This is what we stand for
Freedom, equality and solidarity: these are the humanistic values of our university. We implement them with a thoroughgoing critical attitude and an open, creative mind. The result: a university where you form your own opinion. Without a marching order from above.
How it started
An outraged Belgian lawyer, Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, called in a passionate plea for the establishment of a free university to counterbalance the Catholic University of Mechelen, founded by the bishops. This was the beginning of the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
50 years of VUB
In the academic year 2019-2020, VUB and ULB celebrated their anniversaries together: VUB its 50th, and ULB its 185th. But if VUB and ULB have a common history, then why their different ages?
Our philosophy
According to Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, the establishment of a free university was necessary to safeguard a ‘pure and moral education’. But what does such an education consist of?
Heritage
On and around our campuses, we still find traces of our university's history every day. We are proud of our past and value our heritage. We are committed to managing the latter with dignity and making it accessible to the public.
Our mascot
A fox that likes to drop in on our campus, with or without an invitation? It exists, and it exists in different guises.