Colleges
Leuven is a university town, no doubt. It’s jampacked with students, professors, innovators and inventors. Its internationally renowned university, KU Leuven, has shaped the city for nearly 600 years. One example are the many colleges. Each of them is a striking building that is worth a visit. The colleges are open to students during the academic year and visitors can admire them from the outside.
Discover some of these colleges with the free app KU Leuven Walking Tours or via the virtuele tour.
Atrechtcollege
Atrecht College
Atrecht College in the past
In 1508, Nicolaus Ruterius rebuilt his own home into this college for destitute students.
Atrecht College today
Today, the college houses the International Office.
College De Valk
De Valk College in the past
This former hall of residence of the Artes faculty was founded circa 1434 and relocated here in 1543. The classicist buildings were constructed in 1783 and modified at the end of the 20th century. A new complex was added to the old college in 1966.
De Valk College today
It currently houses the Faculty of Law.
Heilige-Geestcollege
College of the Holy Spirit
College of the Holy Spirit in the past
In 1442, patrician Lodewijk De Rycke donated a house for theology students to the university and thus established the first college of Leuven university.
College of the Holy Spirit today
The College of the Holy Spirit) is one of the last halls of residence in Leuven exclusively accommodating male students.
Hogenheuvelcollege
Hogenheuvel College
Hogenheuvel College in the past
The house was built by Golin van 't Sestich in the 15th century. The Gothic brick façade features the Roman numeral LX, which refers to the founder’s surname (sestich means sixty).
The college was established in 1683 when the Utrecht priest students were transferred from Hogenheuvelcollege in Cologne to this house in Leuven.
Hogenheuvel College today
The Faculty of Economics and Business is currently located here.
Hollands college
Holland college
Holland College in the past
Founded in the seventeenth century to train priest students from the diocese of Haarlem. Among other things, you can admire a beautiful chapel and a beautifully preserved library.
Holland College now
Both the chapel and the winter garden of the college regularly host concerts.
Address: Pater Damiaanplein 9, 3000 Leuven - website.
Koningscollege
King's College
King's College in the past
Founded in 1579 by king Philip II of Spain, the college was first housed in Heilige Geestcollege and then moved to the current location.
King's College today
It currently houses the zoological institute.
Maria-Theresiacollege
Maria-Theresia College
Maria-Theresia College in the past
In 1778, empress Maria Theresa housed the theological seminary in this former Jesuit college, whose 17th-century façade has been preserved.
Maria-Theresia College today
The auditoriums are still used to host conferences, lectures and concerts.
Pauscollege
Pope's College
Pope’s College in the past
Pope Adrian VI, who had been a professor at the university of Leuven, founded the college in 1523.
Pope’s College today
The building is still a hall of residence.
Premonstreitcollege
Premonstratensian College
Premonstratensian College in the past
Theology students from various Premonstratensian abbeys moved into the college in 1571.
Premonstratensian College today
It is currently used by the university to house the Department of Biology and the student counselling service of the Faculty of Science.
Van Dalecollege
Van Dale College
Van Dale College in the past
In 1569, Canon Pieter van Dale, a former student of the university who was born in Antwerp, founded this college to provide poor theology, philosophy and canon law students from Antwerp and Aalst with accommodation.
The façade of this beautiful 16th-century college in Renaissance style still has some Gothic features.
Van Dale College today
The university’s Social Service has been located here since the building was thoroughly restored in 1986.
