Graduate and doctoral programmes in Economics and Business Faculty of Economics and Business KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.
Discover KU Leuven. Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU 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 international master s programmes, all supported by high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. Since its founding, KU Leuven has been based in the city that shares its name. Leuven is a pleasant, safe and bustling student town, where centuries-rich history meets cutting-edge science. The university also offers degree programmes at campuses in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. The Faculty of Economics and Business has established its place amongst the top business schools in the world by acquiring the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation for its four campuses. The EQUIS accreditation is awarded by the EFMD, recognized globally as an accreditation body of quality in management education with established accreditation services for business schools and business school programmes, corporate universities and technology-enhanced learning programmes. 8 feb.kuleuven.be/home/equis Obtaining the EQUIS accreditation is achieved with a balance between academic rigour and professional relevance which is provided by our close interaction with the corporate world. EQUIS attaches particular importance to the creation of an effective learning environment that favours the development of students managerial and entrepreneurial skills, and fosters their sense of global responsibility. It also looks for innovation in all respects, including programme design and pedagogy. Our innovation comes from deep faculty involvement in their respective disciplines. Faculty members and members of the administration are active in international conferences and thus discuss programmes in their respective fields with colleagues from around the world. In addition, a number of faculty members teach short-term courses internationally or have joint appointments with international universities. The accreditation affirms FEB's place amongst the select group of accredited schools such as Amsterdam Business School, BI, Copenhagen Business School, Edhec, HEC Paris, IESE, IMD, Insead, Judge, London Business School, Melbourne Business School, RSM, Saïd, Stockholm School of Economics, Tsinghua,...
Why the Faculty of Economics and Business, Campus Leuven As one of KU Leuven s 16 faculties, the Faculty of Economics and Business offers bachelor s and master s programmes at four campuses: Leuven, Brussels, Antwerp and Kortrijk. Its activities in Leuven include high-level education, innovative research and service to partners in government and the corporate world. These activities are organised by five research departments: Accountancy, Finance and Insurance Decision Sciences and Information Management Economics Managerial Economics, Strategy and Innovation Marketing and Organisation Studies The faculty s graduate-level and doctoral programmes aim to develop participants critical, conceptual, problem-solving and decision-making skills. A graduate degree from KU Leuven s Faculty of Economics and Business equips students with fundamental and conceptual knowledge and analytical tools to cope effectively with the problems of the current and constantly changing business and economic environment. A variety of teaching methods (lectures, case discussions, exercises, computerassisted problem-solving and individual research) is used to enhance students educational experience. Students are expected to participate actively. The faculty evaluates classroom work, written assignments and examinations on a regular basis. The workload is demanding, as to be expected from a high-quality graduate school. The faculty aims to excel by offering research-based education in economics and business science while never losing touch with the corporate world and government circles. The faculty interfaces with business via a Corporate Council and a wide network of Fellows from the corporate world. It maintains an active partnership with Vlerick Business School and regularly organises workshops and discussion platforms with leaders of industry and government, e. g. the European Commission, situated only 30 minutes from the campus. It also cooperates with other faculties at the university, and with partners and institutions all over the world. One of the faculty s most important assets is its vast national and international network. Many alumni work at European institutions, and many staff members act as advisers to various European bodies and international companies. The faculty s worldwide alumni network offers excellent communication channels and networking opportunities with leading figures in industry and politics all over the world. External quality assessments confirm that the Faculty of Economics and Business teaching and research meet the highest international standards. As a result, the FEB earned the EQUIS accreditation awarded by the EFMD, recognized gobally as an accreditation body of quality in management education. 8 www.feb.kuleuven.be/home/equis
This academic reputation attracts students and scholars from across the globe, creating a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. This international focus is also clear in the faculty's wide international student exchange network. The Faculty of Economics and Business participates extensively in the (intra-eu) Erasmus programme (with 82 partners) and has numerous agreements with leading universities outside the EU, including: the Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania), the University of Illinois, Rochester University and FIU in the United States, the University of British Columbia and Queen s University in Canada, the Indian Institutes of Management Calcutta and Bangalore in India, the Chinese University and the City University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua, Fudan and Beijing University in China, the University of Sydney and the University of Adelaide in Australia, Stellenbosch University in South Africa, Insper and PUC Rio in Brazil, the UAI in Chili, Singapore Management University and several other top business schools around the world. A list of all partner universities can be found at: 8 feb.kuleuven.be/eng/leuven/students/going-abroad/
Master s programmes MSc in Economics As an economist, you will observe the various players (individuals, companies, domestic and foreign governments) and their interactions within the global economy. You will be able to interpret the general economic situation in a wider social and legal context. The programme offers students with a bachelor s degree a theoretical framework, allowing them to provide well-grounded answers to socio-economic questions. By the end of this master s programme, students will have thoroughly mastered key economic principles. Students will learn to interpret individual, interpersonal and social phenomena from a global economic perspective. 8 www.kuleuven.be/ma/meconl EXTENDED MASTER Study an extra semester abroad at one of the faculty's exclusive partner universities. The Faculty of Economics and Business has close links with top business schools around the world, such as Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, University of Cardiff in the UK, Hanken in Finland, SKEMA Business School in France, the University of Illinois in the United States, the University of Sydney and the University of Adelaide in Australia, Queen s University in Canada, Tsinghua and Fudan University in China, PUC in Brazil, City University of Hong Kong and many more institutions both in Europe and overseas. For students in the MSc in Economics and MSc in Business Economics, the faculty offers an additional semester at one of these destinations after completing 2 semesters in Leuven. Make your experience truly international by studying in different parts of the world. MSc in Information Management This programme offers students with a bachelor s or master s degree advanced non-technical training in information management, with an emphasis on the efficient and effective application and management of information technology in various business contexts (e.g. finance, marketing, HR, production and logistics, etc.). Following basic training in technology, the programme explores specific management issues in greater depth, particularly in order to develop the skills required to analyse information needs, design and manage information systems and fine-tune an IT strategy as an integral part of an overall business strategy. The key focus is the preliminary design needed to develop and set up an information system. In completing your master s thesis, you can apply these skills within a specific business context. Finally, a wide range of electives enables you to explore specific areas in greater depth (e.g. business intelligence, data science, software engineering, management). 8 www.kuleuven.be/ma/mimel
MSc in Business Economics The Master of Science in Business Economics programme emphasises the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills in an area of specialisation related to the corporate world (e.g. entrepreneurship, innovation, strategy, international business, marketing or finance). By combining this programme with initial specialisations from your bachelor s programme, you will develop deeper insight into a broad range of fields and fine-tune your personal graduation profile. By the end of this programme, you will be able to apply scientific frameworks independently and critically, allowing you to continuously evolve as a professional in a dynamic society and workplace. Graduates are equipped to take on a broad range of careers in management. 8 www.kuleuven.be/ma/mbel Advanced Master s programmes MSc in Financial and Actuarial Engineering This intensive, advanced, one-year programme is tailored to university graduates interested in a career in the insurance sector. You will learn up-to-date, sound and advanced financial, actuarial and statistical skills and will gain insights into the actuarial aspects of life insurance, general insurance, risk theory as well as financial mathematics and the interrelationship and integration of actuarial sciences and finance. The programme is offered jointly by the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Faculty of Science in collaboration with the Université Catholique de Louvain. Graduates holding both the degree of MSc in Financial and Actuarial Engineering and Master (of Science) in de verzekeringen (Dutch-language initial master s programme at KU Leuven) are eligible for membership in the professional body of actuaries in Belgium (IA BE), and the international actuarial professional body (IAA). 8 www.kuleuven.be/ma/mnmfael Research-intensive master s programmes & doctoral programmes MSc in Advanced Studies in Economics The MSc in Advanced Studies in Economics offers students with a master's degree deeper insights into recent developments in economic theory in a specific field of interest supplemented with a broad background in the field. The programme reflects this development in its quantitative approach, which is used as a means of strengthening economic understanding and intuition. The programme provides excellent preparation for undertaking a PhD in Economics, but it is also ideal for students seeking researchoriented positions outside the university. 8 www.kuleuven.be/ma/mnmasel
PhD in Economics The doctoral programme in Economics is an advanced, four-year programme designed to train future researchers in one of the key fields of economics: econometrics, public economics, economic history, international economics, development economics, monetary and information economics, energy, transportation and environmental economics. The programme aims to develop and nurture young talent and prepare PhD graduates for careers in academia, government and international institutions and international business. Currently, about 50 students with diverse backgrounds and nationalities are enrolled in the doctoral programme in Economics, creating an energetic and stimulating work environment. PhD students obtain the degree of Doctor in Economics after successfully defending a doctoral dissertation. 8 www.kuleuven.be/phd PhD in Business Economics The doctoral programme in Business Economics is an advanced, four-year programme designed to train future researchers in one of the key fields of Business Economics: marketing, organisation studies, operations management, operations research and business statistics, management informatics, finance, accountancy, actuarial science or managerial economics and strategy and innovation. The programme aims to develop and nurture young talent and to prepare PhD graduates for careers in both academia, government and international business. Currently, about 150 students with diverse backgrounds and nationalities are enrolled in the doctoral programme, creating an energetic and stimulating work environment. PhD students obtain the degree of Doctor in Business Economics after successfully defending a doctoral dissertation. 8 www.kuleuven.be/phd
KU LEUVEN Oude Markt 13 box 5005 3000 LEUVEN, Belgium onderwijscommunicatie@kuleuven.be www.kuleuven.be Learn more General information www.kuleuven.be/english www.kuleuven.be/internationalprogrammes www.kuleuven.be/admissions www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees Publications www.kuleuven.be/internationalbrochures Faculty of Economics and Business Naamsestraat 69 box 3500 3000 LEUVEN tel. + 32 16 32 66 12 fax + 32 16 32 66 20 www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng www.feb.kuleuven.be/onderwijshelpdesk www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng/edu/prospectivestudent This brochure provides the most complete and accurate information available concerning these master s programmes offered at KU Leuven. However, amendments to the composition of the programmes may be approved at any time. Consequently, KU Leuven is in no way legally bound by the information provided in this brochure. The most recent information on all our academic programmes can be consulted at www.kuleuven.be/coursecatalogue. Last updated: January 2015 v.u.: Isabelle Van Geet, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven