The University of Luxembourg welcomed its newest students on Friday as part of its annual Welcome Day marking the start of the academic year.
The university has recorded 2,800 new enrolments this year, around 4% more than last year, although the figure may still change slightly over the coming weeks and months.
One notable trend is the growing number of Luxembourg residents choosing to study at the university. Last year, 70% of bachelor's students were Luxembourg residents.
Professor Philippe Hiligsmann, Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, said this was probably linked to a series of initiatives launched in secondary schools across the country over the past year. The aim, he explained, was to show pupils what the university has to offer and "make the transition from secondary school to university easier for them".
Hiligsmann said Luxembourg's still-dynamic labour market was another factor behind the rise in enrolments. Luxembourgish students, he noted, see opportunities in areas such as law and educational sciences, while international students are also drawn to economics and finance – "essentially all the key sectors for Luxembourg".
Two new master's programmes have also been introduced for the new academic year.
Around 80 students applied for the new Master in Actuarial Sciences, which focuses on the mathematics of insurance, although only 15 places are available.
Professor Christophe Ley, Associate Professor of Mathematics, said the programme was created in response to demand from the sector itself, including the Association of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies (ACA) and the financial industry. They wanted the university to "train students locally who are already familiar with Luxembourg's insurance sector", he explained.
Because interest has been so strong this year, the university plans to increase the number of places from 15 to 25 next year. Subjects covered by the master's include actuarial mathematics, data science, economics, programming, as well as areas such as legislation and communication.
The second new master's programme focuses on a very different field: education.
Professor Janne Fengler, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences, explained that the course is aimed at teachers who already have professional experience.
The master's is designed to improve teaching practice, she said, while also responding to future challenges including inclusive education, digitalisation, multilingualism, school development, and school management.
According to Hiligsmann, it is already clear that further new degree programmes will be introduced for the next academic year. He added that it is equally important for the university to continue adapting its range of courses.
