What you need to know about studying in Luxembourg in 2024 - Luxembourg Guide

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Luxembourg's modern infrastructure and unique lifestyle are increasingly attracting international students. Engaging learning opportunities, a cosmopolitan environment, as well as many advantages are made available to students. Ideally located in the heart of Europe, Luxembourg is a perfect base for travel, with easy access its central train station and international airport that makes exploring the old continent or holidays back home very convenient. Considering studying in Luxembourg? Here's everything you need to know about the student life in the world's only Grand Duchy!

A wide range of academic options

If you're considering studying in Luxembourg, you'll be pleased to know the country is home to several higher education institutions. The University of Luxembourg is the most well-known, offering various degree programs (medicine, psychology, computer science, engineering...) from bachelor's to PhD. The university also boasts an excellent research department. Its main campus is located in the southern part of the country in Belval, a student hub that also houses other institutions, such as the coding-focused school 42, which opened a campus there in 2023.

Sports, nutrition enthusiasts, and aspiring physiotherapists can turn to Lunex University, also situated in the south, in Differdange. For those interested in management, the Luxembourg School of Business in Luxembourg City offers suitable programs. Additionally, many BTS courses (higher technical certificates) are available in various fields such as craftsmanship, arts, and industry across different schools in the country.

Finding accommodation

Finding housing in Luxembourg as a student can be challenging due to the tight and expensive real estate market. The University of Luxembourg offers student residences through the Student Department (SEVE), which assigns housing throughout the country. These affordable accommodations come with rents ranging from €450 to €800 per month, depending on the level of study.

It's also possible to rent a private apartment, provided you can afford it. Expect to pay between €800 and €1,500 for a studio, depending on location — cities like Esch-sur-Alzette and Belval are less expensive than the capital. Shared housing — a popular living arrangement, especially among students and young professionals — can be a good alternative for private accommodation while making it more affordable.

Once you've secured housing, it's essential to take care of the practical aspects of moving in, like registering your residence at the commune, getting insurance for your apartment, and subscribing to a mobile phone and internet plan based on your needs.

Cost of living for students in Luxembourg

The cost of living in Luxembourg is relatively high, mainly due to housing prices. The average monthly budget for students is around €1,400. Of course, this figure can vary significantly depending on your lifestyle.

In addition to rent, expect to budget around €250 per month for groceries, €55 to €100 per year for rental insurance, and €50 to €80 per month for internet and mobile plans. For leisure activities, a restaurant meal (not fast food) costs between €15 and €22 on average, and a discounted movie ticket costs around €12. A coffee will cost you between €2.50 and €5 depending on the place, and expect to pay between €5 and €7 for a pint of beer on average.

Financial aid and scholarships

To help students cope with the high cost of living, Luxembourg offers several financial aids. Scholarships and loans with very favorable terms may be granted, depending on individual circumstances. It's best to contact your educational institution or the Ministry of Education directly for more information and to check eligibility. A simulator is available on the Meng Studien website, the government's student portal. All available scholarships are listed there.

Student jobs and internships

You can supplement your income by working alongside your studies. Luxembourg offers various types of student employment contracts that are well-regulated, ensuring students can earn without compromising their education.

For example, a student contract allows you to work for two months in the summer during school holidays. It's also possible to sign a fixed-term employment contract (CDD) during the school year for up to 60 hours of work per month.

Alongside student jobs, paid internships are possible for durations of more than four weeks, even if they aren't part of the curriculum.

Student job and internship offers can be found on standard job search platforms (Jobs.lu, Moovijob, Indeed, Govjobs.lu…). There are also sector-specific platforms, such as HelloFuture, which specializes in industry-related careers.

Student discounts

Being a student in Luxembourg comes with many benefits, namely in terms of discounts on various services and activities, such as movie tickets with the Kinepolis Student Card, museum entries, swimming pool access, and much more! Kinepolis is the only cinema group in Luxembourg, so all cinemas are operated by them. It's always a good idea to ask if student discounts are applicable, as they often are.

For €12 per year, people aged 12 to 30 can get a European Youth Card. It offers even more discounts in Luxembourg and 39 other European countries. In the Grand Duchy, this card offers substantial discounts in cafes, restaurants, beauty salons, and on concert tickets, and even mobile plans. The (long) list of benefits is available on the card's website (link at the end of the article).

Leisure and social life

Student life in Luxembourg isn't all about studying, as you'll discover, and the country offers a plethora of activities to relax and have fun.

Close to Belval campus, Esch-sur-Alzette is a vibrant hub for students. It boasts numerous bars, the Rockhal (the largest concert venue in the country), and the Kufa (or Kulturfabrik), which hosts theater performances, courses, workshops, and artistic shows. In the summer, Esch hosts the international Francofolies music festival. The cities of Dudelange and Differdange, also near Belval, are equally lively.

Luxembourg City, the capital, is filled with places where students can hang out after classes. The Ville Haute, Grund, and Clausen are particularly lively neighborhoods with numerous bars, cafes, terraces, and clubs.

Museums, theaters, and movies… Cultural activities abound across the country. Sports enthusiasts won't be left out either, as the Grand Duchy boasts over 600 km of cycle paths and offers a wide range of sports clubs (football, tennis, dance, climbing, golf, horse riding, boxing, MMA...). The university regularly organizes free sports activities for students, and towns generally offer a whole catalogue of discounted courses and activities to residents.

For several years, Luxembourg has hosted the annual LGX (Luxembourg Gaming Xperience), a major convention dedicated to gaming, featuring cosplay, retro-gaming, and e-sports tournaments.

Student associations and social life

Student life in Luxembourg is notably dynamic and cosmopolitan, with a significant number of international students from diverse backgrounds. Several student associations have been set up to help students integrate and fully enjoy their university experience. The main ones are ACEL (Association of Luxembourg Student Circles) and ANIJ (National Agency for Youth Information). The University of Luxembourg also lists all of the country's clubs and associations for students on its website.

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