The City of Leuven

Leuven is the capital and largest city of Flemish Brabant in Belgium’s Flemish region. About 25 km (16 miles) east of Brussels, it is the country’s eighth-largest city, with just over 100,200 residents. Compact and walkable at roughly 3.2 km (2 miles) across, it’s cozy, easy to navigate, and very safe.

The city is home to KU Leuven, a world-renowned university founded in 1425 and consistently ranked among Europe’s top institutions for innovation and research. With 65,000 students, Leuven feels international, young, and energetic.

As the intellectual hub of the Low Countries, Leuven is a global center for health, science, and technology. It was recently named European Innovation Capital and a European Capital of Culture and hosts major companies such as AB InBev, IMEC, and Materialise, as well as offices for Siemens, Deloitte, and KBC. The city also supports a vibrant start-up scene in fields from vaccine development to video game design.

To Learn More About Leuven

Ideally Placed in Belgium

Leuven’s central location is another major advantage. Less than 30 km (19 miles) from Brussels, students have quick access to the country’s capital—a hub of international business, culture, and architecture. Brussels is also the political heart of Europe, home to the EU and NATO, creating a dynamic setting for learning about global governance. Irish College Leuven engages directly with the EU Quarter and NATO, regularly organising student visits to deepen understanding of European and international security.

Leuven’s strong rail connections also make it easy to explore Belgium’s iconic cities. Our student groups have sailed Bruges’ medieval canals, viewed Van Eyck’s Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in Ghent through augmented reality, and met with Antwerp’s diamond industry leaders. We also facilitate reflective visits to World War I sites near Ieper. In addition, Irish College Leuven partners with major global companies—including Nike, DHL’s logistics hubs, Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical campus, and Microsoft’s Brussels offices—giving students valuable insight into multiple industries.

 

At the Heart of Europe: A Gateway to Exceptional Learnin

Finally, Leuven is ideally positioned for exploring Northwestern Europe, one of the continent’s most densely populated and economically active regions. With four countries within 150 km, programmes can easily extend across borders, transforming a single destination into a genuinely international experience.

Leuven’s strong rail and road links provide seamless access to:

Germany: Regular excursions to Aachen and Cologne, both home to UNESCO-listed cathedrals and rich histories of cross-cultural exchange.

The Netherlands: Students visit Amsterdam, tour Europe’s largest port in Rotterdam, and engage with international bodies such as the International Court of Justice, Europol, Eurojust, and the International Criminal Court in The Hague. We also collaborate closely with partners in Maastricht, where participants connect with the Maastricht Convention Bureau and local companies including the Mercedes-Benz HR division.

France: Lille and Paris offer dynamic cultural experiences and frequently feature in weekend itineraries, combining art, history, and café culture.

Luxembourg: A financial hub and host to major European institutions — including the EU Court of Justice, European Investment Bank, Eurostat, and the Translation Centre. Thanks to Ireland’s strong EU ties, Irish College Leuven enjoys privileged access to many of these organisations, making Luxembourg a key destination for academic programmes.