INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 2016-2017 Faculty of Economics and Business – Campus Leuven, Brussels and Antwerp 1 KU LEUVEN FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS CAMPUS LEUVEN, CAMPUS BRUSSEL, CAMPUS ANTWERPEN ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017 This brochure is aimed at students of European and non-European universities, intending to visit the KU Leuven within the framework of an Erasmus or exchange agreement with their home institution. By supplying practical information about the university and the way in which exchanges are organised at KU Leuven, it allows the students to prepare for their stay in Antwerp, Brussels and Leuven. The Faculty of Economics and Business welcomes you and thanks you for choosing KU Leuven. We wish all exchange students a rewarding and enjoyable time. 2 TABLE OF CONTENT INTRODUCTION TO FEB 1. KU LEUVEN 5 2. THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS: LOCATION 5 3. PROGRAMMES AT THE FACULTY 7 4. FEB MISSION AND VALUES 9 CHAPTER I 1. WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL 12 1. Academic preparation 12 2. Practical arrangements 12 o Registration 12 o Do I need a visa to enter Belgium? 12 o Proof of solvency 12 o What about insurance? 13 2. WHAT TO DO UPON YOUR ARRIVAL? 15 1. How do I get to FEB’s campus in Leuven, Brussels or Antwerp? 15 2. How do I arrange housing? 16 3. How do I arrange registration with the university? 19 4. How do I arrange registration with the civil authorities? 21 6. How do I get orientated? 24 3. HOW DO I PICK MY COURSES? 26 1. What is ECTS? 26 2. The allocation of credit points to courses 26 3. Completing your learning agreement 27 4. ACADEMIC CALENDAR 28 1. Academic Calendar 2016-2017 28 5. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING 29 1. Assessment 29 2. Exam schedule and exam system 29 3. The KU Leuven grading scale and system 30 3 6. WHAT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE? 32 1. On campus facilities 32 2. Student services 34 3. Other university services 36 4. Language courses 37 5. Cultural activities 38 7. PRACTICAL INFORMATION 42 1. Public Holidays 42 2. Cost of living: estimating the budget 43 3. Climate 44 4. Electricity 44 CHAPTER II 1. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 46 1. How do I look up the descriptions of the courses I intend to take? 46 2. GENERAL INFORMATION 48 3. COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS 49 4. COURSES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS 57 5. COURSES IN DUTCH 63 4 INTRODUCTION TO FEB 1. 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 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 and Antwerp. 2. THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS: LOCATION 5 FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS, CAMPUS LEUVEN The Faculty of Economics and Business in Leuven is located in the restored historical buildings on Naamsestraat 61 and 69, in the heart of the city. The buildings partly date back to the 15th century. The whole complex on number 69 named "Hogenheuvelcollege" (i.e. "High Hill College") also comprises a large modern building with the library of the Faculty of Economics and Business, the student office and the professors' offices and some of the many class rooms. FEB’s International Office can be found in the House of Students (Premonstreit building) on number 61. Faculty of Economics and Business – Campus Leuven FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS, CAMPUS BRUSSELS Our FEB campus is located at Warmoesberg 26 in central Brussels, ‘the capital of Europe’, a city hosting the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO and many diplomatic missions and international organisations. Our mission statement emphasises internationalisation as one of our top priorities and we are proud to host students from close to a 100 nationalities. Our Brussels campus will prove a match for cosmopolitan students who like the dynamic of a vibrant living and study environment. Faculty of Economics and Business – Campus Brussels 6 FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS, CAMPUS ANTWERP The Faculty of Economics and Business is located in a magnificent building complex at Korte Nieuwstraat 33, the heart of the city. Its courtyard is enclosed by the St Carolus Borromeus Church, the 17th century Huis van Aken, the 19th century main wing in the Korte Nieuwstraat and the new annex dating from 1989, and provides a peaceful and inspiring setting. The campus is renowned for the excellence of academic courses in business administration since 1923. The dynamic nature of the campus is reflected not only in the number of students –currently some 1100- but also in the continuous revision of course programmes, the diversity of new projects and the numerous academic activities which the campus undertakes. Faculty of Economics and Business – Campus Antwerp 3. PROGRAMMES AT THE FACULTY 7 CAMPUS LEUVEN The Faculty of Economics and Business is one of the largest faculties in terms of student population. In Leuven, the faculty offers the programmes: Bachelor / Master in de economische wetenschappen (3 + 1 year); Bachelor / Master of Economics Bachelor / Master in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen (3 + 1 year); Bachelor / Master of Business Economics Bachelor / Master in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen: handelsingenieur (3 + 2 years); Bachelor / Master of Business Economics: Business Engineering Bachelor / Master in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen: handelsingenieur in de beleidsinformatica (3 + 2 years); Bachelor / Master of Business Economics: Information Systems Engineering Master in de beleidseconomie (1 year); Master of Economic Policy Master in het management (1 year); Master of Management Master in de economie, het recht en de bedrijfskunde (2 years), Master of Economics, Law and Business Master in het informatiemanagement (1 year); Master of Information Management Master in de accountancy en het revisoraat (1 year); Master of Accounting and Auditing Master in de verzekeringen (1 year); Master of Insurance Studies The Faculty of Economics and Business also offers a variety of English Master’s programmes in Leuven: Master Programmes: Master of Economics Master of Business Economics Master of Information Management Master of Business Engineering Advanced Master Programmes: Master of Financial and Actuarial Engineering Master of Advanced Studies in Economics Furthermore the faculty runs two doctoral programmes: PhD in Economics PhD in Business Economics CAMPUS BRUSSELS In Brussels, the Faculty of Economics and Business offers the programmes: Bachelor / Master in de toegepaste economische wetenschappen: handelsingenieur (3 + 2 years); Bachelor / Master of Business Economics: Business Engineering Bachelor / Master in de handelswetenschappen (3 + 1 years); Bachelor / Master of Business Administration Bachelor / Master in het milieu- en preventiemanagement (3 + 1 years); Bachelor / Master of Environmental, Health and Safety Management Master in de internationale bedrijfseconomie en het bedrijfsbeleid (1 year); Master of International Business Economics and Management The Faculty of Economics and Business also offers a variety of English Bachelor and Master’s programmes in Brussels: Bachelor Programmes: Bachelor of Business Administration 8 Master Programmes: Master of Business Administration Master of Business Engineering Master of International Business Economics and Management CAMPUS ANTWERP In Antwerp, the Faculty of Economics and Business offers the programme: Bachelor / Master in de handelswetenschappen (3 + 1 years); Bachelor / Master of Business Administration The Faculty of Economics and Business also offers an English Master’s programme in Antwerp: Master of Business Administration (major in Strategic Business Management) COURSES FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS For the courses you can select on each of the campuses, please refer to the course catalogue on p. 49-63 4. FEB MISSION AND VALUES MISSION A FEB education aims to prepare students for successful entrepreneurial endeavours and careers in the corporate world, in national and international public policy-making, or in research. To achieve this the FEB offers high-quality, research-based degree programmes in the fields of both economics and business, and from Bachelor to PhD. Secondly, the FEB wants to foster research with high academic and societal impact, and high visibility in the corporate world. The FEB’s ambition is to be the leading learning and research community in Belgium and to excel in the different research subfields the school hosts, thereby deserving its high rank among the top of European schools of Economics and Business. To achieve these twin primary objectives, FEB wants to develop a stimulating environment for staff and students, in which they feel free to develop their innovative, ethical and entrepreneurial expertise in education, research and business, whilst emphasising the role of economic policy and business in the greater society and keeping a global focus through international exchanges and cooperation. A FEB education … - aims to prepare students for successful