Université libre de Bruxelles

Also known as ULB, Free University of Brussels

French-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium (since 1970)

Key facts

Motto: Scientia vincere tenebras ( Latin )
Motto in english: Conquering darkness through science
Type: Independent (partly state-funded)
Established: 28 May 1970 ; 56 years ago ( 1970-05-28 )
Affiliations: EUA AUF ENTREE IMCC [ fr ] T.I.M.E. UNICA Atomium Culture
President: Bernard De Cannière
Rector: Annemie Schaus
Administrative staff: 4,400
Students: 37,489 (2023–24)
Location: Brussels , Belgium
Campus: Solbosch/Solbos , La Plaine/Het Plein , Erasme/Erasmus , Gosselies
Follows: Free University of Brussels

Article

The Université libre de Bruxelles ( French: [ynivɛʁsite libʁ də bʁysɛl]; lit. 'Free University of Brussels'; abbreviated ULB) is a French- and English-speaking research university in Brussels, Belgium. It has three campuses: the Solbosch/Solbos campus (in the City of Brussels and Ixelles), the La Plaine/Het Plein campus (in Ixelles) and the Erasme/Erasmus campus (in Anderlecht).

The Université libre de Bruxelles was formed in 1969 by the splitting of the Free University of Brussels, which was founded in 1834 by the lawyer and liberal politician Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen. The founder aimed to establish a university independent from state and church, where academic freedom would prevail. This is still reflected in the university's motto Scientia vincere tenebras, or "Conquering darkness through science".