Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,591 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no strict application deadline | for the most recent – and only official – information on application deadlines, please check the KU Leuven webpage
** for non-EEA; EUR 2533 for EEA | for the most recent – and only official – information on tuition fees, please check the KU Leuven webpage
Key Summary
Introduction
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About the Programme
The two-year programme focuses on the study of canon law and provides an introduction into the law of other religions (comparative law) and the study of capita selecta. The skills obtained will be applied during the internship and improved through personal research. This general experience will be reflected in a research paper.
Assets
The law of the Roman Catholic Church is universally applied. As a consequence, the Faculty of Canon Law calls on professors with an international reputation, and annually invites a wide range of international guest professors.
In addition, the faculty has a large number of international students, including students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands and several African countries. This international orientation provides a broad perspective on the canonical issues discussed in class.
The Faculty of Canon Law provides many opportunities to students wishing to combine study and work. Distance learning - combined with mandatory participation in the concentrated teaching weeks - is offered for students unable to live and study full-time in Leuven.
The faculty's small scale creates a strong sense of community among students and creates the opportunity for students to meet personally with visiting professors from all over the world.
Curriculum
Specialisation Courses in Canon Law
- History of Canon Law: Sources and Institutions
- History of Canon Law: Thematic Issues
- Organization of the Church
- The Law of Eastern Catholic Churches (CCEO)
- Penal Law of the Church
- Temporal Goods
- Law of Religious Communities
- Parish Law
- Theology of Canon Law
- Process Law of the Church
- Sanctifying Office of the Church
- Rights and Obligations of Christian Faithful
- Marriage Law of the Church: Special Questions
- Islamic Law
- Teaching Office of the Church
- Reading of Latin Canonical Texts
Mgr. Onclin Chair Lectures
- Onclin Chair Lectures I
- Onclin Chair Lectures II
- Onclin Chair Lectures III
Capita Selecta
- Capita Selecta: Current Issues (IA)
- Capita Selecta: Current Issues (IB)
- Capita Selecta: Current Issues (IIA)
- Capita Selecta: Current Issues (IIB)
- Capita Selecta: Current Issues (IA)
- Capita Selecta: Current Issues (IB)
Internships
- Seminar Praxis Iudicialis et Administrativa
- Praxis Iudicialis et Administrativa
Research Paper
- Research Paper: Master of Canon Law
Ideal Students
Students in the Master of Canon Law program:
- Are fascinated by the law of the Roman Catholic Church and are familiar with its faith, organization, and mission.
- Seek to study in an international environment drawing students from all over the world.
- Their mission is to serve the People of God as a judge, a promotor of justice, or an advocate in an ecclesiastical tribunal, or as chancellor, judicial vicar, or expert in canon law in the diocesan Curia.
- Success in this master's program leads to the canonical degree 'Iuris Canonici Licentiatus' (JCL), having preliminarily completed a course of study in theology.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 120 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
- Specifications: Master of Arts.
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programmes as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student centre is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Faculty
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Graduates have been appointed as judges, promotors of justice and advocates in ecclesiastical tribunals. They have also been called to serve as chancellors, judicial vicars or experts in canon law in the diocesan Curia or in Catholic organisations. Others find employment as teachers in secondary schools, the seminary or the university. Successful graduates may also move on to the doctoral programme, where successful completion of specialised study leads to the degree of Doctor of Canon Law and the canonical degree of Iuris Canonici Doctor (JCD). These degrees bring with them the opportunity to serve the People of God as a canon lawyer.