KU LeuvenStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for KU Leuven. Free for students.

Institution in Leuven, Flemish Brabant. Operating on a semester system.

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Student guide · First Semester 2026-2027

The semester, explained for KU Leuven

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
First Semester 2026-2027
Campus terms
21
Local details
15

Academic calendar

First Semester 2026-2027 runs Sep 21, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

4 entries
  1. First Semester 2026-2027Relevant now
  2. Second Semester 2026-2027
  3. Third Examination Period 2026-2027
  4. First Semester 2027-2028

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

21 terms

A

Alma
The collective name for the university's student restaurants providing subsidized meals.
Alma 1
The main student restaurant located in the city center on Tiensestraat.
Alma 2
The student restaurant located near the Faculty of Social Sciences in the Parkstraat area.
Alma 3
The student restaurant serving the Heverlee campus (Science and Engineering).
Alma Express
A smaller, quick-service outlet of the Alma chain for sandwiches and snacks.
Arenberg
Student residence located on the Heverlee campus, primarily housing science and engineering students.

B

Begijnhof
The Groot Begijnhof, a UNESCO world heritage site used as a residential area for students and staff.
Blok
The intensive study period preceding and during the examination weeks.

C

Camilo
Camilo Torres, a large university-owned student residence known for its social atmosphere.
Cantus
A traditional student event involving singing, drinking beer, and following strict rules of conduct.

E

Ekonomika
The student union for the Faculty of Economics and Business.

K

Kot
A student room or apartment; the standard term for student housing in Flanders.
Kring
A faculty-specific student union that organizes social, academic, and career events.

L

LOKO
Leuvense Overkoepelende KringOrganisatie, the umbrella organization representing all student unions.

M

Medica
The student union for the Faculty of Medicine.

P

Pangaea
The international student center and meeting point for local and exchange students.
Paushuis
The Pope's College (Pauscollege), a historic and prestigious university residence in the city center.

S

Sjaars
A first-year student (short for 'eerstejaars'), though 'schacht' is more common in the context of student unions.

T

TD
Thé Dansant; a student party or rave, typically organized by a faculty union (Kring).

V

Veto
The independent student newspaper of KU Leuven.
VTK
Vlaamse Technische Kring, the student union for the Faculty of Engineering Science.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

15 details
alma_1
Alma 1
alma_2
Alma 2
alma_3
Alma 3
alma_gasthuisberg
Alma Gasthuisberg
alma_pope_s_college
Alma Pope's College
De Valk
The main building complex for the Faculty of Law and Criminology.
Erasmushuis
The central building for the Faculty of Arts.
KU Loket
The administrative web portal for managing registration, tuition, and viewing exam results.
Ladeuze
Common shorthand for the University Library located on Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein.
Oude Markt
The central square known as the 'longest bar in the world,' the primary hub of student nightlife.
Student Card
The multi-purpose ID used for library access, printing, and discounts at Alma restaurants.
STUK
The university's arts center, housing a cinema, cafe, and performance spaces.
Thermotechnisch
The Thermotechnical Institute, a landmark industrial-style building on the Heverlee campus.
Toledo
The online learning management system (Blackboard) used for all course materials and announcements.
Velo
The student bike rental service providing affordable long-term bicycle leases.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
First Semester 2026-2027 runs Sep 21, 2026 – Jan 30, 2027.
How much campus context is included?
21 approved campus terms and 15 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Get to know your university

Assisted

Find a few communities to try at KU Leuven

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

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Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

DormWay is still mapping student communities at this campus.

We only show recommendations once we have enough public sources for KU Leuven.

These are things we discovered. We are constantly looking for more.

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Recommendations are based on public campus sources. We do not endorse student organizations.

Using DormWay at KU Leuven

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Life in Leuven for KU Leuven Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Leuven.

Timezone

Europe/Brussels

City Transportation

Public Transit

NMBS/SNCB rail, De Lijn buses

Nearest Airports

Brussels Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Oceanic

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Parking Ladeuze

garage • 750 spaces

Located directly under Mgr. Ladeuzeplein; 24/7 access.

Parking Heilig Hart

garage • 285 spaces

Naamsestraat 102; includes 22 EV charging points.

Parking Vaartkom

garage • High

P+R lot with free shuttle bus to the city center on Fridays and Saturdays.

Campus News

Latest updates from KU Leuven

Meal prices at student restaurant Alma to increase for 2026-2027 academic year

Alma announced price adjustments due to persistent inflation and reduced subsidies from KU Leuven Stuvo.

Jul 20, 2026

Read More

KU Leuven awards honorary doctorate to investigative journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor

The university recognized the journalists for their impactful work in investigative reporting.

Aug 3, 2026

Read More

Professor Diether Lambrechts awarded the 2026 Francqui-Collen Prize

Recognition for outstanding research contributions in the field of health sciences.

Aug 3, 2026

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at KU Leuven

KADOC Anniversary Launch

September 4, 2026

KADOC-KU Leuven

Official launch of the anniversary year with a book presentation and the opening of a new exhibition.

NEAR-ER Conference: Africa-Europe Relations

September 7, 2026

Leuven, Belgium

Conference on 'Africa-Europe Relations: Shared Prosperity in a World in Flux' running from September 7-9.

Early Bird Week (Orientation)

September 9, 2026

Pangaea Intercultural Meeting Centre

A preliminary orientation program for international students including social events and welcome desks.

Orientation Days Week

September 14, 2026

Various Campus Locations

Full week of essential sessions and social events to help new students settle into Leuven.

Opening of the Academic Year 2026-2027

September 16, 2026

Leuven

Official convocation ceremony marking the start of the new academic year.

Modelica Crash Course

September 18, 2026

Leuven

Yearly crash course on Modelica, Dymola, and IDEAS for building and district energy system simulation.

Opening Concert 2026-2027: Against The War

September 21, 2026

Aula Pieter De Somer

Festive concert featuring Berliner Requiem by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, performed by I SOLISTI and CHORWERK RUHR.

Sport Kick-off

September 21, 2026

Sportcampus Arenberg

Two-day event (Sept 21-22) to introduce students to the university's sports facilities and programs.

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Email Domain

@kuleuven.be

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