KU Leuven is an exchange destination for Utrecht University Bachelor and Master students of the faculty of Humanities in Leuven, Belgium. The university is also known by its Dutch name 'Katholieke Universiteit Leuven'.

Read about student experiences.
General information for exchange students (arts & humanities, languages)
General information (Religion and Theology)
Course information (arts & humanities, languages)
Semester I: mid September – early February
Semester II: mid February – early July
- Arts and Humanities – Offered by the faculty Letteren
- Religion and Theology
Subjects taught at the Faculty of Letteren (Arts) cover Archeology, Dutch Language and Culture, English Studies, French Studies, German Studies, History, History of Art, Italian Studies, Literature, Linguistics, Musicology, Arabic & Islamic Studies, Classical Languages, Hispanic Studies, Japanology, Sinology, Slavonic Studies, and Translation and Interpretation. Note that Slavonic Studies is being phased out; students interested in this subject area should consult either the website to find out in advance which subjects will be taught in the semester/year they are here. Also, the faculty does not offer language proficiency classes in modern European languages except Polish and Russian. In those fields students are expected to study the language concerned, not learn it. Learning a language is possible in the Centre for Modern Languages, but courses there are payable.
Also, students are also invited to take courses at other departments within the university. Students will always have to choose at least one course from the Faculty of Arts. Note that 'N'-numbered courses in the MA in European Studies that are not 'included in other courses of study' (cf. course descriptions) are not accessible to exchange students.
Yes.
Dutch and English
Normal study load per semester: 30 ECTS
Arts and Humanities: 2 places per year. NOTE: Semester 1 only!
Religion and Theology: 1 place per year.
Languages: Master Literair vertalen: by mutual agreement.
Many courses are in Dutch. However, as a rule, the English, French and German language and culture courses are entirely in those three languages from the start. However, students should be aware that translation and interpreting courses usually involve Dutch as well! For many Italian, Spanish, Arabic and Russian courses, knowledge of Dutch is required, especially in the first Bachelor years. We do advise students to have at least B2 level in their foreign languages of study before coming to our campus. Nominated students receive more information by e-mail on the courses they can choose. In general, they do not have problems drafting a study programme of around 30 credits in the first semester. We do not receive many exchange students in the second semester, as the number of available courses is rather limited then (except for students with a good level of Dutch).
More information
More information about studying abroad: in Dutch and in English.
Do you have any questions about this partner university or about studying abroad? Contact the International Office of the Faculty of Humanities (details below).
You can also follow students who are currently abroad on Instagram!
Contact details
Drift 10, 3512 BS Utrecht
+31 (0)30 253 6046
Walk-in office hours
- Monday and Thursday from 11.00h to 12.00h
By appointment
You can make an appointment with one of the exchange coordinators by filling out this web form.
Handing in and picking up documents
Monday to Friday from 11.00 to 15.00 at the Student Desk, Drift 10.
Staff
Gerdien Ramaker-Zijlstra (Exchange Coordinator for Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Central and South America)
Monique Hanrath (Exchange Coordinator for Western and Northern Europe, Africa, Oceania and North America)
Nelline Bogerd (Support Officer)
Sanne Boomsma (Head)