Liechtenstein

⇑Universities

Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries in Europe, so the choice of institutions is small too. According to the national qualifications framework, higher education here consists of two universities and one research institute:

• University of Liechtenstein (Universität Liechtenstein) in Vaduz – the only institution described in the European Commission's country profile; it offers degrees in architecture, business administration, entrepreneurship, finance and information systems,
• Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (Private Universität im Fürstentum Liechtenstein),
• Liechtenstein-Institut – a research institute.

Higher education is supervised by the Government of Liechtenstein. Below we focus mainly on the University of Liechtenstein, because it is the institution covered by the official country profile on the Study in Europe portal.

Universities in Liechtenstein – profiles

⇑Study system

The University of Liechtenstein follows the Bologna system:

• Bachelor – two programmes: architecture (BSc Architecture) and business administration (BSc Business Administration); business administration takes 6 semesters and is worth 180 ECTS,
• Master – four programmes: architecture, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership, Innovative Finance and Information Systems; Information Systems, for example, takes 4 semesters and is worth 120 ECTS,
• Doctorate – in architecture, business economics and business law.

You can start in September or in February. The university expects full-time study to take about 40 hours of work a week.

Liechtenstein – bachelor's programmes
Liechtenstein – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
Liechtenstein – master's programmes
Liechtenstein – doctoral programmes

⇑Admission

You apply directly to the university through its online form. If you have never studied at the University of Liechtenstein before, you pay a non-refundable application fee of CHF 100.

Deadlines for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens:

• bachelor's programmes – 30 July for the winter semester and 30 November for the summer semester,
• master's programmes – 30 July for the winter semester; for the summer semester (by 30 November) only architecture and information systems,
• doctorate – 31 May (winter semester) and 31 October (summer semester); these dates apply to all applicants.

If you need a visa, the deadlines for bachelor's and master's programmes are much earlier: 31 March for the winter semester and 30 September for the summer semester. This leaves time for the visa and the residence permit (see: Residence and formalities).

For a bachelor's programme you need a secondary school leaving certificate that gives access to higher education in the country where it was issued, or an equivalent qualification. You send your certificate, a language certificate if required, a copy of your passport or ID card and a photo. Documents that are not in German or English need a certified translation. If you don't have your school leaving certificate yet, you can send your latest school report – the university will then admit you conditionally.

⇑Entrance exams

Standard programmes have no entrance exams – what counts is your school leaving certificate and your language skills. The exception is the master's in architecture: you add a portfolio of your work to your application.

⇑Language

The official language is German, and most bachelor's teaching is in German. If German is not your first language, you need level C1 for a bachelor's programme. The university accepts, among others, certificates from the Goethe-Institut, TestDaF, DSH, telc and ÖSD.

For business administration (BSc Business Administration) you also need English at the level of a secondary school leaving certificate – three specialisations in this programme are taught almost entirely in English. The master's in Information Systems, for example, is also taught in English; you can check the language of the other master's programmes on their websites. If the university asks for an English certificate, see IELTS or TOEFL.

⇑Residence and formalities

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens enter with an ID card or passport. But if you move to Liechtenstein to study, you must get a short-term residence permit (L) – this is mandatory. You register with the relevant municipal office within 14 days of arrival. The university has a separate office that helps with residence permits. You can also choose to live in neighbouring Switzerland or Austria – then their rules apply, and the university cannot help with those procedures.

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland in most cases need a visa. Liechtenstein does not issue its own visas – you apply at a Swiss embassy or consulate. The application for the short-term residence permit for study (L) goes to the Migration and Passport Office (Ausländer- und Passamt) no later than 14 days before your studies start – if you need a visa, apply earlier. As well as the documents every student submits (enrolment confirmation, proof of health insurance and proof of funds), you need a criminal record extract (no older than one month, translated into German) and proof of language skills. Funds can be proved with a scholarship or with a guarantee from the university or from a person living in Liechtenstein. You also pay the university a deposit of CHF 3,000, which you get back after you graduate; in return the university gives you a bank guarantee to support your visa application.

Health insurance is compulsory if you live in Liechtenstein while you study. According to the European Commission's profile, EU students staying longer than 3 months can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – check this with the university before you leave. Students from outside the EU/EEA need their own health insurance, which is also a condition of the residence permit.

⇑Tuition fees

The University of Liechtenstein charges everyone tuition fees, but EU/EEA citizens pay less:

• CHF 950 per semester – EU/EEA and Swiss citizens (and students with a school leaving certificate from an EU/EEA country),
• CHF 1,250 per semester – all other students.

The fee is the same for bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes. CHF 10 a semester goes to the student union. On top of that there is the one-off application fee of CHF 100 – and, for students who need a visa, the refundable CHF 3,000 deposit.

⇑Accommodation and living costs

Liechtenstein is expensive. The university estimates living costs at around CHF 1,500 a month:

• rent including bills – around CHF 680,
• food – around CHF 450,
• health insurance – around CHF 100,
• clothes, laundry, toiletries – around CHF 100,
• phone – around CHF 20,
• free time and pocket money – around CHF 150.

The university has its own student residence right next to the campus – a room costs CHF 400–600 a month. It also helps you find a private room through its own housing exchange.

⇑Scholarships

There are few scholarships for a full degree. The University of Liechtenstein lists several options:

• merit scholarships awarded by the university,
• student loans, for example through the Splendit platform,
• foundations and scholarship databases from Switzerland, Austria and Germany, e.g. the Swiss Study Foundation (Schweizerische Studienstiftung),
• Erasmus+ – the university has an Erasmus code (LI VADUZ01), so you can come here for an exchange semester from your home university.

You will find the details on the Study costs and funding page.

⇑Working while studying

Students can usually work while studying, especially during semester breaks – within the rules on residence and employment. Important: if you have a residence permit for study purposes, you need approval from the Migration and Passport Office (Ausländer- und Passamt) before you start any job. Your employer submits the request (Stellenantrittsgesuch). According to the university, with a residence permit you may work up to 35% of full time during the lecture period and full time during semester breaks.

Remember that studying is a full-time job – the university counts on about 40 hours of study a week. If you need to work more, all degree programmes can in principle also be completed part-time.

Liechtenstein – why work there?
How to find a job abroad?

⇑Useful links

• Study in Europe – Liechtenstein – the official country profile on the European Commission's portal,
• Universität Liechtenstein – degree programmes, admission, deadlines,
• Application and admission – admission rules and deadlines at the University of Liechtenstein,
• Housing and residence – student residence, flats, residence permits,
• Study costs and funding – tuition fees, living costs, scholarships,
• Migration and Passport Office – short-term residence permit for study (L) – the official information on residence permits for students,
• NQ.FL – the national qualifications framework: higher education in Liechtenstein,
• ENIC-NARIC – recognition of qualifications in Europe,
• Eurodesk – free information on studying, traineeships and volunteering in Europe.