Welcome Days UC Leuven
Our Welcome Days will guide you through all "need to know" and "nice to know" information on Belgium, Leuven and our university of applied sciences. From a warm welcome at our campus to a city tour in which you can get to know your fellow students a little better; this week will ensure a one of a kind start of your stay with us.
Welcome to Leuven
Welcome Days 2025
- 4-7 February. For whom: all students enrolled to English-taught programmes (degree, exchange, short courses).
- The schedule of activities and the registration link is available below. Please register no later than 31 January (23:59 CET).
When travelling to Campus Proximus for the first time, students can buy a bus ticket by using their bank card or credit card on the bus, or by downloading the De Lijn app in advance and buying a cheaper 10-journey ticket there.
We strongly recommend all students to arrive in Leuven at the beginning of February to settle down with no rush. Need a short term stay option till the date your rental contract starts? Check here (book far in advance).
Good to know before you arrive
Check this presentation to get valuable tips before you arrive to Leuven.
Pre-arrival practicalities (6.72 MB)
Welcome Days February 2025
The registration for the Welcome Days is compulsory. Please fill in the registration form no later than Friday, 31 January (23:59 CET). Minor changes in the below schedule are still possible throughout the month of January.
Tuesday, 4 February
09:00 - 11:00 Breakfast at Pangaea by ESN Leuven. Cost: approximately € 4 (amount to be paid on the spot in cash or by card).
12:00 - 13:00 Free lunch at Campus Proximus, room D070 (bus 4, 15, 43, 609, bus stop Haasrode UCLL in Interleuvenlaan). Check-in.
13:00 - 16:00 Welcome Days Kick-Off at Campus Proximus, room D140. You will be welcomed by the UCLL management, you will receive first-hand tips about living in Leuven, you will find out all about UCLL's student services, you will meet your classmates, and much, much more ...
20:30 Social evening by UCLL student association Amani at Downtown Jack.
Wednesday, 5 February
9:30 - 10:00 Arrival on Campus Proximus, block D. Check-in.
10:00 - 11:30 Dutch crash course at Campus Proximus, room D140.
13:30 - 15:30 Microbrewery tour. Cost: approximately € 10 (amount to be paid upon arrival at the brewery).
17:00 - 18:00 Student Stuff Market. Location: Campus Social Sciences (next to Pangaea).
20:00 A night of drinks with local and international students at Wereldcafé COOP.
Thursday, 6 February
9:30 - 10:00 Arrival on Campus Proximus, block C. Check-in.
10:00 - 13:30 Info Fair at Campus Proximus, Atrium and rooms C103-107. You will meet important actors of the city of Leuven who will provide you with some helpful practicalities: health insurance company CM, people from the city hall of Leuven, and our super friendly student police officers. You will also meet the Students Services team at UCLL (sports, bus pass, well-being, culture, etc.), our ICT team (digital environment of UCLL, intranet, student account, etc.), the international office (guidance of Erasmus students), the admissions and registrations teams, and the student ambassadors.
14:00 City tour by UCLL student union Insignia. Meeting point: Martelarenplein (by the statue), Leuven.
17:30- 18:30 Ticket sale for the weekend activities at ESN Leuven.
18:30- 19:30 Ticket sale for the international party on Friday by LOKO. Location: Campus Social Sciences (next to Pangaea).
Friday, 7 February
11:00 - 13:00 Visit to M Leuven. Cost: € 5 [25 years old or younger] and € 12 [over 25 years old] (amount to be paid on the spot in cash or by card).
13:00 - 17:00 Welcome Desk ESN at Pangaea: Ask your questions and meet the students of ESN Leuven.
22:00 Famous International Party by LOKO at Waaiberg. Tickets sale: see the information above (on Thursday, 6 February).
At the weekend, several activities are organised by ESN Leuven and LOKO. More information is available here and here Please note that tickets are best purchased in advance (see above for sale session on Thursday, 6 February).
All exchange students will have info sessions within their respective faculties on Monday, 10 February. More information will be shared during the Welcome Days.
Welcome Days in Leuven (September 2023)
Have a look at how it was 1.5 years ago! So much fun around! Are you in for the February 2025 edition? 😉
Living in Leuven
If you want to get a headstart, we can recommend having a look at our "Living in Leuven" city guide for students on the Student Life webpage. It will answer most (if not all) questions you may have about student services, cost of living, transport, etc.
Also "Life at KU Leuven" provides useful information in a nutshell.