A research-intensive and socially engaged university in the heart of Europe 

Founded in 1425, UCLouvain is one of Europe’s oldest universities and the leading French-speaking institution in Belgium. With nearly 40,000 students and 6,000 staff across eight campuses in Wallonia and Brussels, it combines academic excellence, innovation, and a strong commitment to society. 

UCLouvain invests €285 million annually in research and coordinates more than 400 EU-funded projects, fostering close partnerships with industry through two science parks hosting over 270 companies. Deeply international, one in five students and nearly half of its researchers come from abroad, reflecting UCLouvain’s openness and global outlook. 

UCLouvain and Circle U. 

As a founding member of Circle U., UCLouvain contributes actively to transforming European higher education. It leads two alliance platforms: 

  • CU.til, dedicated to teaching innovation,
  • and CU.mil, focused on multilingualism and interculturality. 

Through Circle U., UCLouvain fosters collaboration, creativity, and new learning opportunities, helping to build an open, inclusive, and sustainable European University. 

Latest news at UCLouvain

Read more
Students in a Circle U. summer school class.

Circle U. Welcome Days: Two Events Exploring Opportunities Across Europe

25 Sep. 2026
Read more
UCL_09.26_Academic Matchmaking_Group

Academic Matchmaking: Designing International Courses Together – UCLouvain Event Recap

22 Sep. 2026
Read more
From Campus to Career - The wheel of 5 capitals

From Campus to Career: Helping Students Turn Language Skills into a Career Asset

08 Sep. 2026
Read more
Sandpits 2026 - UCLouvain - Group Picture

Sandpits 2026: Three Interdisciplinary Projects Tackling Sustainability Challenges

10 Aug. 2026

Events

Group of students talking
12
Oct.
2026

Circle U. for Early Career Researchers: Funding, Mobility and more

Visual combining the 9 universities that make Circle U.
14
Oct.
2026

Circle U. Student Info Session & Welcome Day

UCL_CU.ecr Workshop_2026
23
Nov.
2026

CU.ecr Workshop - Transdisciplinary training in doctoral and postdoctoral education

Conference on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research for sustainable development - UCLouvain - 2025
23
Nov.
2026

Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development. Sixth edition.

Courses from UCLouvain

Table scene with laptop
Master 5 ECTS

Seminario : Análisis del Discurso del Activismo en Línea

This course examines the discourse of online activism through its linguistic (intensification, affect, proximity), multimodal (memes, reels) and transdisciplinary dimensions. It combines theoretical work (reading portfolio, class discussions) with a hands-on case study on Spanish-language data, carried out in small groups with methodological justification.
MUN_Illustration-26-27
BachelorMasterPhD 2 ECTS

Circle U. Delegation to MUN Rome and MUN Paris 2027

Circle U. is bringing together a delegation of students from across four of its partner universities to take part in the MUN Rome 2027 Conference and MUN Paris 2027 Conference, two of the largest United Nations simulations in Europe.
Picture by Pexels/Ketut Subiyanto of people in a workshop with post-it notes on a board
MasterPhD 5 ECTS

Collaborative Mixed Methods Research in Applied Linguistics

This course offers an in-depth exploration of mixed-methods research (MMR), combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to better understand language, communication, and learning. Through online modules, in-person workshops, and a collaborative project, students will learn to design rigorous studies integrating diverse data collection and analysis tools. Special attention is given to collaboration as a research practice, as well as to the epistemological foundations of methodological integration.
Photo Open conversation one health
BachelorMasterPhD 0 ECTS

Open Conversation: One Planet–One Health? New Challenges for Medical Thinking in times of Climate Change

This Open Conversation explores the interdependence between climate change and disease across species and ecosystems — and why a truly holistic understanding of health must go beyond the human.
SeventyFour, MotionArray
BachelorMasterPhD 0 ECTS

Open Conversation: Navigating power in international interactions: a view across languages and cultures

This Open Conversation explores how power relations are shaped not just by politics and economics, but by the everyday ways we address and interact with each other — across languages, cultures, and international contexts.
UCL-Course-From Impact to Action-2026_CC-Pexels
PhD 3 ECTS

From Impact to Action: Transforming Experimental Labs for a Sustainable Future

Experimental laboratories are resource-intensive and carry a significant environmental footprint. While research allows us to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature in all its forms, it paradoxically contributes to threats against life on our planet. Current practices—such as reliance on high-end equipment and short funding cycles—make change difficult. This workshop aims to bring together laboratories that have successfully implemented sustainable practices and to equip young scientists with the knowledge and tools needed to make research environments more sustainable and future-ready.
Blue sky and the roof of a building
PhD 5 ECTS

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Religion, Conflict and Reconciliation: Uncovering Taboos

We invite early career researchers to explore the intricate relations between religion, conflict, and reconciliation through an interdisciplinary lens.

Meet the Circle U. team at UCLouvain

Place de l'Université, Louvain-la-Neuve Campus, UCLouvain

At UCLouvain, a dedicated 12-member administrative team coordinates Circle U. activities and supports the university community in developing and implementing European projects within the alliance. Do you have a question about Circle U.? Get in touch with our team: infocircleu@uclouvain.be

Management Board Member

Hervé Jeanmart
Hervé Jeanmart
  • Pro-Rector for International Affairs
  • Member of the Circle U. Management Board
Read more

Academic Chairs

Pietro Coletti
Pietro Coletti
  • Academic Chair
  • Global Health KH
Read more
Barbara De Cock
Barbara De Cock
  • Academic Chair
  • Democracy KH
Read more
Yves Deville
Yves Delville
  • Academic Chair
  • Artificial Intelligence KH
Read more
Clement Fontant
Clément Fontan
  • Academic Chair
  • Democracy KH
Read more
Benoit Macq
Benoit Macq
  • Academic Chair
  • Incu.bator
Read more
Fanny Meunier
Fanny Meunier
  • Academic Chair
  • Academic Director CU.mil
Read more
Ferran Suner Munoz
Ferran Suner Munoz
  • Academic Chair
  • Academic Chair CU.mil
Read more
Jean-François Rees
Jean-François Rees
  • Academic Chair
  • Academic Chair CU.til
Read more
Anne-Lise Sibony
Anne-Lise Sibony
  • Academic Chair
  • Academic Chair Open Campus
Read more
Marnik Vanclooster
Marnik Vanclooster
  • Academic Chair
  • Academic Chair Climate Knowledge Hub
Read more

The alliance of 9 European Universities