Studying in Luxembourg for Ukrainians
Luxembourg has a compact but modern higher education system with an international focus. The country has one public university and a number of specialized and international institutions, making education accessible to foreigners, including Ukrainians.
Levels of education
- Bachelor's degree — lasts 3 years.
- Master's degree — usually 1–2 years, depending on the program.
- Doctorate (PhD) — 3–4 years after a master's degree.
Types of educational institutions
- University of Luxembourg — the country's main university with an international teaching staff.
- International research institutes — for example, the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH).
- Private business schools and international campuses of foreign universities — with narrow specializations.
Language of instruction
Luxembourg is a multilingual country. Instruction may be conducted in French, German, and English.
- Bachelor's programs often combine two languages (e.g., French + German or French + English).
- At the master's and PhD levels, most programs are available in English, especially in IT, economics, business, and engineering.
- A language certificate is required for admission (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL for English programs, DELF/DALF for French programs).
Can foreigners apply?
Yes, the University of Luxembourg actively accepts foreign students, there are no quotas for Ukrainians — the general competition rules apply.
Recognition of Ukrainian certificates and diplomas
Ukrainian documents are recognized, but nostrification may be required for medical, pedagogical, and legal specialties. The procedure is carried out through the Service de la reconnaissance des diplômes at the Luxembourg Ministry of Education.
What else is worth knowing:
- The University of Luxembourg is included in global rankings thanks to its high-quality research and international programs.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in a mandatory mobility program — at least one semester must be spent studying in another country (within or outside the EU).
- This makes the degree more competitive and opens up additional scholarship opportunities.
The admission process for universities in Luxembourg is quite transparent but requires careful preparation. The same rules apply to Ukrainians as to other foreigners, but there are a few nuances that are important to consider.
What do you need to apply?
The standard set of documents usually includes:
- a high school diploma or bachelor's/master's degree (depending on the program);
- a notarized translation of your documents into French, German, or English;
- a motivation letter explaining why you chose this particular program;
- a resume (CV) — especially for master's programs;
- a language proficiency certificate (French, German, or English, depending on the program; usually requiring a level of at least B2, sometimes C1);
- letters of recommendation (optional or required by the program).
Additionally, you may need:
- a portfolio (for arts programs);
- proof of financial solvency (more often for obtaining a student residence permit than for admission itself);
- medical insurance (mandatory for residence).
Do I need to take exams?
Most programs do not require exams, but some specialties (e.g., medicine, law) may have entrance tests or limited competition. For those who do not have a sufficient level of language proficiency, the university offers preparatory language courses.
How do I submit my documents?
Applications are submitted online through the official portal of the University of Luxembourg. There is no need to contact agencies or consulates — the entire procedure is centralized.
Application deadlines
- For the fall semester: from February to the end of April/May (depending on the program).
- For the spring semester: from September to November (not for all majors).
‼️ It is worth checking the dates on the website of the specific program, as they vary.
When is nostrification required?
- If it concerns majors with regulated access (medicine, pedagogy, law).
- If the university has doubts about the level of Ukrainian documents.
- Diploma recognition is carried out by the Service de la reconnaissance des diplômes of the Luxembourg Ministry of Education.
Key points for Ukrainians
- Ukrainian certificates and diplomas are mostly recognized automatically for bachelor's degrees.
- For master's and PhD programs, it is important to have a clear academic track record and official translations of documents.
- Admission to English-language programs requires IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge English; for French-language programs, DELF/DALF; for German-language programs, TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat.
The issue of housing for foreign students in Luxembourg is one of the most difficult, as the country is small and the demand for housing is high. Therefore, it is worth taking care of finding a place to live before you arrive.
Student dormitories
The University of Luxembourg offers students accommodation in dormitories through the SEVE Housing service. Places are allocated on a competitive basis, and applications must be submitted online in advance.
- Conditions: rooms for 1-2 people, kitchen and bathroom may be shared; dormitories have internet, laundry facilities, and basic furniture.
- Cost: from €450 to €700 per month depending on the type of room and location.
- Deposit: usually 1 month's rent.
Official website: University of Luxembourg Housing
Renting
Due to the limited number of dorms, most students rent apartments or rooms.
- A room in a WG (shared apartment) costs between €600 and €900 per month.
- A separate studio or apartment costs between €1,200 and €1,800, especially in Luxembourg City.
- Additional costs: utilities and internet can add another €100-200 per month.
Popular search platforms:
- athome.lu — the largest rental portal;
- immotop.lu — listings from agencies and owners;
- housinganywhere.com — an international service for students;
- appartager.lu — search for rooms in a WG.
💡 Important: Housing fraud is common in Luxembourg. Never transfer a deposit before signing an official contract.
If you have doubts about a rental agreement or suspect fraudulent activity, you can contact our lawyers. They will help you check the documents, prepare a secure contract, and protect your rights.
Residence permit
If a student is studying in Luxembourg for more than 90 days, they must apply for a student residence permit (titre de séjour – étudiant).
- The first step is to apply for an AST (Autorisation de séjour temporaire) while still in Ukraine.
- After arrival: register your address with the local municipality within 3 days and submit your documents for a residence card via MyGuichet.lu within 3 months.
Insurance
Medical insurance is mandatory. Students can:
- take out a policy with the state system CNS (Caisses Nationales de Santé);
- or provide international insurance that covers their stay in Luxembourg.
📌 On our website, you can take out an insurance policy that meets the requirements of the Luxembourg immigration service.
Education in Luxembourg is considered affordable compared to many other Western European countries. There is one public university, the University of Luxembourg, as well as several private institutions and international business schools.
How much does it cost to study?
The University of Luxembourg has a fixed tuition fee system:
- €400 per semester for bachelor's and master's degrees (first and second semesters).
- €200 per semester — starting from the third semester.
- For PhD (doctoral) programs, the fee is also €200 per semester.
This is significantly cheaper than most European universities.
At private educational institutions and business schools (such as Sacred Heart University Luxembourg or LUNEX University), tuition is significantly more expensive:
- from €8,000 to €15,000 per year for bachelor's and master's degrees;
- MBA and specialized programs — from €20,000 per year.
Are there any benefits for Ukrainians?
Ukrainian students pay the same fees as all foreigners, however:
- some university programs may offer fee waivers or scholarships;
- students with temporary protection status in the EU are eligible to apply for local grants or social assistance to cover their expenses.
The exact conditions should be clarified directly with the university after enrollment.
Additional expenses
Even with low tuition fees, students need to consider other expenses:
- Accommodation: €500–700 in a dormitory, €700–1200 in a WG, or more than €1200 for a separate apartment.
- Food: €250–400 per month.
- Transport: students use public transport free of charge (since 2020, travel in Luxembourg has been free for everyone).
- Textbooks and learning materials: €30–60 per month.
- Mobile phone and internet: €20–30 per month.
- Personal expenses: €150–250.
On average, a student in Luxembourg needs between €1,000 and €1,500 per month to live comfortably.
Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for all students.
- Students under the age of 30 can register with the state system CNS (Caisse Nationale de Santé), which provides full access to medical services.
- Alternatively, you can take out international insurance that meets the requirements of the Luxembourg immigration service.
📌 On our website, you can take out an insurance policy that is suitable for studying in Luxembourg and is accepted when applying for a residence permit.
Despite its small size, Luxembourg offers students, including Ukrainians, a range of financial support opportunities. These can be government grants, university programs, or European scholarships.
Are there free places for foreigners?
Tuition at the University of Luxembourg is already affordable (€200–400 per semester). There is no completely free tuition, but students can apply for grants and financial aid, which effectively compensates for the cost of tuition.
Scholarships from the Luxembourg government
Financial Aid for Higher Education (AideFin) is a state support system that is also open to foreigners legally residing in the country. It includes:
- basic assistance (≈ €2,000 per semester);
- additional living allowance;
- grant for educational materials;
- possibility of a preferential loan.
📌 For more details, follow the link.
Scholarships from the University of Luxembourg
The university offers targeted programs for foreign students:
1. Guillaume Dupaix International Master’s Scholarship
- Intended for master's students (both from Europe and beyond).
- Amount: €10,000 per year for two years; partially covers accommodation (~€650/month).
2. Pierre Werner Scholarship (University of Luxembourg)
- This is a doctoral scholarship for students of economics, finance, law, or political science.
- Available to citizens of EU candidate countries, including Ukraine.
- Amount: up to €26,000 per year (maximum individual payment — €6,500).
Pan-European programs
1. Erasmus+ – allows Ukrainians to come for 1–2 semesters on an exchange or enroll in a full program. Covers tickets, accommodation, and partial meals.
2. DAAD (Germany) — some grants cover studies in neighboring countries, including Luxembourg, especially for research and dual programs.