The KU Leuven Association Plus is a dynamic network of higher education institutions in Flanders and Brussels. The network consists:

One University College:

• LUCA School of Arts

Six Universities of Applied Sciences:

• Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
• KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• UC Leuven-Limburg (UCLL)
• Odisee
• Thomas More
• Vives

One University:

• KU Leuven

The KU Leuven Association was founded in 2002 in response to the Bologna Declaration of 1999, which sought to increase synchronisation of higher education in Europe. The alliance was specifically consolidated around the Catholic identity of the partner institutions. In total more than 107.000 students are enrolled in one of the 6 Catholic Flemish institutions of higher education, representing almost half of all students in higher education in all Flanders, distributed over 23 campuses across Flanders and Brussels, guided by 22.000 staff members.

The KU Leuven Association has a rich history of cooperation. As an open and ambitious network it strives to provide high quality, inclusive, and future-proof higher education. The network’s activities focuses around three core pillars: 10 strategic priorities, legal responsibilities and joint services & expertise.

The Association members strengthen each other by exchanging expertise and pooling resources, which enables them to improve the quality of their teaching and research. Within the dynamics of the Catholic tradition, the association aims to create a versatile and hospitable open space in which the dignity of each person is done justice. It aim to provide training opportunities for people who can give expert, critical, sustainable and caring contributions today and in the future to our societies with respect for differences and responsibilities, and a special focus to the vulnerable.

Member of the Ghent University Association, was founded in 2000, from the merger of four local universities of applied sciences. Today, it is a progressive centre of expertise for education, research, and development. Where students, staff members, and partners work together in a stimulating, internationally-oriented environment. We educate professionals who push their boundaries through creativity, innovative thinking, entrepreneurship, and pursue excellence and sustainability. Based on a culture of internationalisation, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is an active partner in several international networks and collaborates intensely with international partners for educational and research purposes. The Artevelde University of Applied Sciences challenges students and lecturers to look beyond their immediate environment. We encourage our students and staff to react with empathy and to engage themselves in local or international cooperation. 

 More information: https://www.artevelde-uas.be/

This University in Antwerp, Belgium, uses its expertise, innovative research and global reach to make a difference. Founded in 1994 when 13 higher education institutes merged, KdG is named after Charles the Great. The medieval emperor is credited with unifying his people, languages, cultures and socio-economic systems. 

Today, intercultural dialogue and awareness remain central to KdG’s ethos. Its meaningful contribution to a sustainable society builds on this. KdG uses its know-how and vast professional network to maintain academic excellence, delivering teaching that reflects latest sector developments. And its mutual knowledge-sharing with valued partners ensures societal benefits across the globe. Agile, relevant, Christian-inspired and open. Here diverse minds meet, and ideas flow.

More information: https://www.kdg.be/en/about-us

It is the only higher education institution in Flanders dedicated exclusively to arts and design. It combines the strengths and expertise of five renowned institutions, spread across Brussels, Genk, Ghent and Leuven. Catering to over 3,500 students, LUCA offers more than thirty programmes in Audiovisual Arts & Techniques, Interior & Product Design, Construction, Music & Drama and Visual Arts & Design.

LUCA works with partners, both in Belgium and abroad, including fellow educational institutions, museums and art houses, public authorities, private companies and non-profit organisations. Many activities arise from student-led initiatives, making LUCA what it is today: an intriguing community where creativity flourishes even after classes end.

Students at LUCA are taught by a dedicated team of renowned practising artists, designers and architects. Many of our tutors continue to develop their artistic disciplines through research projects. Rather than imposing a particular style or way of working, our tutors guide students to find and formulate their own artistic solutions.

More information: www.luca-arts.be/en /

Odisee is Belgian Dutch taught University of Applied Sciences that  is a member of the KU Leuven Association. It was created January 1, 2014 through the merger of the Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel (HUB) with Katholieke Hogeschool Sint-Lieven (KAHO). The university courses of both institutions had already been passed over to KU Leuven in September 2013.

Our University has 6 campuses that are located in Aalst, Brussels, Dilbeek, Schaerbeek, Ghent and Sint-Niklaas. 

We are an open community: all learning, teaching and research  reflects the spirit of cocreation. We offer students an opportunity to broaden their horizons by meeting people from all over the world. Our community is  open to everyone and encourages social commitment. We believe in the power and  talents of people.  The interests of the student are central to us.

Our pedagogical project is based on four foundations: together we go for sustainable, inclusive and agile education through cocreation.

We educate critical global citizens who are committed to society and have an attitude aimed at sustainable innovation. Professionals with a sense of initiative and cooperation and who are open to  lifelong learning.

More information: https://www.odisee.be/en/our-values-our-mission-our-vision 

Courage, enthusiasm, focus, and trust. These are the core values that form the foundation of Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. We aim to be an inspiring institution and an accessible innovative organisation. We do not want Thomas More to be just a place where people study and work, we want it be a place that brings people from all walks of life together as a community. 

With 42 professional bachelor programmes, 18 associate degree programmes, more than 20,000 students and campuses in 8 different locations, Thomas More is one of the largest Universities of Applied Sciences in the Flanders region in Belgium. Through our central location we maintain a continuous connection with an ever-changing globalised world. Internationalisation is in our mission and strategy. We want to be the benchmark as an international University of Applied Sciences in Flanders.

By working closely with both employers in their respective fields and our own students, Thomas More provides trend-setting high quality education as well as innovative applied research. 

Thomas More is part of the KU Leuven Association, a close cooperation between five Universities of Applied Sciences and the oldest extant Catholic university in the world and the oldest university in the Low Countries. 

More information: https://www.thomasmore.be/en/welcome

This is one of the major university colleges of applied sciences in Flanders, Belgium, with over 14.000 students and 9 campuses. UCLL employs 1700 staff members over five faculties : Health, Management, Social work, Teacher Education and Technology. Our university college is a quality-oriented institution that offers higher education, research and community service. We found inspiration within the valuable and diverse Christian school of thought while seeking dialogue with and contributing to an open, pluralistic and intercultural society. ‘Moving Minds’ means motivating and connecting a wide variety of people so ideas are shared, brought to life and cause positive change. Our scope transcends borders, our minds question the status quo and our focus lies on the difference working together and inspiring others can make. Moving minds have an authentic voice that empowers themselves, each other and others. Our teaching philosophy, applied research and community service are a powerful and creative symbiosis shaped by our students, our staff members, employers and society. Working together also entails an international vision and a strong engagement with regional (EU-)developments. We train inspiring professionals, open-minded world citizens, and strong personalities who contribute to a sustainable and just society for life. Appreciation for each employee, student and partner is at the foundation of our university college and therein lies our strength. As an organization, we contribute to an enjoyable and inspirational work- and study environment, in which cordiality and respect set the tone. In trusting one another, we enhance everyone’s involvement and we strengthen the UCLL-community. The unique links between our moving minds forms a formidable chain.

More information: https://www.ucll.be/international/about

It is with approximately 17 000 students one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Belgium. Since September 2013, the former institutions KATHO and KHBO have become VIVES.​ With locations in five cities in West Flanders, VIVES offers programmes in six fields of study: 

• Applied Engineering and Technology (Bruges, Kortrijk and Ostend)
• Applied Social Studies (Kortrijk)
• Biotechnology (Roeselare), Commercial Sciences
• Business Management and Informatics (Bruges and Kortrijk)
• Education (Bruges, Kortrijk and Torhout)  
• Health Care (Bruges, Kortrijk and Roeselare)

VIVES University of Applied Sciences, with its modern and competence-based higher education, its innovative practical research, and its services provided to society, offers an adequate response to the social challenges of today and tomorrow. VIVES is an appreciative, friendly, and people-oriented university of applied sciences which concentrates on professionally oriented Bachelor Degrees and Associate Degrees. In doing so the University of Applied Sciences ensures that its students contribute to the globalized world both as human beings and as professionals. VIVES is fully and actively committed to the development of competences. Students are given every opportunity to work on their future. This is reflected in the motto of the university of applied sciences: Design Your Future.  VIVES believes it is important for its staff members to do their jobs with enthusiasm. 

Education at VIVES is geared towards the future: drive, connection and innovation take centre stage. 

More information: https://www.vives.be/en/vives-international