KU Leuven

KU Leuven is Belgium’s largest university, with more than 60,000 enrolled students. The university has earned a prestigious position among the top 100 universities in the world. KU Leuven has also achieved the first place in Thomson Reuters’ Europe’s most innovative universities list for four consecutive years.

The Department of Materials Engineering (MTM) at KU Leuven mirrors this commitment to excellence and enjoys a robust international standing. MTM is recognized as a global player, and specializes in the production, characterization, modelling, and development of innovative materials. With extensive collaborations in numerous national and international projects, MTM is known for maintaining strong connections with industrial partners. In both, research and teaching, the department covers a broad gamut of sustainable materials processing, design and management, including, for instance, high temperature metallurgical processes, slag valorization, composite materials for wind turbine blades, materials for lightweight construction of vehicles, or materials for quantum computing and photonics.

The economic and societal context is considered both in engineering and in general interest courses. In particular, scarcity, sustainable materials management in closed materials loops, life cycle analysis and recycling processes are broadly covered in both research and teaching. Finally, the programme aims at conveying the social, communication and leadership skills required on an engineering work floor.

 

 

Student Life at KU Leuven

Studying at KU Leuven means immersing yourself in a vibrant and dynamic student life in one of Europe’s most historic and renowned university cities. With a perfect blend of academic excellence, cultural richness, and a welcoming international community, KU Leuven offers an unforgettable student experience.
From its beautiful medieval setting to its cutting-edge facilities, Leuven is a city where tradition meets innovation. As a student, you’ll enjoy a supportive learning environment, access to diverse extracurricular activities, and opportunities to connect with people from all over the world. Whether you’re exploring the lively student neighborhoods, participating in cultural events, or joining one of the many student organizations, KU Leuven ensures a well-rounded experience that goes beyond the classroom.

For more detailed information on student housing, dining, sports facilities, and other practical aspects of life at KU Leuven, visit the Life at KU Leuven page.

Living costs in Leuven

To cover your living expenses in Belgium you will need around €1,000 to €1,350 per month. This estimate includes study materials, housing costs (rent, heating, water, electricity, etc.), food, clothing, laundry, medical & insurance costs, and other expenses – e.g. leisure, groceries, transport, etc.

For more information on living costs in Belgium, check the estimations by KU Leuven and by Mastersportal.