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MFE 

MSc in Financial and Actuarial 

Engineering (60 ECTS) 


As a university graduate with a sound mathematical background – including probability 

theory, statistics, and scientific computing – you’re sure to benefit from our sixty years 

of interdisciplinary experience. Let the intensive one-year MSc in Financial and Actuarial 

Engineering kick-start your career. Quantitatively, our research ranks in the top ten 

internationally. You can also take advantage of the contacts offered through our broad 

network of international exchange programmes, ranging from the Wharton School in 

the US to Singapore Management University, not to mention sixty-five universities 

throughout Europe. Addressing the rapidly changing needs of the accelerating globalisation 

of the banking-insurance sector, this programme provides an excellent basis for 

a career in various areas of financial management and insurance. No wonder our alumni 

are found in leading positions at European institutions and our colleagues advise various 

European bodies and international companies. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MFAE 

“I have known and 

admired K.U.Leuven 

for over forty years. 

Even during my doctorate, 

my thinking was greatly 

influenced by publications 

from Leuven professors.” 

John Sexton, President of 

New York University 

MSc in Information Management 

(60 ECTS) 

Looking for a non-technical programme in information management emphasising 

the application and management of business information technology? Then explore 

K.U.Leuven’s MSc in Information Management. Between your Master’s thesis – 

which solves a concrete case within a company – and free selection of electives, 

the choice is yours: either deepen aspects of your education or opt for multidisciplinary 

breadth. The programme, which emphasises multidisciplinary solidarity between 

fundamental and applied research, also boasts an attractive scholarship for qualified 

students. Let K.U.Leuven’s strong connections with the corporate world and extensive 

network of professional contacts help to ensure your future career as an information 

analyst, project leader, or information technology strategist. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MINFM 

MA in European Studies: 

Transnational and Global 

Perspectives (60 ECTS) 

For more than 20 years, this international master programme has attracted students 

from all over the world. The MA in European Studies: Transnational and Global 

Perspectives offers a specialised and interdisciplinary analysis of Europe’s internal 

dynamics and the EU’s external policies in the world. The programme consists of 

two interdisciplinary modules offered by various specialists on European studies, 

including courses on law, history, political science, economics, linguistics, anthropology, 

religious studies and philosophy. The first module has a strong focus on the 

transnational dynamics and history of Europe, assessing Europe as a continent 

made of historical, cultural and social diversities and connectivities. The second 

module emphasises the political, economic and legal dimensions of the external 

policies of the European Union in a context of globalisation and global governance. 

Through these two specific modules, the programme addresses the fundamental 

internal and external challenges Europe faces today. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EURSTUDIES 

14

Master Erasmus Mundus 

Intercultural Mediation: Identities, 

Mobilities, Conflicts (MITRA) 

Do you have an interest in intercultural mediation and wish to travel to far-flung places? 

MITRA is the place to do it! With this Master’s course you can study, for 24 months 

in (at least) two European and Non-European Countries- such as: Belgium, France, 

Ireland, Romania, Senegal, Mexico, Poland and/or Brazil. You will learn everything 

you need to know about intercultural mediation, at an outstanding academic level, 

and have the opportunity to do some fieldwork. MITRA trains the new generation 

of experts in migration, integration, management of cultural and linguistic diversity, 

with a particular emphasis on ethics. Depending on the course, students will be 

granted a double or triple Master’s degree. So, are you a student with a degree of 

180 ECTS in Arts, Languages, Law, Social Sciences or possess another degree with 

professional experience? Does MITRA sound good? Don’t hesitate to contact us! 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MITRA 

MA in Advanced Studies 

in Linguistics (60 ECTS) 


Do you already have a Master's degree in linguistics, or linguistics and literature, 

with a successful research-based MA thesis on a linguistic topic? If so, consider 

the MA in Advanced Studies in Linguistics. Emphasising sound methodological 

foundations for identifying and analysing linguistic patterns, a sense of precise and 

systematic language description, and the ability to develop and criticise theory, 

the programme aims to provide those who have acquired graduate knowledge of 

linguistics with the professional and creative skills required for research. K.U.Leuven, 

the University of Ghent, the University of Antwerp, and the Free University of Brussels 

co-operate in this interuniversity programme. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/LIN 

“Leuven is 

part of our 

intellectual history.” 

Seamus Heaney, 

Nobel Prize 

Literature 

MA in Linguistics 

and Literature: English (60 ECTS) 

MA en langue 

et littérature françaises (60 ECTS) 

Do you already have a Bachelor’s degree in language and literature, and a mastery 

of French or English? Stressing the theoretical and methodological framework specific 

to its field, the MA in French or English Language and Literature will develop you 

into a scholar with attractive autonomous critical and research skills. The programme 

emphasises the academic study of French or English in all its aspects, ranging from 

the theoretical and historical study of the language and literature to your creative 

mastery of the living language, both spoken and written. Theoretical courses alternate 

with seminars – and both will open up your academic skills and communicative ability. 

Our team of internationally-renowned experts will prepare you for a career in 

communications, intercultural relations, education, translation, linguistics, and research, 

not to mention the avenues offered in the vast media sector. 

MA in Western Literature (60 ECTS) 

The MA in Western Literature is a unique initial Master’s programme aimed at the 

comparative study of literature in different Western traditions and epochs. Exploring 

tacit assumptions like ‘Western’ and ‘literature,’ you’ll come to terms with complex 

cultural phenomena. Your newly refined plurilinguistic and intercultural skills can only 

help with a successful career in media or education, or perhaps help you blaze a 

path in the foreign service, European institutions, translating services, or international 

companies – depending on the programme you choose. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MWLE 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/LLE 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/LLF 


15


MA en Estudios Ibéricos 

e Iberoamericanos (60 ECTS) 


Are you proficient in written and spoken Spanish or Portuguese and are you looking 

for a new academic challenge? If so, consider the MA en Estudios Ibéricos e 

Iberoamericanos. In combining linguistics, literary studies, history and art history, 

this programme will extend your knowledge of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, 

and open up new academic and career perspectives for you. Taught in Spanish 

(and Portuguese) and designed to provide a genuine international experience, 

the programme features student exchange opportunities with Spain, Portugal, 

and various Latin American countries. Personalise your study path by pursuing 

alternative disciplines such as anthropology or sociology and through your researchbased 

Master’s thesis, written in Spanish or Portuguese. The programme is excellent 

preparation for a further career in research and also positions you well for posts in 

journalism, education, government services, NGOs, and international companies. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/IBER 

MA in Cultural Studies (60 ECTS) 

With your interdisciplinary leanings and interest in cultural science, you’re well placed 

to study the relationship between society and media. Both hands-on and theoreticallyoriented, 

the MA in Cultural Studies offers career opportunities in a wide range of 

fields: you’ll be prepared for a career at any level of public service, or public bodies, 

involved in making and managing cultural policy. Perhaps you may be happier in 

the broad field of the creative industries. But one thing’s certain: you know that culture 

is never a nine-to-five job and that qualities such as passion, enthusiasm, creativity, 

flexibility, team work, and good verbal and communicative 

skills are essential. These traits will suit you well in 

your MA in Cultural Studies. 

“To live in Leuven, 

the heart of Europe, 

is a unique and wonderful 

experience. The libraries just 

amazed me to no end.” 

A student from Chile, 

anonymous study 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MCS 

MSc in Educational Studies (60 ECTS) 

Is a management career within education your thing? Why not investigate the possibilities 

with our MSc in Educational Studies. This programme primarily aims to provide 

in-depth knowledge in one or more sub-domains of educational studies (basic 

educational topics, instructional science, educational policy, and adult education), 

but also offers advanced knowledge of educational processes, policy, innovation, 

and research. Through individualised assignments as well as research seminars, 

several experienced scholars provide you with an overview of basic theories and 

recent developments. Beyond fine-tuning your theoretical insights, you’ll come to 

grips with macro, meso and micro processes, and methodological skills. What’s 

more, your research-based Master’s thesis won’t just help you to develop expertise 

in educational scholarship – you’ll contribute to it as well. You can then explore an 

exciting career as an educational advisor or manager – or perhaps even embark 

on a PhD project. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MES 

MA in Medieval 

and Renaissance Studies (60 ECTS) 


Want to learn more about the cultural history of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance? 

Then make the MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies your springboard for an 

academic career or an advanced position in the cultural sector. With specialised 

seminars and the close study of texts, which bring the cultural and intellectual history 

of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to life, the programme will stimulate your 

independent study within a wide range of issues from philosophy to the history of 

science. Take advantage of K.U.Leuven’s strong international reputation earned 

through the efforts of such dedicated research centres as the De Wulf-Mansion 

Centre (philosophy), Aristoteles Latinus, Illuminare (illuminated manuscripts), the Seminarium 

Philologiae Humanisticae, the Research Unit History of the Middle Ages, 

and the Institute for Medieval Studies, which monitors the contacts between these 

centres. Strengthened by K.U.Leuven’s in-house expertise in ancient and modern 

languages, your own historical-philological research could not find a better home. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MRS 

MA in Archaeology (60 ECTS) 

Armed with your prior training in archaeology, field experience and passion for discovery, 

you’re ready to specialise. K.U.Leuven, the only Flemish university whose teaching 

is supported by its own excavations,offers you the MA in Archaeology programme, 

and the chance to become an expert in prehistory, Egypt and the Near East, and 

classical antiquity. The programme also features training in managerial or co-ordinating 

roles in excavations. As a young researcher, you’ll be prepared for a career in the 

academic world. Furthermore, you’ll have developed sufficient practical and general 

skills to take up managerial responsibilities in scientific and scholarly institutions, 

cultural centres, government institutions or business. Your critical spirit and ability 

to solve problems, fine-tuned through the programme, will also be assets for a career 

in the media, journalism, the arts, cultural tourism, and education. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MARE 

16

MSc in Cultures 

and Development Studies (60 ECTS) 


Open-ended career possibilities in development await you, the graduate of the MSc 

in Cultures and Development Studies (CADES) programme. Rooted in contemporary 

social and cultural anthropology, the programme nevertheless draws on various disciplines 

and entertains a wealth of relevant perspectives. In addition to coursework and 

a research-based thesis, a minimum six-week intercultural internship will complete 

your international experience. Able to relate their domain-specific knowledge within 

the evolving North-South debate, our graduates go on to a large variety of jobs in 

NGOs, international organisations, development co-operation, education, social 

and medical services, advisory organisations, international relations, enterprises, 

and research. Join them, and let this programme hone your critical scientific attitude 

in your own on-going effort to promote culture-sensitive development. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/CADES 

MSc in Social Policy Analysis (60 ECTS) 


Interested in social policy and in command of statistics and research methodology? 

Looking for an advanced academic degree in international comparative social policy 

research? What about professors of international renown with years of expertise in 

implementing and evaluating social policies? If so, consider the International MSc 

in Social Policy Analysis by Luxembourg, Leuven, and Associate Institutes. Unique in 

its international and comparative focus on social policy analysis, the high calibre of 

its staff and the international character of its student body also exemplify the 

programme – its diverse student population resides in Esch (G.D. Luxembourg) for 

the first seven months and then in Leuven (Belgium) for the last three. After an 

intensive levelling-up period in September, you should be ready for the main 

courses. Afterwards, the future’s yours – private and public sector jobs are constantly 

emerging in social policy work. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/IMPALLA 

LEUVEN INTERNATIONAL 

DOCTORAL SCHOOL FOR 

THE HUMANITIES AND 

SOCIAL SCIENCES 

“In my country, 

Portugal, the name 

Lovaina (Leuven) is one of 

the best and most prestigious 

names when you speak 

about universities.” 

José Manuel Barroso, President 

of the European Commission, 

during the Global Governance 

Conference 

at K.U.Leuven 

MSc in Social and Cultural 

Anthropology (120 ECTS) 

You’ve experienced other cultures – now try to understand them. The two-year MSc 

in Social and Cultural Anthropology first acquaints you with the basic concepts and 

theoretical approaches in classical and contemporary anthropology and the main 

methodological principles of fieldwork. Then choose a specialisation in either African 

anthropology, or in interculturalism, migration, and minorities. In the former, you’ll 

confront the impact of (de)colonisation, city-life, diamond smuggling, children and 

youth, and the environment in Africa. In the latter, you’ll study the social problems 

of multi-ethnic societies in a context of globalisation, paying special attention to 

Asian, Latin American, and Islamic immigration. You can then explore a career in 

policy, development, management, education, government, NGOs, private corporations, 

or research. One thing is certain: the new perspectives and ideas gained in this 

programme will stay with you throughout your professional life. 

Have you obtained a Master’s degree in the humanities or social 

sciences and would you like to start a PhD? If so, consider studying at 

the International Doctoral School for the Humanities and Social Sciences, 

located in the beautiful medieval centre of Leuven. This school offers 

doctoral training programmes in the seven faculties of the Humanities 

and Social Sciences Group. Embedded in the faculties, the research 

disciplines offered are varied: 

• Communication/media, political science/international 

relations/public policy, sociology 

• Philosophy 

• Economics, business economics 

• Theology 

• Educational sciences, psychology 

• Law, criminology 

• History, regional studies, literary studies and linguistics, 

arts, archaeology, and musicology 

In each of these disciplines, top researchers and advanced PhD fellows 

will guide and assist you in obtaining your PhD. They will help you to 

acquire the necessary academic and scientific skills, resulting in a doctoral 

dissertation that will express your own findings, based on original 

research. Moreover, the doctoral school will provide training opportunities 

in inter personal communication and other relevant skills development. 

Our goal is to help prepare graduates to become highly qualified 

researchers and versatile specialists. A Leuven PhD does not only lead 

to an academic career, but also to employment in industry, international 

organisations, government, research centres, etc. 

We welcome ambitious candidates with an interest in any of the abovementioned 

fields and look forward to meeting you in Leuven, where you’ll 

find a great number of fellow doctoral students from all around the 

world. You’ll not only achieve your dreams in Leuven, but will also find 

life-long friendships. 

ghum.kuleuven.be/phd 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/ANTR 


17

Biomedical Sciences 

MSc in Forensic Odontology (60 ECTS) 


Master of Biomedical Sciences 

(120 ECTS) 

Seeking to train as a researcher in the exciting field of the biomedical sciences? 

Then don’t pass up the Master of Biomedical Sciences. Focusing on rigorous 

scientific education through the use of modern research techniques, the programme 

will stimulate you to think critically concerning concrete research problems in 

connection with the (dys)functioning of the human body and its interaction with the 

environment. Since the field is so wide-ranging, the programme offers many 

specialisation options organised into research tracks. Located at the Gasthuisberg 

Campus and surrounded by the many internationally-renowned research groups 

in close proximity to the University Hospitals Leuven, this research-oriented 

programme has a unique environment. As a graduate of this programme, you’ll be 

in high demand. University labs will seek you out. So too will those of the pharmaceutical 

and biomedical industries. Hospitals need biomedical researchers, as do 

governments. Then there’s the interest of health care and ecological bodies, not to 

mention food quality control and epidemiology. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MABMS 

It’s not just true on television: the dental identification of real-life victims and suspects 

plays an increasingly important role in today’s criminal jurisprudence. The MSc in 

Forensic Odontology stresses multidisciplinary interaction with forensic medicine, 

judicial bodies, and insurance companies, and aims to train dentists and oral physicians 

in this fascinating discipline and its legal aspects. Dental law is an underdeveloped 

but growing field in Belgium and the services of dentists in court cases are on the 

rise. With its theoretical courses, self-study, preclinics, clinical demonstrations, 

laboratory work, and a research-based thesis, the one-year MSc in Forensic Odontology 

is the ideal stepping stone to this exciting new profession. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MAMFORENSIC 

Postgraduate Studies in 

Pharmaceutical Research (60 ECTS) 

Are you a student from an emerging or developing country? Are you seeking greater 

exposure to scientific literature and research techniques than you had during your 

Bachelor’s or Master’s studies at home? Then look no further. K.U.Leuven’s postgraduate 

programme Studies in Pharmaceutical Research will put you in direct contact 

with practical laboratory work, enabling you to conduct experimental scientific 

research within the framework of a research programme of a laboratory at the 

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Our theoretical courses will expand your 

theoretical qualifications, allowing you to conduct experimental work with improved 

comprehension. You’ll learn how to conduct and plan experiments independently, 

how to search for and analyse scientific literature, how to write a critical report in 

sound scientific language, and how to present results to an audience and respond 

to questions on the subject. Successful completion of the programme (“cum laude 

/ with distinction”) or higher grants you entry into our doctoral programme! 

www.kuleuven.be/pg/PGPHARMRES 

Erasmus Mundus 

Master in Adapted 

Physical Activity (120 ECTS) 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

PAGE 20 

“What Brussels is 

to European politics is 

Leuven professor Frans 

Van de Werf and his team 

to European Cardiology.” 

US Cardiology Magazine 

“Circulation” in 

a 2008 article 

Entering a new five-year cycle as a two-year Master’s programme (which started in 

September 2010), the Erasmus Mundus Master in Adapted Physical Activity – 

EMMAPA - is organised by the institutions of the EMMAPA Consortium: the universities 

of Leuven, Limerick, Olomouc, Oslo, Virginia, Queensland and Stellenbosch. 

The official language of instruction is English. The competencies you acquire through 

EMMAPA offer you a unique opportunity to combine advanced courses in movement, 

exercise science, and applied behaviour analysis with designing adapted physical 

activity programmes for individuals with disabilities. The first academic year takes 

place at K.U.Leuven, while in the second year you participate in a mandatory mobility 

period in one of the European consortium universities, choosing from four different 

mobility models. Each year, an average of twenty-two non-European and eighteen 

European students enrol in the programme. EMMAPA is taught by approximately 

50 full-time professors. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMMAPA 

18

“The town is 

wonderful, the cost 

of living manageable, 

the education top-level, 

the location for travelling 

exceptional and the 

country beautiful.” 

A student from Canada, 

anonymous survey 

Postgraduate Studies in 

Advanced Medical Imaging (56 ECTS) 

One of the most challenging techniques in biomedical research and in clinical care, 

medical imaging offers exciting careers for those who have obtained a Master’s 

degree in a field such as (bio)medical sciences, dentistry, mathematics, physics or 

engineering. The programme provides a thorough overview of existing imaging 

modalities and approaches towards imaging pathology, and reviews the strengths 

and weaknesses of individual techniques. Interdisciplinarity is the keyword, with a 

focus on clinical and research questions rather than on a specific imaging modality. 

You can participate in this programme with an eye to a successful career in industry 

or health care. Or the programme can serve as an ideal foundation for PhD research 

in medical imaging. The programme is associated with K.U.Leuven’s medical 

imaging research centre. Experience the advantages of our training in the fundamentals 

of medical imaging! 

www.kuleuven.be/pg/PGADVMEDIM 

MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences 

and Physiotherapy (120 ECTS) 

The MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy aims to train graduates to 

conduct evidence-based practice in physiotherapy and to develop expertise in a 

specific domain of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Organised in collaboration with 

other Flemish universities, this programme is highly specialised, with K.U.Leuven’s 

Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences offering the graduate sections 

in musculoskeletal, neurological, and paediatric rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy, 

as well as rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy in mental health care 

and rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy for internal disorders. Enjoy the mobility 

offered by our many international partnerships and fulfil part of the programme’s 

internship at an institution abroad. Finally, let your strong theoretical and scientific 

insight be your ticket to success in a rewarding career. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/MAREHSCPH 

Erasmus Mundus Master 

of Bioethics (60 ECTS) 


Are you professionally engaged in health care? Are you concerned with the moral 

questions and dilemmas you confront daily in your profession? Are you interested 

in a joint international degree obtained in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy? If so, 

consider the Erasmus Mundus Master of Bioethics programme with the financial 

aid of Erasmus Mundus scholarships. Spend the autumn in Leuven, the winter in 

Nijmegen and the spring in Padua. Lectures, small-group discussions, case studies, 

and research activities characterise this programme, which is capped with the 

presentation of a publishable research paper to your colleagues. Then, return to 

your workplace with a better understanding of today’s ethical issues. Or perhaps 

your future is on an institutional review board, a clinical ethics committee, or within 

a government agency, regulatory body, or medical association. Then again, perhaps 

you’ll take up a teaching or research career. Or you may pursue a career as a clinical 

ethicist at a hospital or health care facility. 

www.kuleuven.be/ma/EMMBIOETHICS 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

PAGE 20 

LEUVEN INTERNATIONAL 

DOCTORAL SCHOOL 

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 

For young researchers aspiring to a career in biomedical sciences the 

University of Leuven has a lot to offer. Its Doctoral School of Biomedical 

Sciences has created an advanced training environment that encourages 

doctoral researchers to explore the boundaries of our knowledge on 

human health and disease. Doctoral researchers also experience how 

successful biomedical research can improve human health by translating 

newly gained insights into novel tools for health care. Along this way they 

are guided by inter nationally recognised scientists who are dedicated 

to sharing their expertise. State-of-the-art research facilities and a close 

interaction between research laboratories and the university hospital 

complement the picture of a front line training centre. In short, by nurturing 

today’s young talented researchers the Doctoral School of Biomedical 

Sciences wants to contribute to a healthier world tomorrow. 

To achieve this ambition doctoral training is structured around thematic 

interdisciplinary programmes. Doctoral researchers have the opportunity 

to participate in an integrated set of training activities that broaden 

their scientific horizon and stimulate thinking beyond classical lines. 

Workshops and training sessions allow doctoral researchers to improve 

personal skills such as communication, collaboration, project and time 

management or good scientific conduct. Furthermore, the doctoral 

school assists doctoral researchers in career development by organizing 

site visits to pharmaceutical and biotech companies and career information 

fairs. 

Do you share our passion to solve the puzzle of human health and 

disease and do you want to join a lively community of nearly thousand 

doctoral researchers coming from more than 50 countries around the 

world? If so, we invite you to have a closer look at our website 

(http://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/phd) and we look forward to hearing from 

you in the near future. 

Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programmes provide an international 

environment for PhD research and training with scholarships of the 

European Commission in multi-site partnerships and mobility between 

European universities and research institutes. K.U.Leuven is a partner 

in the ERASMUS MUNDUS DOCTORATE ON PREVENTION OF MOBILITY 

LOSS WITH AGEING (www.move-age.eu/gbiomed.kuleuven.be/phd/). 


19

An exceptional town and location 

To many people, Leuven, in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part 

of Belgium, is a surprise discovery in itself. It is a very safe, 

family-friendly, and student-oriented town with a long and 

rich history, brimming with culture and leisure opportunities. 

Its unique location at the heart of Europe means that 

major European capitals such as Brussels, Paris, 

London or Amsterdam are only a (very) short train 

journey away. 

There are daily (direct) flights to Brussels International 

Airport (twelve minutes from Leuven by train) from 

most of the world’s major airports. 

www.visitflanders.be 

Quality Education 

K.U.Leuven offers high-quality education. The university’s 

vision of teaching and learning emphasises the close link 

between research and education: study programmes 

are research-based, thus enabling students to acquire 

academic competences, including a critical and researchoriented 

attitude. Quality assurance and accreditation 

of higher education programmes in Flanders and the 

Netherlands is the responsibility of the independent 

joint Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO). 

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees can only be awarded 

if and when the programme is accredited by NVAO. 

Internal evaluations and external visitations are crucial 

elements in the quality assessment and development 

processes at K.U.Leuven. Leuven’s degrees offer a 

competitive advantage as they are highly valued 

througout the world. Its study programmes are flexible 

and use state-of-the-art ICT tools. The ECTS quality 

label guarantees that all credits obtained are transparent 

and fully transferable. 

www.kuleuven.be/education 

© Toerisme Leuven 

First-class Research 

K.U.Leuven boasts a rich tradition of education and 

research that dates back six centuries. The university’s 

basic research orientation has always been and will 

remain fundamental research. At the same time, 

the university remains vigilantly open to contemporary 

cultural, economic and industrial realities, as well as to 

the community’s needs and expectations. 

K.U.Leuven is currently by far the largest university in 

Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure, 

and is a charter member of LERU. Leuven participates 

in over 350 highly competitive European research projects 

(FP7, 2007-2013, up to mid 2011), including 31 of 

the highly prestigious European Research Council 

grants (ERC) which place the university fifth in the EU 

HES ranking. K.U.Leuven conducts fundamental and 

applied research in all academic disciplines with a 

clear international orientation. Research expenditure 

exceeded EUR 348 million in 2010. 

K.U.Leuven employs 6,620 researchers on its academic 

staff (2010). 38% of its graduate students and 36% of 

its postdoctoral researchers are international scholars. 

To strengthen international collaboration, K.U.Leuven 

has its own international research fellowship programme 

and supports international scholars in international 

funding applications. 

www.kuleuven.be/research 

Innovation and R&D 

K.U.Leuven Research & Development (LRD) is the 

technology transfer office of K.U.Leuven. Created in 1972 

as one of the first technology transfer offices in Europe, 

LRD has a long tradition of promoting and supporting 

the transfer of knowledge and technology between the 

university and industry. LRD was awarded the prestigious 

worldwide IPTEC Award for its achievements in technology 

transfer in 2008. LRD assists Leuven researchers in 

concluding over 1,000 new agreements annually for 

research collaboration projects. It also supports the 

commercialisation of intellectual property, which requires 

adequate protection and an appropiate transfer strategy 

to ensure that research innovation at K.U.Leuven finds 

its way into society. 

LRD stimulates the creation of new spin-off companies 

by giving entrepreneurs the appropiate guidance and 

access to its own Gemma Frisius Seed Capital Fund. 

Ninety high-tech companies have been created thus far. 

LRD plays an important role in the knowledge-driven 

regional economic development and the construction 

of science parks and incubators in the Leuven region. 

lrd.kuleuven.be 


ERASMUS MUNDUS 

ERASMUS 

MUNDUS 

Housing 

Erasmus Mundus is an EU funded co-operation and 

mobility programme that promotes European higher 

education, helps to improve the career prospects of 

students and promotes intercultural understanding. 

• Action 1: One can apply for a scholarship for one of 

the seven Erasmus Mundus Master’s programmes 

at K.U.Leuven. The programmes involve mobility 

between different universities and lead to a joint degree 

• Action 2: Looking for a scholarship for another 

programme? Nationals of more than 100 countries 

can apply for a scholarship through one of the nine 

Action 2 projects K.U.Leuven takes part in. 

www.kuleuven.be/international/ema1.html 

www.kuleuven.be/international/ema2.html 

INTERNATIONAL 

COURSE PROGRAMME 

Every year the Flemish Interuniversity Council For Development 

Co-operation (VLIR-UOS) awards scholarships 

to students from developing countries to study at one of 

the 3 International Course Programmes (ICPs) that are 

offerd at K.U.Leuven 

www.scholarships.vliruos.be 

EIT-KIC 

INTERNATIONAL 

COURSE 


EIT-KIC 

The European institute of Innovation and Technology is a 

knowledge community in which top quality programmes 

at European level are recognised. 


INTERCULTURAL UNIVERSITY 

• Welcome Desk at the railway station 

• Orientation Days 

• Personal buddy system 

• Trips, social activities 

• Intercultural Meeting Centre (Pangaea) 

• Podcast 

Leuven offers a wide range of housing options at reasonable 

prices. Most students at K.U.Leuven stay in individual 

rooms with shared facilities in houses on the local private 

real estate market. Assistance with all housing issues 

is provided by the university housing office. Housing in 

larger university halls or dorms is limited. Only international 

students holding specific scholarships are eligible for 

rooms in these subsidised facilities. 

www.kuleuven.be/accomodation 

Tuition Fees 

Thanks to the current government co-financing system 

for higher education in Flanders, tuition fees for Bachelor’s 

and initial Master’s programmes only amount to 

EUR 578.70 per academic year (subject to change 

without notice), like that of Belgian students. Fees for 

advanced or specialised Master’s programmes range 

from EUR 1000 to 8000 (subject to change without notice). 

www.kuleuven.be/internationalprogrammes 

Applications 

The application intake for the 2012-2013 academic 

year at K.U.Leuven starts on 1 November 2011. 

Please check the application instructions on 

www.kuleuven.be/application 

www.kuleuven.be/admissions 

20 

Eit.europa.eu 

Copywriting: John Hymers. © Images: Rob Stevens. Lay out: altera. 

www.kuleuven.be/english/living.html 

R.e. Bart Hendrickx, International Office, Naamsestraat 63 box 5001, 3000 LEUVEN, Belgium. 

K.U.Leuven International Office 

Naamsestraat 63 box 5001 

BE-3000 LEUVEN, Belgium 

international@kuleuven.be 

admissions@kuleuven.be 

www.kuleuven.be/english

International Programmes - KU Leuven

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