Working full-time and studying?
In a rapidly changing world in which people are increasingly challenged to take on different responsibilities and in which at the same time new forms of communication are available, more and more students are choosing to combine their studies with their professional lives.
Due to the increasing number of working students in recent years, our faculty has built up extensive expertise in supervising working students. All our programs are available for working students. It is also possible to follow separate courses in a credit contract.
We developed facilities that enable an optimal balance between self-study and face-to-face education. Check whether you meet the conditions for the status of working student on this link.
Canonical degrees and distance learning
The Holy See has strict guidelines concerning the implementation of distance learning in Plans of Studies.
At our faculty we strictly adhere to the regulations for the Second Cycle within the Canonical Degree, the Licentiate, as described in the Instruction on the Use of Distance Learning in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (art. 5) and the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium.
These regulations permit the faculty to offer part of the program via distance learning. Please note that the evaluation must be carried out via the physical, in-presence method!
Study at home
Working students are only expected on campus at a number of pre-announced moments (see dates below). In addition, they process the subject matter at home at their own pace. Unless otherwise announced, all lectures are available via video.
Mandatory contact moments
However, it remains important that as a student you can meet your colleagues and teachers and exchange experiences. That is why the faculty organizes a limited number of contact moments per semester at which all students are welcomed on campus. During your visit to the campus you will have the opportunity to get a taste of the unique international environment as well as the vibrant student life of Leuven.
Concentrated lessons weeks
Each semester we provide two weeks in which a large part of the lectures are taught. During these intensive lessons weeks, all students are expected at the faculty. These lesson weeks are the contact moment between the professors and the distance students and the ideal moment for the distance students to get to know the other students at the faculty. In this way distance students remain involved with the ins and outs on campus.
Dates of intensive lessons weeks for the students in the English-taught program
Academic year 2023 - 2024
First semester: from Monday October 9, 2023 until Sunday October 22, 2023
Second semester: from Monday February 12, 2024 until Sunday February 25, 2024
Academic year 2024 - 2025
First semester: from Monday September 23, 2024 until Sunday October 6, 2024
Second semester: from Monday February 24, 2025 until Sunday March 9, 2025
Requesting working student status
Students must submit an application for the status of working student before the start of the academic year. Instructions to go through the procedure can be found on this link.
Note: priests may upload a statement from the bishop that they meet the requirements in lieu of proof from the employer.