Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)

Watch out ! The accomodation in this university is almost entirely in the hands of private investors. Their agencies own a great number of apartments (individual or collective). Students who can afford to go to Louvain during the summer or in early September can choose flat location and accomodation, but most foreign students have no choice. Local accomodation agencies tell them they had to book them a room (a "kot", as they say in Belgium - a Flemish word for "corner"), and it's too late to change, even if your classes are a 40-minute walk away from your "kot" - and classes usually start at 8 in the morning. (Cars or buses are not allowed in the city - Bring your bike, roller-blades, or donkey).Or you may be at ground level on the busiest street of Louvain, unable to sleep before 3 AM or after 7 AM (night life is rather busy there, except during week-ends). So tell the agency from the beginning what kind of accomodation you expect (find out in wich part of the city your classes will take place, it depends on your academic area) and make sure you can change if your "kot" is not suitable for you. If they refuse, DO insist. They seem to be used to consider foreign students a handful tribe to fill in the lousiest "kots", and they ask you to send up money to book the kot long beforehand. The whole thing seems to be a hell of a money-making business, but it's not very honest. And the university itself will be of no help, as they're not in charge.

Easy to find a room but too expensive

not so bad, could have been better

In general the level of housing is quite low in Louvain-la-neuve. Many flats are really in terrible condition. I was very lucky that I got a room in this student house

There are unfortunately less "Kots" (type of housing) than students, so it is tough to find one if you are late. Contracts have to be signed for a much longer time than the housing is needed, which is costly on the whole. Bureaucracy could be less.

I lived in a 10 persons flat. We had a great time together, it was nice to get integrated with the local students right away. We cooked and ate together, which made it more like a "family". We had a lot of space, computers and tv. No complaints.