Bachelor of Business Administration

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, you must have access to higher education in your home country. You also have to provide evidence of your proficiency in mathematics as well as English.

Each applicant has to submit an online application via the Admissions Office by following the application instructions . Applicants who have obtained or will obtain a Flemish secondary school diploma (Diploma secundair onderwijs) are not required to submit an online application. They can start their registration here .

1. Basic admission requirement

• Direct access

For admission to this programme, the general admission requirements for a bachelor programme apply:

• a Flemish degree of secondary education; awarded in the school year 2024-2025 or earlier;
• a Flemish degree of secondary education, educational qualification level 4, awarded as of the school year 2024-2025;
• a Flemish degree of short-course higher education;
• a Flemish degree of higher education for social advancement, with the exception of the certificate of pedagogic aptitude (Getuigschrift Pedagogische Bekwaamheid), or
• a degree or certificate, awarded in the context of the Flemish HBO (hoger beroepsonderwijs)
• a Flemish bachelor's or master's degree
• Assessment of foreign degree

The equivalence of a foreign degree will be examined in relation to the above-mentioned qualifications.

Applicants who have been awarded the General Certificate of Education (GCE) can be eligible for admission if they can prove to have passed at least three A-Level subjects. Of these A-Level subjects, at least one has to be relevant (ex. mathematics or business studies). If the GCE A-Level certificates have been obtained in a country that is not part of the European Union, candidates are required to submit an additional proof of proficiency in mathematics (SAT/ACT/AP Calculus AB/SOWISO OMPT-A, see below). All applicants also need to meet the English language proficiency requirements (see below).

2. Proficiency in English

Required proof of English language proficiency (certificate)

• TOEFL: iBT 90 (minimum subscore per item 20)
• IELTS: 6.5 (minimum subscore per item 6.0)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
• Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)​​​​​
• No other tests than the above-mentioned are accepted

Exemptions from certificate English language proficiency

• Students who obtained their secondary education degree or higher education degree in one of the following countries: Australia, English speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States of America (the certified degree and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire study was completed in English).
• Holders of European Baccalaureate: when at least 16 course hours per week are taught in English (Physical education excluded)
• Holders of International Baccalaureate: when at least the half of the courses are taught in the English language
• Holders of an American secondary education degree obtained outside the USA but accredited by specific accreditation bodies
• Students with a Flemish secondary education diploma

3. Additional requirements

• SAT, ACT, AP Calculus AB or SOWISO OMPT-A-test
• Mathematics:
  • SAT 560
  • ACT 23
  • AP Calculus AB : minimum score of 4
  • SOWISO Online Mathematics Placement Test-A : minimum score of 75%

  Exemptions from additional requirements

  1. Students with a secondary education degree awarded by a recognized educational institution from a country that is part of the European Union
  2. Applicants who obtained the European Baccalaureate, the International Baccalaureate diploma or an official French Baccalaureate diploma acknowledged by AEFE

  Mathematics: essential in the Bachelor of Business Administration

  Today’s managers often use mathematical models to describe reality in a logical way. The language of mathematics provides powerful tools to define and explore such models. Moreover, by learning this language, you will develop skills like recognizing structure and systematic problem-solving. Your mathematics knowledge will be applied in courses like statistics, finance and econometrics.

  Learn what prior knowledge is required and how we can help you to become successful in mathematics.

  If you are a holder of Non-Flemish diploma, you need to complete and submit an application. All applications are evaluated by both KU Leuven admissions office and the relevant programme directors. Admission is ultimately at the discretion of the faculty. Please note that evaluation of applications is based on complete files only and that the criteria published are basic (eligibility) criteria only. Keep in mind that the evaluation process can only start after the applicant has submitted all necessary test results (language and/or proof of mathematics proficiency, if applicable). Test results must be submitted by the application deadline at the latest.

  Core documents to be submitted

  • Copy of high school diploma, higher education degrees and transcripts of academic records
  • Translation of diploma and official transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency (unless exemption applies, see above)
  • Proof of payment of the application fee
  • A photocopy of the identity page of your passport (if you currently hold a Belgian Residence Permit, also upload PDF scans of both sides of the card)
  • Letter of motivation
  • CV

  Programme specific documents

  • Proof of proficiency in mathematics (unless exemption applies, see above)
  • Copy of results from the free online mathematics test developed by the faculty

  Programme guide*

  Specific course descriptions and detailed admission requirements can be found in the programme guide. The programme guide relates to the current academic year until three months prior to the start of the following academic year.

  * Subject to changes.

  I have a question

  Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you still have doubts feel free to get in touch with the Faculty of Economics and Business of KU Leuven.