Living in Luxembourg – Postgraduate Guide

Don’t let its size fool you – despite being amongst the smallest sovereign nations in the world, Luxembourg packs a considerable punch in its 998 square miles. With a fascinating history, unique blend of cultural influences and proximity to numerous other European travel hotspots, Luxembourg is an ideal location for international postgraduate students.

In this guide, we’ll give an overview of what to expect from student life in Luxembourg, from cultural attractions and cuisine to practical information including living costs, accommodation and travel.

What’s it like to study abroad in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg is renowned for its multicultural society – of its 676,876 residents, almost half are of foreign nationality, and the country boasts three official languages (French, German and Luxembourgish). Most Luxembourgers are multilingual, and you’ll likely find that day-to-day business is conducted in a combination of tongues.

Though around 80% of locals also speak English, studying in Luxembourg provides an excellent opportunity to learn a new language (or two!). The University of Luxembourg offers free language courses to all students.

Luxembourg can be broadly divided into two territories – the northern Oesling (or Éislek) and the Guttland (literally translated as ‘Good Land’), which spans the central and southern regions of the country.

The Oesling is a rural and sparsely populated area, characterised by hilly landscapes and thick woodland. The Guttland, where Luxembourg’s capital city (and all its universities) are located, is home to most of the country’s urban areas. Nature enthusiasts will still find much to admire in the Guttland, however, including the Musel, Luxembourg’s largest and most impressive valley, and the expansive forests that surround the City of Luxembourg itself.

Luxembourg’s numerous cultural sites, including the capital’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and the 37-kilometre Valley of the Seven Castles, a popular walking route for locals and tourists alike, are remnants of its rich history. In the south of Luxembourg’s capital, you’ll find the Grand Ducal Palace, where its head of state has resided since it gained independence from France in 1815. Today, Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the world.

Much as there is to explore in Luxembourg itself, it is also an ideal location for those wishing to travel further afield. Neighbouring countries France, Belgium and Germany are all reachable within an hour’s drive of the capital. The most avid travellers could set foot in four different countries over a single weekend!

Food and drink

Luxembourg cuisine bears the influence of Germanic, and more recently Italian and Portuguese cultures. Popular dishes include crispy potato fritters served with tomato or apple sauce (gromperekichelcher), a spicy twist on traditional German bratwurst (thüringer), and for those with a sweet tooth, mini doughnuts coated in sugar (verwurelter).

Accommodation

The University of Luxembourg provides several types of housing for Masters students. Housing in a university dorm will set you back around €450 per month. Utilities and internet access are included in the rent. Bear in mind that while you can express a preference, you won’t be able to choose which hall of residence you are allocated.

Private universities in Luxembourg have various accommodation options for students. While some provide dedicated student housing, others organise for students to live with a host family.

You can also browse the private market – expect to pay an average of €800 per month for a room in a private rented apartment. Shared housing is a popular and relatively affordable option – you can search for potential housemates online using websites such as appartager.lu.

Some charitable organisations such as Cohabit’Age arrange intergenerational shared accommodation, whereby you’ll live with a person aged 50 and over and assist with day-to-day chores in exchange for reduced rent.

Living costs

Your cost of living will vary considerably on your lifestyle, but as a general guide, the University of Luxembourg recommends that students budget at least €1,900 per month, including €450 for accommodation, €360 for meals, €35 for study materials and €150 for miscellaneous costs.

Working whilst studying

EU and EEA students in Luxembourg can work without restrictions in Luxembourg, but other international students can only work up to 15 hours per week during term time. This limitation does not apply to work carried out during the holidays. You’ll need be in possession of a residence permit to be employed in Luxembourg.

Further information

Hopefully, this guide has given you an idea of what to expect from student life in Luxembourg, but there are a few more things you should be aware of before you pack your bags! We’ve included a quick overview of some more student essentials below.

Transport

Luxembourg is a well-connected country, with nationwide bus and train services, as well as a tram line connecting the centre of Luxembourg city with Kirchberg. Public transport is also completely free for all university students!

Banking

You’ll need identity documents, proof of address and a certificate attesting to your enrolment at a university to open a student bank account in Luxembourg. The main banks in Luxembourg are:

• The Banque Générale du Luxembourg
• The Banque Internationale à Luxembourg
• The Bank (ING)

Health insurance

All students in Luxembourg are required to have valid health insurance. EU students are entitled to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare from a GP or hospital specialist for free, as long as they have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU students will need to purchase private insurance prior to their arrival.

For more information on Masters study in Luxembourg, including universities, applications, funding and student visas, you can read our detailed study guide.