Study Programmes Master in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defence

Admissions

To apply for a programme at the University of Luxembourg, candidates must comply with the general eligibility criteria for the chosen programme type and be selected by the study programme based on the quality of their application.

The programme at a glance – 120 ECTS

  • Duration:
    2 years / 4 sem
  • Teaching languages:
    EN
  • Admissions:
    EU: 1 Feb 2025 – 30 Jul 2025

    Non-EU: 1 Feb 2025 – 30 Apr 2025
  • Fees:
    400€/ sem. (semester 1,3)
  • Format:
    Full-time programme

Specific information for this programme

  • Required Degree

    Bachelor in Computer Science or related fields.

    Strongly motivated students with a Bachelor in other sciences (e.g., social, economics, law), with proven knowledge in computer security or informatics are also welcome to apply.

    Additional note: The preferred background is in computer science or mathematics or engineering, with a proven strong background in information and communication technology and basic knowledge in computing and security. However, the MCYSD also accepts outstanding students holding a bachelor’s degree in human and social sciences, with recognised experience in research methods for socio-technical cybersecurity applied to, e.g., security management, privacy and data protection, and security economics. The selection procedure of the MCYSD is very competitive, and the applicants should demonstrate an excellent performance in their previous studies.

  • Language Skills

FAQ

Proof of English Proficiency

For candidates whom two languages are the official administrative languages of the country and who have completed their entire education in one of these two languages: a language certificate is not required for the language that served as the medium of instruction and examination for obtaining the last diploma (if obtained within the last two years). 
Proof of Language Skills

A university degree (Bachelor or Master level) certifying the completion of a programme in which the main language of instruction was the same as the teaching language(s) of the selected programme at the University of Luxembourg is acceptable, provided the graduation date is within the last two years at the time of application.
Proof of Language Skills

If your bachelor’s degree certifies the completion of a programme in which the main language of instruction is English and the graduation date is within the last two years at the time of your application, it can serve as proof of language proficiency. Otherwise, a recognised language certificate is required. 
Proof of Language Skills

The University of Luxembourg has a strict list of recognised language certificates, which are mandatory for proving language proficiency. Due to concerns regarding fraud, all submitted certificates must be verifiable by the issuing body. Applicants should ensure that their language certification meets the university’s official requirements. For the full list of accepted certificates and verification guidelines, please visit: 
Proof of Language Skills

No, if your degree was obtained more than two years before your application, it cannot serve as proof of language proficiency. In this case, you must provide an internationally recognized language test certificate.
Proof of Language Skills

Study Gap Acceptance

It depends on the reason for the gap. Generally, our master’s program does not permit study gaps because students must maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills necessary to follow the courses.

Admissions & Application Process

To apply for a master’s programme at the University of Luxembourg, candidates must comply with the general eligibility criteria and be selected based on the quality of their application. Detailed information on the application process, including required documents and deadlines, can be found on the University’s official admissions page.
Admissions Page

Eligibility for admission is determined solely based on the documents uploaded to the official admissions portal. No pre-assessments or eligibility checks are conducted outside of this official application process. Candidates must ensure that all required documents are complete and correctly uploaded, as no additional evaluations or exceptions will be made beyond the submitted application.

The Master in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defence programme is not responsible for the admissions process. For any queries related to applications, required documents, deadlines, or eligibility, please contact the Student Service (SEVE). You can find their contact details at the bottom of the admissions page: SEVE Contact Information.

For detailed information, please refer to the following official university resources:

The University of Luxembourg does NOT offer waivers or refunds for the application fee, which is €100 per programme applied for. However, successful applicants who enrol will have their application fee deducted from their first semester’s enrolment fee. For financial assistance opportunities, applicants may explore available scholarships, such as the Guillaume Dupaix International Scholarship, detailed at Scholarships. Additionally, information on managing finances, including estimated costs for accommodation, food, and other expenses, can be found on the University’s Cost of Living page.

Yes, an administrative fee of €100 is required for each programme application. This fee is non-refundable, even if an application is rejected. However, successful applicants who enroll in a programme will have the application fee deducted from their first semester’s enrolment fee.
Application Fees

No, a residence permit and medical insurance are required only after an applicant has been accepted into the master’s programme. Upon acceptance, detailed instructions regarding these requirements will be provided.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Computer Science or related fields. Strongly motivated students with a bachelor’s in other sciences (e.g., social sciences, economics, law) with proven and strongknowledge in computer security, informatics, and mathematics are also welcome to apply. Additionally, a language proficiency level of B2 in English is required.
Admission Requirements

The application deadline for non-EU applicants is the end of April. Check the official admissions page for any updates or changes to deadlines.
Admissions Page

Diploma recognition is managed by the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg. The process typically takes about 6 to 8 weeks but may take longer during the summer period. Applicants are advised to initiate this procedure as soon as they receive conditional acceptance from the University. The recognition must be obtained by mid-November; otherwise, the admission dossier will be automatically erased.

No, only applications submitted through the official university admissions portal will be considered for evaluation. All documents must be correctly uploaded before the submission deadline.

No, the University of Luxembourg does not review or pre-approve application documents sent via email. All documents must be uploaded through the official admissions portal, where they will be assessed as part of the formal application process.

Programme Information

No, this is a full-time, in-person programme. Classes are scheduled between 08:00 and 19:00 throughout the week, and attendance is mandatory.

The programme receives a high volume of applications, and a dedicated committee selects candidates based on quality and relevance to the programme. The acceptance rate is approximately 2.5%.

The Master in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defence offers a broad interdisciplinary training covering information and system security, threat and incident management, and cyber defence research methods.
Taught by leading experts in the field, the programme provides a well-balanced mix of theoretical and practical instruction, preparing students for careers in the rapidly growing fields of cybersecurity and cyber defence. Additionally, graduates interested in research and academia will be well-equipped to pursue a doctoral degree following their studies.

Financial Aspects

Applicants to this Master programme are eligible to receive the Guillaume Dupaix International Scholarship. For more information, please contact scholarships.fstm@uni.lu.

Details about accommodation, food, and other expenses are available on the University’s cost of living page. This resource provides an overview to help students plan their finances accordingly.
Cost of Living

The Master in Cybersecurity and Cyber Defence offers a broad interdisciplinary training covering information and system security, threat and incident management, and cyber defence research methods.
Taught by leading experts in the field, the programme provides a well-balanced mix of theoretical and practical instruction, preparing students for careers in the rapidly growing fields of cybersecurity and cyber defence. Additionally, graduates interested in research and academia will be well-equipped to pursue a doctoral degree following their studies.