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University, higher education, and financial aid

University, higher education, and financial aid

In Luxembourg, young secondary school graduates have the choice between continuing their higher education in Luxembourg or going abroad to study. Here you will find the options for higher education in Luxembourg, at university or other schools.

It is important to note that, regardless of the choice made, students can benefit from scholarships from the Luxembourg government. You will find the terms and conditions for obtaining these scholarships below.

Higher education in Luxembourg

Higher education in Luxembourg is now a priority for the Luxembourg government. It must be said that public higher education is very recent in Luxembourg.

In fact, university education has only really existed since the early 2000s, with the creation of the University of Luxembourg in 2003 on the site of the former industrial wasteland of Belval.

Studying at the University of Luxembourg

The University of Luxembourg is currently ranked fourth in the world for the international opportunities it offers its students. It is also ranked among the top 250 universities in the world and among the 20 newest universities according to the Times Higher Education Rankings. The prestigious QS World University ranking places the University of Luxembourg close to the top quarter of universities worldwide.

The University of Luxembourg offers an international and multilingual study environment, with more than 7,000 students, 60% of whom are not from Luxembourg.

Would you like to discover the University of Luxembourg? Take part in its Open House.

The University of Luxembourg has all the necessary resources to develop and offer a wide range of academic programs.

The University offers several bachelor's and master's degrees, continuing education programs, and doctoral schools. More than 14,000 graduates have passed through its ranks, about half of whom remain in Luxembourg to work.

The Faculty of Law, Economics, and Finance has more than 2,300 students.

Just over 2,100 students attend the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences.

The Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine has nearly 2,000 students.

Want to strengthen your knowledge in scientific subjects? Corps Enseignant Luxembourg offers support classes in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science.

Did you know that as a student at the University of Luxembourg, you can apply for a part-time job on a fixed-term contract during the academic year?

Preparing for French business schools in Luxembourg

Since 2013, the Lycée Classique d'Echternach, in partnership with the Lycée Georges de la Tour in Metz, has been offering a preparatory class for French business schools.

Pursuing higher education in business in Luxembourg

Join ESSCA School of Management, France's second-ranked post-baccalaureate business school

Since the start of the 2023 academic year, the ESSCA School of Management, a French post-baccalaureate business school, has also been present in Luxembourg. Read our interview with Antoine Rech, Director of ESSCA Luxembourg, here.

Interview with the Director of ESSCA School Management in Luxembourg

Master's in Management at the Luxembourg School of Business

The Luxembourg School of Business offers a two-year Master's in Management. Classes are taught in English. The first year consists of general theory courses in the fields of business and management. The second year is divided into two parts: a semester of specialization and a semester of compulsory, paid internship.

In the second year, students can specialize in various fields that are in demand in Luxembourg: financial management, international taxation, or accounting, auditing, and control. It should be noted that Luxembourg has made these sectors one of the strengths of its job market.

Classes are held three days a week, allowing students to work part-time at the same time.

At the end of the program, students have all the necessary qualifications and skills, and above all, proven experience to apply for jobs in Luxembourg or elsewhere. More than 80% of interns are offered a paid job at the end of their internship.

Other master's degrees at the Luxembourg School of Business

The LSB offers its students other master's-level programs in various fields:

  • business administration,
  • finance,
  • international trade,
  • financial industry management,

as well as specialized programs tailored to the needs of businesses.

LSB has AAC international accreditation.

Would you like to find out more about higher education opportunities in Luxembourg? Visit the Maison de l'Orientation.

Obtaining a Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) in Luxembourg

Luxembourg also offers two-yearBTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) courses. These courses enable students to obtain a professional qualification in a specific field and facilitate their entry into the job market. You can find more information on the bts.lu website.

This is particularly the case in the following Luxembourg high schools:

  • Lycée Technique des Arts et Métiers (LTAM)
  • Josy Barthel High School (LJBM)
  • Technical High School of Commerce and Management (LTECG)
  • Technical High School for Health Professions (LTPS)

The Ecole de Commerce et de Gestion de Luxembourg also offers three BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) programs in the fields of commerce and marketing, accounting and tax management, and secretarial and executive assistance.

Are you looking for an internship or a job at the end of your higher education? Don't miss the Unicareers Fair.

Scholarships and financial aid for graduate studies

Scholarship for financing higher education: AideFi

The Luxembourg government strongly encourages its residents to pursue higher education, whether in Luxembourg or abroad, by providing financial assistance.

Young people can therefore receive financial assistance to pursue higher education, regardless of their parents' income or wishes. After their application has been reviewed, they may be eligible for scholarships and loans to finance their studies in Luxembourg or abroad.

Are you a student? Calculate your higher education scholarship, AideFi

Eligibility for higher education scholarships in Luxembourg or abroad

You are eligible for Luxembourg financial aid for your higher education if:

  • you are a full-time or part-time student in higher education in Luxembourg or another European country, AND at the end of your studies you will obtain a higher education diploma, degree, or title
  • you are a resident of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the child of a cross-border worker in Luxembourg, or a cross-border worker yourself.

Higher education scholarships for Luxembourg residents

Luxembourg resident students wishing to apply for a grant for their higher education must:

  • Be a Luxembourg national or a family member of a Luxembourg national
  • Or be a national of a Member State of the European Union, a country of the European Economic Area, or the Swiss Confederation
  • Or have political refugee status in Luxembourg,
  • Or be a national of a third country or stateless person and
    • Have resided in Luxembourg for at least five years,
    • Hold a Luxembourg secondary school diploma or certificate or one recognized as equivalent to the Luxembourg diploma.

Scholarships for non-residents and cross-border workers

Non-residents – nationals of Luxembourg or the European Union, an EEA country, or the Swiss Confederation – may also apply for a higher education scholarship, provided they meet the following criteria:

  • Be employed or working in Luxembourg at the time of application,
  • Or be a recipient of a Luxembourg orphan's pension,
  • Or be the child of a worker who is employed or working in Luxembourg at the time of the student's application. The worker in question must continue to contribute to the student's maintenance. They must also have worked in Luxembourg for at least 5 years at the time of application, over a reference period of 10 years.

Please note! For non-residents, this grant is a substitute for other forms of assistance. Before applying, students must have completed all the necessary procedures in their country of residence.

Find out more about financial assistance for higher education in Luxembourg or abroad.

Procedure for obtaining a Luxembourg scholarship

The public administration pays scholarships on a semester basis. To receive a scholarship, applications must be submitted each semester for the following semester.

To obtain a Luxembourg higher education scholarship, you must submit your application:

  • between August 1 and November 30 for the winter semester,
  • between January 1 and April 30 for the summer semester.

Application form for Luxembourg state aid for higher education.

Eligible non-resident students (see above) must submit their application in their country of residence to the relevant authorities. French students should contact the CROUS-Lorraine, Belgian students should contact the Direction des allocations études, and German students should contact the Bafög.

Aid from the City of Luxembourg for resident pupils and students

The City of Luxembourg grants its residents who are pursuing secondary or higher education a special supplementary financial allowance.

To be eligible, you must have been a resident of the City of Luxembourg since at least October 1 of the current year. Interested pupils and students must also be pursuing secondary or higher education: university, general or classical high school, or full-time institute of higher education.

Application forms for the City of Luxembourg subsidy for pupils and students are available online on the City of Luxembourg website from September 15 to October 31 inclusive. The amount of the allowance varies according to the parents' income, the number of dependent children in the household, and academic results.

Bank loans in Luxembourg for students

Postgraduate students can benefit from student loans on particularly favorable terms from financial institutions approved by the Luxembourg government, including those abroad.

State guarantee of up to €10,345 per academic year

The state guarantees student loans up to €6,500 per academic year (€3,250 per semester). Additional increases may be granted for registration fees (up to €1,850) or social criteria (up to an additional €1,995).

Capped interest rates on bank loans for students

Students pay a maximum interest rate of 2% on the amount borrowed. The government covers the difference between this and market rates.
Interest is payable by the student at the end of each calendar semester (June 30 and December 31).

Deferred repayment of student loans

Students have two years after the end of their studies to begin repaying their student loan. They then have a maximum of 10 years to repay the full amount borrowed.

This assistance is paid in two semi-annual installments per academic year.

Are you looking for student accommodation in Luxembourg? Find all our advice here.

Laurent Ollier

Laurent Ollier

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