Learning languages

Learning languages is a priority throughout the bachelor’s programme, empowering the student to achieve genuine multicultural and professional integration.

UCL strives to help every student attain, by the end of the bachelor’s programme, the level of B2 in a second (and/or third, fourth, etc.) language according to the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

UCL Language Institute

Using labs equipped with cutting-edge technology and open to all UCL students, the UCL Language Institute conducts university programme language classes. Some are specific to the student’s choice of major, others are general. Fifteen languages are taught: German, English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, French, Modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian, Turkish and Belgian French sign language.

In addition, the institute offers courses outside degree programmes in 11 languages: German, Arabic, Chinese, French, Modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian and Turkish.

During the academic year, the institute offers a series of courses in French as a foreign language.

Courses in other languages

UCL offers master’s programmes that are taught partially or entirely in English. Some English-language courses are integral to degree programmes, mainly in the fields of law, economics, social sciences, political science, management, philosophy and letters, sciences, applied sciences, and health sciences.

More details on course language and English-language course offerings are available in the course descriptions in the UCL course catalogue.

Courses taught in Spanish, Italian and Dutch are limited to the field of philology.

General intensive French course

The Louvain Language Centres (CLL) offer intensive French language courses for young adults and international students, as well as a series of educational activities to learn about Belgian and French-speaking culture.

All information about these courses on the CLL Website "French courses in Belgium"

Student mobility and joint degree programmes

UCL offers many student mobility and joint degree programme opportunities. UCL students can take a language course free of charge in the run-up to their departure for an exchange programme at another university. Exchange students coming to UCL can take both degree programme and French classes.

Complete information for exchange students.