University of Wisconsin–Madison
Back to Top

KU Leuven Exchange Program

Old buildings scrunched together. The tops of the buildings are triangular.
Top of the Leuven town hall building. It has very gothic and ornate architecture.

Belgium, Brussels

Take your pick!  If accepted into this program, you will choose to study at either KU Leuven in Leuven or KU Leuven in Brussels.  Either way, you will study in the Faculty of Business and Economics, ranked in the top 70 business schools worldwide by the London Times.  How do you choose? Evaluate the course offerings which differ at each campus.

KU Leuven is a leading institution when it comes to innovation and the transfer of knowledge to society. The KU Leuven Research & Development (LRD) technology transfer office was one of the first in Europe. LRD has a long and productive tradition of licensing tech, collaborating with industry and creating spin-off companies. KU Leuven is the highest ranked non-American university in the Reuters top 10 most innovative universities in the world (2019). One of the main reasons for this strong position is the high number of publications, citations, and patent filings.

KUL has a rich culture of student life. Student union Ekonomika has an international committee organising events for the international student at the faculty. KUL also offers a buddy program that matches you with a local student who will help you get settled into life abroad and answer your questions. Most of the buddies will also introduce you to Belgian habits and customs, and some even to their own families.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

Request Information

Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Eligibility

  • Preference is given to admitted Business students
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

WSB icon

Program Structure

Exchange & Direct Enroll

Subjects

Business

Classroom Language

Dutch, English

Housing

Apartments, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Fall: Mid-September to late January (inclusive of exams)
Spring: Early February to late June (inclusive of exams)

Application Deadline(s)

Fall 2026-27 2/27/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 2/27/2026 Cost Details
Extended Deadline: 8/14/2026
4:30 PM Central

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

How will study abroad help you achieve your academic, professional, and personal goals?

KU Leuven's Faculty of Business and Economics offers research-based education in economics and business while maintaining close ties with the corporate world. Their academic reputation attracts students and scholars from across the globe, creating a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. You will have opportunity to develop your entrpreneurship and management skills through a range of curricular and extra-curricular activities. For both campuses, you can enroll in both Master and Bachelor courses, so long as you meet the course requisites.

  • Brussels: Courses in the Business Administration programmes have a more hands-on approach, with slightly less focus on quantitative skills and slightly more on management skills.

  • Leuven: Courses in fields such as Economics and Finance tend to be very analytical. Students should be well versed in mathematics & statistics, and be comfortable with generalisations that complement examples and applications.

International Business majors at the Wisconsin School of Business are required to study abroad for a semester in their Region of Emphasis. This semester program satisfies that requirement for Western Europe.

Affiliate Institution(s)

KU Leuven

Program Web Pages

KU Leuven Faculty of Business and Economics (FEB) Exchange

Foreign Courses

KU Leuven/Brussels Courses for Exchange Students

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents