Study in Luxembourg

Higher Education Structure in Luxembourg

Study In Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Europe. Located in the western part of the continent. It is home to approximately 600,000 people, most of whom are concentrated in the Greater Luxembourg Metropolitan Area, within its capital city. Luxembourg is one of the highest-ranked countries in the world by per capita GDP; its powerful economy is driven by strong manufacturing and financial services sectors.

Luxembourg is a cosmopolitan state, with more than half of the residents coming from other countries. It is one of the four seats of the European Union, and is an important partner in the operations of the EU and NATO. It is a member of the Benelux states, together with Belgium and The Netherlands. Luxembourgish is the national language, with French and German widely used for administrative work. English is spoken and understood by the majority of the population.

The Perks of Studying in Luxembourg

Luxembourg is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #2 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #21 in the world in the US News “Best Countries for Education” report.
  • The country is ranked #72 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in Luxembourg

The University of Luxembourg is the only comprehensive public research University in the country. It is two decades old, and has three Faculties (Science & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Law, Economics & Finance). Half of its students are from outside Luxembourg, and all its courses are taught in English, with some additionally having French or German as the medium of instruction. The University conducts research on several topics with close industry collaboration. For example, its work in cyber security is of particular interest to the country's financial sector. The University of Luxembourg awards Bachelor's, Masters, and Doctoral degrees through all three Faculties.

Other than the University, there are also two private specialized higher education institutions in the country. Lunex University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in sports science and physiotherapy, but does not award PhD degrees. Luxembourg School of Business offers a full time Master in Management program and a part-time weekend Master of Business Administration degree for business executives.

Two foreign universities have branch campuses in Luxembourg; both are American. Sacred Heart University Luxembourg and Miami University Dolibois European Center offer a small number of diploma courses and facilitate exchange programs for their students in one of Europe's most prominent financial centers.

Professional Schools offer vocational degrees to high school graduates who are looking for practical training before joining the labor market. There are five of these in Luxembourg, and they provide training in areas as diverse as Fine Arts, Technical Skills, and Commerce.

Certificate Programs

The University of Luxembourg offers several short-term (3 to 6 months), part-time certificate courses, primarily aimed at business executives. Luxembourg School of Business has the one-year Executive MBA program, that runs exclusively on weekends. These certificate programs have less coursework than full-time courses, and focus on innovations and practical applications.

Undergraduate Programs

There are two types of undergraduate programs in Luxembourg. The University and private higher education institutions both offer academic Bachelor’s degrees that are very similar to undergraduate programs in other countries. After one year of foundation level courses in the chosen subject area, students specialize in one major field of study and one or more minors. Internships are an important feature of undergraduate studies in Luxembourg, with the strong financial sector providing several job opportunities in different departments. Most graduates of Bachelor’s programs choose to pursue postgraduate studies within the European Union.

There are also professional Bachelor’s programs, known in Luxembourg as BTS degrees. They last two or three years, and are chosen by students who wish to acquire the skills required to immediately enter the job market after graduation. They are offered by specialized Schools.

Postgraduate Programs

Master’s degree programs are offered by the University of Luxembourg and private higher education institutions. These degrees take four semesters to complete, and require 120 ECTS credits. Coursework is rigorous, with continuous assessment through weekly assignments and quizzes. The Master’s Thesis is a project that occupies a large portion of the second half of the program. This can either be an intensive survey or research work assisting a doctoral student or a professor. Most Master’s graduates choose to take up a mid-level job in a local company, though a few choose to pursue a PhD degree at the University of Luxembourg.

Doctoral Programs

Only the University of Luxembourg is authorized to provide Doctoral degrees. It conducts research on a wide range of topics: computer science, data security, international relations, technology in the finance sector, European history, and education. PhD students in Luxembourg work towards their degrees for three years, of which the majority is spent conducting original research within a research group. Faculty supervisors play an important role in guiding the direction of doctoral studies, and the award of the degree is based on a Thesis defense before a panel of external advisors. Most projects focus on advanced data simulation and modeling.

Popular Disciplines Available in Luxembourg

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Luxembourg are-

International LawFinancial ManagementDevelopment Economics
Security and Risk ManagementApplied SciencesEuropean History
Pedagogy and Teacher TrainingComputer Science & EngineeringHospitality Management
Environmental EngineeringBusiness AdministrationLanguages and Interpreting
MathematicsTourism ManagementPhilosophy

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Luxembourg

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Luxembourg.

The Name of the City No. of Universities 
Luxembourg2
Esch-sur-Alzette2

Average Monthly Expenses in Luxembourg for International Students

Tuition fees at the University of Luxembourg are relatively low, with most Bachelor’s programs associated with annual fees of 400 Euros. However, certain programs - for example, the Master of Business Administration - have annual fees that exceed 10,000 Euros. Private universities have much higher average annual tuition fees, because they receive no funding from the Government. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis for a small number of international students based on academic achievement.

Luxembourg is associated with a very high cost of living. Even student dormitories have monthly rents of almost 500 Euros, and private housing options can exceed 1,000 Euros per month. Most students spend 300 to 400 Euros per month on food. Other costs include travel passes, shopping for personal items, telephone, internet, and entertainment; these add up to 100 to 200 Euros per month.

Just after arriving in Luxembourg, international students should be prepared to incur several one-time costs, including Residence Permit fees, purchase of a local emergency insurance package, housing deposit (equal to one month’s rent), and University registration fees.

Students Visa Requirements

Students who have been offered a place in a degree program lasting longer than 90 days must apply for a long term student visa through the nearest Luxembourg Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

The candidate should also carry the originals of all documents for verification at the Embassy. After submission, the visa decision can take between 4 and 6 weeks. Successful students may travel to Luxembourg using their newly issued visas. Upon arrival, they must present themselves at the nearest police station in order to apply for a Residence Permit valid for the expected duration of their degree program. Using this document, students can travel freely within the European Economic Area, and apply for part time employment.

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Luxembourg.
  • Visa Application Form
  • Valid Passport
  • Passport-size Photos
  • Letter of Acceptance from a Luxembourg educational institution
  • Proof of Sufficient Funds
  • Health Insurance
  • Proof of Accommodation
  • Travel Itinerary
  • Academic Certificates
  • Police Clearance Certificate
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Applicants for long term Luxembourg student visas must pay application fees of 80 Euros. Additional costs may be incurred in case any documents need to be translated. Whether the application is successful or not, the visa fee is not refundable.

If the Embassy finds any discrepancy in the Luxembourg student visa application, it will send a rejection letter to the candidate with an explanation of the reason for refusal. The most common reason for rejection is insufficient financial evidence for the candidate to support himself or herself during the duration of the degree program. However, rejections can also occur due to errors in the application, missing documents, or potential security threats if the applicant travels to Luxembourg. If the reason for rejection is minor, the candidate can pay the visa fees again and submit a new application, being careful to rectify the error from the previous attempt. If the candidate feels that the reason given for rejection is inadequate, he or she can file a written appeal within a month of receipt of the refusal letter. This must be submitted to the Luxembourg Embassy, and refer to the reason given for rejection, while providing any extra proofs that are likely to change the authorities' decision.

The main languages in which programs are taught are German, French, and English. Foreign students can usually find courses whose medium of instruction is English. There are weekly language classes organized by the University in French and German, and special classes in Luxembourgish can also be attended, even though there are very few courses taught in this language. Luxembourg’s position as a cosmopolitan location within Europe ensures that international students are always given the assistance they need to find courses taught in a language they are fluent in.

All University students in Luxembourg, irrespective of nationality, can take up part time jobs during their studies. However, during the regular semester, students can work for a maximum of 15 hours per week. The minimum wage is set by the Government of Luxembourg. During summer and winter vacations, students can join full time internships, for a maximum of 2 months every year. During these periods, they can work up to 40 hours per week. The internship stipend must correspond to at least 80% of the minimum wage set for full time workers in the country. A contract is signed between the student and the company, with the University as a co-signer.