One of the smallest cities with the longest histories in Europe, Luxembourg is an attractive destination for politics, education, and tourism for its unique location and rich cultural heritage. Luxembourg shares borders with France, Germany and Belgium, which makes the country heavily influenced by German and French cultures as well as language. There are three official languages spoken in Luxembourg: French, German, and Luxembourgish. The country is famous for its advanced economy and rich culture, which is why the capital, the city of Luxembourg, was declared by UNESCO to be one of the World Heritage Sites in 1994.
When it comes to education, Luxembourg is an in-demand destination attracting a significant number of international students every year since it has plenty of characteristics an international student might be looking for: a long and rich history, diverse culture, top-quality living standards, and top-tier education at one of the oldest universities in the world. Thereby, studying in Luxembourg will give much more than it demands from the international students choosing their studies in the country.
In this article, let’s talk about how you can study in Luxembourg for free! We will discuss some tips and the scholarships available for international students like you!
Is It Cheap for International Students to Study in Luxembourg?
Yes, most universities in Luxembourg usually charge very low fees per semester or year.
However, it is important to note that every university can set its own tuition. For instance, a public university may charge €200 per semester, whereas a private university, such as a branch of an American college, may charge considerably more.
International students in Luxembourg usually pay from €400 to €800 per year. Yet, there are some cases when the university requires no tuition fee, such as when the program is fully taught in French, German, or Luxembourgish. There are also a number of scholarship options available for international students to be exempt from any charges by the university. Thus, international student candidates must carefully research the tuition fees of each university and their scholarship opportunities.
How to Study in Luxembourg for Free
Without a doubt, Luxembourg offers great opportunities and experiences for its international students once enrolled. Below are some tips for international students wishing to study in Luxembourg without spending a lot.
1. Study hard and prepare your application early to have a good application
Studying in Luxembourg can as well be challenging as it is attractive. Universities in Luxembourg always seek responsible, talented, and ambitious students from all over the world with their creativity and hard work.
To get the chance to study in Luxembourg for free, international student applicants must prove their necessary skills and achievements during the application process. Therefore, it is important for the applicants to do their research about the faculty or program requirements such as GPA, letter of intent, recommendation letters, and student portfolios, all of which give better chances for the applicant to stand out among others. Preparing for the application process also helps applicants get a scholarship to cover their tuition fees, so it’s strongly recommended to start preparing the necessary documents early for an outstanding application.
2. Apply for Scholarships
Despite being a small country, Luxembourg is generous to international students to provide scholarships; therefore, applicants should be confident and start searching about the institutions or universities that offer any scholarship opportunities as well as government-funded offers.
3. Apply to affordable universities
As stated above, the average tuition for universities in Luxembourg can range from €200 per semester to more, depending on the university. For private universities, the fees can go up to €30,000 or €40,000; this is why the applicants should decide carefully on which university to apply to and prefer applying for more affordable universities if they are looking for more budget-friendly options.
Combining scholarships and cheap tuition fees, studying in Luxembourg for free is possible.
Study Undergraduate in Luxembourg for Free
A few scholarship opportunities are available for undergraduate studies in Luxembourg, such as Government of Luxemburg scholarships, Merit Scholarships, the Eiffel Scholarship, and the Erasmus+ program scholarships.
The University of Luxembourg, the only public university in Luxembourg, demands fairly low tuition fees compared to other universities in Europe; tuition fees for undergraduate programs are €200 per semester. Therefore, with scholarships available, the tuition can be fully covered for international students.
Study Master’s in Luxembourg for Free
In addition to the University of Luxembourg, there a few master’s programs offering scholarships for master’s students. One example is Luxembourg School of Business, a private university operating since 2014, and Sacred Heart University Business School, a branch of an American school operating for the last three decades in Luxembourg.
International students at Luxembourg School of Business can benefit from a couple of scholarship opportunities, such as the International Entrepreneur Scholarship, which covers up to 75% of the total tuition fee, and the Merit-based Scholarship, which covers up to 50% of the tuition fee for the entire two-year program. Please note that these scholarships are awarded to academically dedicated and successful students only.
Lastly, the Luxembourgish governmental institution CEDIES also offers scholarships for master’s students under certain conditions; more information is available here.
Study PhD in Luxembourg for Free
The government of Luxembourg offers different types of scholarships for international PhD students to conduct and continue their research at certain universities in Luxembourg. In addition, some non-university funding is available for international students enrolled in a PhD program, such as Luxembourg National Research Fund, which offers grants for doctoral candidates as employment contracts rather than scholarships. The grant is available for any university or institution recognized by the Luxembourg Ministry of Higher Education.
Another grant available for PhD students to study their research is the FNR PRIDE Program which allows international students to benefit from various funding options at the University of Luxembourg and other universities recognized by the government. Depending on the program structure and the study field of the student, grants can partially or fully cover the tuition.
Once and for all, just as Luxembourg offers excellent opportunities for international students seeking Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree programs, the universities in Luxembourg also look for students who qualify for the programs they apply for. Likewise, being granted a scholarship in Luxembourg is not easy; it requires hard work and ambition by the student to make sure the universities have found the right student to grant their awards.
We hope that this article on studying in Luxembourg for free was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Europe Scholarships Page to find out more about universities and scholarships in Europe!
