Scholarships in Luxembourg

Studying in Luxembourg with a scholarship

Luxembourg is a small European country, but it has a highly international higher education environment. The University of Luxembourg attracts students from many countries and offers programmes in English, French, German, or a combination of these languages.

For international students, the main advantage is that tuition at the University of Luxembourg is generally much lower than in many other Western European destinations. For most programmes, enrolment fees are around €400 per semester, although some programmes have different fees. The university also charges an application fee, so students should always check the programme page before applying.

Lower tuition does not mean studying in Luxembourg is cheap overall. The biggest issue for many international students is the cost of living, particularly accommodation.

Guillaume Dupaix International Excellence Scholarship

One of the main opportunities for international students is the Guillaume Dupaix International Excellence Scholarship at the University of Luxembourg.

It is aimed at academically strong students applying for full-time master’s programmes. The scholarship is open to international applicants and covers all faculties, but it is not available for master’s programmes that include a mandatory semester or year abroad.

For the 2026 intake, the scholarship provided €5,763 per semester, or €11,526 per academic year, for up to two years. The funding is intended to help with living expenses and accommodation. It does not provide a tuition-fee waiver.

Only a limited number of awards are available. The university currently states that around 30 students are selected each year, with places distributed across faculties and between general international applicants and applicants from selected target countries.

The scholarship application is linked to admission

Students do not simply send a separate scholarship email.

Applicants first apply for an eligible University of Luxembourg master’s programme. The academic programme reviews the application, and students considered academically excellent can then be invited to apply for the Guillaume Dupaix scholarship.

This means the quality of the university admission application matters before the scholarship stage is even reached.

Applicants should take particular care with:

• academic transcripts
• motivation letter
• CV
• proof of previous qualifications
• language requirements
• programme-specific documents

A strong scholarship application begins with a strong admission application.

Exchange scholarships are also available

The University of Luxembourg also offers a Guillaume Dupaix International Exchange Scholarship for selected incoming exchange students.

This funding is available to bachelor’s and master’s students from partner universities in selected countries. Eligible countries currently include Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Students must normally:

• be nominated by their home university
• be accepted into an eligible exchange programme
• have strong academic performance
• come from an eligible partner institution

The scholarship is approximately €5,763 per semester, including support connected with accommodation.

This is different from a full master’s scholarship because exchange students remain enrolled at their home university and spend only part of their studies in Luxembourg.

PhD mobility funding

There is also a Guillaume Dupaix International PhD Scholarship for eligible doctoral students who want to spend part of their PhD at the University of Luxembourg.

It is designed for international PhD students visiting the university for at least one month and normally requires nomination by the applicant’s home university.

Students should distinguish this type of mobility funding from a salaried doctoral position. Many PhD opportunities in Europe operate as employment contracts rather than traditional scholarships, so the funding structure should always be checked carefully.

Living costs are the main financial challenge

Luxembourg has a high cost of living.

The University of Luxembourg currently advises incoming students to prepare at least €2,700 in initial funds to cover expenses such as registration, health insurance, rent, rental deposits and meals when they first arrive.

The university also notes that students may need around €1,500 or more per month depending on their circumstances. Housing is usually the largest expense.

This is why students should not judge affordability based on tuition alone.

Accommodation is limited

University accommodation is available, but it is not guaranteed.

Demand is high, especially around the beginning of the academic year. The University of Luxembourg specifically warns students to look for alternative accommodation because it cannot provide rooms to everyone who applies.

University housing can be cheaper than private accommodation. Minimum university rents are around €400 per month for bachelor’s, master’s and exchange students, although actual prices depend on the room and residence.

Students should begin their housing search as soon as they receive admission.

Do not assume the scholarship covers tuition

This is particularly important for the Guillaume Dupaix scholarship.

The scholarship helps with accommodation and living costs, but tuition or registration fees are still the student’s responsibility.

Before accepting any scholarship offer, calculate:

• university fees
• housing
• rental deposit
• food
• health insurance
• visa and residence fees
• transport
• study materials
• personal expenses
• travel to Luxembourg

A scholarship may cover a significant part of the cost without covering everything.

Language requirements vary by programme

Luxembourg is multilingual, and university programmes can be taught in different languages.

Many master’s programmes are taught mainly in English, while others use combinations of English, French and German. The University of Luxembourg advises applicants to check the language requirements for the individual programme because requirements are not identical across the university.

Students should not assume that an English test alone is sufficient for every course.

Check whether the programme requires:

• English
• French
• German
• two or more languages
• specific minimum proficiency levels

Residence requirements for non-EU students

Students from outside the European Union generally need to complete immigration procedures before studying in Luxembourg.

Third-country nationals who plan to study for more than three months normally need to obtain temporary authorisation to stay before entering Luxembourg. They must also provide proof that they have been admitted to a recognised higher education institution.

Applicants also need evidence of sufficient financial resources.

Luxembourg currently requires student resources equal to at least 80% of the applicable social inclusion income. Proof may include a scholarship certificate, student loan, bank evidence or financial sponsorship.

Because the threshold is linked to Luxembourg’s social parameters, the exact euro amount can change. Applicants should therefore check the current requirement on Guichet.lu when preparing their residence application.

A scholarship can help with proof of funds

One useful point is that an official scholarship can be used as part of the evidence of financial support for immigration purposes.

Luxembourg accepts scholarship or student-loan certificates showing the amount and duration of funding as possible financial evidence.

However, if the scholarship amount does not meet the required level, additional financial evidence may still be necessary.

Students should not assume that simply having a scholarship automatically satisfies every immigration requirement.

Students may work, but should not depend on it

International students may be able to work during their studies subject to Luxembourg’s immigration and employment rules.

The immigration rules allow student employment within specified limits, and employment income can sometimes be considered alongside other resources.

Even so, part-time work should be treated as supplementary income rather than the main plan for financing study.

Applicants should make sure they can meet the required financial conditions before travelling.

Public transport can reduce some expenses

One unusual advantage of Luxembourg is that public transport within the country is generally free.

This can reduce everyday transportation costs and may give students more flexibility when choosing accommodation outside the immediate university area. The university also highlights free public transport when discussing housing and commuting options.

However, cheaper transport does not eliminate the high cost of rent.

Other university funding exists

The Guillaume Dupaix scholarship is not the only form of assistance available.

The University of Luxembourg and external foundations also support students through other programmes, including hardship assistance and grants such as the Portabella Grant for eligible students facing financial or social difficulties.

These programmes have their own conditions and may be intended for students who are already enrolled rather than prospective international applicants.

Students should therefore distinguish between:

• scholarships available before admission
• scholarships linked to the admission application
• financial assistance available after enrolment

What applicants should check before applying

Before applying for a scholarship in Luxembourg, confirm:

• whether the scholarship supports your study level
• whether your chosen programme is eligible
• whether admission must be submitted first
• whether you need to be invited to the scholarship stage
• whether tuition is covered
• the actual annual scholarship value
• whether accommodation is included or only supported
• language requirements
• university application fees
• residence and proof-of-funds requirements
• whether your nationality is subject to additional conditions
• the scholarship and admission deadlines

Do not rely only on previous-year scholarship posts because dates and award conditions can change between academic cycles.

Prepare for housing early

Housing deserves special attention when considering Luxembourg.

Students sometimes focus on gaining admission and leave accommodation until later. That can create problems because university housing is limited and the private rental market is more expensive.

Once an applicant has a realistic chance of studying in Luxembourg, it is worth researching:

• university residences
• private rooms
• shared accommodation
• rental deposits
• commuting options

Do not send money to an unknown landlord without verifying that the accommodation and contract are legitimate.

Final advice

Luxembourg can be attractive for international students because university tuition is relatively moderate and several scholarship programmes exist, particularly for strong master’s applicants, exchange students and researchers.

The main financial challenge is living costs rather than tuition.

Applicants should compare the scholarship value with the expected monthly cost, check whether university accommodation is available and understand the immigration requirements before accepting an offer.

Use the scholarship opportunities listed below as a starting point, then verify the latest application dates, scholarship amounts and eligibility rules through the University of Luxembourg or the relevant official provider.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026