University of Namur

University of Namur is a prestigious private Jesuit institution located in the heart of Namur, the capital of the Wallonia region in Belgium. The university operates its campus within the historic center of Namur because it occupies land at the point where the Sambre and Meuse rivers meet. The organization exists as an intellectual center which serves the French-speaking community through its dedication to humanistic values that include openness and excellence and freedom and sustainability. The university's mission extends its academic activities to develop responsible citizens through complete development programs which promote civic engagement and active participation in social issues.

The institution began its operation in 1831 when the Society of Jesus established the Collège Notre-Dame de la Paix at a site which had once been a Benedictine monastery. The college began as a small educational institution which offered philosophy classes to a limited number of students. The local families who wanted to open a high-quality educational institution according to the Belgian Constitution supported its expansion The institution reached multiple achievements during its 19th and 20th century history. The institution became authorized to grant its own degrees in 1926 and entered a phase of major development after the national funding regulations changed during the 1960s. The institution changed its name from Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix to University of Namur in 2013 to create a name which better represented its research and teaching activities.

University of Namur is ranked as the #10 top university in Belgium during 2026. This is the same rank as last year.