KU Leuven has a six-century tradition of education and research and holds the European HR Excellence in Research Award for its policy and action plan. Its core focus is fundamental research, complemented by openness to cultural, economic, and industrial realities and societal needs. Through its University Hospitals, KU Leuven delivers high-quality, accessible health care, including specialized tertiary care. KU Leuven is Belgium’s largest university in research funding and expenditure (€749 million in 2024) and a charter member of LERU. It conducts fundamental and applied research across all disciplines with a strong international orientation. In the Times Higher Education 2025 ranking, KU Leuven is 43rd globally and 12th in Europe; in the Reuters Top 100 of innovative institutions, it was the top European university for four consecutive years.
