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This country education profile document is automatically generated based on the information provided on the AR-GO platform. It is intended solely for informational purposes and does not grant any legal rights to its holder.
Luxembourg
General education in Luxembourg begins with early education (optional, from age 3) and becomes compulsory with primary education (enseignement fondamental), which spans 9 years and typically includes children aged 3 to 11. The system is organized into four learning cycles rather than traditional grade levels, promoting developmental progress over age-based progression.
Cycle 1 (ages 3–5) refers to pre-primary education and comprises two stages: éducation précoce (early childhood education and care) for children aged 3–4, and éducation préscolaire (preschool education) for those aged 4–5. Attendance in the first year is optional. Cycles 2 to 4, covering ages 6–11, correspond to primary education.
Luxembourg’s primary education is unique for its strong multilingual focus: children are introduced to Luxembourgish in early education, followed by German and then French. Core subjects include literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies, with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and integration. Successful completion of primary education leads to orientation towards secondary education, based on academic results and teacher assessments.
Secondary education in Luxembourg typically begins at age 12 and lasts for seven years. It is divided into two main tracks: classical secondary education (enseignement secondaire classique), which prepares students for university studies, and general secondary education (enseignement secondaire général), which is oriented toward practical and technical fields. Admission into these tracks depends on academic performance and teacher recommendations from primary school. The classical track emphasizes languages, mathematics, and sciences, while the general track includes more applied subjects, offering smoother transitions to vocational training or employment.
Vocational training in Luxembourg is a key part of the general secondary education track and aims to prepare students for skilled employment. It follows a dual system that combines school-based learning with apprenticeships in companies. Programs are offered at different qualification levels, including the Diplôme d’aptitude professionnelle (DAP) and Certificat de capacité professionnelle (CCP). These pathways enable students to acquire both practical work experience and theoretical knowledge. After completing vocational training, students may also access further professional qualifications or higher education under certain conditions.
Higher education in Luxembourg is relatively young but expanding. It is centered around the University of Luxembourg, which was founded by law in 2003 and has ever since been the only public university in Luxembourg. It offers first and second cycle study programmes, and is the only institution allowed to offer doctoral studies. Its study programmes leading to Bachelor’s (EQF Level 6), Master’s (EQF Level 7), PhD’s (EQF Level 8), as well as Specialized medical diplomas and Doctor of Medicine degrees (EQF Level 8) are automatically recognised by law as leading to national higher education diplomas;
According to the amended Law of 27 June 2018, the University of Luxembourg is evaluated every four years. The Minister of Research and Higher Education commissions a foreign agency to perform an evaluation reviewing the institution, its research as well as its learning and teaching activities, whereas the institutional level is an integral part of the evaluation and the other areas are being reviewed alternately.
Secondary schools, known as – lycées – can, upon programme accreditation, offer higher education short cycle training leading to the advanced technician's training certificate – brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS) (EQF Level 5). The certificate itself is issued by the Ministry of Research and Higher Education.
The Law of 21 July 2023 on the organisation of higher education provides for external quality assurance and accreditation procedure for short cycle programmes offered by secondary schools leading to the BTS, as well as for specialised higher education institutions and their study programmes leading to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
In order to obtain ministerial accreditation, short cycle study programmes (BTS) as well as specialised higher education institutions and their programmes are evaluated by the Dutch-Flemish accreditation agency NVAO, which is registered with EQAR and holds affiliate membership with ENQA.
Also, some private specialised higher education institutions accredited in Luxembourg are offering accredited study programmes at bachelor (EQF Level 6) and master (EQF Level 7) level.
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Brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS)
Short cycle
Level 5
Level 5
The Brevet de technicien supérieur (Advanced technician's training certificate) certifies that its holders have acquired a professional qualification, that they are capable of taking on advanced technician's jobs in the fields and activities in which they have studied and that they are capable of using their knowledge and skills to improve and adapt in the course of their professional lives. It is awarded for a vocational speciality.
Rights Granted
Elements of BTS training may be recognised for further studies in a Bachelor’s programme within the same or a related field. Decisions regarding the validation of prior learning outcomes are solely determined by the institution offering the relevant Bachelor’s programme.
Recognition Status
Accreditation at the study programme study field and institutional level is compulsory.
Other Information
https://menej.gouvernement.lu
https://enic-naric.net/page-Luxembourg
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Bachelor
First cycle
Level 6
Level 6
Bachelor programmes provide students with an adequate command of general scientific methods and contents as well as with specific professional skills.
Rights Granted
Access to 2nd cycle study programmes (Master, level 7)
Recognition Status
Bachelor‘s degrees issued by the University of Luxembourg are recognised by law as national higher education qualifications.
In the case of specialised higher education institutions, accreditation at the study programme study field and institutional level is compulsory.Other Information
https://menej.gouvernement.lu
https://enic-naric.net/page-Luxembourg
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Master
Second cycle
Level 7
Level 7
Master programmes provide education at an advanced level for the exercise of highly qualified activities in specific areas.
Rights Granted
Access to 3rd cycle studies (Doctorat, Diplôme d’études spécialisées en médecine).
Recognition Status
Master‘s degrees issued by the University of Luxembourg are recognised by law as national higher education qualifications.
In the case of specialised higher education institutions, accreditation at the study programme study field and institutional level is compulsory .
Other Information
https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be
https://enic-naric.net/page-Luxembourg
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Doctorat; Diplôme d‘études spécialisées en médecine/ Docteur en médecine
Third cycle
Level 8
Level 8
Doctorat - The PhD students enrolled on these programmes acquire methodologies for advanced scientific research, are trained in new technologies and work in research laboratories, if appropriate.
Diplôme d‘études spécialisées en médecine/ Docteur en médecine - The specialised medical studies offered by the University of Luxembourg in the fields of general medicine, medical oncology and neurology, are compliant with the provisions of articles 24 and 28 of the directive 2005/36/EC and are listed in its annexes 5.1.3. and 5.1.4..
Rights Granted
This is the highest academic qualification.
Recognition Status
Only the University of Luxembourg is empowered to provide studies leading to the Specialised Studies Diploma in Medicine, which is automatically recognised by law as a national higher education qualification.
Other Information
https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be
https://enic-naric.net/page-Luxembourg
For more information, please visit ar-go.online.
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