Liechtenstein

Why study a Bachelor or Master in Liechtenstein

Find all the study programs in Liechtenstein

  • About
  • Study
  • Living
  • Universities
  • Student Visa
  • How to Apply
  • Scholarship

About Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a gem of a country. It is a very small country so that students may imagine they are able to put it in their pocket. But students shouldn’t let the size deceive them. It ticks several of the right boxes of good study abroad destinations.

Liechtenstein has the world’s second highest GDP per person in terms of purchasing power parity and the lowest external debt in the world. Liechtenstein also has the second lowest unemployment rate in the world at 1.5% (where Monaco is first).

Read on to learn many essential details about incomparable study destinations and why you should study in Liechtenstein.

The capital of Liechtenstein is Vaduz, and along with Blazers in the south, and Nendeln in the north, are the three main cities of the country.

The area of Liechtenstein is as small as 160 square kilometers. It is endowed with one of the highest standards of living in the world, some of the best financial institutions in the world, and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.

Liechtenstein has one of the world’s highest GDP per capita. The literacy rate in Liechtenstein is 100 percent, with schooling being a priority for most of the population.

Geographical information

The Principality of Liechtenstein (pronounced Liechtenstein) is a landlocked country located in the Alps in Central Europe. It is bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and Austria to the east. Its area is just over 160 square kilometers and its population is estimated at 38,749 (as of 2019). The state capital is Vaduz but Schaan is the largest city. Liechtenstein is populated by 40,000 people and is the fourth-smallest country in Europe. Liechtenstein is bordered to the east and north by Austria while Switzerland occupies the western, northern, and southern borders.

Currency

Liechtenstein’s official currency, the Swiss franc, is issued by the Swiss National Bank. The Liechtenstein franc consists of 100 smaller units called rappen and francs, and the bill or bank note consists of 100 equal units of francs. 

Languages

The official language in Liechtenstein is German, which is the only country in the world besides where German is the only official language. Nearly 95 percent of the population of Liechtenstein can speak German. Foreigners make up 35 percent of the population, most of whom come from German-speaking countries, such as Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and immigrants from only these three countries make up 20 percent of Liechtenstein’s population.

Religion

Christianity in Liechtenstein is the predominant religion. Liechtenstein is a predominantly Catholic country with a Protestant minority. According to the 2010 census, 85.8% of the total population is Christian, of whom 75.9% adhere to the Catholic faith, and follow the Roman Catholic Diocese of Vaduz, while 8.5% of the population are Protestant and are organized mainly in the Evangelical Church (United and Reformed churches) and the Church Lutheranism in Liechtenstein.

 

Study in Liechtenstein

Why should you study in Liechtenstein?

Liechtenstein prides itself on a 100 percent adult literacy rate. Liechtenstein offers reasonable tuition rates, usually not over CHF 4,946 (EUR 4,000; about USD 5,132) per academic year. Students wishing to study abroad in Liechtenstein would need to add in costs of a residence, but university hostels are widely available and inexpensive for students. It’s a huge incentive for international students picking Liechtenstein as their destination for studying.

With its reasonable tuition, high standard of living, and beautiful scenery, Liechtenstein provides students with an exceptional educational value. From its historical and cultural appeal, to the intrigue of a country ruled by a monarch, Liechtenstein is worth consideration as a location for studies.

Liechtenstein’s low unemployment rate may also convince graduates, already won over by the charm of the tiny country, to become citizens and begin their new careers.

There are other reasons why students should move to Liechtenstein for accomplishing their studies.

  • The entire country of Liechtenstein can be seen in a matter of hours by car. Stopping, sightseeing, and walking around add extra time but can still be done in just less than a day. Nonetheless, there is so much more the country offers, why spend hours breezing through when students can spend days absorbing the charm?
  • Public transportation in the country is great. The bus system is extensive and extremely cheap because the government supports public transportation to avoid traffic congestion on the one main road running through the region and students can transit easily and make new friends.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees in Liechtenstein depend on the course of study, the number of years, and the University. Generally, though, students coming from abroad should not pay more than €1,200/month. Students can even evade this by applying for scholarships to study in Liechtenstein for free.

Living in Liechtenstein

 The cost of living in Liechtenstein is on the high side. This is mostly due to the high salaries paid to workers here and the attendant impact on the price of goods and services.

As a very small country, the price differential between the capital and other parts of the country is not too high. In effect, the cost of living is not too dependent on location or closeness to the city center.

But the cost of living in Liechtenstein yet depends on the lifestyle the students choose for themselves.

Rent in a shared flat costs CHF 754; share of utilities costs CHF 61; internet subscription costs CHF 51; local transportation CHF 50; Fast-Food combo costs CHF 14; and cinema ticket costs CHF 18. A CHF exchange rate equals 1.02 United States Dollar.

Additionally, the average rent per month for a decent apartment of one room is a little under 800 Swiss francs.

Accommodation

International students coming to Liechtenstein can take advantage of the halls of residence provided by most universities. Apart from the lower cost, it would aid the student to settle down quickly, make new friends among students easily, and get help too.

Universities in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein has two major universities and other educational institutes. The two universities offer different degree programs for both in-country students and foreign students who want to study there.

University of Liechtenstein

The University of Liechtenstein is the only state university in the principality providing Architecture and Planning and Business Administration with a focus on entrepreneurship, finance and information systems.

University of Liechtenstein was founded in 1961. It provides students with practical knowledge in accordance with Swiss and international quality standards and help to promote their development through international exchange programs with one of our 80 partner universities.

There are other universities in the country such as Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein Institute and International Academy for Philosophy.

The International Academy of Philosophy provides only its prestigious PhD degree to those students who complete the rigorous coursework, plus a doctoral thesis of 70,000 to 100,000 words. Students may choose to write the thesis in German, Spanish, or English.

The Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein

The Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL) was founded in autumn 2000 as a private foundation under Liechtenstein law. The university is based in the municipality of Triesen, south of Vaduz.

The UFL has state recognition and the right to award doctorates. Currently, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law are managed. All UFL qualifications are recognized in the EU/EEA countries, among others.

Our most striking feature is the personal support given to the students by the teaching staff and the university staff. Instead of a rigid teaching and research offer, the respective needs of the trainees and researchers are addressed at the UFL. The number of students is limited in order to be able to maintain the personal character of the institution.

Student Visa - Liechtenstein

While international students typically need study visas to remain for more than 90 days and attend school in Liechtenstein, citizens of the country do not require study visas should they choose to study abroad in any European country. This is due to the proliferation of the “Study Abroad in Europe Consultants” (SAEC) program.

Though not a member of the EU, Liechtenstein does have agreements in place with EU countries to make it possible to travel there without a visa. Nonetheless, EU students would need to obtain a residency permit to be able to study in Liechtenstein for free.

Required documents

To acquire your residence permit, the required documents are the application form, your national passport, documents verifying your permanent address in Liechtenstein and a letter from your landlord confirming that you live there. 

You’ll also need to hand in passport photos and proof that you can financially support yourself and confirmation of acceptance into your study program.

How to apply - Liechtenstein

Below we will mention to you the most important steps that you must go through if you decide to study in Liechtenstein, but first let us talk about the conditions that you must obtain in order to be eligible to study in Liechtenstein:

First condition:
You must already have a high school diploma if you want to study for a bachelor’s degree. If you want to study a master’s, you must have completed university studies in your country and must have obtained a bachelor’s degree certificate.

Second condition:
Taking care of material things. The student must take care of his personal expenses during his stay in Liechtenstein. The embassy requires proof of funding for the study through either what is known as a closed bank account that the student must open in Liechtenstein and charge it with an amount of 10,332 euros, or through personal guarantee or proof that the student has obtained a scholarship.

Scholarship in Liechtenstein

It is worth noting scholarships and awards  in Liechtenstein are offered for both the natives and foreigners at different course levels i.e. undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral or research programs. Institutions in also offer merit scholarships to those who have outstanding academic records.

In Liechtenstein, international students could enjoy a wide array of programs and scholarships, including:

Fullbright Scholarship Program

  • The University of Liechtenstein Scholarship Program
  • The Rotary International Program
  • HKADC Overseas Arts Administration Scholarships
  • Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
  • Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships