Master of European Politics and Policies (MEPP)

Information for incoming EMPA exchange students

Note that the below-mentioned information only concerns exchange students sent in the framework of the EMPA Consortium. Other exchange students (Erasmus, etc.), wishing to study at K.U.Leuven’s Faculty of Social Sciences, can find relevant information on the Erasmus webpages.

Academic year structure at K.U.Leuven

The academic year at K.U.Leuven consists of two semesters, each having 13 weeks of lectures. The first semester starts late September and lasts until the end of the third week of January, with a two weeks’ break for the Christmas and New Year holidays (classes end by Christmas). The second semester starts the first week of February and lasts until the end of June, with a two week Easter break (classes end by mid-May).
General K.U.Leuven academic calendar.

K.U.Leuven’s MEPP programme can in principle host exchange students in both semesters. Yet, since MEPP students themselves can only take part in the exchange programme in the second semester, we prefer hosting incoming exchange students in the second semester. This in order to achieve a balanced student number over the two semesters.

Courses open to EMPA exchange students

EMPA exchange students are welcome to follow any course of the Master of European Politics and Policies (MEPP) programme. Other courses can only be followed upon permission of the Vice-Director of Education of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The detailed study programme needs to be approved by the Academic Director of the MEPP programme.

Overview and description of courses of the MEPP programme

All extracurricular activities, organized in the framework of the MEPP programme, are also open to EMPA exchange students.

EMPA certificate

In compliance with the EMPA Charter, exchange students will be awarded with the EMPA certificate upon successful completion of the course and thesis/internship requirements.

Procedure and formalities

Interested exchange students are kindly asked to follow the online procedure for regular Erasmus students. In addition, they also inform the EMPA coordinator in Leuven on a personal basis sending in their CV and a list of courses they wish to take. You will be able to follow your application online and will get a final invitation from K.U.Leuven International Office. Upon positive admission, you will further be provided with a guide on "Living in Leuven", a town map, information concerning the "Orientation Days for International Students" and detailed information on the Master of European Politics and Policies programme.

Deadline of application for the exchange programme

First semester (end-September/ mid-February): 15 May

Second semester (mid-February/June): 15 October

Practical information

General K.U.Leuven information for exchange students can be found on these webpages.

The following website links might be particularly relevant for EMPA exchange students: