Education in Luxembourg: A Comprehensive Overview of the Educational System (2024)

• Education starts in pre-school for children aged 3 to 6 years and is partly compulsory depending on age.

• Primary education starts at the age of 6 and lasts for 6 years. Secondary education is divided into junior and senior classes with the opportunity for pupils to pursue different types of studies.

• There are also several universities and institutions offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. And, as it is never late to study, there are a lot of opportunities for adults to pursue continuing education.

This brochure was designed by the Ministry of Education to help navigate through the education system in Luxembourg. It covers all steps of education, from daycare to higher and continuous education.

Fundamental education in Luxembourg: cycles

Fundamental education in Luxembourg lasts for 8 years*, from ages 4 to 11, and is structured into four cycles. However, first year ofPrécoce is not mandatory.

The curriculum for fundamental education in Luxembourg is broad and covers a wide range of subjects, including Luxembourgish, French and German languages, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, music, and physical education. Students are also encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports clubs, music lessons, and theater groups.

​​There are almost 160 public elementary schools in the Grand Duchy, spread throughout all the 102 municipalities in the country, and about a dozen private schools. There is no charge for pupils attending public schools, and textbooks are provided for free and covered by the state.

Secondary education in Luxembourg

After the Enseignement fondamental, the Enseignement secondaire stage begins. It is secondary education, which is usually obtained in middle schools and lyceums across the country. This period of education lasts for seven years and prepares children for further steps.

Lycées in Luxembourg

There are several types of secondary schools. Students can choose them based on the results of their previous education and interests. You can see the full list of lyceums in Luxembourg on the official website.

Languages in schools

The school system in Luxembourg is characterized by multilingualism. The three official languages of Luxembourg are 🇱🇺 Luxembourgish, 🇫🇷 French, and 🇩🇪 German. As a result, the language of instruction in schools depends on the educational cycle and the specific program.

In the early years of education, such as pre-school and primary school, Luxembourgish is primarily used. As students progress to secondary school, the language of instruction shifts to either French or German, depending on the specific track chosen. Additionally, English is taught as a foreign language in schools.

Integration support for foreign children in Luxembourg schools

CASNA,Cellule d'accueil scolaire pour élèves nouveaux arrivant), is a service of the Luxembourg Ministry of Education that provides support and assistance to newly arrived students who do not yet have proficiency in the language.

The organization helps with mediating problems, establishing communication between foreign students, their parents and the school, as well as helping teachers to find the best ways to integrate the child. The services are provided free of charge.

Mediators from CASNA can help to study the education system, enroll in school, attend the welcome meeting and provide translation, as well as just support kids' integration into the education in the new country.

A special brochure from the Ministry can help you understand what mediators do. It is available in French and provides an overview of the services provided and languages available.

Home schooling in Luxembourg

This is also an option if for some reason you prefer your kids to study at home. Parents must obtain permission from the regional school inspector before they can start homeschooling their children.

To obtain permission parents must inform the commune of their residence or contact the Ministry of Education. The inspector will assess the parent’s ability to provide a suitable learning environment and ensure the children receive a quality education. After permission for home education is granted, the inspector will visit the children at least once a year to assess their progress in education.

Higher education in Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a well-developed higher education system that offers a variety of programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Luxembourg's universities and institutions offer a wide range of programs in a variety of disciplines, attracting both national and international students.

With a multilingual and multicultural environment, Luxembourg encourages research, collaboration and interdisciplinary studies. Students benefit from modern facilities, cutting-edge research centers and close links with industry.

Continuing education for adults in Luxembourg

There is no age limit for learning. The state supports continuing education and provides options for adults to learn and recognize their knowledge in the country.

Continuing education is a wide range of programs, courses, and activities designed to help adults learn new skills, improve their knowledge, and advance their careers. There are many different types of continuing education programs available in Luxembourg, including: