KU Leuven is Belgium's largest university and its highest-ranked one, placing joint 45th in the THE World University Rankings 2027. International school leavers can apply with a national secondary diploma that gives university access at home (for Russia, the attestat plus Unified State Exam results in at least three subjects), but almost all bachelor's programmes are taught in Dutch; only seven are offered in English. The English-taught master's catalogue is far larger. For 2026/27, students from outside the European Economic Area pay between $1,340 and $10,780 (€1,181.40–9,493.92) a year depending on the programme, and most English-taught programmes closed applications on 1 March.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1425; the oldest university in the Low Countries |
| Campuses | Leuven (main) plus Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Kortrijk, Geel and other cities |
| Students | 66,306, including 17,738 international students from more than 140 countries |
| Language | bachelor's mostly in Dutch; a wide choice of English-taught master's programmes |
| Ranking | THE World University Rankings 2027: joint 45th, first in Belgium |
| Non-EEA tuition, 2026/27 | $1,340–10,780 (€1,181.40–9,493.92) per 60-credit year |
| Application fee | $100 (€90) per application, non-refundable |
| Deadlines in the 2026/27 cycle | 1 February for Dutch-taught programmes; 1 March for most English-taught ones; 1 May or 1 June for some master's |
| English tests | IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79; Duolingo is not accepted |
| Housing | not allocated automatically; KU Leuven residence halls hold about a fifth of student rooms in Leuven |
Who KU Leuven suits best
KU Leuven is strongest as a master's destination. English-taught options cover engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics and data science, bioscience engineering, economics, business, architecture, philosophy and European studies. The university states that each of its 15 faculties ranks in the global top 100 for its field, and its university hospitals give medical and life-science researchers a strong base.
Undergraduate study is harder for anyone without Dutch. Only seven bachelor's programmes are taught in English, and two of them are joint programmes with the French-speaking UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles. If a broad English-taught bachelor's catalogue matters most, compare Leuven with Dutch universities in our guide to bachelor's degrees in the Netherlands. Applicants willing to reach Dutch B2 gain access to almost every first-cycle programme.
Budget matters too. An engineering or economics master's costs a non-EEA student $10,780 (€9,493.92) a year in 2026/27. At French-speaking UCLouvain and ULB, most non-EU nationals pay a flat $6,100 (€5,369), but teaching there is mostly in French.
Bachelor's admission with a foreign school diploma
KU Leuven publishes minimum eligibility criteria country by country. A few examples relevant to applicants from the former Soviet Union:
| Country | Minimum qualification listed by KU Leuven |
|---|---|
| Russia | attestat of secondary (complete) general education plus Unified State Exam (EGE) results in at least three subjects |
| Kazakhstan | certificate of completed secondary education plus Unified National Testing (UNT) results |
| Belarus | certificate of general secondary education plus centralized testing certificate |
| Ukraine | secondary school certificate plus results in at least three subjects of the external independent testing |
Meeting the minimum only makes you eligible to apply. Programmes may add their own thresholds or require a mathematics test such as the SAT, ACT, AP Calculus or the SOWISO OMPT online test.
English-taught bachelor's programmes
| Programme | Campus | Non-EEA fee, 2026/27 | Deadline in the 2026/27 cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | Brussels | $6,370 (€5,613.12) | 1 March |
| Business Engineering (joint with UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles) | Brussels | $6,100 (€5,369) | 1 March |
| Engineering Technology | Leuven | $10,780 (€9,493.92) | 1 March |
| Philosophy | Leuven | $10,780 (€9,493.92) | 1 March |
| Theology and Religious Studies | Leuven | $3,510 (€3,093.12) | 1 March |
| European Studies (BAES) | Leuven | $9,650 (€8,500) | 1 April |
| Laws, trilingual (joint with UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles) | Brussels | $6,100 (€5,369) | until the start of the academic year; allowing time for the visa is up to you |
Dutch-taught bachelor's programmes
Most Dutch-taught programmes require Dutch at B2, and some ask for C1; the level appears in each programme's admission requirements. Non-EEA applicants must apply by 1 February. KU Leuven runs a Dutch Preparatory Language Year at its language institute (ILT), with limited places and demanding selection. The deadline is 1 February for every nationality; in the application tool you choose the Dutch-taught programme you plan to enter afterwards, and you pay twice: a fee to ILT after admission and a separate fee when registering at KU Leuven. Medicine and dentistry in Flanders also require passing the Flemish Community's entrance examination, which is held in Dutch and admits candidates by ranking.
Documents for a bachelor's application
- secondary school diploma and transcripts (final-year students upload their latest official results);
- translations into English, Dutch, French or German by a sworn translator or by the issuing school, unless the originals are in one of the languages KU Leuven accepts without translation;
- an IELTS or TOEFL result available for online verification;
- passport identity page;
- a motivation letter of about one A4 page and a CV;
- proof of the $100 (€90) application fee if you paid by bank transfer.
Admitted students must show the original diploma to the Admissions Office before enrolment.
Master's admission and fees by field
Master's admission is based on a relevant bachelor's degree. Each programme assesses how closely your degree matches its requirements and may ask for GMAT or GRE scores or recommendation letters on the university's template. If your background is not a close enough fit, you may be offered a preparatory programme first.
KU Leuven sets non-EEA tuition per programme. Four main levels apply in 2026/27:
| Fee level, 2026/27 | Examples of English-taught programmes |
|---|---|
| $10,780 (€9,493.92) | Engineering: Computer Science; Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical and Civil Engineering; Mathematics; Physics; Statistics and Data Science; Bioinformatics; Economics; Business Economics; International Business; Information Management; Architecture; Advanced Master of Artificial Intelligence |
| $6,370 (€5,613.12) | History; Cultural Studies; Sociology; Criminology; Psychology: Theory and Research; Educational Studies; Geography; Western Literature; Advanced Master of Cybersecurity |
| $3,510 (€3,093.12) | Theology and Religious Studies; Social and Cultural Anthropology; Society, Law and Religion |
| $1,340 (€1,181.40) | the EEA rate, which also applies to a few programmes for everyone, such as the Advanced Master of Nuclear Engineering |
Three rules change the real cost:
- Your starting-year rate is locked in. It applies for the whole programme, although it may be indexed each year.
- Fees rose sharply. Students who started in 2025/26 paid a top rate of $8,820 (€7,771.10); for 2026/27 it is $10,780 (€9,493.92). Budgets built on older figures will fall short.
- Dutch-taught is not automatically cheaper. If a Dutch-taught programme has an English-taught equivalent with a higher fee, non-EEA students pay that higher fee for the Dutch version too.
From mid-March the fee is recalculated on the actual credits in your individual study programme, so taking more or fewer than 60 credits leads to an extra invoice or a refund.
Deadlines and application timeline
Deadlines depend on the programme, your nationality and the degree level. In the 2026/27 cycle, applications opened on 9 October 2025 and the academic year began on 16 September 2026.
| Stage | 2026/27 cycle |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 9 October 2025 |
| Dutch-taught programmes, non-EEA applicants | 1 February |
| Most English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes | 1 March |
| European Studies (BAES) | 1 April |
| Selected master's, for example European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives | 1 May |
| Selected master's, for example Communication Sciences: Digital Media and Society | 1 June |
| Erasmus Mundus joint master's | own deadlines, for example 31 January or 28 February |
KU Leuven publishes 2027/28 dates programme by programme in its Application window tool. Check the date for your exact programme: applications submitted after it are not evaluated. All programmes start in September; mid-year entry is not offered.
A realistic timeline for a September 2027 start:
- September–October 2026: shortlist programmes, read their 2027/28 admission requirements and check the fee in the tuition calculator.
- October–December 2026: take IELTS or TOEFL, order sworn translations and draft your motivation letter and CV.
- By 1 February or 1 March 2027: submit the online application and pay $100 (€90).
- Spring 2027: receive the decision, fund a blocked account and start looking for housing, since listings in Leuven peak between March and May.
- Summer 2027: apply for the D visa, arrange insurance and plan to arrive before classes begin in mid-September.
What a year in Leuven costs
On top of tuition, KU Leuven advises budgeting $1,190–1,590 (€1,050–1,400) a month for rent and utilities, food, transport, phone, insurance and study materials.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition for an engineering or economics master's, 2026/27 | $10,780 (€9,493.92) |
| Living costs for 12 months, university estimate | $14,310–19,080 (€12,600–16,800) |
| Application fee | $100 (€90) |
| Blocked-account handling by KU Leuven, if you use this service | $110 (€100) |
| First-year total | about $25,300–$30,070 |
For a humanities or social science master's at $6,370 (€5,613.12), the first year comes to roughly $20,900–$25,670. Visa fees, translations, language tests and flights are extra. Students paying from Russia should read our guide on how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Scholarships
The main external award for master's study in Flanders is the Master Mind Scholarship from the Flemish Ministry of Education. It pays $11,610 (€10,225) a year and waives tuition, leaving a minimum fee of about $150 (€136.50). Russian nationals are excluded from the scheme; citizens of Kazakhstan and other countries may apply. Eligibility in recent calls:
- a GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4 on your most recent degree, calculated with Scholaro;
- English at IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 94 or CEFR C1;
- a master's programme of at least 60 credits per year at a participating institution.
The 2026/27 call is closed, and the ministry says the grant amount, selection and rules may change for 2027/28, so check the current call and the internal deadline set by KU Leuven. The university's own awards are listed in its scholarship database, filterable by programme and nationality. Amounts and numbers change every year, so do not build your budget around a scholarship.
Housing in Leuven
KU Leuven does not allocate housing automatically. Leuven has over 40,000 students in a city of about 100,000 people, so the market is tight.
| Option | Monthly rent incl. utilities (2025/26) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| KU Leuven residence halls | $450–1,140 (€400–1,000) | about 20% of student rooms in the city; half of the 2,200+ central-services rooms and 20% of rooms in private partner residences are reserved for international students |
| Private student room ("kot") | $560–910 (€490–800) | about 80% of supply; Kotwijs is the university's official housing platform |
Only students on the Leuven campus can apply for Leuven residence halls. Listings peak between March and May. If you study in Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp, follow that campus's housing advice. Never send a deposit to an unverified landlord: the university explicitly warns about rental fraud.
Visa, funds and work rights
Non-EU students staying longer than 90 days need a national D visa. Applicants in Russia file through the VFS Global visa centre; its student checklist then requires a visit to the Belgian Embassy in Moscow to fill in a student questionnaire, which applicants lodging in Moscow can do on the same day before 16:00. The visa decision belongs to the Belgian Immigration Office, not to the university.
- Proof of funds. From 2026/27, non-EU students must show at least $1,210 (€1,062) a month, about $14,470 (€12,744) for 12 months, through a scholarship certificate, a blocked account or a sponsor's Annex 32 undertaking. KU Leuven can open the blocked account for a $110 (€100) handling fee.
- Visa fees. The consular fee for a study D visa is $280 (€250). The Immigration Office also charges an administrative fee, $290 (€251) in 2026 for students at public or recognised institutions; it is indexed every year.
- Work. During the academic year you may work up to 20 hours a week and more during official holidays, but not in the summer before your first academic year.
- After graduation. An orientation-year permit gives you 12 months to look for work or start a business in Belgium.
Our Belgium student visa guide covers the document list and processing steps.
KU Leuven compared with other Belgian universities
| Criterion | KU Leuven | Ghent University | UCLouvain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching languages | Dutch and English | Dutch and English | French and English |
| English-taught bachelor's in Belgium | seven programmes | none (three are offered at the Korean campus) | none |
| Non-EEA master's fee, 2026/27 | $1,340–10,780 | $2,610–8,040 | $6,100 for most non-EU nationals |
| Application fee | $100, non-refundable | none | $230, deducted from tuition if admitted |
| THE 2027 rank | 45 | 116 | 205 |
Start with our study in Belgium overview for the country as a whole. For a country-wide comparison, see universities in Belgium; the general process is explained in applying to Belgian universities.
Common mistakes
- Applying without national exam results. Many former Soviet countries' diplomas qualify only together with exam scores, such as the EGE for Russia or the UNT for Kazakhstan.
- Taking the Duolingo English Test. KU Leuven accepts only IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 or C2 and ITACE, and it rejects MyBest and One Skill Retake scores.
- Using the 1 March date for a Dutch-taught programme. Non-EEA applicants face a 1 February deadline.
- Budgeting with last year's fees. The 2026/27 top rate is more than $1,900 higher than the 2025/26 one.
- Searching for a room in August. By then the best rooms are gone and the rest cost more.
- Applying after the deadline. KU Leuven does not evaluate late applications, so check your programme's date in the autumn.
Ranking
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | joint 45th (first in Belgium) |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 59th |
A ranking helps narrow a list, but language of instruction, fee level and deadline matter more for the final choice.
How StudyU can help
Programme selection, requirement checks, document preparation and application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. KU Leuven decides on admission, and the Belgian Immigration Office decides on the visa.
FAQ
Can I apply to KU Leuven straight after secondary school?
Yes, if your diploma gives university access in your home country and meets KU Leuven's country criteria. For Russia that means the attestat plus EGE results in at least three subjects; programmes may add mathematics tests or higher grade expectations.
Does KU Leuven offer bachelor's degrees in English?
Seven: Business Administration, Business Engineering and the trilingual Laws programme in Brussels, plus Engineering Technology, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies and European Studies in Leuven. Everything else at bachelor's level is taught in Dutch at B2 or C1.
How much is a master's at KU Leuven for non-EEA students?
In 2026/27, most master's programmes cost between $3,510 and $10,780 (€3,093.12–9,493.92) a year, a few charge everyone the EEA rate of $1,340 (€1,181.40), and some joint programmes have their own rate. Engineering, sciences, economics and architecture sit at the top rate, while humanities and social sciences cost $6,370 (€5,613.12).
Does KU Leuven accept the Duolingo English Test?
No. It accepts IELTS Academic from 6.5, TOEFL iBT from 79, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, and ITACE, which can only be taken in Belgium. Some programmes set higher scores or subscores.
Will KU Leuven give me a room in a residence hall?
Not automatically. Leuven-campus students can apply for university residence halls, where part of the rooms are reserved for international students, but most students rent a private room for $560–910 (€490–800) a month.
Is KU Leuven the same university as UCLouvain?
No. The historic University of Louvain split in 1968 into Dutch-speaking KU Leuven and French-speaking UCLouvain. KU Leuven teaches in Dutch and English with programme-based fees, while UCLouvain in Louvain-la-Neuve teaches mainly in French and charges most non-EU nationals a flat $6,100 (€5,369).
Sources
- KU Leuven: facts and figures
- KU Leuven: minimum eligibility criteria for bachelor's programmes
- KU Leuven: apply to KU Leuven
- KU Leuven: requested documents
- KU Leuven: application fee
- KU Leuven: English proficiency tests
- KU Leuven: tuition fee calculator and application window
- KU Leuven: tuition fee breakdown by starting year
- KU Leuven: cost of living
- KU Leuven: application costs
- KU Leuven: student housing in Leuven
- Study in Flanders: Master Mind Scholarship
- Study in Flanders: work and study
- Study in Flanders: orientation year after graduation
- EMN Belgium: higher minimum means for non-EU students
- Embassy of Belgium in Russia: visa applications
- Times Higher Education: World University Rankings 2027
- Study in Flanders: Master Mind eligibility
- KU Leuven: application windows by programme
- KU Leuven: Dutch Preparatory Language Year
- Belgian Foreign Affairs: visa handling fees
- Embassy of Belgium: administrative visa fee 2026
All sources checked on 30 September 2026. Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355), rounded to the nearest dollar below $100 and to the nearest $10 above.
Next steps
- Applying to Belgian Universities: Steps, Documents and Deadlines for International Students
- Belgium Student Visa: Documents, Fees and Application Steps
- Universities in Belgium for International Students: Full List, Languages and 2026/27 Fees
- Bachelor's in the Netherlands for International Students: 3 or 4 Years, Entry Routes and the Cost of a Degree
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Studying in Belgium for international applicants
