1. University of Luxembourg – General Overview

Luxembourg is small but punches above its weight for research, tech, law, finance, and European affairs. It’s public, international (50%+ students from outside), and runs everything in English, French, and German. Most research happens via institutes or “Centres.” There’s no classic, paid “visiting professor” program like in some huge EU countries; instead, you get:

1. Guest Student Program

What is it?

• For anyone (including professionals and outsiders) who wants to sit in on courses at Bachelor’s or Master’s level.
• Max 3 courses per semester; courses can be in English, French, or German.
• No exams, no grades, no credits—purely for knowledge and networking.

Conditions:

• You must be at least 18.
• No academic prerequisites, but you need a basic understanding of course language.
• You can’t use this to get a degree or transfer credits anywhere.

Regulations:

• Strictly “auditor” status.
• Certificate of attendance only, no transcript or ECTS.

Duration:

• 1 semester minimum, renewable as you like.

Fees:

• €50 per semester (crazy cheap by EU standards).
• No hidden fees, but you pay for books and living costs.

Departments:

• All faculties: Science, Technology & Medicine (FSTM), Law, Economics & Finance (FDEF), Humanities, Education & Social Sciences (FHSE).
• Some master’s courses require consent from the professor.

Application:

• Apply online (early August for winter, early Jan for summer).
• No visa sponsorship if you’re non-EU—you’ll need a tourist or short-stay visa.

1. Visiting Scholar / Guest Researcher – Law (LCEL Example)

What is it?

• Law faculty’s Luxembourg Centre for European Law (LCEL) lets external researchers do self-funded research stays.
• Popular for EU Law, Finance Law, and International Law.

Conditions:

• Must hold at least a Master’s; PhD or significant experience preferred.
• Must have a concrete research project (topic, output plan, etc.).
• You must self-fund all travel, accommodation, and insurance.

Regulations:

• No salary, no stipend, no housing—bring your own funding!
• Get access to library, e-resources, events, and a workspace (as available).
• You’re expected to attend and possibly present at seminars or workshops.
• For any publication, mention affiliation with the Centre.

Duration:

• Minimum 2 weeks; max by agreement (currently open until Dec 2025, but 1–6 months is most common).

Fees:

• No tuition/enrolment fee.
• All living costs are on you.

Departments:

• Specifically Law (LCEL). Other faculties sometimes host researchers informally, but it’s on a case-by-case basis.

Application:

• Email LCEL (or relevant research centre) with:
  • CV
  • Motivation letter (purpose, why LCEL/UniLu, dates, funding)
  • Research plan

Visa:

• For non-EU, need a “researcher” residence permit for >3 months. Shorter: possibly a Schengen visa.

1. Doctoral Schools / PhD Guest / Postdoc Researcher

What is it?

• Four big “Doctoral Schools” run all PhD programs: Science & Engineering, Law, Humanities, Finance/Economics.
• PhD “visiting” is rare unless it’s an official research collaboration.

1. PhD Researcher (Full Enrolment)

• Competitive admission; must apply to a doctoral school, get a supervisor, and propose a research topic.
• Most students get a 3-year full-time employment contract (can be extended to 4 years max).
• Tuition: €200 per semester.
• Salary: Usually €2,200–2,800/month after taxes (paid research employee).

Conditions:

• Master’s degree required.
• English proficiency.
• Competitive selection—slots are limited.

Regulations:

• You’re an employee (with social security, health insurance, paid holidays).
• Must publish, attend conferences, maybe teach.

Funding:

• Either university contract (automatic), or
• FNR-AFR Grant: National Research Fund covers salary, fees, mobility (competitive, open to non-EU), or
• Industrial PhD: co-funded by a company.

Application:

• Find open PhD positions on the Uni.lu or FNR job boards.
• Apply directly to project/supervisor.

2. Postdoc & Short-Term Senior Researcher

• No classic “visiting professor” program.
• Postdocs are always employees (fixed-term contract, usually 1–3 years).
• No tuition; you get a salary.
• You need to be hired onto a project or win an FNR grant.

Self-Funded Visiting Researcher:

• If you’re senior and self-funding, must arrange with a department. No tuition, but no pay or housing.
• Must arrange legal residence (researcher permit if staying >90 days).

1. Regulations and Residency (for Non-EU Citizens)

Legal Status:

• <90 days: Schengen short-stay, must show proof of purpose (invitation letter).

• 90 days: “Third-country researcher” permit. University provides “hosting agreement,” you prove funds, health insurance, and housing. €80 fee for permit; decision in 2–3 months.

Duration:

• Permit valid for 1 year or contract length, renewable.

Long-term:

• After 5 years legal stay, can apply for long-term EU residence.

1. Living Costs & Financials

• No tuition for “guest researcher,” but living costs are high: €1,200–2,100/month (housing, food, insurance).
• State grants/loans are for full-time degree-seeking students, not short-term visitors.
• Public transport is 100% free for everyone (seriously, best perk).
• No university-owned housing for visiting scholars; must rent on the private market (very competitive, book early).

1. Application: Step-by-Step

1. Figure out your status:
   • Want to audit classes? → Guest Student program.
   • Want to do research in law? → LCEL guest researcher.
   • Doing a funded PhD or postdoc? → Doctoral School/FNR.
   • Want to visit as an external researcher (any field)? → Contact department directly.
2. Find a host supervisor or department.
3. Draft your research plan/motivation.
4. Send documents (CV, plan, funding proof) to department or research Centre.
5. Secure your own funding and accommodation.
6. Handle visa/residence permit paperwork if needed.
7. Arrive, register, get your campus badge, and start your stay.

1. Department/Institute Specifics

• Science & Technology (FSTM):
  • Research is organized via institutes like SnT (IT/AI), LCSB (systems biomed), LIST (materials/enviro).
  • Visiting options are always ad hoc—must have a PI host you.
• Humanities/Social Sciences (FHSE):
  • Contact department with a proposal; sometimes hosts short-term researchers, but expect to self-fund.
• Law (FDEF):
  • LCEL as described above.
• Economics & Finance:
  • Same story; must have an invitation and a research plan.

TL;DR (Realistic)

• You can’t just “sign up” for a paid visiting scholar gig—it’s all about finding a host and funding yourself unless you land a PhD/postdoc contract.
• Guest Student: €50/semester, no credit, all faculties.
• Guest Researcher: No tuition, but no pay, all on your dime. Must get an invitation.
• Doctoral/Postdoc: Employee contract, salary, and fees covered.
• Non-EU? Visa is on you. Start paperwork ASAP.

2. LUNEX University

• What is it? A private health, sports, and physiotherapy school.
• Visiting Scholar Program: None.
• Research Opportunities: Only for their full-time enrolled students, and only for degrees they offer (Bachelor’s, Master’s).
• Departments: Physiotherapy, Sport & Exercise Science, Sports Management.
• Duration: N/A for visitors.
• Fees: Around €9,000–13,000 per year for degree-seekers.
• Website: lunex-university.net

3. Sacred Heart University Luxembourg

• What is it? A branch of Sacred Heart (US), offers MBAs.
• Visiting Scholar Program: No external research or guest tracks.
• Departments: Business (MBA, mini-MBA, certificate).
• Fees: €29,000+ for full MBA.
• Duration: N/A for visitors.
• Website: lu

4. Luxembourg School of Business

• What is it? Private business school.
• Visiting Scholar Program: No visiting/guest research allowed.
• Departments: MBA, weekend MBAs.
• Fees: €30,000+ for MBA.
• Duration: N/A for visitors.
• Website: lu

5. European Business University Luxembourg

• What is it? Private online/distance business school.
• Visiting Scholar Program: No physical campus, no visiting research.
• Departments: Online business certs only.
• Website: lu

6–20: Specialized Institutes & Training Bodies

These include places like the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), and the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for Procedural Law. Here’s the reality for each:

1. a) LIST (Science and Technology)

• What is it? National research center for science, tech, materials, and environment.
• Visiting Scholar Program: Not public. Researchers are invited on a case-by-case, project basis only (collaborative grants, joint research). No open application for short-term guest stays.
• Funding: Must be covered by grant or home university, not LIST.
• Website: list.lu

1. b) LIH (Health)

• What is it? Biomedical research, often with Uni.lu.
• Visiting Scholar Program: Only through collaborations or as part of funded research consortia. No open guest researcher route.
• Website: lih.lu

1. c) LISER (Socio-Economic)

• What is it? Policy and social research.
• Visiting Scholar Program: Only for pre-arranged joint projects. No formal public visiting program.
• Website: liser.lu

1. d) Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for Procedural Law

• What is it? German Max Planck branch. They offer fellowships and visiting researcher posts for law PhDs/postdocs—competitive, and you have to apply for open calls.
• Duration: Few weeks to 6 months.
• Funding: Sometimes stipend, otherwise self-fund.
• Departments: International Law/Procedural Law only.
• Website: mpi.lu

Other “colleges” (e.g., Lycee Classique de Diekirch, or tech/vocational schools)

• No university status, no research, no visiting programs—just high school or technical diplomas.