Higher education in Lithuania
Study programs in Lithuania are evaluated according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and are offered in terms of ‘cycles’, which follow the Bologna system. The first cycle is for bachelor’s degrees, the second cycle is for master’s degrees, and the third cycle is for PhDs. Universities in Lithuania also offer integrated study programs, which combine the first and second cycles so that students graduate with a master’s degree and can then study a PhD if they wish. These are most commonly found in regulated professions such as law and medicine.
There are two types of higher education institutions in Lithuania – colleges (kolegija) and universities. Colleges are focused on practical training for particular professions. There are 14 public universities, eight private, and one branch campus of a Polish university.
Lithuanian universities use a 10-point grading system, in which 10 is the highest score and 5 is the minimum needed to pass.
Top universities in Lithuania
Four Lithuanian universities feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2016-2017, with a further three in the QS University Rankings: EECA, a ranking of the top universities in emerging Europe and central Asia. The four highest-ranked universities in Lithuania are:
Vilnius University
The largest university in Lithuania and the oldest in the three Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia), Vilnius University is currently ranked 481-490 in the world and 21st in the EECA region. It was founded in 1579 and now has around 20,900 students enrolled, including almost 1,250 international students. The university has more than 150 bilateral agreements with partner institutions and takes part in the Erasmus + exchange program.
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
Also located in Vilnius, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University is ranked 701+* in the world and 43rd in EECA. Established in 1956, it is one of the largest state universities in Lithuania and has become known for its expertise in technical and engineering education, with an innovative and international outlook. The university has received a three-star rating in the QS Stars rating system (an opt-in service for universities), achieving the maximum five stars for teaching, facilities and innovation.
Kaunas University of Technology
Kaunas University of Technology is currently ranked 701+ in the world and 51st in EECA, and is located (as its name suggests) in Lithuania’s second-largest city, Kaunas. It’s one of the largest technical universities in the Baltic states, with around 10,900 students studying on 156 different programs, 62 of which are offered in English.
Vytautas Magnus University
Also located in Kaunas, Vytautas Magnus University is ranked 701+ in the world and 77th in EECA in 2016-2017. Founded in 1922 (and re-established in 1989), Vytautas was the first Lithuanian university to develop bachelor’s, masters and doctoral degree programs and is the only university in the country to have a liberal arts focus.
Three more top universities in Lithuania are featured in the EECA rankings:
- Klaipeda University (ranked 121-130 in EECA)
- Siauliai University (151-200)
- Mykolas Romeris University (151-200)
Life in Lithuania
Lithuanians are friendly and often multi-lingual, with two-thirds of the population able to speak at least two foreign languages. Around 30% of Lithuanians are proficient in English, which is especially common in the younger population. You may wish to try and learn the basics of the Lithuanian language to help you to communicate with locals during your stay, and some universities offer courses to help international students integrate with the language and culture of Lithuania.
Read on for information on the cities you could call home while studying in Lithuania…
Vilnius
The capital and largest city in Lithuania, Vilnius has a population of around 542,700 people and is located in the southeast of the country. Students who choose a university in Vilnius are bound to be charmed by the city’s famous baroque and gothic architecture, especially in the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Vilnius also offers a vibrant nightlife, some of the highest internet speeds in the world, and pleasantly warm summers. It’s not short of universities, with Vilnius University and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and Mykolas Romeris University all located here. Vilnius was the European Capital of Culture in 2009 along with the Austrian city of Linz.
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania with around 297,700 residents, and is located in the south-central region of the country. The temporary capital of Lithuania during the interwar period, it’s packed with heritage from various eras, with plenty of museums and landmarks such as the 14th century Kaunas Castle. The city has historically been a leading center of Lithuanian cultural, academic and economic life, becoming a major industrial city after World War II. Kaunas is also a university city, with over 35,000 students studying Kaunas University of Technology, Vytautas Magnus University or one of the five other colleges and universities.
Klaipėda
Klaipėda (pronounced klai-pey-da) is located on the Baltic Sea coast at the north-western corner of Lithuania, and has a population of just over 154,000. The city is very much a mix of old and new, with an interesting history that includes a period as a temporary Prussian capital during the Napoleonic wars, and a time when it was known as Memel under German rule. It now serves as the country’s only sea port for large cruise ships and an important gateway in the Curonian Spit, and is close to popular seaside resort towns Nida and Palanga.
Admission requirements
Before applying to study in Lithuania, you’ll need to make sure your qualifications will be accepted for your level of study. You’ll need a school leaving certificate (or equivalent) if applying for first cycle (bachelor’s) degrees, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent for second cycle (master’s) programs and a master’s degree if applying for a third cycle (PhD) program. As a foreign citizen, your education documents will need to be evaluated and recognized by the Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (CQAHE), for which you’ll need to submit original copies of your diploma and academic transcript.
Another thing to consider is what language you’ll study in. More than 380 English-taught courses are listed on the program search tool provided by the Study in Lithuania website, including 99 university bachelor’s degrees, 139 master’s degrees and 16 doctoral programs. If you want to study in English and are not a native speaker, you will need to take a proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Likewise, if you’re studying in Lithuanian, you’ll need to pass a proficiency test in the language.
How to apply to study in Lithuania
Lithuanian nationals, people of Lithuanian origin and students from the EU/EEA are eligible to apply through the Lithuanian Higher Education Institutions (LAMA BPO) for state-funded places at universities in Lithuania, which should be done between 1 June and 23 July.
If you’re from a country outside of the EU/EEA, you will need to apply directly to your chosen university, submitting all the required documents:
- Completed application form
- Certificate of education (which has been recognized by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education)
- CV and letter of motivation
- Copy of your passport, certified by a Commissioner of Oaths
- Photographs of yourself
- A receipt proving that the application and tuition fees have been paid
- Bank statements proving that you are able to cover your tuition fees and living costs while studying in Lithuania
Tuition fees
Tuition fees in Lithuania vary between universities, study levels and programs. Average rates are:
- €1,000-5,300 (~US$1,060-5,620) for bachelor’s degrees
- €2,200-6,500 (~US$2,330-6,890) for master’s degrees
- €7,100-8,500 (~US$7,520-9,000) for PhDs
Living costs
Lithuania is a fairly inexpensive country to live in, with Vilnius University estimating costs of €489 (~US$520) per month, or €5,868 (~US$6,240) per year including accommodation, which in student dormitories can be as little as €70 (~US$74) per month.
Your mandatory Lithuanian student identity card (LSIC) will not just give you access to the university library, but will enable you to save money at local theaters, cinemas and restaurants. The international student identity card (ISIC) is not essential but will give you access to even more discounts.
Applying for a Lithuanian student visa
Students from the EU do not need a student visa. Students from selected non-EU countries such as New Zealand, Australia, the US and Canada (full list here) do not need a visa to enter Lithuania, but should apply for one after arrival. EU students do not need a residence permit, but must register with the Lithuanian Migration Department and declare their place of residence at a local district authority (Seniūnija) within seven days of arrival.
If you need a Lithuanian student visa, you’ll need to apply for the National visa (D), which can be single or multiple-entry. All non-EU students also need to apply for a temporary residence permit.You can apply for these at your local Lithuanian embassy for a €60 (~US$64) fee, and will need the following documents:
- Passport valid for at least three months longer than your expected length of stay in Lithuania
- Completed application form
- One recent color photo
- A document proving that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and fund your journey home at the end of your studies
- A document confirming that you’ve purchased health insurance
The documents needed for a residence permit are similar. You will also need proof that you’ve been admitted to a higher education institution in Lithuania, as well as a document confirming your place of residence during your studies. Your Lithuanian student visa will normally be issued in 15 days.
All students can work in Lithuania for up to 20 hours per week starting from their second year of studies, but non-EU students will need a work permit (unless hired during a training period or intending to work in the field of scientific/social research). After graduating, non-EU students can apply for a six-month temporary residence permit in order to stay in the country and seek employment.