Leuven
Pedestrian Flemish city, KU Leuven, students everywhere.
Renting a kot in Leuven, step-by-step
Finding a kot in Leuven is choosing Belgium's largest student city. With 60,000 students for 100,000 inhabitants, KU Leuven – Western Europe's oldest university (1425) – absolutely structures the city: libraries, campuses, kot-to-kot, Oude Markt (the "longest bar counter in Europe"). The median rent for a Leuven kot is €470/month all-inclusive. The city is entirely cyclable, with a compact pedestrian centre you can cross on foot in 15 minutes. Unlike Louvain-la-Neuve (a French-speaking city built in 1972 following the university split), Louvain/Leuven is Dutch-speaking — but KU Leuven offers 100+ programmes in English that attract 15,000 international students per year.
The campuses of Leuven
Featured in Leuven
0 listingBeyond the kot
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Student life in Leuven
Other student cities near Leuven
Questions about housing in Leuven
What is the average price of a kot in Leuven? +
The median rent in Leuven is €470/month all-inclusive in 2026. KU Leuven university residences start at €380. The historic centre ranges between €450 and €600. New private studios and premium kots go up to €700. Leuven is 10% cheaper than Brussels but more expensive than Liège or Mons.
Can I study at KU Leuven without speaking Dutch? +
Yes — KU Leuven offers 100+ programmes in English (master's in sciences, economics, engineering, medicine, European law, theology). 15,000 international students study there every year. For finding a kot, Leuven landlords are used to English-language applications. Learning some Dutch does help for daily life.
Where can you go out as a student in Leuven? +
Oude Markt is THE iconic spot: a square entirely lined with 40+ student bars, nicknamed "the longest bar counter in Europe". Other landmarks: Muntstraat (restaurants), Vismarkt (traditional pubs), Naamsestraat. For concerts and clubs: Het Depot, STUK. Cantus (university beer nights) are part of Leuven culture — try at least once.
How do you get around Leuven and from Brussels? +
Leuven is a bike city. 80% of students have a bike (new €300–400, secondhand €80). The centre is pedestrian. To Brussels: direct train every 10 minutes, 25 min journey from Leuven-Centraal. Zaventem Airport 15 min by train (direct). A De Lijn bus + SNCB Campus train pass costs ~€200/quarter.