KU Leuven
speciality: Architecture

KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally respected university with a strong architectural faculty that emphasizes critical thinking, social relevance, and experimental design approaches. The environment is demanding, but it challenges you to grow, both as a designer and a thinker.

So my initial degree was an integrated Master’s at architectural engineering (5years). After going at KULeuven for essentially my second masters I can confidently say that every lesson is well structured other than the studios. The studios have provided the most underwhelming experience I had in my life. The proffesors provide minimal ans even poor guidance. Their method of “you decide where your design will be and for who” is simply unrealistic. There is no solid criteria or theme on the studios. It’s not even clear if the projects should be more conceptual or purely pragmatistic. When the studio doesn’t have a theme then reviews are useless because there isn’t something solid that would guide your review. In order to keep some level of consistency you need to have at least one solid parameter for your students whether that is for who or what they are designing. There was a studio where my theme changed 5 times…5 times I had to bring a different kind of building plan for a different audience. It’s even worse that student work is not rewarded. I had mentally checked out, did the bare minimum and got a 12/20 while I had classmates who went above and beyond only to get 14/20. If you want higher grades in studio specifically forget having a life. All other classes are very very well and it pains me that electives with 4 ects outshine studios so so much.

The program brings international students together and creates a teaching environment that gives you a new experience through theory and practicals. The school is one of the best in Europe which is expressed in their infrastructure, teachings and social life, they practice social inclusiveness.
In general, the school should improve communication with alumni in the language of instruction their program was taught so they can be interested in the alumni network. Even though the school is very international, language can be a barrier (Dutch) after graduating and keeping a network with the school require a uniform language (Dutch and English) rather than Dutch alone in the case for international student.

It’s a different experience and I would recommend it 100%. You come in contact with new people every day and get learn something every time. The location might not be the best, that’s why I’m hoping to use my skills to up my experience.

The Ghent campus of KU Leuven is specifically an Architecture campus located in the center of the city and easily accessed by tram or bike. The quality of the education is quite high especially considering the price. But the facilities are of lower quality compared to the scandinavian universities.