Learning languages
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UCLouvain prioritises language learning throughout the degree programme, enabling you to achieve genuine multicultural and professional integration upon completion of your course. To this end, the university offers a range of support services to its students.
UCLouvain Language Institute (ILV)
The ILV welcomes nearly 15,000 students representing some 90 nationalities. Offering instruction in 14 languages, its goal is to prepare you for further study in a foreign language and for your future career.
The ILV’s main mission is to deliver the language courses included in annual student programmes across the university’s various faculties. It has laboratories equipped with the latest technology and is open to all UCLouvain students.
It is possible to take language courses other than those included in the programme by either:
- adding a language course of your choice to your programme or
- registering as a non-degree student for languages (e.g. Japanese, Italian, Turkish) that are not included in the programme.
During the academic year, the ILV also offers courses in French as a foreign language to non-French-speaking students, ranging from level A1 (beginner) to level C1 (advanced).
ILV teaching
ILV instructors aim to move away from the static approach of traditional teaching. In addition to courses, the ILV has introduced learning support activities:
- language tandems;
- conversation groups;
- peer tutoring sessions;
- coaching.
Espace L, a new space for discussion and activities centred on languages, enables student-run housing-based project groups (kots à projet) and instructors to organise informal language learning activities.
The ILV also organises international language exams:
- SIELE for Spanish;
- TestDaF for German;
- IELTS for English.
Courses taught in other languages
UCLouvain offers bilingual and trilingual bachelor’s programmes, as well as master’s programmes taught partially or entirely in English. A number of courses are also taught in English in the following fields:
- law;
- economics, social sciences and political science;
- management;
- philosophy and letters;
- science;
- applied sciences;
- health sciences.
Courses are also taught in Spanish, Italian, German and Dutch. You can find further details on the language of instruction and the range of courses in English in the descriptions found in the UCLouvain course catalogue.
International mobility
Exchange programme and dual degrees
UCLouvain offers a wide range of opportunities for student mobility and dual degree programmes. These programmes allow you to enhance your language studies through a mobility programme, whether it leads to a degree or not.
Students selected for an exchange programme, such as Erasmus, can take a language course at no extra cost before they leave.
Non-French-speaking students undertaking an exchange programme at UCLouvain can benefit from specific French language preparation.
CLL intensive French courses
Throughout the year and during holidays, the Centre de langues de Louvain-la-Neuve (CLL) offers intensive French courses for international students and young adults, as well as a range of activities designed to introduce participants to Belgian and francophone culture.