KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

The Gasthuisberg campus is a masterpiece of modern medical infrastructure.

• STEPS Skills Centre: A brand-new facility (operational for the cycle) featuring XR (Extended Reality) spaces, immersive rooms, and high-fidelity simulation for clinical training.
• Onderwijs en Navorsing (O&N) Complexes: Primary hubs for "Education and Research" housing hundreds of laboratories and large multimedia lecture theaters.
• Anatomy and Surgical Technologies Centre: A specialized facility for dissection, surgical simulation, and 3D anatomical visualization.
• 3D Core Facility: Supports clinical practice with 3D-printing solutions for patient-specific surgeries and medical device prototyping.
• Biomedical Library: One of the most comprehensive medical libraries in the Benelux region, providing total digital access to global research.
• Vesalius Institute: A historic yet modernized facility for morphological research and body donation.
• Core Facilities (Genomics/Proteomics): Centralized labs providing students and researchers access to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and mass spectrometry.
• Vlaams Ziekenhuis Netwerk (VZN): A collaboration network that allows students access to diverse clinical environments across Flanders.
• Alma Gasthuisberg: The main university restaurant on campus providing subsidized, healthy meals.
• Pangea International Center: A hub for international students in Leuven city, offering social support and cultural exchange.

The integration with the hospital is what defines the KU Leuven experience:

• UZ Leuven (Gasthuisberg): The primary teaching hospital, a massive facility with nearly 2,000 beds, serving as a national and international reference center.
• Hospital Network (Plexus): Collaborative training at secondary hospitals like Heilig Hart Leuven for broader clinical exposure.
• Specialized Centers: Includes the Cancer Institute and the Leuven Brain Institute (LBI).

Belgium offers high-quality education at a subsidized cost, though "Advanced" programs have specific pricing.

Scholarships

• Master Mind Scholarships: A prestigious scholarship from the Flemish Government providing up to €10,000 per year plus a tuition waiver.
• Science Leuven Scholarships: For motivated international students in the Faculty of Science/Biomedical sciences (up to €12,000).
• Inspiring the Outstanding: A KU Leuven-specific waiver for top-tier international applicants.
• VLIR-UOS: Scholarships specifically for students from developing countries focusing on sustainability and health.

• The Vibe: Leuven is a cozy, medieval-style town with a youthful energy. It is exceptionally safe and walkable.
• Connectivity:
• Train: Only 20 minutes from Brussels; high-speed connections to Paris, London, and Amsterdam.
• Air: 15 minutes by direct train to Brussels Airport (BRU).
• Biking: The primary mode of transport. The university helps students lease bikes at low costs.

• Accommodation: Leuven is a "student city." Most students live in private or university-managed "Kots." It is vital to apply for housing early (around March/April).
• Dining: University restaurants (Alma) offer balanced meals at student prices (approx. €4–€7).
• Vibe: Vibrant and historic. The city is essentially an extension of the university, known for the Oude Markt ("the longest bar in the world") and a very safe, bike-friendly environment.

• Accreditation: NVAO (Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders).
• Note on Language: While many research tracks are in English, practicing medicine in Belgium requires proficiency in Dutch for patient interaction.