Location:

Leuven, Belgium

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Academic Year

Program Overview

Program Description:

The overall aim of this programme is to train students to conduct research in an academic or industrial setting. On completion of the programme, students should be able to explore specific and advanced chemistry topics, formulate research questions, report on their findings and collaborate with fellow students. This programme is research-oriented and does not provide preparation for a teaching career. This is an initial programme and can be followed on a full-time or part-time basis. 120 ECTS

Graduates pursuing a career in the chemical industry are equipped to apply their knowledge in a global, economically and technologically driven environment. Graduates embarking on a research career, having acquired state-of-the-art knowledge of a specialised subfield of chemistry including modern chemical instrumentation, are equipped to function effectively in a challenging research environment, be it within or outside the university.

The Department of Chemistry consists of four divisions, all of which conduct high-quality research and are embedded in well-established collaborations with other universities, research institutes and companies across the world. The department's academic staff is committed to excellence in teaching and research. Although the department's primary goal is to obtain insight into the composition, structure and properties of chemical compounds and the design, synthesis and development of new (bio)molecular materials, the knowledge created often leads to applications with significant economic or societal benefits. The department aims to develop and maintain leading, internationally renowned research programmes on fundamental and applied problems in the fields of: - The design, synthesis and characterisation of new compounds (organic-inorganic, polymers) - The simulation of the properties and reactivity of (bio)molecules and clusters by quantum chemical and molecular modelling methods - The determination of the chemical and physical properties of (bio)molecules by spectroscopy, microscopy, and other characterization tools as related to their structure

Setting Description:

Situated in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest and highest-ranked university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of programmes in English, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. KU Leuven is home to a vibrant community of international scholars spread out over its various campuses. 14% of the university’s 54,000 students are international representing 140 countries. KU Leuven's three doctoral schools provide internationally oriented PhD tracks for more than 4,000 doctoral students. Boasting an outstanding central location, KU Leuven offers a truly international experience, high-quality education, world-class research and cutting-edge innovation.

Cost:

The Flemish Government's generous co-financing system ensures that tuition fees for Bachelor's and initial Master's programmes remain relatively low: 890 EUR per academic year.