Catholic University of Louvain
Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain) is a private university in Belgium.
The history of the Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain) can be traced back to 1425, when the original University of Leuven was founded. This university was one of the most prominent in Europe, and it played a major role in the development of Renaissance thought.
In 1797, the original University of Leuven was abolished by the French Republic. However, in 1834, the Belgian bishops established a new Catholic university in Mechelen. This university was moved to Leuven in 1835, and it was renamed the Catholic University of Leuven.
The Catholic University of Leuven quickly became one of the leading universities in Belgium. It was known for its strong academic programs in theology, law, medicine, and the arts. The university also attracted a number of distinguished scholars, including the physicist Georges Lemaître, who proposed the Big Bang theory.
In 1968, the Catholic University of Leuven was split into two institutions, the French-speaking Université catholique de Louvain and the Dutch-speaking Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. The French-speaking university moved to Louvain-la-Neuve in 1971.
UCLouvain has continued to thrive since its founding. In addition to its academic excellence, UCLouvain is also known for its commitment to social justice. The university has a long history of promoting human rights and democracy. UCLouvain has also been involved in a number of international development projects.
Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, Catholic University of Louvain is positioned as the #191 top university in the world, which makes it the #3 top university in Belgium. The university's global rank is improved by 12 points from last year.
University Profile
Get a quick snapshot of the university's key details.
| Ranking |
2026
#3
|
|---|---|
| University Name | Catholic University of Louvain |
| Name in Local Language | Université Catholique de Louvain |
| Acronym | UCL |
| Year Established | 1425 |
| Motto | Sedes Sapientiae |
| Motto in English | Seat of Wisdom |
| Colors | Blue and white |
Location
The university is located in Louvain-la-Neuve, Brabant wallon. Find the address and map of the university below.
| Address | Place de l'Université, 1, Louvain-la-Neuve, Brabant wallon, Belgium |
|---|---|
Contact
Connect with the university easily! Find their contact details.
| Phone | +32 (10) 472 111 |
|---|---|
| Fax | +32 (10) 472 999 |
| Website |
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| Click here to send email | |
| More Links |
Admission Info
Find information below on admission to Catholic University of Louvain.
| Accepts International Students | Yes |
|---|---|
| Student Body | Men and Women |
Programs and Courses
Get a quick overview of programs and courses offered at this university.
| Bachelor's Degrees | Master's Degrees | Doctorate Degrees | Diplomas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities | n/a | n/a | ||
| Business & Social Sciences | n/a | n/a | ||
| Engineering | n/a | n/a | ||
| Language & Cultural Studies | n/a | n/a | ||
| Medicine & Health | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Science & Technology | n/a | n/a |
Click on the following button to explore a detailed list of programs and courses of this institute.
View Course ListRanking History
Catholic University of Louvain has persistently ranked as the 3rd top university in Belgium throughout the last 6 years.
Information on Catholic University of Louvain was last updated more than a year ago.
Our team works hard to provide the most accurate information on the institution. While we try our best to keep this information current and reliable, we cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness. Please verify critical details directly with Catholic University of Louvain.