gato-docs.its.txstate.edugato-docs.its.txstate.edu/jcr:29a32ecf-3b1b-4c28-93da-31b5f8f686…  · Web viewBut above all, UCL's mission to be a great European university is directed

UCL Université Catholique de Louvain*THE UNIVERSITY

The creation of Universities as an institution was one of the best things to come out of the Middle Ages. The institution's commitment to extending the boundaries of human knowledge, transmitting this knowledge, and thereby increasing the humanity of the human race has kept it at the forefront of civilization in the 21st century. The Université catholique de Louvain has played a part in this process with pride since 1425.

But above all, UCL's mission to be a great European university is directed towards the future. It takes in teachers, researchers and students from far and wide and the need for strict quality control has never been higher. The internationalization of tertiary education brings new challenges. Inspired by a long history of welcoming others, the university campuses are developing into living communities.

UCL is a microcosm of the world it serves. It is a centre of knowledge and innovation, a place of cultural celebration and invention, of achievement and extending the limits of human accomplishment.

THE CITY Louvain-la-Neuve is a planned city in the municipality of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. The city was built to house the Université Catholique de Louvain; following the linguistic quarrels that took place in Belgium during the 1960s, and Flemish claims of discrimination at the Catholic University of Leuven, the institution was split into the Dutch language Katholieke Universiteit Leuven which remained in Leuven, and the Université Catholique de Louvain.

To a great extent, it still lives following the rhythms of the university that is its raison d'être. However, with the recent construction of L'Esplanade shopping complex, the Aula Magna exhibition centre and auditorium, as well as a large cinema complex, it is beginning to grow beyond its academic roots.

LOCATION UCL is an international university at the heart of Europe. Its headquarters are located in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium a brand new university town in the Walloon Region (the French-speaking part of Belgium), 30 km south of the Belgian and European capital: Brussels. From Brussels, trains will take you to Paris or London in less than two hours and from Brussels National Airport or Brussels South Charleroi Airport you can travel anywhere in the world.

CampusesAll faculties of the Université catholique de Louvain are located on its Louvain-la-Neuve campus, apart from the Faculty of Medicine which was set up in Brussels (Woluwe-Saint-Lambert) near the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc. The Faculté d'architecture, d'ingénierie architecturale, d'urbanisme (LOCI) is a multi-campus faculty, situated at Louvain-la-Neuve, Brussels and Tournai.

GENERAL WEBSITE

http://www.uclouvain.be/en-359527.html

EXCHANGE STUDIES Since its foundation in 1425, "openness to the world" has been at the core of

UCL's teaching and research missions. Today, this has resulted in: a high percentage of international students at UCL: nearly one fifth of our

students come from abroad, representing over 122 nationalities from five different continents;

many exchanges of students, teachers and researchers through European networks (Erasmus programmes) and International networks (Erasmus Mundus, CEMS, TIME, Cluster, etc.): one fourth of UCL graduates benefit

from an experience abroad and UCL welcomes as many students through its partnerships;

A voluntarist partnership policy with Higher Education Institutions in the developing countries, as well as from more developed countries;

An active participation in many teaching networks (CUD, Coimbra, AUF, CINDA, FUCE, FIUC, etc.) as well as research networks (6th European framework, etc.).

The International action of UCL works because of the participation of all members of the university and is dynamically coordinated by the International Relations Board (CRI) with the support of the International Relations Department (ADRI) under the supervision of the Pro-Rector for International Relations.

UCL active participation in student exchange programS is based on the involvement of its Faculties and Departments. Their commitment is essential to ensure that the mobility period forms an integral part of  the study program. Admission of incoming exchange students will be taken care of by the respective faculties who will require a Learning agreement to be drawn up.Prospective exchange students (or their home university coordinators) should therefore directly contact the faculty or departmental coordinator. Faculties

Faculty of Theology   - TECO Faculty of Law - DRT Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Sciences - ESPO Louvain School of Management - LSM Faculty of Philosphy, Arts and Letters - FIAL Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences   - PSP Faculty of Medecine - MD Faculty of Sciences - SC Louvain School of Engineering   - EPL Faculty of   Biological, Agronomic and Environmental Engineering   - AGRO

 Other academic entities

Institute of European   Studies   - EURO

LANGUAGE OFINSTRUCTION One factor which may influence the composition of your course programme at UCL

is the language of instruction. Here are some guidelines:

1. A French-speaking university in a multilingual environment 2. A programme in French, in English or bi-lingual 3. Language learning

1. A French-speaking university in a multilingual environmentThe language of instruction at Université catholique de Louvain is mainly French, which is why a good knowledge of this language is indispensable for most subject areas.However, many non-native French speaking students study in our faculties and schools. This provides them with the opportunity to study in a French-speaking environment while living alongside students from 120 different nationalities who speak as many different languages.For exchange students, therefore, UCL provides a unique opportunity to spend time studying in an international and multilingual environment, whilst at the same time taking advantage of various ways to enhance their language skills.2. A programme in French, in English or bi-lingualMaking up a programme exclusively of courses taught in English is possible in a limited number of subject areas such as economics, management and computer science.For other subjects, the availability of courses in English will vary from one school to another. When available, you can make up a bilingual programme and this might help you to assimilate the remaining courses taught in French. For further information on the language of instruction, please consult the course descriptions in the course catalogue.Finally, even in a situation where all the chosen courses are taught in French, a non-French speaking student may be able to take advantage of certain possibilities such as having course materials in English or being able to take an examination in a language other than French.3. Language learning Notwithstanding these possibilities to lower the language barrier, the benefits of your period of study at UCL will be enhanced if you can speak some French.You are therefore strongly encouraged to take one of the many language classes. In addition to language courses taken before or during your stay, there are also some less formalized opportunities for language learning and improvement, particularly by becoming involved in student life and the activities of the different kots à projet (student accommodation whose members organize events for charity etc. )

APPLICATION

Principles The status of exchange student is strictly reserved for persons studying at UCL in the framework of bilateral agreements and admitted upon the basis of an ECTS Learning agreement. The registration of exchange students is free, covers one academic year, and is not renewable. At the end of the period of study at UCL, no official diploma or certificate whatsoever will be delivered to them, but an ECTS Transcript of records will be issued for the exclusive purpose of transfer to the

home university of credits obtained at UCL.

ProceduresAdmission and registration of exchange students is organised through the faculty or the department. An exchange student will receive a registration form once the UCL department has been informed of his/her selection by the home institution. The form should be sent back before May 31 (1st semester) or November 30 (2nd semester) to the UCL departmental co-ordinator, together with the following documents:

a photocopy of a valid passport or identity card; an exchange student certificate issued by the sending university; an ECTS Learning agreement duly signed by the academic coordinator of

the sending university; a transcript of records of all preceding years in higher education; three colour photos.

The departmental co-ordinator will forward the registration form to the enrolment office who will send the student an acceptance document, "Autorisation d'inscription", to be used for possible visa application procedures.Upon arrival, students should go to the enrolment office in Louvain-la-Neuve or Brussels in order to register at the university. They should be in possession of the following documents:

a valid passport or identity card (non-European Union citizens should be in possession of a visa);

the UCL acceptance document "Autorisation d'inscription"; a proof of health insurance (European health card or a private insurance

certificate).  

APPLICATION DEADLINES Fall semester: February 15 Spring semester: September 15

ACADEMIC CALENDAR The academic school year covers two semesters, called "quadrimestres":

Classes during the first semester of 2012-2013 will be given from September 17 until December 22, 2012; exams are held during the first three weeks of January 2013.

Classes during the second semester are from January 28 until May 18, 2013, with two weeks for Easter vacation; exams are held during the month of June 2013.

During the third exam session, held between August 19 and September 7, 2013, the student can re-sit exams for those subjects for which he or she has not yet obtained a satisfactory result or for which he or she has not yet taken the exam. Each exam however can only be taken twice during the same academic year.Exchange students are strongly advised to attend courses from the very beginning of the semester, in order to increase their chances of passing their exams at UCL.

http://www.uclouvain.be/en-calendrier-academique.html

INSURANCE In Belgium, employees and freelancers must take out health insurance; it is part of the compulsory liability for social security. In the case of employees, contributions are directly deducted from their salaries by the employer on behalf of the employee. Freelancers must make voluntary contributions to a social security fund for freelance workers.You can also become a member of a mutuelle (mutual insurance company) which will reimburse (in part or in full, depending on the type of care given) medical care

and the cost of some medicine. You are free to decide which mutuelle suits you best: there are mutuelles of different persuasions: socialist, Christian, liberal and neutral. Some large insurance companies also have a ‘mutuelle’ department. Joining a mutuelle means you will be reimbursed for part of your medical and dental fees, hospital fees, surgery, giving birth, etc. according to the very strict tariff set for the various types of care provided.Some mutuelles have their own private hospitals where heath care costs are almost totally reimbursed. Mutuelles also bear some of the cost of some medicines, when they have been bought on prescription and when the mutuelle’s vignette has been attached1.  Unlike medical and dental care, where the (partial) reimbursement is made upon presentation of a document proving the provision, medicine is reimbursed when the purchase is made. There is also ‘supplementary’ (non compulsory) health care insurance, which assumes all or part of the costs which are not reimbursed by the mutuelles.

HOUSING

There are three ways for exchange students to find accommodation in Louvain-la-Neuve. 1. University Accommodation Reservation If you are eligible for student accommodation managed by UCL, please fill out the request form for the reservation of a student room destined to exchange students that you have received from your faculty.

The request form must be sent back to the Accommodation Office, addressed to Ms Laurence Mairesse before: 

30 June, if you will be studying at UCL during the first semester only or if you are staying the whole year

14 September, if you will be studying at UCL during the second semester only.

Note: If there should be no more University accommodation available at the time of your request, you will be put on a waiting list that is maintained until 31 July (first

semester) or 14 January (second semester). If student housing is available at the time of your request, your accommodation request will be considered as a provisional reservation. This reservation will become final once the Student Office has registered your enrolment. You will then receive a confirmation of your reservation by post or by e-mail. Lease and rent The lease for an entire academic year is concluded from 15 September to 14 July (10 months). A lease for the first semester covers the period from 15 September to 31 January and a lease for the second semester goes from 1 February to 14 July. The rent (all extra costs, ‘charges’ included, except for electricity) ranges from € 219,- to € 281,- per month. In addition you will have to pay a € 130 warranty when you sign your lease. Types of accommodation 1.1  Reserving a room in a "kot à projet"The "kots à projets " are a unique formula of social student life, invented by UCL! Between six and twelve students live together in a shared flat (private bedroom, shared kitchen, bathroom and toilets), and work together on a project of social, cultural or humanitarian dimension for the duration of an academic year. To give just a few examples of projects: raising public awareness of the environment, health, or of the problems faced by developing countries; general services to the community; the organisation of an exhibition or a music concert; a project on the language or the culture of a given country; assistance for students with special needs, ... just name it! There are over 120 kots à projets, or KAP's, as they are also called.  Some of these kots à projet have reserved one of their rooms especially for an exchange student. Living in a kot à projet is a wonderful way to work on interesting projects, develop transferrable skills, get to know the Belgians and Belgian culture from the inside and improve your French.  The number of rooms available in kots à projets is limited. International students who would like to be part of a kot à projet should contact the UCL Accommodation Office. The University actively supports the kots-à-projets through an attractive rent for the participants and by funding some of their activities. 1.2.  Reserving a room in a shared flat Renting a room in a shared flat ('kot') is probably the more classical option to find accommodation. Shared flats are composed of 3 up to 12 private bedrooms with a shared kitchen, bathroom and toilets. The shared flats can be either mixed or house exclusively female or male students. Attention, the number of rooms in shared flats is also limited. Practically speaking: your arrival If UCL accommodation has been reserved for you and you have received a confirmation, you must plan your arrival in Louvain-la-Neuve from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 14:00. This way you will have the time to visit your room, sign the lease and pick up your keys. 

2. Private Landlords Quite a few private owners let rooms, studios and apartments in Louvain-la-Neuve and the neighbouring towns. A list of accommodation proposed by private landlords is available as of 29 April 2009 on the web site of the Accommodation Office. If you wish to rent accommodation this way, you will have to contact the owner by phone or e-mail and come to an agreement with them directly.

3. Estate Agents

Please consult the list of estate agents.  Brussels Campus (Faculty of Medicine) If you will be studying on the Brussels Campus, please send your name, address and the begin and end date of your stay to your Erasmus delegate at the Faculty of Medicine before:

30 June, if you will be studying at UCL during the first semester only or if you are staying the whole year

14 September, if you will be studying at UCL during the second semester only.

The Erasmus delegate will then make the reservation for you with the UCL Accommodation Office on the Brussels Campus.

For more information about accommodation on the Brussels Campus: Accommodation Office UCL-BrusselsInfor-logementMs Béatrice HoubartPromenade de l'Alma 31B-1200 BrusselsBelgiumTel: +32-2-764.41.20Fax: +32-2-764.41.29E-mail: [email protected] 

ADDITIONAL INFO International welcome

In addition, when arriving during the beginning of the first semester (between September 1st and 30th) an international welcome is organised to help you with all these procedures. If you arrive at UCL after this international orientation, you have still have the possibility to contact the Service d'aide aux étudiant for any question that has not be solved by the contact person at the host faculty or school.

*Information subject to change