Introduction　 　　

The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (University of Leuven), founded in 1425, is Belgium’s largest university. As a leading European research university, it offers a wide variety of academic programmes in Dutch and English (some 80 master programmes are taught in English), supported by high-quality interdisciplinary research, both in the university and in its internationally recognised university hospitals. More than 6500 researchers, from over 120 countries, participate in curiosity-driven and strategic frontier research, as well as targeted and demand-driven research. The university’s interaction and co-operation with external partners is very intense. As a comprehensive university, KU Leuven offers three-year bachelor and one- or two- years academic master’s programmes in almost all disciplines. The Leuven Doctoral Schools organise the international PhD tracks of over 4000 doctoral students. Leuven is a typical European and historical university city, with a multicultural and vibrant student community.