Arriving here is a big step. You suddenly have a lot more freedom, but also a lot more to work out for yourself, and you are doing that in a new country, in an academic system you do not know yet and often in a language that is not your own. We were all finding our way around this faculty not so long ago, so we know that the first weeks take some figuring out.
That is exactly where we as VTK would like to help.
VTK, the Vlaamse Technische Kring, is the student association of the faculty, and our work rests on three pillars: representation, support and recreation. With a team of committed students, we represent your interests towards the faculty and the university, help you with everything to do with your studies, and make sure there is more to your student years than studying alone. Because student life is about more than lecture halls, labs, and exams, and it is often outside them that you meet the people you keep running into for the rest of your time here.
VTK organises all kinds of different activities, from parties to barbecues, cantusses, and events with companies. Some events are for specific groups (e.g., first-year students or international students), but we provide plenty of activities open to everyone.
Here are some must-knows to help you navigate campus and student life in Leuven!
Upcoming Events & Calendar
You can easily track all our events on the VTK website calendar.
Pro-tip: The website features handy category filters so you can quickly zero in on what interests you most! Anything tagged with "International" is hosted in English, but everyone is welcome to join. This goes both ways: feel free to jump into Dutch-hosted events too (like our legendary galabal or sports activities). Even if the main language isn't English, you'll still have a blast!
While the website is great for checking the full calendar, the absolute best way to stay in the loop is by joining our International WhatsApp group. All international-friendly updates, reminders, and last-minute details get dropped directly into the chat!
More About VTK
Except for events, VTK has a lot more to offer to make student life more fun and affordable.
Theokot - Affordable lunch on campus
VTK has its very own sandwich shop called Theokot with student-friendly prices. It’s open every weekday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM (starting from the second week of the semester).
Ordering food can be done in 3 steps:
- Fresh sandwiches & Pasta pesto: Must be pre-ordered online via the VTK shop. Reservations open 2 days in advance at 12:00 PM. Quantities are limited, so order early! You can pay for and pick up your order between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM at the "Broodjes hier" sign.
- Hot snacks: Want a croque monsieur, sausage roll, or pancake? Head directly to the "Croques hier" counter to order and pay. When your snack is ready, your name will be called out!
- Drinks & sweets: Soft drinks, coffee, and cookies can be ordered straight from the main bar anytime.
Good to know: While Theokot is our own dedicated spot, it’s not the only place to grab food on campus. You can also head to Alma 3, Alma Quadrivium, or De Moete for hot student meals or snacks.
't ElixIr - Faculty bar
In Leuven, every faculty has its own Fakbar (faculty bar) where drinks are served at student-friendly prices. VTK’s very own bar is 't ElixIr. It’s the ultimate going-out spot for engineering students, offering regular beers and soft drinks for just €1.20, and a shot of our signature Elixir d'Anvers for a mere €0.80. On top of that, every Tuesday, our bar team organizes weekly theme parties: the basement gets fully decorated according to a special theme, complete with matching drink promos.
Be sure to mark Wednesday, September 30th in your calendar! That night, we are hosting a dedicated International Night at 't Elixir so you can get to know the bar, mingle with fellow students, and feel completely at home.
Shift volunteering - Get involved
VTK organizes a huge variety of events throughout the year so that every student can find something they enjoy. But behind every great party, cantus (a traditional Belgian student event with singing and drinks), or sandwich bar, there’s a team of students making it all happen!
To keep everything running smoothly, we use a volunteer system where you can take up shifts. Shifts are short time slots where you help out with minor tasks, like setting up for an event, cleaning up afterward, or helping out during an event itself. It’s completely voluntary and you can sign up for as many or as few shifts as you like via the VTK website.
Each shift listed online includes a short description, and we specifically tag tasks where speaking Dutch is not required, making them perfect for international students! We recommend trying it out at least once. It’s a fantastic way to meet local Belgian students and get a behind-the-scenes look at campus life.
As a big thank-you for your help, you earn vouchers for every shift you complete. You can use these vouchers later for a free drink at 't Elixir or a delicious sandwich at Theokot!
VTK Sports - Stay active
At VTK, we also have a dedicated Sports Team that organizes active events all year long for seasoned athletes and enthusiastic beginners alike. Everyone is welcome to join!
The absolute highlight of the semester is the legendary 24-hour Run (24 urenloop) taking place on Tuesday, October 20th and Wednesday, October 21st. This is Leuven’s biggest student event of the year, and VTK always gives everything to chase that coveted first place. To get everyone race-ready, we organize daily running sessions leading up to the event where we build stamina together, followed by weekly social runs throughout the rest of the year.
Besides running, VTK Sport gives you the chance to try out less conventional activities like free-running, ice hockey, or bouncing through a giant obstacle course during the Big Jump Run (select the "Sports" category on our website calendar to see all upcoming sports events!).
If you want to play sports casually with friends outside of VTK events, KU Leuven offers great facilities as well. Through the university's online sports portal, you can easily reserve court spaces or sign up for guided weekly sports classes.
Education & Academics
Looking for detailed information on how academics work at KU Leuven, where to find study spots, how to order course materials at our bookstore (Cudi), or how to use digital study tools like Burgieclan and Discord?
All academic guidelines, practical tools, and educational support details can be found in our dedicated **Education subtab. Make sure to check it out to get fully prepared for your studies!
A Final Word
Although Belgium has 3 official languages, daily life on campus and in Leuven involves most of the time only Dutch. To help you get familiar with local campus slang and terminology, check out our Glossary / Woordenlijst.
For now, enjoy your first days here. Meet people, discover the campus and the city, and make this student time your own. We hope your stay with us will be an unforgettable learning and living experience!
For official faculty updates, you can also visit the KU Leuven Student Portal.
